8th Air Force Field Order 344

21 May 1944

Mission Details

Description: RAILROAD ROLLING STOCK

Notes: This was the first Chattanooga mission to attack rail stock in Germany. A total of 617 fighters (145 P-38s, 139 P-47s and 333 P-51s) from 8th Air Force were deployed. 225 locomotives were attacked with 91 credited as destroyed. Airfields and other ground targets were also hit. P-47s attacked rail bridges in Western Germany with 37 tons of bombs. Aircraft credits include 77-0-64 on the ground.

Mission Statistics

  • Tonnage Dropped: 37 T HE

Connections

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People

Samuel Hansard

Samuel Eugene Hansard

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 339th Fighter Group 55th Fighter Group 338th Fighter Squadron 505th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38071981 / O-754619
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham, 8th Air Force missions research database / Stan Bishop's 'Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces', the Combat Chronology of the US Army Air Forces and the work of Roger Freeman including the 'Mighty Eighth War Diary'.