VIII Fighter Command FO 236 BOMBER ESCORT
6 February 1944Description
A combined force of 638 fighter aircraft of types: P-38; P-47; and P-51 are despatched to provide escort to heavy bombers attacking German airfields in France. Mission Summary follows:
A combined force of 85 P-38s from: 20FG & 55FG are despatched. 3 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 2KIA 1POW. 1 aircraft with battle damage is Damaged Beyond Repair in a chrash landing in England upon return - 1RTD. 1 aircraft is damaged. There are no other losses or claims.
A combined force of 506 P-47s are despatched which included 48 P-47s from IX Fighter Command 358FG. This group has no losses. The balance of 458 P-47s are from: 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 355FG; 356FG; 359FG; and 361FG. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 1EVD. 2 other aircraft are Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in crash landings upon return - 2WIA. 1 aircraft is damaged. The fighters of this element claim 11-2-3 of attacking German aircraft in the air and another 2-0-7 on the ground.
47 P-51s from IX Fighter Command 354FG join the escort. There are no losses or claims in this element.
Mission Details
CAEN / CHATEAUDUN
Description: Fighter ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 2
- Prisoners of war: 1
- Aircraft sent: 85
- Aircraft missing in action: 3
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 1
CAEN / CHATEAUDUN / ST. ANDRE DE L'EURE
Description: Fighter ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: Statistics and claims are from VIII Fighter Command Fighter Command. Claims are from ALL participating units and include 2-0-7 on the ground.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
![Ground crew of the 356th Fighter Group congratulate the pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Zombie" at Martlesham Heath air base. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'ZOMBIE yellow, black outline. [illegible text] black white common practice of 361st FS.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377162.jpg.webp?itok=Cj8CR9kY)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
![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
- People evaded: 1
- People returned to duty: 2
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 13
- Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 2
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 10
- Aircraft sent: 458
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
- Aircraft damaged: 1
Caen, France
Description: BOMBER ESCORT and Ground attacks
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: 48 P-47 are from IX Fighter Command.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 48
- Aircraft effective: 48
28200 Châteaudun, France
Description: BOMBER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
Notes: 47 P-51s from IX Fighter Command 354FG join the escort. There are no losses or claims.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 47
- Aircraft effective: 47
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 4-Feb-2016. Added New Mission Event for P-51s from IX Fighter Command 354 FG per "The Moghty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 4-Feb-2016. Added New Mission event for P-47s of IX Fighter Command 358FG and statistics per "The Moghty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman
Lee Cunningham 4-Feb-2016. Edited Notes ans added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to P-47 element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 4-Feb-2016. Edited title and 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'.