8th Air Force 285 FIGHTER/BOMBER
30 March 1944Description
This operation is also designated as FO 67FW 14 for the combined force of 74 P-47s from: 359FG and 361FG despatched to bomb and strafe the German airfields at Soesterburg and Einhoven, Holland. There are no losses or claims in this element.
The second element in this fighter operation is also designated as FO 66FW 54 for the combined force of 22 P-47s from 78FG despatched to bomb abd sstrafe the German airfields at Venlo, Twente/Enschede and Deelen, Holland. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 1KIA. 3 aircraft are damaged. The fighters in this element claim 1-0-0 of German aircraft in the air and 1-0-2 on the ground. There are no other losses, casualties or claims in this element.
Mission Details
Description: AIRFIELD
EINDHOVEN (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: Dive-bombing, strafing raid by 24 P-47 fighter/bombers escorted by 50 other P-47s. No losses.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 5.75
- Aircraft sent: 74
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: It has not been determined how many fighters attacked this target.
![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
Description: AIRFIELD
VENLO (Primary)
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: 22 P-47 dive-bomb and strafe these airfields. One P-47 lost (pilot Missing in Action (MIA)), 3 damaged.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 1
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 2
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 2
- Aircraft sent: 22
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged: 3
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 10-Mar-2016. Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to Venlo P-47 element based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman
Lee Cunningham 10-Mar-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on "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'.