VIII Fighter Command FO-199 BOMBER ESCORT
13 December 1943Description
This fighter mission was composed of three elements despatched to provide escort to bombers attacking at Bremen and Keil, Germany. The first element was a force of 31 P-38s from 55FG. There were no aircraft combat losses but 1 aircraft crash landed in the street at Ludham Village, UK. 1RTD, aircraft destroyed. 1 aircraft was damaged and 1 pilot in a returning aircraft was Wounded in Action (WIA). This fighter element calimed 1-0-1 of attacking German aircraft.
The second element was a combined for of 322 P-47s from 56FG, 78FG, 352FG, 353FG, 355FG, 356FG. 1 aircraft was lost on take-off when it struck a tree. 1RTD. 1 airman in a returning aircraft was Wounded in Action (WIA). There were no claims on German aircraft.
The thrid element was a force of 41 P-51s from 356FG, 9th Air Force operating under 8th AF control. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 1POW. There were no claims on German aircraft.
Mission Details
BREMEN / HAMBURG / KIEL
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 1
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 1
- Aircraft sent: 31
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
BREMEN / HAMBURG / KIEL
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: Fighter escort for Bremen, Kiel, Hamburg raid. 354th Fighter Group (IX Fighter Command) despatches 41 P-51s (Statistics not included in totals)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- 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 wounded in action: 2
- People returned to duty: 1
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 1
- Enemy aircraft damaged 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: 354th Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-739418
- Highest Rank: Flight Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 55th Fighter Group 343rd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-740172
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 25-Jul-2015. Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to P-38 element statistics per "The Mighty Eight War Diary", ROger A. Freeman.
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'.