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353rd Fighter Group

Group

  • The lounge of the Officers Club at Raydon air base. When the 353rd Fighter Group were stationed there, it was known as

    The lounge of the Officers Club at Raydon air base. When the 353rd Fighter Group were stationed there, it was known as "The Auger Inn".

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  • Colonel Glenn E. Duncan, Commanding Officer of the 353rd Fighter Group from 25 November 1943 until 7 July 1944, when he was reported MIA. He evaded and resumed his command on 22 April 1945. Colonel Ben Rimerman, the officer on the right, was the 353rd Fighter Group's Commanding Officer in Col. Duncan's absence. May - August 1945. Colonel Rimerman was killed when the P-51 Mustang he was a passenger in crashed near Great Dunmow, Essex, on 11 August 1945. The pilot Captain William J. Maguire, who had flown with the 351st Fighter Squadron of the 353rd Fighter Group throughout the war, was also killed. They are both buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery.

    Colonel Glenn E. Duncan, Commanding Officer of the 353rd Fighter Group from 25 November 1943 until 7 July 1944, when he was reported MIA. He evaded and resumed his command on 22 April 1945. Colonel Ben Rimerman, the officer on the right, was the 353rd Fighter Group's Commanding Officer in Col. Duncan's absence. May - August 1945. Colonel Rimerman was killed when the P-51 Mustang he was a passenger in crashed near Great Dunmow, Essex, on 11 August 1945. The pilot Captain William J. Maguire, who had flown with the 351st Fighter Squadron of the 353rd Fighter Group throughout the war, was also killed. They are both buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery.

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  • On the left, Colonel Glenn E. Duncan, Commanding Officer of the 353rd Fighter Group, and a second officer in an 'Ike jacket', at a party held by the group at Raydon air base, in recognition of the second anniversary of the group's arrival to England. 9 - 10 June 1945.

    On the left, Colonel Glenn E. Duncan, Commanding Officer of the 353rd Fighter Group, and a second officer in an 'Ike jacket', at a party held by the group at Raydon air base, in recognition of the second anniversary of the group's arrival to England. 9 - 10 June 1945.

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  • Member of the 353rd Fighter Group stands with suitcase on a railway track. He is probably Private First Class Rocci J. Fisch of Havre de Grace, Maryland.

    Member of the 353rd Fighter Group stands with suitcase on a railway track. He is probably Private First Class Rocci J. Fisch of Havre de Grace, Maryland.

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  • Four pilots of the 353rd Fighter Group at Raydon air base, November 1944. Second from the right is Lieutenant Robert C. Strobell of the 351st Fighter Squadron. Left to right looking at the picture are 351st Fighter Squadron pilots Lt. Hardy L. Biddy of Hobart, OK, Lt. Robert E. Banchard of Chicago, Il, Lt Robert C. Strobell of Fairfox Village, Washington D.C., and Lt. Henry J Carbonneau of Dover, NH. The photo was taken at Raydon sometime before the end of August 1944 as Strobell completed his tour by this time. I believe the photo originally came to Roger via Strobell who cooperated with him on his book 'Experiences of War - The American Airman in Europe (Weidenfield, 1991).

    Four pilots of the 353rd Fighter Group at Raydon air base, November 1944. Second from the right is Lieutenant Robert C. Strobell of the 351st Fighter Squadron. Left to right looking at the picture are 351st Fighter Squadron pilots Lt. Hardy L. Biddy of Hobart, OK, Lt. Robert E. Banchard of Chicago, Il, Lt Robert C. Strobell of Fairfox Village, Washington D.C., and Lt. Henry J Carbonneau of Dover, NH. The photo was taken at Raydon sometime before the end of August 1944 as Strobell completed his tour by this time. I believe the photo originally came to Roger via Strobell who cooperated with him on his book 'Experiences of War - The American Airman in Europe (Weidenfield, 1991).

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  • Ace pilot Major Walter C. Beckham of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group, in front of P-47 Thunderbolt (YJ-X, serial number 42-8476), named

    Ace pilot Major Walter C. Beckham of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group, in front of P-47 Thunderbolt (YJ-X, serial number 42-8476), named "Little Demon". Beckham was flying this aircraft when he failed to return from a mission to Germany on 22 February 1944. He was held as a prisoner of war until the end of war in Europe.

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  • Glenn E. Duncan, on the left, and John B. Rose Jr. of the 353rd Fighter Group, stand beside the group's de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth DE745 'Dorothy', which Duncan had just crash-landed into the field. 1943-1944. This is one of a series of photos taken before the above mentioned accident on 7th September 1943 at Westleton, Suffolk. Major Duncan, with Lt. Rose as passenger, landed at the crash landing of a 351st Fighter Squadron P-47 Thunderbolt piloted by Lt. Vernon A. Leatherman (a/c YJ-N 41-6585). On attempting to take off and return to Metfield, Major Duncan hit a hedge and flipped the Tiger Moth onto its back. Major Duncan and Lt. Rose were unhurt

    Glenn E. Duncan, on the left, and John B. Rose Jr. of the 353rd Fighter Group, stand beside the group's de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth DE745 'Dorothy', which Duncan had just crash-landed into the field. 1943-1944. This is one of a series of photos taken before the above mentioned accident on 7th September 1943 at Westleton, Suffolk. Major Duncan, with Lt. Rose as passenger, landed at the crash landing of a 351st Fighter Squadron P-47 Thunderbolt piloted by Lt. Vernon A. Leatherman (a/c YJ-N 41-6585). On attempting to take off and return to Metfield, Major Duncan hit a hedge and flipped the Tiger Moth onto its back. Major Duncan and Lt. Rose were unhurt

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  • Lieutenant-Colonel Shannon Christian of the 351st Fighter Squadron, with a P-47 Thunderbolt of the 353rd Fighter Group. Image stamped with station censor: 'Not for publication. Passed for personal use only.' Veteran's handwritten caption on reverse: ' Lt Col. Christian.'

    Lieutenant-Colonel Shannon Christian of the 351st Fighter Squadron, with a P-47 Thunderbolt of the 353rd Fighter Group. Image stamped with station censor: 'Not for publication. Passed for personal use only.' Veteran's handwritten caption on reverse: ' Lt Col. Christian.'

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  • Captain James Cope, Flight Surgeon of the 352nd Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group, at the crash site of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford in England. 1943-1945. This accident took place on 20th May 1944. Capt. John B. Rose Jr made an afternoon flight, returning from Goxhill to Raydon in the Group’s Airspeed Oxford (a/c no 1203). As he came over the field preparing to land two P-47’s from another Group were cleared to land, forcing Rose to go around for another approach after receiving a Red light from the tower. Rose reported : I immediately opened the throttles and pulled up my flaps. A few seconds later my port engine failed from lack of gas, I gave the starboard engine full power, switched to the auxiliary tanks, raised my wheels and attempted to restart my port engine. It caught momentarily but failed again and all further attempts were unsuccessful. At the time of the engine failure I was on main tanks which read five gallons just prior to my attempt to land. The starboard engine was not sufficient to maintain level flight, I was losing altitude gradually. When it became apparent that I could not clear a high row of trees, I cut the starboard engine and bellied the ship into a wheat field about two miles west of the field. Capt Rose and his passenger, the 352nd Flight Surgeon Capt James Cope, were unhurt. The Oxford suffered damage to its underside, carburetors, air scoops, cowling, right wing tip, right aileron and propellers. The accident report indicates the engine cut because Capt. Rose did not switch to his full auxiliary tank before landing and the engine was therefore starved of fuel.

    Captain James Cope, Flight Surgeon of the 352nd Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group, at the crash site of an Airspeed AS.10 Oxford in England. 1943-1945. This accident took place on 20th May 1944. Capt. John B. Rose Jr made an afternoon flight, returning from Goxhill to Raydon in the Group’s Airspeed Oxford (a/c no 1203). As he came over the field preparing to land two P-47’s from another Group were cleared to land, forcing Rose to go around for another approach after receiving a Red light from the tower. Rose reported : I immediately opened the throttles and pulled up my flaps. A few seconds later my port engine failed from lack of gas, I gave the starboard engine full power, switched to the auxiliary tanks, raised my wheels and attempted to restart my port engine. It caught momentarily but failed again and all further attempts were unsuccessful. At the time of the engine failure I was on main tanks which read five gallons just prior to my attempt to land. The starboard engine was not sufficient to maintain level flight, I was losing altitude gradually. When it became apparent that I could not clear a high row of trees, I cut the starboard engine and bellied the ship into a wheat field about two miles west of the field. Capt Rose and his passenger, the 352nd Flight Surgeon Capt James Cope, were unhurt. The Oxford suffered damage to its underside, carburetors, air scoops, cowling, right wing tip, right aileron and propellers. The accident report indicates the engine cut because Capt. Rose did not switch to his full auxiliary tank before landing and the engine was therefore starved of fuel.

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  • Lieutenant Ray C. Gordon of the 350th Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group. This photograph was probably taken at Raydon air base where the 353rd Fighter Group were stationed between 12 April 1944 and 10 October 1945. Late 1944 - 1945.

    Lieutenant Ray C. Gordon of the 350th Fighter Squadron, 353rd Fighter Group. This photograph was probably taken at Raydon air base where the 353rd Fighter Group were stationed between 12 April 1944 and 10 October 1945. Late 1944 - 1945.

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The 353rd Fighter Group was assigned to the Eighth Air Force on 7 June 1943. The group flew P-47 Thunderbolts, and from October 1944, P-51 Mustangs, as escorts for bombing missions across occupied Europe and to strafe targets on the ground. Tactical missions included strafing and dive-bombing targets during the Allied invasion of Normandy and during the airborne assault of Holland. For these latter missions, between 17 and 23 September 1944, the Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation.

Structure

Part of
Encompassing
Previously was
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Became
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Missions

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-95 FIGHTER SWEEPS

    9 August 1943
    A combined force of 139 P-47s from: 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; and 353FG are despatched to conduct fighter sweeps if the Abbeville/Poix area of France. This is the first combat operation for the 353 Fighter Group. There are no losses or claims.

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-99 FIGHTER SWEEP

    12 August 1943
    27 P-47s from 353FG are despatched to perform a high altitude sweep over the Westhoffd/Eekloo/Ostend area of Belgium. This is the first Group despatch for the 353rd Fighter Group. There are no losses or claims.

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-102 FIGHTER SWEEP

    14 August 1943
    A combined force of 88 P-47s from: 56FG; and 353FG are dispatched on a divisionary sweep in support of bombers. The citation of this mission in Roger A. Freeman's "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" is not clear on which bombers were supported with this...

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-103 FIGHTER SWEEPS

    15 August 1943
    176 P-47s from: 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; and 353FG are despatched on figher sweeps of the Knokke/Bruges/Lille/St. Omer areas of Belgium and France. There are no losses or claims and no german fighters are encountered. This is typical for the Luftwaffe whose...

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-104 BOMBER ESCORT

    15 August 1943
    A combined force of 187 P-47s from : 4FG, 56FG, 78FG; and 353FG are despatched to escort the bomber fomrations ov VIII Bomber Command mission #82 in thiser attacks on German airfields in Holland and France. 56FG arrived 30 minutes too early and were...

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-105 BOMBER ESCORT

    16 August 1943
    A combined force of 180 P-47s (all with belly tanks) are despatched from : 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; and 353FG to escort VIII Bomber Command mission #83 attacking German airfields in France at Paris (Le Bourget), Poix and Abbeville. 3 aircraft Failed to Return ...

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-106 BOMBER ESCORT

    17 August 1943
    This operation was conducted in two elements to provide fighter escort for the B-17 formations attacking at Schweinfurt/Regensberg. A composite force of 240 P-47s from: 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; and 353FG are despatched to escort the penetration by the B-17s of...

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-107 FIGHTER SWEEPS

    18 August 1943
    40 P-47s from 353FG are despatched on fighter sweeps in the Westhoofed/Woensdrecht/Knokke area. There are no losses or claims.

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-108 BOMBER ESCORT

    19 August 1943
    A combined force of 178 P-47s are despatched from: 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; and 353FG to provide escort for the B-17 formations despatched to bomb the Gilze-Rijen and Woensdrecht airfields in Holland. 4FG and 78FG provide fighter cover on the penetration and...

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-111 FIGHTER SWEEPS

    23 August 1943
    A combined force of 158 P-47s from 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; and 353FG are sent on fighter sweeps of the Bruges/Woensdrect/Schipol area. Those of 353FG make a high altitude approach in an attempt to confuse the German radar operators into thinking they were a...

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Stations

Station Location Date
Based Goxhill 7 June 1943 – 3 August 1943
Based Metfield 3 August 1943 – 12 April 1944
Based Raydon 12 April 1944 – 10 October 1945

Connections

People

  • Olger Aal

    Military | First Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 353rd Fighter Group
    Assigned to 350FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Brussels, one of five A/C bombing Diest aerodrome, failed to rejoin after attack, cause unknown 29-Aug-44. 1st Lt Aal Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 8312. ...

  • Mason Abernathy

    Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 353rd Fighter Group

  • Robert Abernathy

    Military | Captain | Fighter Pilot | 353rd Fighter Group
    Assigned to 350FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Five confirmed victories. Ended Tour of Duty (ETD). Awards: DFC, AM (12 OLC).

  • Walter Achramowicz

    Military | Major | Fighter Pilot | 353rd Fighter Group
    Assigned to 555FTS, 496FTG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 38FS, 55FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 350FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Ended Tour of Duty (ETD). Walter Achramowicz also went on to serve in the Korean War. He retired from the US Air Force in 1964 with the...

  • William Agnew

    Military | First Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 353rd Fighter Group
    Assigned to 350FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 338FS, 55FG, 8AF USAAF. Flew 70+ combat missions. Credited 1 probable. Killed in Mid Air Collision in P-51D 44-15598 2 miles SW Kaufbuern/ R-70. 5-Aug-45. KIA. Awards: DFC, AM (6 OLC), PH.

  • George Ahles

    Military | Captain | Fighter Pilot | 353rd Fighter Group
    Enlisted USAAC Nov-39. Posted to A-20 light bomber squadron. Qualified for pilot training Nov-40. Entered Aviation Cadets Jan-42. Presented wings Nov-42. Advanced pilot training Sep-42. Married Sep-42. Joined 351FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF nucleus Dec-42....

  • Richard Akard

    Military | First Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 353rd Fighter Group
    First lieutenant in the Air Force during World War II, assigned to 352FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron. Flew 90 European missions and received both the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal (5 OLC), as well as...

  • Edgar Albert

    Military | First Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 353rd Fighter Group
    Assigned to 351FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) bomber escort Romilly Sur Seine, having attacked some Fw190's, section was bounced by three Bf109's out of the sun. Lt Albert broke left whilst his element leader broke right and into the E/A....

  • Marvin Albertson

    Military | First Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 353rd Fighter Group
    Assigned to 350FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Mid Air Collision when his P-51D 42-14422 collided with P-51D 42-14791 and crashed at Wilden, Worcestershire, England. Killed in Flying Accident KIFA 27-Oct-44.

  • Harry Aldridge

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 353rd Fighter Group
    Assigned to 350FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) dive bombing mission to Plantlunne aerodrome in P-47D 42-76268, hit by flak, A/C abandoned Almelo when oil pressure hit zero. Crashed near Oldenzaal. Parachute failed to open. Killed in Action...

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Aircraft

  • 41-6583 Alyce

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    P47C-5-RE 41-6583 [YJ:K] "Alyce" was assigned to the 353FG/351FS at Metfield, UK. On 5-Nov-43 the aircraft, piloted by CPT Orville A. Kincade was despatched with others from the 353FG to provide escort to the B-17 formations of 3rd Bomb Division...

  • 42-106619

    P-51 Mustang

  • 42-22458

    P-47 Thunderbolt

  • 42-22466 'Mary Jayne'

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    Assigned to 352FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) strafing mission to Paris area 12-Aug-44. Strafing a train, hit by exploding debris. Belly landed on fire. Pilot Lt James M Tuttle Evaded (EVD). 12-Aug-44 MACR 7605.

  • 42-22523 'Angel Of Mercy'

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    Assigned to 351FS, 353FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) strafing mission Nijmegen last seen pursuing a Fw190 down through the overcast over Arnhem. Shot down, Capt Lloyd G Hally Killed in Action (KIA). 21-Sep-44 MACR 9003.

  • 42-22759

    P-47 Thunderbolt

  • 42-22768

    P-47 Thunderbolt

  • 42-22779

    P-47 Thunderbolt

  • 42-25771 Agony Wagon

    P-47 Thunderbolt
    Flown by Lieutenant Donald J Corrigan who flew it operationally three times between 30 April and 20 May 1944. He gave it the nickname 'Agony Wagon'. He had one recorded 'victory' and this was marked on the aircraft. ...

  • 42-25730

    P-47 Thunderbolt

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Citations

None

Air Force
8th
Type
Combat
Type category
Fighter
Nicknames

'Bill's Buzz Boys'

Motto
Slybird
Insignia
Lightning Partition on a Bend, Or. Party per bend Guels (sinister) and Azure (dexter). Banner base, Or. Motto "SLYBIRD". Charged with a fanged Eagle, Sable.
Aircraft used
  • P-47 Thunderbolt
  • P-51 Mustang

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
24 December 2019 07:44:27 SOLIDKREATE Changes to motto and insignia
Sources

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/3725
https://archive.org/details/generalarmoryofe00burk/page/n37
Date Contributor Update
09 March 2017 18:16:36 dwgdallas Changes to media associations
Sources

From the Personal Collection of Lt. Billy J. Murray
Date Contributor Update
06 March 2017 22:13:37 dwgdallas Changes to media associations
Sources

From the Personal Collection of Lt. Billy J. Murray
Date Contributor Update
06 March 2017 22:09:34 dwgdallas Changes to media associations
Sources

From the Personal Collection of Lt. Billy J. Murray
Date Contributor Update
03 March 2017 15:57:49 dwgdallas Changes to media associations
Sources

From the Personal Collection of Lt. Billy J. Murray
Date Contributor Update
03 March 2017 15:35:55 dwgdallas Changes to media associations
Sources

From the Personal Collection of Lt. Billy J. Murray
Date Contributor Update
13 February 2017 21:15:15 dwgdallas Changes to media associations
Sources

personal effects of Lt. Billy J. Murray 353rd FG/ 351st FS
Date Contributor Update
13 February 2017 18:35:35 dwgdallas Changes to media associations
Sources

personal effects of Lt. Billy J. Murray 353rd FG/ 351st FS
Date Contributor Update
13 February 2017 18:10:10 dwgdallas Changes to media associations
Sources

personal effects of Lt. Billy J. Murray 353rd FG/ 351st FS
Date Contributor Update
17 January 2017 22:17:37 dwgdallas Changes to insignia
Sources

personal effects of Billy J. Murray
Date Contributor Update
17 January 2017 22:16:05 dwgdallas Changes to insignia
Sources

personal effects of Billy J. Murray
Date Contributor Update
20 November 2014 16:51:00 Lucy May Changes to type, mission associations and stations
Sources

Dates for when stationed at different bases: http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/353rdfg.php
Date Contributor Update
27 September 2014 18:42:45 AAM AAM ingest
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / The Mighty Eighth. A History of the Units, Men and Machines of the US 8th Air Force.' by Roger A. Freeman (1989). 'Air Force Combat Units of World War II' compiled by the Department of the US Air Force, edited by Maurice Maurer (1983). / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)

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