VIII Fighter Command BOMBER ESCORT
8 March 1943Description
4th Fighter Group conducts two operations on this date: 25 Spitfires are depatched to provide escort for the B-17 formation attacking the marshalling yards at Rennes, France. These are joined by Spitfires from RAF squadrons also; 8 Spitfires are despatched on patrol for enemy shipping in the English Channel.
Mission Details
English Channel
Description: SHIPPING PATROL
Aircraft Type: Spitfire
Notes: 8 Spitfires are despatched to patrol for enemy shipping in the English Channel.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 8
Description: THIS EVENT IS AN ERROR and should be deleted.
RENNES
Description: HEAVY BOMBER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: Spitfire
Notes: 25 Spitfires from 4th Fighter Group are joined by an unknown number of Spitfires from RAF squadrons to provide figther escort for the B-17 formation attacking the marshalling yards at Rennes, France. None of the fighters were lost and there were no claims against enemy aircraft. It is known that at least 35 German fighters participated, but it would appear that the American/RAF fighters did not actively seek out German fighters, but only provided an unbrella to thwart attacks.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 25
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 26-Dec-2014. Addition of notes to Rennes event per 303rd BG Mission Report.
Le Cunningham 26-Dec-2014. EVENT #2 is an ERROR and should be deleted. Confirmed from 'The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 26-Dec-2014. Correction to EVENTS. The shipping patrol was conducted by 8 Spitfires from 4th FG. This entry was previously cited as a defensive patrol by 2 Spitfires. Such a patrol WAS conducted, but it occurred on 7-Mar-43 NOT 8 -Mar-43.
Lee Cunningham 26-Dec-2014. Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman and 303rg Bomb Group Mission Report.
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'.