VIII Fighter Command FO-173 BOMBER ESCORT

7 November 1943

Description

This mission is composed of two fighter elements. The first element if a force of 54 P-38s from 55FG despatched to provide escort for B-26 bombers from 9th Air Force attacking German airfields at Montdidier and Meulan, France. The force included 8 P-38s from 20FG/79FS that flew as part of the 55FG formation to get their first experience in combat. 2 aircraft from 20FG Failed to Return (FTR) 2KIA.



NOTE: Roger A. Freeman's "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" has the 355FG as being part of the despatch of fighters escorting B-17s attackin at Duren, Germany, but the MACRs associated with 355FG losses on this date confirm that to be in error. Lee Cunningham



The second element is a force of 49 P-47s from 4FG were despatched to fly fighter sweeps in the Ostend/Lille/Lens/Calaise area. There are no losses or claims.

Mission Details

MEULAN / MONTDIDIER

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Notes: 8 P-38s from 20th Fighter Group fly with the 55th Fighter Group and two are lost-pilots Missing in Action (MIA).

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 54
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2

MEULAN / MONTDIDIER

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Fighters escort 9th Air Force B-26s in raid on Germany airfields at Mondidier and Meulan, France. Includes the despatch from 355FG, exact number not in source data.

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 4
  • Prisoners of war: 3
  • Aircraft sent: 49
  • Aircraft missing in action: 7

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-671449
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 20th Fighter Group 79th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-423814
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-660163
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-796736
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Chester Watson
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-000998
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Beetle
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Unit: 20th Fighter Group Headquarters (20th Fighter Group)
  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Unit: 20th Fighter Group 79th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: On The Ball
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron
A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 42-8370), formerly of the 355th Fighter Group, captured by the Germans and used as a test aircraft by the Luftwaffe. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'T9+FK.'
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Alabama Bound
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Jul-2015. All corrections based on analysis of 355FG MACRs for this date. See NOTE in Description.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Jul-2015. Correcting mission association based on analysis of 355FG MACRs. See NOTE in description.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 9-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

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'.