VIII Fighter Command FO - 26 SWEEP & PATROL
21 May 1943Corrected squadron number in caption from 336 to 334.
Description
The main operation for the fighter groups today is a sweep of the Ostend/Ghent coastal area by a combined force of 105 P-47s from 4FG, 56FG and 78FG. 3 P-47s are MIA but 2 are due to a mid-air collision, 2 pilots KIA; and 1 loss due to abandonedment of the aircraft over the North Sea due to enemy fighter attack, pilot rescued by taken POW. Claims are 0-0-1 on enemy aircraft.
In other operations, 6 P-47s are despatched on coastal patrol.
Mission Details
ENGLISH COAST
Description: FIGHTER PATROL
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: Defensive patrol along English coast.
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Mission Statistics
- Aircraft sent: 6
OSTEND / GHENT
Description: FIGHTER SWEEP
Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
Notes: Fighter sweep over Ostend/Ghent area 4th Fighter Group loses 3 aircraft, pilots Missing in Action (MIA)
- 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
- Prisoners of war: 1
- Aircraft sent: 105
- Aircraft missing in action: 3
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 334th Fighter Squadron 336th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885093
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 67th Fighter Wing 4th Fighter Group 334th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885405
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 334th Fighter Squadron No 71 'Eagle' Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-885108
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
- Unit: 4th Fighter Group Base Air Depot 2 334th Fighter Squadron
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 4-Jan-2014. Added description 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'.