VIII Fighter Command FO-199 BOMBER ESCORT

13 December 1943

Description

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

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)

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

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Nicknames: Vivacious Vera
  • Unit: 55th Fighter Group 343rd Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 354th Fighter Group 353rd Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

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.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-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'.