VIII Fighter Command

19 August 1942

Official Description

2d Lt Samuel F Junkin Jr of 309th Ftr Sq, 31st Ftr Gp, flying a Spitfire in support of the amphibious raid on Dieppe, shoots down a German fighter, this being the first aerial victory won by an Eighth AF fighter pilot flying from the UK.

Description

31st Fighter Group despatches 123 Spitfires in support of the landings at Dieppe, France. 8 are lost. These are the first operations of VIII Fighter Command units under VIII Fighter Command control.



52nd Fighter Group despatches 4 Spitfires on a defensive patrol to intercept a suspected enemy aircraft off Northern Ireland. This is the first operational sortie for 52FG.

Mission Details

Dieppe, France

Description: INVASION SUPPORT

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: Despatched by 4th Fighter Group in support of the landings at Dieppe, France.

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 4
  • Prisoners of war: 2
  • People returned to duty: 2
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 1
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 5
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 123
  • Aircraft missing in action: 8

NORTHERN IRISH COAST

Description: INTERCEPT

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: 4 Spitfires despatched by 52nd Fighter Group to intercept suspected enemy aircraft off the coast of Northern Ireland. No intruder found.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 4
  • Aircraft effective: 4

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: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Pilot Officer
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 335th Fighter Squadron 336th Fighter Squadron Headquarters (4th Fighter Group) No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885264
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot, Commanding Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: British
  • Unit: No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 61053
  • Highest Rank: Squadron Leader
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot / Squadron Commander
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 31st Fighter Group 309th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-433350
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 31st Fighter Group 308th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-437013
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: 31st Fighter Group 308th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: Spitfire
  • Nicknames: Barry
  • Unit: No 121 'Eagle' Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Air Force Combat Chronology

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Edited fighter claim statistics.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added fighter claims to statistics per 'The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 12-Nov-2014. "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 12-Nov-2014. " The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 12-Nov-2014. Descriptions based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman. People associations from "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE