8th Air Force 263 FIGHTER STRAFING
17 March 1944Description
A combined force of 135 P-47s from: 78FG; 353FG; 358FG; and 361FG are despatched to make low-level strafing attacks on German airfields in France. 15 aircraft from 353FG attacked Soesterburg airfield; 25 aircraft from 361FG attacked the German airfield at Chartres, France. The remaining despatch provided escort and low-level fighter sweeps. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 1POW 1EVD. The fighters claim 3-2-8 German aircraft on the ground. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.
Mission Details
Chartres, France
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: 135 P-47s are despatched to make low-level strafing attacks on airfields in France. All claims are aircraft on the ground. No bombing, all strafing attacks.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- People evaded: 1
- Prisoners of war: 1
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 3
- Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 2
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 8
- Aircraft sent: 95
- Aircraft effective: 95
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
CHARTRES
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: 25 of 361 Fighter Group attack this airfield in France.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 25
- Aircraft effective: 25
SOSTERBURG
Description: AIRFIELD
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: 15 of 353rd Fighter Group attack this airfield (Soesterburg) in Holland. No bombing, all strafing attacks.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 15
- Aircraft effective: 15
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 78th Fighter Group 83rd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-686748
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot, Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 84th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-2044767
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Unit: 366th Fighter Group 390th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34024766 at enlistment, then O-803479
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 27-Feb-2016 Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 27-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on "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'.