VIII Fighter Command FO-170 BOMBER ESCORT

5 November 1943

Description

THis mission is composed of two fighter elements. The forst element is a force of 47 P-38s from 55FG despatched to provide escort to the B-17 formations attacking at Gelsenkirchen. While not as nimble as the German fighters, the four .50cal nose-mounted machine guns (later supplemented with a 20mm nose-mounted cannon) and a speed of 413mph in level flight could cut up the fuselage of a German fighter like a "buzz saw." There wer no losses in the element and the fighters claim 5-2-2 of attacking German fighters.



The second element is a force of 336 P-47s from 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 355FG and 356FG despatched to provide penetration and withdrawl exsot for B-17s attacking at Gelsenkirchen. 4 aircaft Failed to Return (FTR) 2KIA 2POW and 1 ran out of gas and belly landed at Bodney, UK. Originally reported as Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) it WAS eventually repaiored and returned to service. 1RTD. This fighters in this element claim 13-4-1 of attacking German fighters.

Mission Details

GELSENKIRCHEN

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Mission Statistics

  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 5
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 2
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 2
  • Aircraft sent: 47

GELSENKIRCHEN

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Fighter escorts for the B-17s only on the Gelsenkirchen raid.

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 2
  • Prisoners of war: 2
  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 13
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 4
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 366
  • Aircraft missing in action: 4
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12030330 / O-659222
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Squadron 358th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-671504
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 351st Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-728682
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 351st Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-665578
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 350th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-665597
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Alyce
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 351st Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 350th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Eager Eve
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Pat
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 351st Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Jul-2015. Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to P-47 element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Jul-2015. Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to P-38element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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'.