VIII Fighter Command FO 217 BOMBER ESCORT

14 January 1944

Description

This is a fighter operation to escort bombers attacking V-Weapon sites in the Pas-de-Calaise area of France. A total of 645 fighter aircraft are despatched in three element by fighter type:



A combined force of 98 P-38s are despatched from: 20FG and 55FG as bomber escorts. 1 aircraft Failed ot Return (FTR) - 1KIA. 1 aircraft is damaged in a crashlanding at Wittering on return, but may have been repaired - 1RTD. There were no other losses, casualties or claims in this fighter element.



A combined force of 504 P-47s were dispatched from: 4FG; 56FG; 78FG; 352FG; 353FG; 355FG; 356FG; 358FG and 359FG. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 1POW. 2 others were damaged in crashlandings on return, but both pilots were OK -2 RTD. 9 other aircraft were damaged. The fighters in this element claim 13-1-0 of attacking German aircraft.



A force of 43 P-51s from 354FG, IX Fighter Command also contribute to the fighter force providing escort. 1 aircraft Failed to Return (FTR) - 1KIA and 1 aircraft was damaged. The fighters of this element claim 1-0-0 of attacking Germany aircraft.

Mission Details

PAS-DE-CALAISE

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning

Mission Statistics

  • People killed in action: 1
  • People returned to duty: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 98
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 1

PAS-DE-CALAISE

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Mission Statistics

  • Prisoners of war: 1
  • People returned to duty: 2
  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 13
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 504
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged beyond repair: 2
  • Aircraft damaged: 9

Pas-de-Calais, France

Description: 43 P-51s from IX Fighter Command also participate in the escort operation.

Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang

Mission Statistics

  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 1
  • Aircraft sent: 43
  • Aircraft effective: 43
  • Aircraft missing in action: 1
  • Aircraft damaged: 1

Connections

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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

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Jan-2016. Added Mission Event for IX Fighter Command participation per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" ROger A. Freeman and "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunninghm 8-Jan-2016. Added fighter claims to P-47 element per "The Mighty Eighth War Diary" Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Jan-2016. Note eliminated IX Fighter command participations covered in New event.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 8-Jan-2016. Edited Title and added Detailed Description based on "The Mighty Eighth War Diary", Roger A. Freeman. Losses confirmed from MACR records. IX Fighter Command losses from "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.

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'.