VIII Fighter Command FO - 46 BOMBER ESCORT
15 June 1943Description
An unknown number of P-47s from 4FG, 56FG and 78FG are scheduled to provide escort for the B-17 formation headed to France, but the escort is cancelled even before the entire formation is airborne because the bomber mission was recalled. One P-47 from 4FG is MIA and is ditched into the English Channel due to a mechanical malfunction. The pilot is rescued.
Mission Details
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: A P-47 force was in the process of being despatched to escort the bombers headed for France. One P-47 from 4th Fighter Group crashed into the English Channel after a malfunction. Pilot rescued
- 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 returned to duty: 1
- Aircraft sent: 44
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 6-Jan-2015. Description 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'.