VIII Fighter Command SWEEPS & PATROL
12 March 1943Description
4th Fighter Group conducts two operations on this date: 41 Spitfires are despatched to perform fighter sweep along the heavy bomber route to the marshalling yards at Rouen/Sotteville. This is a test for using fighters in a more offensive role rather than as purely bomber escort. One Spitfire is shot down but the pilot manages to bale out and is captured. One enemy aircraft is reported as damaged in the encounter; in a second operation 2 Spitfires are despatched on a shipping patrol.
Mission Details
Description: SHIPPING PATROL
Aircraft Type: Spitfire
Notes: Shipping patrol.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 2
ROUEN/SOTTEVILLE
Description: FIGHTER SWEEP
Aircraft Type: Spitfire
Notes: Fighter sweep in support of bomber raid on Rouen/Sotteville. One Spitfire shot down by enemy aircraft; pilot was seen to bail out near St. Omer, France.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Prisoners of war: 1
- Aircraft sent: 41
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 336th Fighter Squadron 4th Fighter Group
- Service Numbers: O-885687
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: Spitfire
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 26-Dec-2014. Added 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'.