VIII Fighter Command FO-166

24 October 1943
Major Eugene P. Roberts, a pilot of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, with Captain Charles P. London and war correspondent William Randolph Hearst Jr. at Duxford. Printed caption on reverse: 'Thunderbolts - the "Guardian Angels" of Flying Fortresses. Here are pictures of Thunderbolts P-47s, the famous American fighter planes, which escort Flying Fortresses on their daylight missions over Occupied Europe. Photo shows:- "This is how we did it", says Major Eugene ROBERTS, of Spokane, Washington, media-377504.jpg FRE 260 Major Eugene P. Roberts, a pilot of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, with Captain Charles P. London and war correspondent William Randolph Hearst Jr. at Duxford. Printed caption on reverse: 'Thunderbolts - the "Guardian Angels" of Flying Fortresses. Here are pictures of Thunderbolts P-47s, the famous American fighter planes, which escort Flying Fortresses on their daylight missions over Occupied Europe. Photo shows:- "This is how we did it", says Major Eugene ROBERTS, of Spokane, Washington, (on the right). He has just returned from a mission over Germany and goes over a combat tactic with Mr. Hearst, and (left) Captain Charles P. LONDON, Long Beach, California. They are indulging in a little by-plays while drinking coffee to warm up after a chilly flight in weather approaching sixty below. The major, tied for aerial 'Ace' honors in the E.T.O. with eight Jerries destroyed, flies in a Thunderbolt P-47 group with Captain London, who was the first "Ace" of this Theatre with five destroyed. U.S. Pool/SG/H. Keystone 60.' Roger Freeman Collection

FRE 260

Object Number - FRE 260 - Major Eugene P. Roberts, a pilot of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, with Captain Charles P. London and war correspondent William...

Description

This missionis composed of two fighter elements. The first element is a force of 48 P-38s from 55FG despatched to provide escort for a formation of B-26 bombers from 9th Air Force. There are no losses or claims.



The second element is a combined force of 205 P-47s from 55FG; 78FG; 353FG; and 356FG despatched to provide escort for a formation of B-26 bombers from 9th Air Force. 1 aircraft is damaged. This element claims 1-1-0 of attacking German fighters.

Mission Details

BEAUVAIS/ NIVILLERS / MONTDIDIER

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 48

BEAUVAIS/ NIVILLERS / MONTDIDIER / SAINT-ANDRE-DE-L'EURE

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Fighters escort 9th Air Force B-26s on a raid on Germany airfields at Montdidier, Beauvais and Saint-Andre-de-L'Eure, France. One locomotive was claimed in a strafing attack.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 205
  • Aircraft damaged: 1

Connections

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People

A P-47 Thunderbolt (LH-T, serial number 42-74665) nicknamed "Fatty Patty II" of the 353rd Fighter Group flown by Captain Charles W Dinse shoots down a BF 110 during a mission. Gun camera image. Printed caption on reverse: '50416 AC - Discovering an Me 110 below him, Capt. Charles W. Dinsa, 304 Touhy Ave., Park Ridge, Ill., dove down and destroyed it. The pictures were taken by his automatic camera as his bullets found their mark. Credit for the kill was shared with Lt. Richard A. Stearns, Jr., 102 Forest
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 350th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-665391
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Associated Media based on images associated with missions in Freeman, The Mighty Eighth War Diary.

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'.

VIII Fighter Command FO-166: Gallery (2 items)