VIII Fighter Command FO-98 BOMBER ESCORT

12 August 1943

Description

A combined force of 131 P-47s from 4FG; 56FG; and 78FG are despatched to provide fighter escort for 1st Bomb Wing B-17s despatched to bomb the synthetic oil refineries at Bochum, Germany. The fighters are equipped with pressurised belly tanks to give them additional range. This is the first time these type of belly tanks are used. Fighter opposition against the bombers is estimated at 100-150 German fighters attacking the bomber stream. Most attacks occur as the bombers are leaving their targets. Flak is intense. The fighters claim 2-1-4 of the attacking fighters. The escort has no losses.

Mission Details

BOCHUM

Description: FIGHTER ESCORT

Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt

Notes: First use of pressurized belly tanks for fighters. Fighters escort Bochum raid.

Mission Statistics

  • Enemy aircraft destroyed by fighter: 2
  • Enemy aircraft probably destroyed by fighter: 1
  • Enemy aircraft damaged by fighter: 4
  • Aircraft sent: 131
  • Aircraft effective: 131

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-May-2015. Added fighter claims and corrected number despatched to Mission Statistics based on "The Mighty EIghth War Dairy", Roger A. Freeman.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 15-May-2015. Added Mission Narrative based on "The Mighty EIghth War Dairy", 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'.