VIII Fighter Command OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
10 March 1943Description
4th Fighter Group conducts two operations of this date: 12 Spitfires and 14 P-47s are despatched on offensive operations over the English Channel and on targets of opportunity in France near the coast. This is the first use of P-47 Thunderbolts. However, radio communications between the Spitfires and P-47s is impossible due to VHF radio malfunctions in the Thunderbolts; 6 Spitfires are despatched on patrol along the English coast.
Mission Details
Le Crotoy, France
Description: OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS against targets of opportunity in France near the coast.
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: Sent out on offensive patrols. First use of P-47s by 8th Air Force. However, aircraft-to-aircraft communication is impossible because of VHF radio malfunctions in the P-47 Thunderbolts.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 14
English Channel
Description: FIGHTER PATROL
Aircraft Type: Spitfire
Notes: 6 Spitfires conduct defensive patrols along the English coast and Channel.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 6
Description: THIS EVENT IS AN ERROR.
Notes: Date error for this event. Please delete.
Le Crotoy, France
Description: OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS on targets of opportunity in France near the coast.
Aircraft Type: Spitfire
Notes: Offensive patrol joining with P-47s.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 12
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 26-Dec-2014. Added description and map location to Mission Event #4. This will become event #3 when th ERRONEOUS event #3 is deleted.
Lee Cunningham 26-Dec-2014. Deleted Unit association from ERRONEOUS Mission Event # 3.
Lee Cunningham 26-Dec-2014. Request to DELETE erroneous Mission Event # 3.
Lee Cunningham 26-Dec-2014. Added location and description to Mission Detail #2 per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 26-Dec-2014. Mission EVENT #1 Description and statistics based on 'the Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 26-Dec-2014. Description based on "the Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roegr A. Freeman and "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack McKillop.
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'.