VIII Fighter Command FO-156
14 October 1943Description
A combined force of 196 P-47s from: 4FG; 56FG; 352FG; and 353FG is despatched to provide escoprt to bombers attacking at Schweinfurt, Germany. 78FG and 355FG were unable to participate due to weather. 4FG was unable to rendevous with the bomber stream and was recalled at the enemy coast. 56FG and 353FG provided penetration support. Clouds hammpered the effort. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 1EVD; 4 other aircraft were Damaged Beyond Repair (DBR) but only 2 could be confirmed from available records 1KIA 3RTD. The fighters claim 13-1-5 of attacking German fighters.
Mission Details
SCHWEINFURT
Description: FIGHTER ESCORT
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: Weather conditions and heavy cloud frustrates fighter escort. 4th Fighter Group was unable to find the bombers and recalled at the enemy coast. 78th Fighter Group and 355th Fighter Group were restricted by the weather. Only 56th Fighter Group and 353rd Fighter Group were able to give penetration support.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- People killed in action: 2
- People returned to duty: 3
- Aircraft sent: 196
- Aircraft missing in action: 1
- Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 4
- Aircraft damaged: 2
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 350th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19061215 and O-732214
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 350th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-736333
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 5-Jul-2015. Added Missioon Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
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'.