56th Fighter Group
Group
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 5239 - The insignia of the 56th Fighter Group.
Flying P-47 Thunderbolts throughout their time stationed in England, the Group, known as "the Wolfpack", had more ace pilots than any other Eighth Air Force Fighter Group. The 56th Fighter Group also destroyed more enemy aircraft in air combat than any other. Francis Gabreski and Robert Johnson, the Eighth Air Force's top aces were both with the 56th. Col. Hubert A. Zemke and Col. David C. Schilling, two of the Group's Cos, were also famous aces, rivalling the 4th Fighter Group's Don Blakeslee and Don Gentile.
Commanding Officers

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 65th Fighter Wing 56th Fighter Group 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron 62nd Fighter Squadron 63rd Fighter Squadron Headquarters (56th Fighter Group)
- Service Numbers: O-393204
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot; Commanding Officer; Assistant Director Intelligence

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 479th Fighter Group 56th Fighter Group Headquarters (479th Fighter Group) Headquarters (56th Fighter Group)
- Service Numbers: O-022353
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Commander; Pilot

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 56th Fighter Group 62nd Fighter Squadron 63rd Fighter Squadron Headquarters (56th Fighter Group)
- Service Numbers: O-432184
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot/group commander

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: VIII Fighter Command 93rd Combat Bomb Wing 493rd Bomb Group 56th Fighter Group Headquarters (493rd Bomb Group) Headquarters (56th Fighter Group)
- Service Numbers: O-18868
- Highest Rank: Major General
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot/Group Commander
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Unit stations
Station | Location | Date |
---|---|---|
Based |
Kings Cliffe | 12 January 1943 - 4 April 1943 |
Based |
Horsham St Faith | 5 April 1943 - 7 July 1943 |
Based |
Halesworth | 8 July 1943 - 18 April 1944 |
Based |
Boxted | 18 April 1944 - 9 September 1945 |
Based |
Little Walden | 9 September 1945 - 10 October 1945 |
Encompassing

- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Supply

- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter

- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter

- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter

- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
People
![Corporal Jack Kazanjian, Private Albert Asplint, Staff-Sergeant Howard Buchner and Staff-Sergeant George Baltimore of the 56th Fighter Group with a P-47 Thunderbolt (HV-D, serial number 42-7877) nicknamed "In The Mood". Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp] Printed caption on reverse: A FIGHTER ACE'S GROUND CREW Much of the credit for the fine performance of the United Nations' fighter piolt is due to the ceaseless efforts of the ground crews to keep the machines in perfect fighting trim.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-456699.jpg?itok=lV21OIQ2)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
- Role/Job: Enlisted Man

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 27th Air Transport Group 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 310th Ferry Squadron 61st Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15071213 / O-661268
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron
- Role/Job: Enlisted Man
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 56th Fighter Group 62nd Fighter Squadron
- Role/Job: Enlisted Man
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
- Role/Job: Enlisted Man
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron

- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 56th Fighter Group

- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Nicknames: Half Pint
- Unit: 36th Fighter Group 56th Fighter Group 61st Fighter Squadron
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron

- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 56th Fighter Group 63rd Fighter Squadron
Mission
- Date: 11 October 1944
- Date: 23 August 1944
- Date: 8 June 1944
- Date: 27 May 1944
Revisions
Air Force Combat Units of WWII
Nickname and aircraft types added. DUC's relocated to citations section.
Sources:
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/56thfg.php
Information from unit history highlights.
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)