8th Air Force FO 261 BOMBER ESCORT

5 March 1944

Description

A combined force of 307 fighters of types: P-38; P-47 and P-51 are despatched to provide escort to heavy bombers attacking German airfields in France. Mission Summary follows:



A force of 34 P-38s from 364FG are despatched. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) both ran out of petrol - 1EVD 1RTD (rescued by ASR). Freeman lists 1 aircraft DBR and 1KIA, but no records were found to confirm those citations. It is possible that Freeman's KIA was really the airman rescued by ASR. There are no other casualties or claims in this element.



A combined force of 185 P-47s are despatched from: 78FG; 356FG; and 361FG. 1 aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair (DRB) in a crash on take off - 1KIA. There are no other casualties or claims in this element.



A combined force of 88 P-51s are despatched from 8th Air Force: 4FG and 357FG. These are joined by IX Fighter Command 363FG. 3 aircraft (all from 8th Air Force) Failed to Return (FTR) 1POW 2EVD. 1 aircraft sustains a mechanical malfunction and is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a crash landing uypon return - 1RTD. The fighters in this element claim 14-0-6 of attacking German aircraft and 0-0-6 on the ground. There are no other casualties.

Mission Details

BERGERAC

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Mission Statistics

  • People evaded: 1
  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 34
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2

BERGERAC

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 185
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1

BERGERAC

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang

Notes: 363rd Fighter Group from IX Fighter Command contributes an undetermined number to P-51s to the escort, number included in those despatched. Credits include both 8th Air Force and IX Fighter Command. Losses are 8th Air Force only. Claims include 6 damaged on the ground.

Mission Statistics

  • People evaded: 2
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • People returned to duty: 2
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 14
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 12
  • Aircraft sent: 88
  • Aircraft missing in action: 3
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

Robert Josire Blackwell

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 732nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34441193
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Spiros Nickolas Pisanos

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 67th Fighter Wing 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885405
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 18-Feb-2016. Added connection to IX FC 363FG and claims on enemy aircraft to statistics of P-51 element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 18-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

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'.