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352nd Fighter Group

Group

  • Bodney, England 1945 From the Squadron history '486th Mustang Jockeys, Bodney Airfield, England - June 1945' (note also that the pilot on the far right (as you look at the photo) has been cut out of this version)

    Bodney, England 1945 From the Squadron history '486th Mustang Jockeys, Bodney Airfield, England - June 1945' (note also that the pilot on the far right (as you look at the photo) has been cut out of this version)

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  • Major Everett W. Stewart of the 328th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group.

    Major Everett W. Stewart of the 328th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group.

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  • Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph L. Mason of the 328th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group. 29 January 1944.

    Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph L. Mason of the 328th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group. 29 January 1944.

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  • Pilot Lieutenant-Colonel Luther H. Richmond with his aircraft, P-47 Thunderbolt (PZ-R, serial number 42-8412), named

    Pilot Lieutenant-Colonel Luther H. Richmond with his aircraft, P-47 Thunderbolt (PZ-R, serial number 42-8412), named "Sweetie", at Bodney air base, winter 1943 - 1944. Pin-up artwork by Alberto Vargas. 1943 - 1944. Lieutenant-Colonel Richmond flew with the 486th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group.

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  • Captain Edward J. Gignac of the 486th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, beside his aircraft, P-47 Thunderbolt (PZ-G, serial number 42-22548), named

    Captain Edward J. Gignac of the 486th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, beside his aircraft, P-47 Thunderbolt (PZ-G, serial number 42-22548), named "Gig's-Up". 1943 - June 1944.

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  • Pilot Lieutenant-Colonel Luther H. Richmond's P-47 Thunderbolt (PZ-R, serial number 42-8412), named

    Pilot Lieutenant-Colonel Luther H. Richmond's P-47 Thunderbolt (PZ-R, serial number 42-8412), named "Sweetie". Pin-up artwork by Alberto Vargas. 1943 - 1944. Lieutenant-Colonel Richmond, Crew Chief Staff Sergeant Schoonmaker and Assistant Crew Chief Sergeant Mathew were part of the 486th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group. Probably taken at Bodney air base, where the 352nd Fighter Group where stationed between July 1943 and November 1945.

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  • Ground crew stand beside P-47 Thunderbolt (PZ-Y. serial number 41-6323), named

    Ground crew stand beside P-47 Thunderbolt (PZ-Y. serial number 41-6323), named "Sneezy". This aircraft was flown by Lieutenant Donald McKibben of the 486th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group. Probably taken at Bodney air base, where the 352nd Fighter Group were based between July 1943 and November 1945.

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  • U.S. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson stands in the centre of a group of high-ranking officers in the Operations Room of the 352nd Fighter Group at Bodney air base, 17 July 1944. Lieutenant-General Carl A. Spaatz, Commanding General of U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe, stands on Stimson's left. Lieutenant-General James H. Doolittle, Commanding General of the 8th Air Force, leans on the map table. Major-General William E. Kepner, Commanding General of 8th Fighter Command, stands to Stimson's right. To Kepner's right are Major-General Alexander D. Surles, the director of the U.S. War Department’s Bureau of Public Relations and Major-General Norman T. Kirk, Surgeon General of the United States Army. Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph L. Mason, of the 352nd Fighter Group, stands beside Doolittle.

    U.S. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson stands in the centre of a group of high-ranking officers in the Operations Room of the 352nd Fighter Group at Bodney air base, 17 July 1944. Lieutenant-General Carl A. Spaatz, Commanding General of U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe, stands on Stimson's left. Lieutenant-General James H. Doolittle, Commanding General of the 8th Air Force, leans on the map table. Major-General William E. Kepner, Commanding General of 8th Fighter Command, stands to Stimson's right. To Kepner's right are Major-General Alexander D. Surles, the director of the U.S. War Department’s Bureau of Public Relations and Major-General Norman T. Kirk, Surgeon General of the United States Army. Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph L. Mason, of the 352nd Fighter Group, stands beside Doolittle.

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  • Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph L. Mason, of the 352nd Fighter Group, greets Major-General William E. Kepner, commanding general of 8th Fighter Command, on Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson's visit to Bodney air base on 17 July 1944.

    Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph L. Mason, of the 352nd Fighter Group, greets Major-General William E. Kepner, commanding general of 8th Fighter Command, on Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson's visit to Bodney air base on 17 July 1944.

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  • Pilots of the 486th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, in front of P-47 Thunderbolt (PZ-R, serial number 42-8412), named

    Pilots of the 486th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, in front of P-47 Thunderbolt (PZ-R, serial number 42-8412), named "Sweetie" at Bodney air base in March 1944. Left to right, top row: Lieutenant Woodrow W. Anderson, Lieutenant Stanley G. Miles, Lieutenant Frank A. Cutler, Lieutenant Martin E. Corcoran, Lieutenant Donald Y. Whinnem. Left to right, middle row: Lieutenant-Colonel Luther H. Richmond, Captain Stephen W. Andrew, Lieutenant Thomas W. Colby, Lieutenant Henry J. Miklajyck, Captain Edward J. Gignac, Lieutenant Alfred L. Marshall, Lieutenant Alton J. Wallace, Lieutenant Robert C. Frascotti, Lieutenant Donald H. Higgins, Major Willie O. Jackson. Left to right, front row: Lieutenant Lloyd A. Rauk, Lieutenant Warren H. Brashear, Captain Franklyn N. Green, Lieutenant Donald W. McKibben, Lieutenant Theodore P. Fahrenwald, Lieutenant Robert C. MacKean, Lieutenant Edwin L. Heller, Lieutenant Joseph L. Gerst.

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The 352nd Fighter Group were based at Bodney, Norfolk from July 1943 until November 1945 but in the winter months of 1944/1945 detachments moved to bases in Belgium to provide extra air support to ground forces during the Battle of the Bulge and to assist with the airborne assault across the Rhine. The 487th Fighter Squadron was the only Eighth Air Force Squadron to be awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation, usually an award reserved to Groups. The Squadron was given the DUC for destroying 23 enemy aircraft in a single mission on 1 January 1945. Major George Preddy, the highest scoring P-51 Mustang in Eighth Air Force, flew with the 352nd Fighter Group.

Structure

Part of
Encompassing
Previously was
Not yet known
Became
Not yet known

Missions

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-130 FIGHTER SWEEP

    14 September 1943
    A force of 126 P-47s from: 4FG, 56FG, 352FG, and 355FG are despatched on a fighter sweep over dunkirk and the Dutch Islands. 1 aircraft is damaged on take-off, hitting a tree. Pilot makes wheels up landing in a field and is OK. Aircraft repaired.

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-131 FIGHTER SWEEP

    14 September 1943
    A formation of 83 P-47s frim 352FG and 355FG are despatched on a fighter sweep of the Knokke/Calaise area. 1 Aircraft Failed to Return (FTR)-1KIA. There are no other losses or claims.

  • VIII Fighter Squadron FO-132 BOMBER ESCORT

    15 September 1943
    201 P-47s from: 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; and 353FG are despatched to provide escort for the B-17 formations attcking targets at Romilly-sur-Seine and Paris, France. The fighters claim 0-0-1 of attacking German fighters. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR)...

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-138 FIGHTER SWEEPS

    22 September 1943
    A combined force of 240 P-47s from: 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; and 355FG are despatched on fighter sweeps of the Calaise/Egmond area of France. One aircraft Failed to Retunr (FTR) 1KIA and another sustained a mechanical failure of the propellor...

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-139 FIGHTER SWEEPS

    22 September 1943
    A combined force of 155 P-47 from 56FG; 325FG; 353FG; and 355FG are despatched to fly fighter sweeps of the Furnes/Lille/Ghent/Flushing area. No enemy fighters are encountered. There are no losses or claims.

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-140 BOMBER ESCORT

    23 September 1943
    A combined force of 140 P-47s from 4FG; 56FG; 78FG and 353FG are despatched to escort the B-17s of VIII Bomber Command mission 100. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 1KIA and 2 were damaged. The fighters claimed 4-0-1 of attacking German fighters.

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-141 FIGHTER DIVERSION

    23 September 1943
    A combined force of 74 P-47s from 325FG and 355FG are despatched to act as a diversionary force for the B-26s attacking the German airfied of Beauvais/Tille, France. There are no losses or claims.

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-143 FIGHTER SWEEPS

    24 September 1943
    A combined force of 128 P-47s from 78FG; 352FG; 355FG are despatched on fighter sweeps in the Sangatte/Lille/Ghent/Blankenberge area. No enemy aircraft are encountered. There are no losses or claims.

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-151 BOMBER ESCORT

    8 October 1943
    A combined force of 274 P-47s from 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; and 355FG are despatched to escort the B-17 formations attacking at Bremen, Germany. 3 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 1KIA 2POW and 5 others are damaged. 2 airmen are Wounded in Action ...

  • VIII Fighter Command FO-152 FIGHTER SWEEP & BOMBER ESCORT

    9 October 1943
    A combined force of 153 P-47s from 78FG; 325FG; 353FG; and 355FG are despatched to performa fighter sweep in the Leeuwarden area of Holland before joining the B-17 bomber formations attacking at Anklam and Marienburg, Germany. There are no losses or...

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Stations

Station Location Date
Based Bodney 8 July 1943 – 7 February 1945
Based Asch Aerodrome 23 December 1944 – 27 January 1945
Based Bodney 13 April 1945 – 3 November 1945

Connections

People

  • Earl Abbott

    Military | Major | Fighter Pilot | 352nd Fighter Group
    Assigned to 89FS, 80FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 322FS, 326FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 328FS, 352FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) fighter sweep to Aachen area. Last seen in pursuit of enemy A/C near Aachen in P-51D 'Flossie III' 44-14710 24-Jan...

  • Clarence Aborn

    Military | Master Sergeant | Line Chief | 352nd Fighter Group

  • LeRoy Allain

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 352nd Fighter Group
    Assigned to 328FS, 352FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) dive bombing mission, hit by flak strafing targets of opportunity, crashed at Royville in P-51B 42-106460. Baled out. ...

  • Kenneth Allen

    Military | First Sergeant | Administrative NCO 502 | 352nd Fighter Group

  • Fred Allison

    Military | Captain | Fighter Pilot | 352nd Fighter Group
    Assigned to 487FS, 352FG, 8AF USAAF. 118 combat missions flown from mid 1943 to Oct-44. Credited 9 aerial kills. Transferred to 496FTG. Completed Tour of Duty (ETD). ...

  • William Alm

    Military | First Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 352nd Fighter Group
    Killed in Action (KIA) in P-47D 42-22531 352FG/328FS. The aircraft either had mechanical failure or the pilot was suffering from Anoxia and crashed into the English Channel 50 miles east of the Blackwater Estuary, UK. 1 KIA MACR 562.

  • William Altenpohl

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 352nd Fighter Group
    Assigned to 328FS, 352FG, 8AF USAAF. Completed Tour of Duty (ETD).

  • Woodrow Anderson

    Military | Captain | Fighter Pilot | 352nd Fighter Group
    Woodrow Anderson entered service from Texas and served as a pilot with the 78th Fighter Group transferring to the 352nd Fighter Group. He Failed to Return (FTR) from a bomber escort to Dessau. Bounced by three Bf109's near Leipzig and shot down in P...

  • Stephen Andrew

    Military | Major | Fighter Pilot | 352nd Fighter Group
    Assigned to 486FS, 352FG, 8AF USAAF. Credited with 9 air to air kills. Failed to Return (FTR) fighter sweep to Budapest, pulling clear of the target engine noted to be smoking, after which it quit. Lt Andrew belly landed and then sprinted clear...

  • Jimmie Andrews

    Military | Flight Officer | Fighter Pilot | 27th Air Transport Group
    Assigned to 487FS, 352FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 310th Ferry Squadron, 27th Air Transport Group, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to Base Air Depot 2, 8AF USAAF.

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Aircraft

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Citations

None

Air Force
8th
Type
Combat
Type category
Fighter
Nicknames

The Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney

Motto
"352nd - Second to None!" , "Custodes Pro Defensione" (Guardians For Defense)
Insignia
Not yet known
Aircraft used
  • P-47 Thunderbolt
  • P-51 Mustang

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
17 June 2018 18:16:51 ajgoebel Changes to motto
Sources

Added Motto June 17, 2018
Date Contributor Update
30 December 2017 00:54:20 PEP.1956 Changes to motto
Sources

http://www.veterantributes.org/352nd.php (Motto)
Date Contributor Update
31 March 2015 07:23:00 Lindawright01 Changes to mission associations
Sources

Linda Salvesen Wright
Date Contributor Update
19 March 2015 11:42:42 rossingtonj Changes to nicknames, aircraft types, mission associations and stations
Sources

Nickname and aircraft types added. Dates for Bodney added.
Source: http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/352ndfg.php
Date Contributor Update
13 March 2015 15:13:14 rossingtonj Changes to type and mission associations
Sources

Type added.
Date Contributor Update
27 September 2014 18:42:45 AAM AAM ingest
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / The Mighty Eighth. A History of the Units, Men and Machines of the US 8th Air Force.' by Roger A. Freeman (1989). 'Air Force Combat Units of World War II' compiled by the Department of the US Air Force, edited by Maurice Maurer (1983). / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)

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