VIII Fighter Command FO 232 BOMBER ESCORT
2 February 1944Description
A combined fighter force of 34 P-38s from 20FG and 44 P-47s from 359FG are despatched to provide escort to B-26s from IX Bomber Command that are despatched to bomb the German airfield at Tricqueville, France. There are no pesronnel casualties or aircraft losses and there are no claims made upon enemy aircraft.
Mission Details
ST. POL/SIRACOURT
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
![Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P, serial number 44-14543) nicknamed "Precious Pat", piloted by Lieutenant Ralston; (IV-Z, serial number 44-15007) piloted by Lieutenant Klem; and (IV-D, serial number 44-15394). First handwritten caption on reverse: 'November 15 1944- 369th FS Lts. Ralston (P), Klem (Z), [illegible] (D).' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '15/11/44 369th Fighter Squadron, 3](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377226.jpg.webp?itok=RQw6Mu-P)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 44
TRICQUEVILLE
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
Notes: Escort for IX Bomber Command B-26s attacking Tricqueville.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 34
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 25-Jan-2016. Added Mission Description per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham, 8th Air Force missions research database / Stan Bishop's 'Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces', the Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces and the work of Roger Freeman including the 'Mighty Eighth War Diary'.