VIII Fighter Command ESCORT-VIII BC 29

13 January 1943

Description

4ht Fighter Group despatches 69 Spitfires to provide bomber escort. The escort is provided to the attacking force of VIII Bomber Command Mission 29 attacking Lille, France; and to two RAF bomber formations attacking targets at St. Omer, France. Exact dispositions to these three elements has not yer been determined. This is the first instance where 8AF fighters have been specifically to escort an 8AF heavy bomb mission. 1 Spitfire is forced down at Tangmere with Category B damage (it was repaired).



Also, 4th Fighter Group despatches 2 Spitfires on a fighter patrol along the English Coast.

Mission Details

ENGLISH COAST

Description: DEFENSIVE PATROL

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: Defensive patrol of English Coast.

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 2

SAINT OMER

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: Spitfire

Notes: Spitfires are despatched to escort the 8th Air Force bombers as well as two raids by RAF Bostons against St. Omer. One Spitfire is listed as Missing in Action (MIA) but it was actually forced down by engine failure at Tangmere in England. This is the first time that fighters have been specifically used to escort 8th Air Force bombers.

Mission Statistics

  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 3
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 4
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 5
  • Aircraft sent: 69
  • Aircraft damaged: 1

Connections

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People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39171219
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-Feb-2015. Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to statistics on St. Omer escort per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Dec-2014. Added fighter patrol to description.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Dec-2014. Description based on 'The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A, Freeman.

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'.