8th Air Force FO 287 BOMBER ESCORT
1 April 1944Description
A combined force of 476 fighters of types" P-47 and P-51 are despatched to provide escort to heavy bombers attacking at Luwdigshaven, Germany. Severe weather over the Continent and in England prevents 4 fighter groups from taking off. Despatch summary follows:
A combined force of 280 P-47s from: 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 356FG and 361FG are despatched. 352FG flies as mixed formation of P-47s and P-51s. 2 aircraft Failed to Return - 2KIA. 12 aircraft are damaged. There fighters in this element claim 13-1-19 of attacking German aircraft. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.
A combined force of 195 P-51s are desaptched: 8th Air Force: 4FG; 352FG; and 357FG. 2 aircraft from 8th Air Force Fighter Groups Failed to Return (FTR) - 2KIA. These teo were lost because the pilots became disoriented in thick clouds and crashed into the ground. The fighters in this group claim 5-2-4 of attacking German aircraft in the air and another 13-1-19 on the ground. There are no other losses, casualties or claims.
Mission Details
LUDWIGSHAFEN/ PFORZHEIM
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: 8th Air Force assigns 280 P-47s, 352nd Fighter Group flies a mix of P-47s and P-51s, IX Fighter Command contributes 2 Fighter Groups of P-51s as escorts. All losses from 8th Air Force. Claims include 13-1-19 on the ground.
- 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
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Tonnage Dropped: NA
- People killed in action: 2
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 13
- Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 19
- Aircraft sent: 280
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
Pforzheim, Germany
Description: BOMBER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
Notes: 195 P-51s are depatched from 8th Air Force units and IX Fighter Command. Weather and cloud cover frustrates escort and many find targets of opportunity to strafe on the ground. This group claims 5-2-4 of enemy aircraft in the air and another 13-1-19 on the ground.
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 2
- Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 18
- Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 3
- Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 23
- Aircraft sent: 195
- Aircraft missing in action: 2
- Aircraft damaged: 2
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 13-Mar-2016. Added Mission event for P-51 elements despatched based on "The Mighty EIghth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman
Lee Cunningham 13-Mar-2016. Added statistics and claims on enemy fighters to P-47 element based on "The Mighty EIghth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 13-Mar-2016. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman and "Loees of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan BIshop & John A. Hey and MACRS.
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'.