VIII Fighter Command FO-157 FIGHTER SWEEPS
15 October 1943Description
This mission is composed of two fighter elements. The first element is a formation of 36 P-38s despatched from 55FG to fly fighter sweeps over the Dutch Islands. This is the first mission for 55 FG and the first to use the P-38 "Lightning" from England in over a year. One aircraft is damages. There are no losses or claims.
The second element is a formation of 34 P-47s from 356FG which also joins with the P-38s in fighter sweeps ove the Dutch Islands. This is the first combat mission for the 356FG. There are no losses or claims.
Mission Details
DUTCH ISLANDS
Description: FIGHTER SWEEP
Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 36
- Aircraft damaged: 1
DUTCH ISLANDS
Description: FIGHTER SWEEP
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: 55th Fighter Group (P-38) and 356th Fighter Group (P-47) first missions. This is the first time P-38s had operated in other than a photo reconnaissance role for over a year.
![Ground crew of the 356th Fighter Group congratulate the pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt nicknamed "Zombie" at Martlesham Heath air base. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'ZOMBIE yellow, black outline. [illegible text] black white common practice of 361st FS.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377162.jpg.webp?itok=Cj8CR9kY)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 34
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 5-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative base 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'.