VIII Fighter Command FO 233 BOMBER ESCORT

3 February 1944

Description

A combined force of 632 fighter aircraft of types P-38, P-47 and P-51 are despatched to provide escort to heavy bombers attacking at Wilhelmshaven, Germany.



74 P-38s from: 20FG and 55FG provide top cover to and from the target. There are no losses or claims in this element.



508 P-47s from VIII Fignter Command: 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 355FG; 356FG; 359FG; and 361FG. The force included P-47s from IX Fighter Command 358FG. 8 aircraft from VIII FC Failed to Return (FTR) - 8KIA. 2 VIII FC aircraft were Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in crashes upon return - 2RTD. 13 aircraft returned with battle damage. The fighters in this element calim 8-0-3 of attacking German aircraft.



50 P-51s from IX Fighter Command, 354FG join in the escort. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR). There were no other aircraft lost or damaged, no other casualties and no clims on enemy aircraft.

Mission Details

WILHELMSHAVEN/ EMDEN

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 74

WILHELMSHAVEN/ EMDEN

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: 48 P-47s of 358th Fighter Group (IX Fighter Command) also participate.

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 8
  • People returned to duty: 2
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 8
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 3
  • Aircraft sent: 508
  • Aircraft missing in action: 8
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 13

Wilhelmshaven, Germany

Description: BOMBER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang

Notes: 50 P-51s are despatched from IX Fighter Command, 354FG to assist VIII Fighter Command in the escort of bombers attacking at Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

Mission Statistics

  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 50
  • Aircraft effective: 50
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 66th Fighter Wing 353rd Fighter Group 350th Fighter Squadron 83rd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17054191 / O-736111
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 95th Bomb Group 412th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12050909
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron 614th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17129375
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Miss Billie Jr
  • Unit: 482nd Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 813th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Shack Rabbit
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sissy
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Anoxia Queen
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Look Homeward Angel
  • Unit: 546th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 26-Jan-2016. Added despatch of IX FC P-47s to note and statistics per "The Mighty EIghth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 26-Jan-2016. Added New Mission event for IX FC P-51 element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 26-Jan-2016. Added fighter claims to P-47 element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cuninngham 26-Jan-2016. Added Detailed Mission Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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'.