VIII Fighter Command FO-203 BOMBER ESCORT
16 December 1943
Added photo
Object Number - UPL 19574 - 2nd Lt Leroy V. Hokinson Jr
Description
This fighter mission is despatched to escort bombres attacking at Bremen, Germany. The mission consists of three elements. The first element if a force of 31 P-38s from 55FG. No aircraft are lost in combat, but 1 aircraft went out of control over Wakerly, UK on return when pilot became disoriented in clouds 1KIA.
The second fighter element was a force of 131 P-47s from 4FG; 355FG and 356FG. There are no losses in combat but 1 aircraft crashed into the sea on the way out for no apparent reason and the pilot was killed (1KIA). This element claims 1-0-0 of attacking German fighters.
The third element was a force of 39 P-51s from 345FG (9th Air Force) operating under VIII Fighter COmmand control. There are no losses in this element. This element claims 1-0-0 of attacking German fighters.
Mission Details
BREMEN
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
Notes: 55th Fighter Group's P-38s fail to make the rendezvous because the bombers were late. Returned to base. 354th Fighter Group (IX Fighter Command) contributes 39 P-51s to the escort (Statistics not included in totals)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 1
- Aircraft sent: 31
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
BREMEN
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
![Ground crew of the 356th Fighter Group congratulate the pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Zombie" at Martlesham Heath air base. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'ZOMBIE yellow, black outline. [illegible text] black white common practice of 361st FS.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377162.jpg.webp?itok=Cj8CR9kY)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 1
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 1
- Aircraft sent: 131
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
Bremen, Germany
Description: P-51 FIGHTER ESCORT of bombers attacking at Bremen, Germany
Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 1
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: 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-750593
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
- Unit: 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 25-Jul-2015. Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to P-47 element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 25-jul-2015. Added NEW Mission event for 354FG and added claims to thier statistics per "The Mighty Eight War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 25-Jul-2015. Added fighter claims to Mission Narrative per "The Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 25-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative 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'.