8th Air Force FO 246 BOMBER ESCORT

21 February 1944

Description

A combined force of fighters of types: P-38; P-47; and P-51s are despatched to escort the heavy bombers attacking airfields in Germany. Mission Summary follows:



69 P-38s from 20FG & 55FG are depatched. 1 aircraft with battle damage is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a crash landing upon return - 1RTD. The fighters in this element claim 0-1-0 of attacking German aircraft. There are no other losses or casualties.



A combined force of 542 P-47s is despatched from: 8th Air Force 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 355FG; 356FG; 359FG and 361FG. IX Fighter Command 358FG and 362FG also participate. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 1KIA 1EVD. 2 aircraft with battle damage are Dmaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in crash landings upon return - 2RTD. 3 aircraft are damaged. The fighters in this element claim 19-2-14 of attacking German aircraft. There are no other losses or casualties.



A combined force of 68 P-51s are despatched from: 8th Air Force 357FG and IX Fighter Command 354FG. 3 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 1KIA 1POW 1EVD. The fighters in this element claim 14-1-4 of attacking German aircraft. There are no other losses or casualties.

Mission Details

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Mission Statistics

  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 69
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: 358th Fighter Group (P-47) and 362nd Fighter Group (P-47) from IX Fighter Command join with VIII Fighter Command fighter groups to provide a force of 542 P-47s as escorts. (Number despatched bundled for VIII Fighter Command and IX Fighter Command).

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • People returned to duty: 2
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 19
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 3
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 14
  • Aircraft sent: 542
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 3

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang

Notes: 354th Fighter Group (P-51) from IX Fighter Command join with VIII Fighter Command 357th Fighter Group to provide a force of 68 P-51s as escorts (Number despatched bundled for VIII Fighter Command and IX DC). 354th Fighter Group claims 9 enemy aircraft destroyed.

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 1
  • People evaded: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 14
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 4
  • Aircraft sent: 68
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3

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: 334th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885185
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Feb-2016. Made connection to IX FC unit, added claims on enemy airccraft to P-51 element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Feb-2016. Made connections to IX FC units; added claims on enemy aircraft to P-47 element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Feb-2016. Added 1DBR, 1RTD and claims on enemy aircraft to P-38 element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 10-Feb-2016. 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'.