8th Air Force FO 263 BOMBER ESCORT
8 March 1944Description
A combined force of 891 fighters of types: P-38; P-47 and P-51 are despatched to provide escort to heavy bombers attacking the VKF ball bearing factories at Berlin/Erkner. Mission summary follows:
A combined force of 104 P-38s from 20FG; 56FG and 364FG are despatched. 3 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 2POW 1RTD (rescued by ASR). 1 battle damaged aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a crash landing upon return - 1KIA. 2 aircraft are damaged. The fighters in this element claim 9-2-5 of attacking German fighters. There are no other losses casualties or claims.
A combined force of 613 P-47s are despatched. 8th Air Force: 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 355FG; 356FG; 359FG and 361FG. These are joined by IX Fighter Command: 358FG and 362FG. 8 aircraft from 8th Air Force Failed to Return (FTR) - 6KIA 1POW 1EVD. 2 aircraft from IX FC Failed to Return (FTR) - 1KIA 1POW. 11 aircraft are Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) - 1 KIA 10RTD. 4 aircraft are damaged. 2 airmen in returning aircraft are WIA. The fighters in this element claim 49-6-18 of attacking German aircraft and 8-4-7 on the ground. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.
A combined force of 174 P-51s aare despatched. 8th Air Force: 4FG; 352FG; 355FG; and 357FG. These are joined by IX Fighter Command: 354FG and 363FG. 3 aircraft of 8th Air Force Failed to Return (FTR) - 2KIA 1POW. 1 aircraft from IX FC 363FG Failed to Return (FTR) - 1POW. 1 aircraft is Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) in a crash attributed to Pilot Error upon return 1RTD. The fighters in this element claim 29-4-9 of attacking German aircraft. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.
Mission Details
BERLIN
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 1
- Prisoners of war: 2
- People returned to duty: 1
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 9
- Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 2
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 5
- Aircraft sent: 104
- Aircraft missing in action: 3
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
BERLIN
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: 358th Fighter Group and 362nd Fighter Group from IX Fighter Command contribute an undetermined number of P-47s to the escort, number included in total despatch. All fighter totals combined 8th Air Force and IX Fighter Command. Fighter totals include 8-4-7 on the ground.
![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
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth 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 killed in action: 8
- People wounded in action: 2
- People evaded: 1
- Prisoners of war: 2
- People returned to duty: 10
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 57
- Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 10
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 25
- Aircraft sent: 613
- Aircraft missing in action: 10
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 11
- Aircraft damaged: 4
BERLIN
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
Notes: 354th Fighter Group and 363rd Fighter Group from IX Fighter Command contribute an undetermined number of P-51s to the escort, number included in total despatch.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 2
- Prisoners of war: 2
- People returned to duty: 1
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 29
- Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 4
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 9
- Aircraft sent: 174
- Aircraft missing in action: 4
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
People
Aircraft
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 21-Feb-2016. Made connections to IX FC units ; edited statistics to include IX FC and added claims on enemy aircraft 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 21-Feb-2016. Made connections to IX FC units; edited statistics and added claims on enemy fighters to P-47 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 21-Feb-2016. Added claims on enemy aircraft to statistics of P-38 element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 21-Feb-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
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'.