VIII Fighter Command FO 215
7 January 1944Description
A combined fighter force of 571 aircraft are despatched to provide escort for the bombers attacking at Ludwigshaven, Germany. Three elements of fighters are despatched.
The first element is a combined force of 71 P-38s despatched from: 20FG and 55FG. 1 aircraft Fails to Return (FTR) 1POW. None of the rest of the element are damaged and there are no other casualties. The fighters of the element claim 1-0-2 of attacking German fighters.
The second element is a combined force of 463 P-47s despatched from : 4FG; 56FG, 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 355FG; 356FG; 358FG and 359FG. 5 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 5KIA. 1 aircraft is damaged. There are no other casualties in this element. The fighters of this element claim 6-0-1 of attacking German fighters.
The third element is a force of 354 P-51s from IX Fighter Command. There are no losses or claims in this fighter element.
Mission Details
LUDWIGSHAVEN
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
Notes: These aircraft for 20FG and 55FG escort the bomber stream all the way to the target and back. They are also combind with 37 P-51s from IX Fighter Command.

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Prisoners of war: 1
- Aircraft sent: 71
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
LUDWIGSHAVEN
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: This is a large despatch of 463 P-47s that provide penetration and withdrawal support to the bomber stream attacking Ludwigshaven. Fuel capacity prevents them from escorting all the way to the target and back.

- 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
![Ground crew of the 356th Fighter Group congratulate the pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Zombie" at Martlesham Heath air base. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'ZOMBIE yellow, black outline. [illegible text] black white common practice of 361st FS.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-377162.jpg?itok=mPZN0Ow5)
- 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: 5
- Aircraft sent: 463
- Aircraft missing in action: 5
Ludwigshafen, Germany
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
Notes: 37 P-51s are despatched from 354FG of IX Fighter Command to assist 8th Air Force fighter units in escorting the bomber stream to and from Ludwigshaven, Germany.

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 37
- Aircraft effective: 37
Connections
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People

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 358th Fighter Group 367th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15096685 at enlistment, then O-671488
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot

- 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: 353rd Fighter Group 352nd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-665552
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 358th Fighter Group 367th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12053476 at enlistment, then O-793530
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 358th Fighter Group 367th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16012304 at enlistment, then O-417813
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 6-Jan-2016. Added Mission Event covering despatch of P-51 fighters from 354FG of IX Fighter Command based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman
Lee Cunningham 6-Jan-2016. Added Note to P-47 element based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 6-Jan-2016. Corrected note to P-38 element per "The Mighty Eight War Dairy", Roger A. Freeman.
Lee Cunningham 6-Jan-2016. Edited mission title and added mission description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman
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'.