VIII Fighter Command FO-207 BOMBER ESCORT

22 December 1943

Description

This fighter mission is composed of three elements despatched to provide escort to bombers attacking as Osnabruck and Munster Germany. It is composed of three elements. The first element is a forcr of 40 P-38s from 55FG. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 1KIA 1POW. There are no claims by this element on attacking German aircraft.



The second element is a combined force of 448 P-47s from: 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 355FG; 356FG; 358FG and 359FG. 2 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) 2KIA. 1 aircraft is damaged. The fighters of this element claim 15-1-6 of attacking German aircraft.



The third element is a force of 28 P-51s from 354FG (9th Air Force) operating under VIII Fighter Command control. There are no losses or claims in this element.

Mission Details

OSNABRUCK/MUNSTER

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 1
  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 40
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2

OSNABRUCK/MUNSTER

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: Fighter escort for raids on Osnabruck and Munster, Germany. 354th Fighter Group of IX Fighter Command contributes 28 P-51s to the escort. (9th Air Force statistics not included in totals).

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 2
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 15
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 6
  • Aircraft sent: 448
  • Aircraft missing in action: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 1

Osnabrück, Germany

Mission Statistics

  • Aircraft sent: 28
  • Aircraft effective: 28

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

People

A P-47 Thunderbolt (LH-T, serial number 42-74665) nicknamed "Fatty Patty II" of the 353rd Fighter Group flown by Captain Charles W Dinse shoots down a BF 110 during a mission. Gun camera image. Printed caption on reverse: '50416 AC - Discovering an Me 110 below him, Capt. Charles W. Dinsa, 304 Touhy Ave., Park Ridge, Ill., dove down and destroyed it. The pictures were taken by his automatic camera as his bullets found their mark. Credit for the kill was shared with Lt. Richard A. Stearns, Jr., 102 Forest

Charles W Dinse

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 353rd Fighter Group 350th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-665391
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Earl J King

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner; Radio Operator

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 27-Jul-2015. Added fighter claims on enemy aircraft to P-47 element statistics per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 27-Jul-2015. Added Mission event for 354FG (9th Air Force) per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 27-Jul-2015. Added Mission Narrative 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'.