VIII Fighter Command FO - 20

16 May 1943

Description

VIII Fighter Command launches two fighter sweeps: The first is a despatch of 114 P-47s from 4FG, 56FG and 78FG on a sweep of the Walcheren/Bruges/Dunkirk area. This sweep attrackes some Luftwaffe attention. 1 P-47 comes down in the North Sea, but is rescued by a German destroyer and taken POW. However, the fighters claim 2-2-3 on the Luftwaffe; the second operation is a despatch of 113 P-47 from 4FG, 56FG and 78FG launched as a diversion in the Cayeux/Abbeville/Gravelines area of France. No losses or claims.

Mission Details

CAYEUX / ABBEVILLE / GRAVELINES

Description: FIGHTER SWEEP

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Diversionary fighter sweep over Cayeux/Abbeville/Gravelines area.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 113

WALCHEREN / BRUGES / DUNKIRK

Description: FIGHTER SWEEP

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Fighter sweep of Walsheren/Bruges/Dunkirk area. 78th Fighter Group loses one P-47

Mission Statistics

  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 114
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 3-Jan-2015. Description 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'.