78th Fighter Group

Group
From left to right: Captain Walker L. Boone, Flight Officer Manuel S. Martinez and Flight Officer Gerry E. Brasher, pilots of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, sit on the bonnet of a jeep at Duxford air base. Passed for publication 28 October 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Thunderbolts - the "Guardian Angels" of Flying Fortresses. Here are pictures of Thunderbolts P-47s, the famous American fighter planes, which escort Flying Fortresses on their daylight missions over Occupied Europe. Pho media-377526.jpg FRE 282 From left to right: Captain Walker L. Boone, Flight Officer Manuel S. Martinez and Flight Officer Gerry E. Brasher, pilots of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, sit on the bonnet of a Dodge WC (weapons carrier) at Duxford air base. Passed for publication 28 October 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Thunderbolts - the "Guardian Angels" of Flying Fortresses. Here are pictures of Thunderbolts P-47s, the famous American fighter planes, which escort Flying Fortresses on their daylight missions over Occupied Europe. Photo shows:- All set to go: Parked on the hood of their command car which is to take them to their waiting Thunderbolts are L to R: Walker L. BOONE, Wyandotte, Oklahoma, Flight Officer Manuel S. MARTINEZ, Mount Kisco, N.Y., and Flight Officer J.E. BRASHER, Roswell, New Mexico. A few minutes after this picture was snapped they were in the air on their bomber-escort mission into Germany. U.S. Pool/SG/H. Keystone 65.' Roger Freeman Collection

Vehicle identified as a Dodge WC (weapons carrier) by Alan Dengate, via IWM's Facebook page.

Object Number - FRE 282 - From left to right: Captain Walker L. Boone, Flight Officer Manuel S. Martinez and Flight Officer Gerry E. Brasher, pilots of the 82nd Fighter...

The 78th Fighter Group was initially based at Goxhill but moved to Duxford in April 1943 and stayed there until October 1945. The 78th FG flew each of the three US built principal fighters of the AAF in the ETO. In their Thundetbolts, the 78th FG provided maximum effort air cover to the D-Day Normandy invasion fleet as it crossed the Channel. The Group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations, the first for their missions in support of airborne forces in Holland, between 16-23 September 1944. The second award was for successfully ground strafing aircraft on five airfields near Prague and Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, on 16 April 1945.

Commanding Officers

Arman Peterson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (78th Fighter Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-21485
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Commanding Officer
Commanding officers of Fighter Groups of the 8th Air Force, 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'FORMAL PORTRAIT: They are, left to right, front row: Hub Zemke, 479th Grp, Roy Caviness, 361st Grp, Dave Schilling, 56th Grp, Everett Stewart, 355th Grp, Ben Rimermann, 353rd Grp, John Henry, 339th Grp, GT Crowell, Unk. REAR: James Maydon, 352nd Grp, WH Swanson, Unk, Joe McManus, 364th Grp, Calirborn Kinnard, 4th Grp, Philip Tukey, 356th Grp. Fred Gray, 78th Grp, Don Graham, 357th Grp. Date is unknown but it has

Frederic Colbert Gray

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (78th Fighter Group) Headquarters (66th Fighter Wing)
  • Service Numbers: O-22327
  • Highest Rank: Brigadier General
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer
Lieutenant-Colonel Jack S. Jenkins, of the 55th Fighter Group, and James J. Stone, of the 78th Fighter Group, stand in front of P-47 Thunderbolt. A P-38 Lightning (CY-?) of the 334th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group is in the background.

James J Stone

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 66th Fighter Wing 83rd Fighter Squadron Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (78th Fighter Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-403658
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer / Pilot

John D Landers

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 357th Fighter Group 361st Fighter Group 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-431968
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer

Melvin F McNickle

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (78th Fighter Group)
  • Highest Rank: Major General
  • Role/Job: Pilot
A P-51 Mustang aircraft - HL-A - (serial number 44-63216), named "Anne Nihilator”. This aircraft was piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Olin E. Gilbert. Whilst strafing Charleroi aerodrome on 28th August 1944, Gilbert's Mustang was struck by flak - causing a crash landing. Gilbert successfully evaded capture and escaped, with the assistance of the resistance. Handwritten on slide casing:"Anne Nihilator Mason Barnard"

Olin Edward Gilbert

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 83rd Fighter Squadron Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (78th Fighter Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-402313
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Lieutenant Colonel Roy Caviness, of the 376th Fighter Squadron, 361st Fighter Group in the cockpit of his P-51D Mustang. Handwritten caption on reverse: '13/3/44. Roy Caviness.' On reverse: Associated Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Caption attached to reverse: Photo ref.no. 311282. "Pilots of P-47s in the ETO. Associated Press photo shows: Maj. Roy B. Caviness, Oil City, La, has shared in bringing down a FW.190 and has damaged three locos."

Roy Blair Caviness

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 361st Fighter Group 376th Fighter Squadron Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron (78th Fighter Group) Headquarters (361st Fighter Group)
  • Service Numbers: 14014820 / O-413041
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot - Group Commanding Officer

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

1 December 1942 - 3 April 1943

Based

3 April 1943 - 10 October 1945

Previously was

Encompassing

People

Arthur Napoleon Arpin

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11044921 / O-728955
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Cyril Thomas Bendorf

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 55th Fighter Group 78th Fighter Group 343rd Fighter Squadron 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39039363 / O-829621
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Fighter pilot
Second Lieutenant John J. Hockery and assisstant crew chief, Corporal Carl F of the 78th Fighter Group with a P-47 Thunderbolt. Passed for publication 28 Oct 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Thunderbolts - The Fly. Thunderbolts - The "Guardian Angels" Of Flying Fortresses. Here are pictures of Thunderbolts - P-47s, the famous American fighter planes, which escort Flying Fortresses on their daylight missions over Occupied Europe. Photo Shows:- Another night shot. Cpl. Carl F. [word overwritten], Dayton,

Carl Frank Benes

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 82nd Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17024396
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Crew chief

Carl Elmo Calloway

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15070391 / O-886182
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
First Lieutenant Frank E. Oiler of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group with his P-47 Thunderbolt (WZ-S, serial number 42-75429) nicknamed "Eileen", May 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '1/Lt. Frank E. Oiler, 84FS, 1944, May. Source - Frank Oiler.'

Charles D Clark

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Crew chief

Aircraft

41-6240

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron

41-6374

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group

41-6391

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 82nd Fighter Squadron

41-6411

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Muscle Bound
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 83rd Fighter Squadron

41-7576

  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 83rd Fighter Squadron

Mission

896

  • Date: 19 March 1945
  • Official Description:

Related videos and documents

UPL 35211

  • Media Type: Video
  • Collection Name: IWM collections
  • Object Number: UPL 35211
  • Description: Colonel Huie H Lamb Jr of the 78th Fighter Group shares his first impressions of England and life at Duxford. Extract of interview conducted by Carl...
Download File

Document 20543

  • Media Type: Document
  • Object Number: Document 20543
  • Description: 'I Was Lucky' unpublished memoirs - Foreward + Contents + Chapters I to IV - of Lt Charles S Oldfield, 84th FS, 78th FG at Duxford
Download File

Document 20544

  • Media Type: Document
  • Object Number: Document 20544
  • Description: 'I Was Lucky' unpublished memoirs - Chapters V to X - of Lt Charles S Oldfield, 84th FS, 78th FG at Duxford
Download File

Document 50703

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: Unit histories
  • Object Number: Document 50703
  • Description: Duxford Diary, complete unit history Many of the 8th Air Force Groups produced an unofficial unit history in the months after the war ended in Europe...

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Air Force Combat Units of WWII

Date
ContributorArthurB.Richie
Changes
Sources

Courtesy of Keith Ritchie from the collection of Dora Richie Stovall

Date
ContributorCarl
Changes
Sources

Duxford Diary, 1945 ( also available online here: http://www.ulongbeach.com/Duxford_Diary.html )

Date
ContributorCarl
Changes
Sources

Duxford Diary, 1945
Garry L Fry; Eagles of Duxford: 78th Fighter Group in World War II; (St Paul, 1991)

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

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)

78th Fighter Group: Gallery (496 items)

Object number: UPL 35211 - Colonel Huie H Lamb Jr of the 78th Fighter Group...

RAF Issue Type C flying helmet worn by First Lieutenant James Orin Patton Jr of the 78th Fighter Group, 1944

Object number: EQU 5246 - RAF Issue Type C flying helmet worn by First...

Type A-14 Oxygen Mask worn by First Lieutenant James Orin Patton Jr of the 78th Fighter Group, 1944

Object number: EQU 5247 - Type A-14 Oxygen Mask worn by First Lieutenant...

Racks of fragmentation bombs attached to the underside of the wing of a 78th Fighter Group aircraft at Duxford airbase on the 29 January 1944. Official caption on image: "(NI-15-8)(DX-Jan 29 '44)." Handwritten caption on reverse: '78FG, DX. Fragmentation Bombs.'

Object number: FRE 10190 - Racks of fragmentation bombs attached to the...

A composite of six photographic stills from the gun camera aboard Captain Alvin M. Juchheim's (from 737 College Street, Grenada, Missouri) P-47 Thunderbolt of the 83rd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group. Viewed in order from top left to bottom left, then top right to bottom right, the first three show Captain Juchheim closing in on a Focke Wulf 190 on the 30th of April 1944 to engage it. The fourth image shows the root of the Focke-Wulf's left wing beginning to burn after taking hits, and the fifth and

Object number: FRE 10275 - A composite of six photographic stills from the...

A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 44-19566) of the 78th Fighter Group at Duxford airbase. Handwritten on slide casing: 'P-47, 78th F.G.'

Object number: FRE 10763 - A P-47 Thunderbolt (serial number 44-19566) of the...

A P-47 Thunderbolt (WZ-Z, serial number 41-6630) of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group mid-flight. Handwritten on slide casing: '78th F.G.'

Object number: FRE 10764 - A P-47 Thunderbolt (WZ-Z, serial number 41-6630)...

A line of 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group P-47 Thunderbolts at Duxford airbase. The two at the front are MX-S (serial number 42-27339) and MX-W (serial number 42-26387), nicknamed "Miss Behave". Handwritten on slide casing: '78th F.G.'

Object number: FRE 10765 - A line of 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter...

A frontal view of a 78th Fighter Group P-51 Mustang nicknamed "Big Beautiful Doll". Handwritten on slide casing: '78th F.G.'

Object number: FRE 10767 - A frontal view of a 78th Fighter Group P-51...

Lieutenant-Colonel Jack S. Jenkins, of the 55th Fighter Group, and James J. Stone, of the 78th Fighter Group, stand in front of P-47 Thunderbolt. A P-38 Lightning (CY-?) of the 334th Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group is in the background.

Object number: FRE 127 - Lieutenant-Colonel Jack S. Jenkins, of the 55th...

Veterans of the 55th Fighter Group at a reunion, with a P-51 Mustang painted to represent "Big Beautiful Doll" flown by Colonel John D Landers of the 78th Fighter Group, 1978.

Object number: FRE 2461 - Veterans of the 55th Fighter Group at a reunion...

Major Eugene P. Roberts, a pilot of the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, with Captain Charles P. London and war correspondent William Randolph Hearst Jr. at Duxford. Printed caption on reverse: 'Thunderbolts - the "Guardian Angels" of Flying Fortresses. Here are pictures of Thunderbolts P-47s, the famous American fighter planes, which escort Flying Fortresses on their daylight missions over Occupied Europe. Photo shows:- "This is how we did it", says Major Eugene ROBERTS, of Spokane, Washington,

Object number: FRE 260 - Major Eugene P. Roberts, a pilot of the 84th...