Description

A combined force of 635 fighter aircraft are despatched to provide escort to heavy bombers attacking the avaition industry at Brunswick, Germany. All three types of fighter aircraft are employed: P-38s, P-47s and P-51s. Source data does not state how many of each type were despatched. The contingent of 51s were contributed by IX Fighter Command 354FG. Mission summary as follows:

P-38s from 20FG & 55FG (Exact number not in source data). 2 of these aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 1KIA 1 POW. 2 aircraft were damaged. 1 airman in a returning aircraft was WIA. The fighters in this element claimed 4-0-1 of attacking German aircraft.

P-47s from: 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 355FG; 356FG; 358FG; 359FG; and 361FG are despatched (exact number not in source data). This is the last mission flown by 358FG as part of VIII Fighter Command. This Group will be exchanged for 357FG of IX Fighter Command on 1-Feb-44. 2 aircraft in this element Failed to Return (FTR) - 1KIA 1POW. 3 aircraft sustain battle damage. The fighters in this element claim 36-13-20 of attacking German fighters.

P-51s are despatched by IX Fighter Command, 354FG (exact number not in source data). No aircraft are lost but 2 sustain battle damage. The fighters in this element claim 5-2-10 of attacking German fighters.