The Group trained in P-47s and moved to England in November 1943. Arriving earlier than many other Ninth Air Force fighter groups, the pilots main occupation was escort work for heavy bombers. The Group's first mission on 8 February 1944 was one protecting B-24 bombers as they dropped their payload V weapon launching sites near Pais de Calais on the French north coast. The Group escorted large aircraft with a different kind of payload on D-Day when they accompanied C-47 aircraft carrying paratroopers about to deploy in the French interior. In July the Group moved to their first continental base at Lignerolles, north- France. From there they continued to strike targets in support of the Allied westwards push. The Group received a DUC for their role in disabling defences at Brest harbour on 25 August 1944. Their second DUC came from action over the Moselle-Rhine river triangle when the group were able to strike enemy targets on an armed reconnaissance mission for infantry forces below.