VIII Fighter Cmd FO 67 Fighter Wing 8
28 January 1944Description
A combined force of 158 P-47s are dedspatched from: 352FG and 359FG on a fighter/bomber operation to attack the German airfield at Leeuwarden, Holland. The 359BG was designated to actually attack the target with the 352FG providing escort and top cover. Unfortuantely, the two Groups failed to rendezvous and the mission failed. There were no losses or claims.
Mission Details
LEEUWARDEN AIRFIELD (Primary)
Description: DIVE BOMBING AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: Dive bombing mission to Leeuwarden Airfield in Holland. 352nd Fighter Group was to provide escort for the dive bombers. Failure of dive bombers to rendezvous with the figthers caused the mission to be aborted.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
![Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P, serial number 44-14543) nicknamed "Precious Pat", piloted by Lieutenant Ralston; (IV-Z, serial number 44-15007) piloted by Lieutenant Klem; and (IV-D, serial number 44-15394). First handwritten caption on reverse: 'November 15 1944- 369th FS Lts. Ralston (P), Klem (Z), [illegible] (D).' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '15/11/44 369th Fighter Squadron, 3](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377226.jpg.webp?itok=RQw6Mu-P)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: 0.00
- Aircraft sent: 158
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 13-Jan-2016. Added Mission Narrative per "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'.