VIII Fighter Command P-47 RODEO

8 April 1943

Description

23 P-47s fly a Rodeo (offensive fighter sweep over enemy territory) between Dunkirk, France and Sangatte, France. 4FG (7); 56FG (4); and 78FG (12). There are no losses or claims. While the 4FG has been flying operations since 2-Oct-43, this is the first combat operation for 56FG and 78FG.



4th Fighter Group has now transitioned from Spitfires to P-47s which will be their primary aircraft until May 1944 when they will upgrade to the P-51. Their base will be at Debden, UK for the remainder of the war.



56th Fighter Group "The Wolfpack" has been assembling at Kingscliffe and Wittering, UK since 13-Jan-43 with P-47s but are now operating out of Horsham St. Faith, UK. The P-47 will be their primary aircraft until July 1944 when they will upgrade to the P-51.



The 78FG has been in the UK at Goxhill, UK since early November 1942 when they were equipped with P-38s. The Group was stripped of most of its P-38 aircraft in February 1943 when the aircraft were sent to units of 12th Air Force in North Africa and since that time have been transitioning to the Republic P-47C Thunderbolt. The P-47 will be their primary aircraft until Dec-44 when they will upgrade to the P-51. As of 3-Apr-43 their base of operations will be Duxford, UK and remain so for the remainder of the war.

Mission Details

DUNKIRK / SANGATTE / Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK / Horsham St Faith, Norwich, Norfolk, UK / Duxford, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB22, UK

Description: FIGHTER Rodeo

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: First mission for 56th Fighter Group and 78th Fighter Group, flown from DEBDEN. Rodeos between Dunkirk and Sangatte.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 23

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 29-Dec-2014. Added map locations for 4th FG (Debden), 56FG (Horsham St. Faith) and 78FG (Duxford)

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 29-Dec-2014. Added map locations for 4th FG (Debden), 56FG (Horsham St. Faith) and 78FG (Duxdord)

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 29-Dec-2014. Description based on "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack McKillop; "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman; on-line Unit biographies .

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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'.