VIII Fighter Command FO-198 BOMBER ESCORT

11 December 1943

Description

This fighter mission is composed of three elements despatched to provide escort to heavy bomber attacking at Bremen, Germany. The first element is a force of 31 P-38s from 55FG (included some from 20FG). There are no losses or claims in this element.



The second element is a combinded force of 313 P-47s from 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 355FG and 356FG. 3 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 3KIA, 2 of these sustained a mid-air collision with eachother and 1 was lost when pilot attempted to return to base shortly after take off because of a fuel leak. Pilot turned to steeply and his aircraft stalled an crashed killing the pilot. 3 aircraft were damaged. The fighters of this element claimed 21-0-7 of attacking German aircraft.



The third element was a force of 44 P-51s from 9th Air Force 354FG operating under 8th AF control. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 1KIA. There were no claims on enemy aircraft by this element.

Mission Details

EMDEN

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 31
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1

EMDEN

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: 354th Fighter Group of IX Fighter Command contributes 44 P-51s to the escort. (9th Air Force totals not included in totals)

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 3
  • Aircraft sent: 313
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

A P-47 Thunderbolt (LH-T, serial number 42-74665) nicknamed "Fatty Patty II" of the 353rd Fighter Group flown by Captain Charles W Dinse shoots down a BF 110 during a mission. Gun camera image. Printed caption on reverse: '50416 AC - Discovering an Me 110 below him, Capt. Charles W. Dinsa, 304 Touhy Ave., Park Ridge, Ill., dove down and destroyed it. The pictures were taken by his automatic camera as his bullets found their mark. Credit for the kill was shared with Lt. Richard A. Stearns, Jr., 102 Forest
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 350th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-665391
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-665637
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-796053
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 355th Fighter Group 358th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 24-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'.