VIII Fighter Command FO-200 FIGHTER SWEEP
13 December 1943Description
This is the first combat mission for 359th Fighter Group. A force of 36 P-47s is despatched to fly a fighter sweep in the Pas-de-Calaise area of France. No German aircarft are encountered and there are no losses or claims.
Mission Details
PAS DE CALAIS
Description: FIGHTER SWEEP
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: Fighter sweep of Pas-de-Calais area.
![Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P, serial number 44-14543) nicknamed "Precious Pat", piloted by Lieutenant Ralston; (IV-Z, serial number 44-15007) piloted by Lieutenant Klem; and (IV-D, serial number 44-15394). First handwritten caption on reverse: 'November 15 1944- 369th FS Lts. Ralston (P), Klem (Z), [illegible] (D).' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '15/11/44 369th Fighter Squadron, 3](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-377226.jpg.webp?itok=RQw6Mu-P)
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 36
Revisions
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources
Lee Cunningham 25-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.
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'.