8th Air Force 263 FIGHTER STRAFING

17 March 1944

Description

A combined force of 135 P-47s from: 78FG; 353FG; 358FG; and 361FG are despatched to make low-level strafing attacks on German airfields in France. 15 aircraft from 353FG attacked Soesterburg airfield; 25 aircraft from 361FG attacked the German airfield at Chartres, France. The remaining despatch provided escort and low-level fighter sweeps. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 1POW 1EVD. The fighters claim 3-2-8 German aircraft on the ground. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.

Mission Details

Chartres, France

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: 135 P-47s are despatched to make low-level strafing attacks on airfields in France. All claims are aircraft on the ground. No bombing, all strafing attacks.

Mission Statistics

  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 3
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 2
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 8
  • Aircraft sent: 95
  • Aircraft effective: 95
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2

CHARTRES

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: 25 of 361 Fighter Group attack this airfield in France.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 25
  • Aircraft effective: 25

SOSTERBURG

Description: AIRFIELD

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: 15 of 353rd Fighter Group attack this airfield (Soesterburg) in Holland. No bombing, all strafing attacks.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 15
  • Aircraft effective: 15

Connections

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

People

Picture of Hotchkiss

Courtlyn W Hotchkiss

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 83rd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-686748
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot, Pilot
Lieutenant Peter Pompetti points out his latest "kill" to go onto the bulletin board of the 84th Fighter Squadron to Captain Harold E. Stump. Both are pilots with the 84th Fighter Squadron of the 78th Fighter Group, based at Duxford air base. October 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'A visit to an American Fighter Station. This is a pictorial series depicting the various aspects of life of one of the oldest American fighter groups over in England - operationally speaking. The boys are seen lounging aroun

Peter E Pompetti

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2044767
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

William Lafayette Smith

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 390th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34024766 at enlistment, then O-803479
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

42-74641

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron

42-76337

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 390th Fighter Squadron

42-8688

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 83rd Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Mar-2016. Correcting typo in Mission Narrative.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 27-Feb-2016 Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 27-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative 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'.