VIII Fighter Command, Field Order 01, Ramrod 50

13 April 1943

Description

A combined force of 36 P-47s are depatched on a diversion for RAF Ramrod 50. A "Ramrod" is a short range (medium) bomber mission against ground targets. 4FG (20); 56FG (4); 78FG (12). Even though 78FG had participated in a Rodeo on 8-Apr-43, this action is recorded as their first combat mission. 1 P-47 from 78FG is down in the English Channel because of engine trouble, but the pilot baled out and is rescued by Air-Sea-Rescue (ASR).

Mission Details

Description: FIGHTER DIVERSION

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Despatched on a diversion for RAF Ramrod 50. One 78th Fighter Group pilot bailed out over the English Channel when his P-47 had engine trouble, rescued.

Mission Statistics

  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 36
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Despatched on Rodeo 202. One 56th Fighter Group P-47 has engine trouble but pilot manages to glide and make a belly landing near Deal, England.

Mission Statistics

  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 36
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1

Connections

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Aircraft

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

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Changed title to sentence case

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 30-Dec-2014. Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 30-Dec-2014. Descriptionbased 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'.