50th Fighter Group
Group
Uploaded
Object Number - UPL 7496
Before the build-up to D-Day, the group were based in the United States as part of the Fighter School Command and the Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics. In spring 1944 though, like so many other fighter and bomb groups, the 50th Fighter Group moved to the ETO. Their new home was to be Lymington in Hampshire, southern England. From there they flew fighter sweeps and bombed targets in northern France. They were over the beaches on D-Day and on base at Carentan by 25 June 1944. Two DUCs were awarded to the group, the first for their close support of the US Seventh Army that helped the Allies breach the Siegfried Line in March 1945 and the second for inflicting heavy damage on airfields outside Munich, allowing American troops to move more swiftly through southern Germany.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Unit stations
| Station | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
|
Based |
Lymington | 5 April 1944 - 25 June 1944 |
|
Based |
Carentan | 25 June 1944 - 16 August 1944 |
|
Based |
Meautis | 16 August 1944 - 4 September 1944 |
|
Based |
Orly | 4 September 1944 - 28 September 1944 |
|
Based |
Laon/Athies | 28 September 1944 - 3 November 1944 |
|
Based |
Lyon / Bron | 28 September 1944 |
|
Based |
Toul / Ochey | 3 November 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: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 50th Fighter Group 10th Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 50th Fighter Group 313th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-66681
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 356th Fighter Group 50th Fighter Group 313th Fighter Squadron 359th Fighter Squadron 360th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18049503 / O-431857
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 50th Fighter Group 313th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-797789
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 50th Fighter Group 81st Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18115103 on enlisting
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 50th Fighter Group
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 50th Fighter Group
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: The Galveston Gal
- Unit: 50th Fighter Group 81st Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 50th Fighter Group
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 50th Fighter Group
Revisions
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)
![Airmen of the 50th Fighter Group, 10th Air Force use a P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Cyclone Ginner" as a clothes line whilst they have a wash. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 7 July 1944.' [stamp] and '336396.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'GLIDER PILOTS WASH BY [illegible.] Photoshows: "Cyclone Ginn" look on whilst pilots give themselves an impromptu wash in their helmets.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-456552.jpg.webp?itok=V_hW2bW-)
![A fuel drop tank falling from the wing of a P-47 Thunderbolt of the 50th Fighter Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for pubication 25 July 1944.' [stamp] and 342803.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'FRANKS WITH TANKS. Ground crew at a 8th Air Force Thunderbolt, P-47 base have various ways of making use of the 108 gallon gas tanks dropped by Thunderbolts. They use theese tanks as wardrobes, sleeping bunks etc. One of the 108 gallon gas tanks falling from a Thunder](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-456561.jpg.webp?itok=KIgSMNHe)
![Staff Sergeant Anthony Petroski, Staff Sergeant Matthias Culley and Sergeant Elmer Martens of the 50th Fighter Group carry P-47 Thunderbolt fuel drop tanks. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for pubication 25 July 1944.' [stamp] and 342801.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'FRANKS WITH TANKS. Ground crew at a 9th Air Force Thunderbolt, P-47 base have various ways of making use of the 108 gallon gas tanks dropped by Thunderbolts. They use theese tanks as wardrobes, sleep](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-456583.jpg.webp?itok=_oEj809d)
![Colonel William D. Greenfield of the 50th Fighter Group with his P-47 Thunderbolt. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 1 Jul 1944.' [stamp] and '344589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '9TH AIR FORCE FIGHTER BOYS IN FRANCE. Photo shows: Col. William D. Greenfield of Dayton, Texas, who is the CO of a 9th Air Force fighter Group in France and holds the DFC and the air medal. Col. Greenfield is married and has a young son born on May 25th whom he has never s](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-456584.jpg.webp?itok=oeOgDAMn)
