368th Fighter Group
Group
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 7427 - An airman of the 368th Fighter Group with a P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Sleepy Jean the 3rd", with a bent propellor blade. Image via Ralph Woolner.
The 368th Fighter Group flew P-47s in combat from England from March 1944. In the days after D-Day the Group supported Allied ground troops fighting in the Cherbourg penisula and then around St. Lo. The Group received a DUC for flying seven missions in a single day on 3 September 1944 to the Mons area, destroying enemy troops and means of transport. The Group continued to fly in support of ground forces throughout the Battle of the Bulge (December 1944 - January 945) and into 1945. They stayed in Europe after the war's end, becoming part of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE).
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Unit stations
| Station | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
|
Based |
Greenham Common | 13 January 1944 - 15 March 1944 |
|
Based |
Chilbolton | 15 March 1944 - 20 June 1944 |
|
Based |
Cardonville | 20 June 1944 - 23 August 1944 |
|
Based |
23 August 1944 - 11 September 1944 | |
|
Based |
Chartres | 24 August 1944 - 11 September 1944 |
|
Based |
Laon/Athies | 11 September 1944 - 2 October 1944 |
|
Based |
Chievres | 2 October 1944 - 27 December 1944 |
|
Based |
Juvincourt | 27 December 1944 - 5 January 1945 |
|
Based |
Metz | 5 January 1945 - 15 April 1945 |
Encompassing
- Unit Hierarchy: Platoon
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Air base
- 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: 368th Fighter Group 395th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-693095 / 19086276
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 368th Fighter Group 395th Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 368th Fighter Group 365th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14057258 / O-795882
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 368th Fighter Group 397th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-693097
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 368th Fighter Group 396th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-696999
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 368th Fighter Group
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 368th Fighter Group 397th Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 368th Fighter Group
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 368th Fighter Group
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 368th Fighter Group
Mission
- Date: 22 April 1944
- Date: 19 April 1944
- Date: 12 April 1944
- Date: 27 March 1944
- Date: 22 March 1944
Revisions
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
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)
![A P-47 Thunderbolt (A7-P) of the 368th Fighter Group prepares for take off in snow. Image stamped on reverse: 'New York Times.' [stamp], Passed for publication 7 Feb 1945.' [stamp] and '309361.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse is damaged, what remains reads: 9TH US FIGHTER BOMBERS KEEP UP TRANSPORT.. HAMMERING DESPITE EUROPE'S WORST WEATHER.... Falling snow is cleared from metal landing.... P-47s taxing in tight circles, an extra.... job for the pilots.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-457098.jpg.webp?itok=IwjnzizX)
