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UPL 14165

IMAGE

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Lt. Ralph K "Kidd" Hofer, Salem, MO. 334th Fighter Squadron. The Kidd poses by Capt. Archie W Chatterley’s P-47C 41-6358 QP-G “California or Bust”. Hofer was flying this P-47 on his first combat mission on 8 October 43 when he shot down an Me109 over Zwolle, Holland.

Connections

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Units

Personnel talk to Lieutenant-Colonel Oscar Coen of the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Groupin the cockpit of his P-47 Thunderbolt after a mission over Paris, 15 October 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'American Thunderbolt fighters are proving a terror to the German pilots (former members of the R.A.F.). Flying their high altitude fast diving fighters, that have accounted for many enemy planes. In the raid over Paris the fighters of this station accounted for 17 down, 5 probables and one damaged. 1

334th Fighter Squadron

Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Type Category: Fighter

Thunderbolt pilots of the 4th Fighter Group in the briefing room at Debden. The 4th Fighter Group flew P-47 Thunderbolts on missions between March 1943 and February 1944. In the centre of the image, looking straight at the camera is James A. Goodson. On the far right of the shot, wearing a garrison cap, is Lieutenant Paul S. Riley. The two men at the front of the shot, sitting on wicker chairs, are, left to right Lieutenant James A. Clark and Lieutenant Spiros S. Pisanos. Printed caption attached to print

4th Fighter Group

Unit Hierarchy: Group
Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Type Category: Fighter

People

Ace pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, First Lieutenant Ralph K. Hofer, from Salem, Missouri, seated in cockpit with ground crew standing on the wing, at Debden air base.

Ralph Kidd Hofer

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 334th Fighter Squadron 335th Fighter Squadron
Service Numbers: O-2045177
Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

41-6358

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Nicknames: California, bust
Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron

41-6416

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Unit: 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron

Locations

Debden

Site type: Airfield

Revisions

Date: 25 Mar 2015 12:32:14

ContributorAl_Skiff

Sources

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk