363rd Fighter Group
Group
USAAF Photo.
Object Number - UPL 6583 - Major Evan Mc Call's P-51D A9-A, 44-13309, 'Fools Paradise IV' of 380th FS, 363rd FG.
Equipped with P-51s, the Group entered combat from England in February 1944, flying bomber escort and ground-strafing missions. They took part in the invasion of Normandy, protecting gliders and troop carriers on 6 and 7 June. In September 1944, now based at Le Mans, France, the group was redesignated as the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance. Flying F-5 and F-6 aircraft, the group collected photographic evidence of the location and strength of enemy positions in support of both air and ground operations. They were particularly involved in supporting the Battleof the Bulge in the winter of 1944-1945 and in Allied efforts to break through the Siegfried line in the early part of 1945.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Unit stations
| Station | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
|
Based |
Keevil | 23 December 1943 |
|
Based |
Maupertus | 4 July 1944 |
|
Based |
Staplehurst | 4 July 1944 |
|
Based |
Rivenhall | |
|
Based |
Azeville | |
|
Based |
Le Mans | 1 October 1944 |
Encompassing
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 363rd Fighter Group 382nd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-802301
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 354th Fighter Group 363rd Fighter Group 356th Fighter Squadron 382nd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-831046
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 363rd Fighter Group 381st Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18038508 at enlistment, then O-748527
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 363rd Fighter Group 380th Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 363rd Fighter Group 381st Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 363rd Fighter Group 381st Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Nicknames: Little Joe
- Unit: 363rd Fighter Group 380th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 363rd Fighter Group
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 363rd Fighter Group
- Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
- Unit: 363rd Fighter Group
Mission
- Date: 8 May 1944
- Date: 4 May 1944
- Date: 30 April 1944
- Date: 29 April 1944
- Date: 25 April 1944
Revisions
Air Force Combat Units of WWII
Stations added with details from:
- "Battle Colors Volume III - Insignia and Tactical Markings of the Ninth Air Force in World War Two' by Robert A. Watkins;
- http://www.ixengineercommand.com/airfields/physical.php
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / The Mighty Eighth. A History of the Units, Men and Machines of the US 8th Air Force.' by Roger A. Freeman (1989). 'Air Force Combat Units of World War II' compiled by the Department of the US Air Force, edited by Maurice Maurer (1983). / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)
