8th Air Force FO 246 BOMBER ESCORT
21 February 1944Description
A combined force of fighters of types: P-38; P-47; and P-51s are despatched to escort the heavy bombers attacking airfields in Germany. Mission Summary follows:
69 P-38s from 20FG & 55FG are depatched. 1 aircraft with battle damage is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a crash landing upon return - 1RTD. The fighters in this element claim 0-1-0 of attacking German aircraft. There are no other losses or casualties.
A combined force of 542 P-47s is despatched from: 8th Air Force 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 355FG; 356FG; 359FG and 361FG. IX Fighter Command 358FG and 362FG also participate. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 1KIA 1EVD. 2 aircraft with battle damage are Dmaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in crash landings upon return - 2RTD. 3 aircraft are damaged. The fighters in this element claim 19-2-14 of attacking German aircraft. There are no other losses or casualties.
A combined force of 68 P-51s are despatched from: 8th Air Force 357FG and IX Fighter Command 354FG. 3 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 1KIA 1POW 1EVD. The fighters in this element claim 14-1-4 of attacking German aircraft. There are no other losses or casualties.
Mission Details
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
- 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 returned to duty: 1
- Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
- Aircraft sent: 69
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: 358th Fighter Group (P-47) and 362nd Fighter Group (P-47) from IX Fighter Command join with VIII Fighter Command fighter groups to provide a force of 542 P-47s as escorts. (Number despatched bundled for VIII Fighter Command and IX Fighter Command).
- 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 Ninth 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
- People killed in action: 1
- Prisoners of war: 1
- People returned to duty: 2
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 19
- Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 3
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 14
- Aircraft sent: 542
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
- Aircraft damaged: 3
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
Notes: 354th Fighter Group (P-51) from IX Fighter Command join with VIII Fighter Command 357th Fighter Group to provide a force of 68 P-51s as escorts (Number despatched bundled for VIII Fighter Command and IX DC). 354th Fighter Group claims 9 enemy aircraft destroyed.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 1
- People evaded: 1
- Prisoners of war: 1
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 14
- Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 4
- Aircraft sent: 68
- Aircraft missing in action: 3
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: 334th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885185
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 10-Feb-2016. Made connection to IX FC unit, added claims on enemy airccraft to P-51 element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 10-Feb-2016. Made connections to IX FC units; added claims on enemy aircraft to P-47 element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman
Lee Cunningham 10-Feb-2016. Added 1DBR, 1RTD and claims on enemy aircraft to P-38 element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 10-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'.