VIII Fighter Command FO 240 BOMBER ESCORT

11 February 1944

Description

This fighter escort operation is conducted by two separate fighter elements in support of heavy bomber missions attacking at Siracourt, France and Frankfurt, Germany.



The first element is a combined force of 126 fighters of type P-47 and P-51. A combined force of 84 P-47s from: 356FG and IX Fighter Command 362FG provide the actual escort of the heavy bombers attacking the V-Veapon sites around Siracourt, France. These are supported by a force of 41 P-51s from 8th Air Force 357FG, the first P-51 operation by 8th Air Force, who perform a fighter sweep in the Rouen area. There are no losses or claims in this element.



The second element is a combined force of 606 fighters of types: P-38, P-47 and P-51 despatched to escort the heavy bombers attacking at Frankfurt, Germany. Mission summary follows:



A combined force of 82 P-38s from 20FG & 55FG are despatched. 8 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 2KIA 6POW. 2 other aircraft are damaged, The fighters of this force claim 2-2-4 of attacking German aircraft.

A combined force of 486 P-47s are despatched. Included in this despatch are P-47s from IX Fighter Command 358FG (number not stated in source data). 4 aircraft from VIII Fighter Command Failed to Return (FTR) - 3KIA 1POW. 3 aircraft are Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) 2 of these were caused by pilot error on return and 1 was caused by pilot error on take off - 1KIA 2RTD. The fighters in this force claim 14-0-14 of attacking German aircraft in the air and 2-1-4 on the ground.

A force of 38 P-51s from IX Fighter Command 354FG are despatched. 2 Aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 2POW. 1 aircraft with battle damage was Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a charsh landing upon return - 1RTD. The fighters in this force claim 14-0-10 of attacking German fighters.

Mission Details

FRANKFURT

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Notes: IX Fighter Command contributes 38 P-51s to the escort.

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 2
  • Prisoners of war: 6
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 2
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 2
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 4
  • Aircraft sent: 82
  • Aircraft missing in action: 8
  • Aircraft damaged: 2

FRANKFURT

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: A mix of 486 P-47s from (VIII Fighter Command) and 358th Fighter Group (IX Fighter Command) provide escort (mix not detailed in available data). Two P-47 groups failed to locate the bombers on withdrawal. Claims on enemy aircraft include 2-1-4 on the ground.

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 4
  • People evaded: 1
  • People returned to duty: 2
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 16
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 18
  • Aircraft sent: 486
  • Aircraft missing in action: 4
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 3
  • Aircraft damaged: 4

ROUEN

Description: FIGHTER SWEEP

Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang

Notes: 357th Fighter Group (P-51) (VIII Fighter Command) flies its first mission. This is the first use of the P-51 by a unit of the 8th Air Force, they carry out a fighter sweep in the Rouen, France area.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 41

SIRACOURT

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: A mix of P-47s from 356th Fighter Group (VIII Fighter Command) and 362nd Fighter Group (IX Fighter Command) provide escort (mix not detailed in available data).

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 10.20
  • Aircraft sent: 85

Frankfurt, Germany

Description: BOMBER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang

Notes: 38 P-51 from IX Fighter Command 354FG join the escort of bombers attacking at Frankfurt.

Mission Statistics

  • Prisoners of war: 2
  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 14
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 10
  • Aircraft sent: 38
  • Aircraft effective: 38
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 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: 401st Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron 614th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17129375
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 20th Fighter Group 77th Fighter Squadron Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (20th Fighter Group) Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (VIII Fighter Command)
  • Service Numbers: O-396297
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot/Group Commander

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2016. Added New Mission event for P-51 element from IX Fighter Command per "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2016. Added ground claims on enemy fighters to P-47 element statistics per "The Moghty Eighth War Dairy", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cuningham 7-Feb-2016. Added claims on enemy aircraft to P-47 element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cuningham 7-Feb-2016. Added claims on enemy aircraft to P-38 element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

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'.