Group
The insignia of the 56th Fighter Group.
P-47 Thunderbolt pilots of the 61st Fighter Squadron chat to one another after their latest mission, at Halesworth air base where the 56th Fighter Group were stationed. Left to right they are: Lieutenant-Colonel Francis S. Gabreski, Lieutenant Eugene E. Barnum and Lieutenant Frank W. Klibbe. Passed for publication 26 November 1943.
A group of pilots from the 56th Fighter Group. Left to right they are: Richard H. Allison of the 61st Fighter Squadron, Lieutenant Harold E. Comstock of the 63rd Fighter Squadron, three unknown pilots, Lieutenant-Colonel Hubert "Hub" Zemke, Major Donald M. Goodfleisch of the 63rd FS and Lieutenant Conway C. Saux of the 62nd FS. 1943. Printed caption attached to print: 'The "Thunderbolt". The new American Fighter P-47, known as the 'Thunderbolt' is designed as a high altitude fast fighter, now in quantity production for the U.S. Army Air Force. Photo shows: Lt. Col. Hubert Zempke [sic] with some of the pilots who will fly the new P-47 planes. Topical Press.'
P-47D Thunderbolt (LM-J, serial number 44-19780), named "Teddy", undergoing maintenance work at Boxted air base. The aircraft was flown by Major Michael J. Jackson of the 62nd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group. Late 1944.
Ground crew affix a 500 lb. bomb to the underside of starboard wing of a P-47 Thunderbolt at Boxted air base where the 56th Fighter Group were based. Late 1944.
Ground crew carry out checks and maintenance work on P-47 Thunderbolt (HV-X, serial number 44-20626) probably at Boxted air base where the 56th Fighter Group were stationed. Late 1944.
Lieutenant Barney P. Casteel of the 63rd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, stands beside his battle damaged P-47 Thunderbolt (UN-A, serial number 43-25531), May 1944.
Lieutenant Robert M. Stultz of the 62nd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, sits on the cowling on a P-47 Thunderbolt. Passed for publication 11 March 1943. Printed caption attached to print: 'U.S. "Thunderbolt" Comes To Britain - America's New Fighter 'Plane. Associated Press photo shows: Hailing victory. Well, at any rate, Lt. R. M. Stultz of Wapakaneta, Ohio, is seated on the cowling between the powerful "V" made by the four-bladed propeller of the new "Thunderbolt".'
Flight Surgeon Captain George R. Hornig serves up tea to pilots of the 56th Fighter Group in the mess at Halesworth air base. On the front row are, left to right: Captain Francis S. Gabreski, Lieutenant Eugene E. Barnum, an unknown pilot and Lieutenant-Colonel David C. Schilling. Passed for publication 29 November 1943. Printed caption attached to the rest of this series: '"Ace" Flight-Surgeon is combination family physician, foster-father and chaplain.' And: 'Associated Press photo shows: "Doc" Hornig helps to serve "his boys" in the mess on their return from an operational flight.'
Flight Surgeon Captain George R. Hornig talks to pilots of the 56th Fighter Group in the mess at Halesworth air base. On the front row are, left to right: Lieutenant-Colonel Francis S. Gabreski, Lieutenant Eugene E. Barnum, an unknown pilot and Lieutenant-Colonel David C. Schilling. Passed for publication 29 November 1943. Printed caption attached to the rest of this series: '"Ace" Flight-Surgeon is combination family physician, foster-father and chaplain.' And: 'Associated Press photo shows: "Doc" Hornig helps to serve "his boys" in the mess on their return from an operational flight.'
Flying P-47 Thunderbolts throughout their time stationed in England, the Group, known as "the Wolfpack", had more ace pilots than any other Eighth Air Force Fighter Group. The 56th Fighter Group also destroyed more enemy aircraft in air combat than any other. Francis Gabreski and Robert Johnson, the Eighth Air Force's top aces were both with the 56th. Col. Hubert A. Zemke and Col. David C. Schilling, two of the Group's Cos, were also famous aces, rivalling the 4th Fighter Group's Don Blakeslee and Don Gentile.
Constituted as 56th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Equipped with P-39’s and P-40’s. Trained, participated in maneuvers, served as an air defense organization, and functioned as an operational training unit. Redesignated 56th Fighter Group in May 1942. Received P-47’s in Jun and began training for combat. Moved to England, Dec 1942-Jan 1943. Assigned to Eighth AF. Continued training for several weeks. Entered combat with a fighter sweep in the area of St Omer on 13 Apr 1943, and during the next two years destroyed more enemy aircraft in aerial combat than any other fighter group of Eighth AF. Flew numerous missions over France, the Low Countries, and Germany to escort bombers that attacked industrial establishments, V-weapon sites, submarine pens, and other targets on the Continent. Also strafed and dive-bombed airfields, troops, and supply points; attacked the enemy's communications; and flew counter-air patrols. Engaged in 'counter-air and interdictory missions during the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944. Supported Allied forces for the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Helped to defend the Remagen bridgehead against air attacks in Mar 1945. Received a DUC for aggressiveness in seeking out and destroying enemy aircraft and for attacking enemy air bases, 20 Feb- 9 Mar 1944. Received another DUC for strikes against antiaircraft positions while supporting the airborne attack on Holland in Sep 1944. Flew last combat mission on 21 Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Oct. Inactivated on 18 Oct 1945.
Military | Colonel | Pilot; Commanding Officer; Assistant Director Intelligence | 56th Fighter Group
Schilling flew P-47 Thunderbolts and was one of the leading aces of the war. He was Commanding Officer of the 56th Fighter Group between August 1944 and January 1945, taking over from Colonel Hubert A Zemke.
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Military | Officer | 56th Fighter Group
Military | Colonel | Fighter Group Commander; Pilot | 479th Fighter Group
17 air victories with 56th FG flying P-47s, 2 1/2 with 479th FG flying P-51s. Lost 30 October 1944 when P-51 broke up in storm. Prisoner of War (POW) Stalag Luft I, Was appointed as head of American Prisoner of War (POW)s while in camp. . Retired from...
Military | Colonel | Commanding Officer | 56th Fighter Group
Pete Dade served as a fighter pilot with the 62nd Fighter Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group, flying missions from Boxted, England. He became an ace, credited with shooting down 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he remained in what soon...
Military | Major General | Fighter Pilot 1055 single engine/Group Commander | 493rd Bomb Group
CO 56th FG )ct 1943 - Jan 1944 CO 493rd BG
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Wing
Browse 65th Fighter Wing photographs and other documents in the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library digital archive here: www.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive/Dashboard/Index/51
Squadron
Squadron
Squadron
Headquarters
8 April 1943
23 P-47s fly a Rodeo (offensive fighter sweep over enemy territory) between Dunkirk, France and Sangatte, France. 4FG (7); 56FG (4); and 78FG (12). There are no losses or claims. While the 4FG has been flying operations since 2-Oct-43, this is the...
13 April 1943
A combined force of 36 P-47s are depatched on a diversion for RAF Ramrod 50. A "Ramrod" is a short range (medium) bomber mission against ground targets. 4FG (20); 56FG (4); 78FG (12). Even though 78FG had participated in a Rodeo on 8-Apr-43, this...
13 April 1943
A combined force of 36 P-47s are depatched on a diversion for RAF Ramrod 50. A "Ramrod" is a short range (medium) bomber mission against ground targets. 4FG (20); 56FG (4); 78FG (12). Even though 78FG had participated in a Rodeo on 8-Apr-43, this...
15 April 1943
A combined fighter force of 59 P-47s despatched from 4FG, 56FG and 78FG participate in RAF Rodeo 204, a sweep of the Furnes/St.Omer area of France. Number contributed by each Fighter Group was not recorded in the source data. 4FG has 3 aircraft MIA,...
17 April 1943
Two fighter operations are conducted on this date: a combined force of 81 P-47s is despatched from 4FG, 56FG and 78FG to perform sweeps in the Blankenburge/Bruges/Flushing area in support of RAF Rodeo 205. There are no losses or claims; 59 P-47s are...
21 April 1943
A combined force of 82 P-47s from 4FG, 56FG & 78FG fly high altitude sweeps over the Westhoofd/Noordwijk/The Hague area. No losses or claims. These operations are not drawing up the Luftwaffe.
29 April 1943
A combined force of 112 P-47s are despatched from 4FG, 56FG and 78FG to arry out high altitude sweeps of the Pas-de-Calaise/Hague area in support of RAF Rodeo 211. This is the first time that fighters from 56FG have encountered enemy fighters. 56FG has...
3 May 1943
A combined force of 118 P-47s are despatched from 4FG, 56FG and 78FG to make a fighter sweep of the Walcheren Island/Knokke/Ostend/Nieuport area. No enemy aircraft are sighted and there are no losses of claims. The Luftwaffe is simply not taking the bait.
4 May 1943
A combined force of 117 P-47s is despatched from 4FG, 56FG and 78FG to perform a sweep along the Belgium coast in support of the bomber mission. 1 P-47 is lost due to engine failure. The pilot is seen to bale out over the sea, but his parachute fails...
7 May 1943
A combined force of 140 P-47s is despatched from 4FG, 56FG and 78FG to make a sweep over the Flushing/Ostend/Knokke area. No losses or claims.
| Station | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Based | Kings Cliffe | 12 January 1943 – 4 April 1943 |
| Based | Horsham St Faith | 5 April 1943 – 7 July 1943 |
| Based | Halesworth | 8 July 1943 – 18 April 1944 |
| Based | Boxted | 18 April 1944 – 9 September 1945 |
| Based | Little Walden | 9 September 1945 – 10 October 1945 |
Military | Enlisted Man | 56th Fighter Group
John Aagaard served in the 1126th Quartermaster Company, which was attached to the 56th Fighter Group in England.
Military | Captain | Fighter Pilot | 56th Fighter Group
Military | Fighter Pilot | 56th Fighter Group
Military | Ground Officer | 33rd Service Group
Military | Second Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 56th Fighter Group
Assigned to 62FS, 56FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 5th ERS.
Military | First Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 56th Fighter Group
Assigned to 62FS, 56FG, 8AF USAAF. Ended Tour of Duty (ETD).
Military | Enlisted Man | 56th Fighter Group
Military | Fighter Pilot | 56th Fighter Group
Military | Enlisted Man | 56th Fighter Group
Military | Enlisted Man | 56th Fighter Group
P-47 Thunderbolt
P-47C-2-RE 41-6199 was assigned to the 56FG/63FS at Halesworth, UK. On 27-Sep-43 the aircraft, piloted by 1LT Harry P. Dugas, was despatched to provide withdrawl support for B-17 formations retunring from attacking Emden, Germany. The aircraft was...
P-47 Thunderbolt
P-47C-RE 41-6232 was assigned to the 56FG/61FS at Halesworth, UK. On 3 Sep-43 the aircraft, piloted by 1LT Hiram O. Bevins, was struck by ground fire while the pilot was reportedly "flying on the deck" returning from a bomber escort mission. 1LT Bevins...
P-47 Thunderbolt
Robert S. Johnson's aircraft from c. March 1943 to 26 June 1943.
Assigned to 36 F/G & lost 13 Aug 44
P-47 Thunderbolt
On 8-Oct-43 P-47C 41-6268, 56FG/63FS piloted by, 2LT Dover C. Fleming Jr., was shot down over Holland while escorting B-17s attacking at Bremen, Germany. The aircraft crashed into the Ijsselmer near Amsterdam, Holland. 1KIA MACR 939.
P-47 Thunderbolt
P-47C-5-RE was assigned to the 56FG/63FS at Halesworth, UK. On 2 Sep-43 the aircraft was piloted by 1LT Wilfred A. Van Able and despatched to escort bombers. The flight was attacked by German fighters near Armentierres, France and 1LT Van Able was shot...
P-47 Thunderbolt
Shot down 15 March 1944 on an escort mission to Brunswick, with Pilot Lt John Kozey Jr - Prisoner of War (POW) - Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 3052.
P-47 Thunderbolt
P-47 Thunderbolt
P-47 Thunderbolt
To 366 FG 9th AF
P-47 Thunderbolt
The Group received two Distinguished Unit Citations, the first for destroying 98 enemy aircraft between 20 February and 9 March 1944 and the second for strikes against anti-aircraft positions while supporting the airborne attack on Holland in September 1944.
| Date | Contributor | Update |
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| 22 August 2019 12:56:35 | Emily | Changes to us air force combat units of world war ii description and commanding officers associations |
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Air Force Combat Units of WWII |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 10 April 2015 06:58:22 | EMBLEMHUNTER | Changes to mission associations and media associations |
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my photo |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 19 March 2015 11:18:36 | rossingtonj | Changes to nicknames, citations, description, aircraft types, commanding officers associations, mission associations and stations |
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Nickname and aircraft types added. DUC's relocated to citations section. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 13 March 2015 15:28:48 | rossingtonj | Changes to type and mission associations |
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Type added. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 04 February 2015 16:06:52 | Lucy May | Changes to mission associations |
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Changed key image. |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:42:46 | 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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