Following recent government announcements the museum is currently closed, there is plenty to explore in our online archive.
The American Air Museum is a charity - Find out how you can support us
Group
Thunderbolt pilots of the 4th Fighter Group in the briefing room at Debden. The 4th Fighter Group flew P-47 Thunderbolts on missions between March 1943 and February 1944. In the centre of the image, looking straight at the camera is James A. Goodson. On the far right of the shot, wearing a garrison cap, is Lieutenant Paul S. Riley. The two men at the front of the shot, sitting on wicker chairs, are, left to right Lieutenant James A Clark and Lieutenant Spiros S Pisanos. The airman in the back row, with his hand on his chin is Second Lieutenant Kenneth D Peterson. Printed caption attached to print: 'P-47 Thunderbolt pilots listen intently as Intelligence Officers brief them before the start of a mission over France.' Others in frame: 1st Lt's Jack L Raphael, Earle W Carlow, Vernon A Boehle, Douglas E Booth, Aubrey Stanhope, Pierce L Wiggin, Frank M Fink, Donald H Ross. Capt's Cecil E Manning, Richard G Braley, Nicholas 'Cowboy' Megura, Robert G 'Digger' Williams and Major's Howard W 'Deacon' Hively, Duane W Beeson.
Major Howard D. "Deacon" Hively of the 4th Fighter Group sits in the cockpit of a visiting B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Booger Red II" of the 387th Bomb Group. Image via Romack. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Jan 14, 44. Deacon Hively flies a visiting B-26 and almost crashed it.'
![Airmen of the 4th Fighter Group ride in the back of a Dodge weapons carrier (WC51 or WC52) at Debden air base. P-47 41-6233 is in the background of the shot.
Passed by the U.S. Army on 2 October 1943, THUNDERBOLT MISSION. Associated Press photo shows:- Pilots at a U.S. Eighth Air Force station in England are taken by truck from the Dispersal room to their waiting P-47's (Thunderbolts) at the start of a sortie over enemy territory. L-R: Lt. Burt Wyman, Englewood, N.J. ; Lt. Leighton Read, Hillsboro, W.V.; F/O Glen Fiedler, Frederickburg, Tex. AKP/LFS 261022 . 41043bi.' [ caption].' Passed for publication ....1943'. [stamp].](https://www.americanairmuseum.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/freeman/media-377283.jpg?itok=_sHa27gp)
Airmen of the 4th Fighter Group ride in the back of a Dodge weapons carrier (WC51 or WC52) at Debden air base. P-47 41-6233 is in the background of the shot. Passed by the U.S. Army on 2 October 1943, THUNDERBOLT MISSION. Associated Press photo shows:- Pilots at a U.S. Eighth Air Force station in England are taken by truck from the Dispersal room to their waiting P-47's (Thunderbolts) at the start of a sortie over enemy territory. L-R: Lt. Burt Wyman, Englewood, N.J. ; Lt. Leighton Read, Hillsboro, W.V.; F/O Glen Fiedler, Frederickburg, Tex. AKP/LFS 261022 . 41043bi.' [ caption].' Passed for publication ....1943'. [stamp].
Interior of a mess room at Debden air base where the 4th Fighter Group are based. Two officers read while a third is sprawled on a chair in the background. The two men in the foreground are, on the left, Captain Alexander Rafalovich, and on the right, Lieutenant Allen F. Bunte. Both pilots are part of the 334th Fighter Squadron. Passed for publication 15 October 1943. Printed caption attached to print: 'American Thunderbolt Fighters are proving a terror to the Germans. The pilots (former members of the RAF) flying their high altitude fast diving fighters that have accounted for many enemy planes. In one raid over Paris the fighters of this Station accounted for 17 down, 5 probables and one damaged 15/10/43'. And 'O.P.S. Flying Officer A RAFALOVICH of California and Lt. A.F. BUNTE of Florida taking it easy between flying operations.'
Armourer of the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, loading ammunition rounds into a P-51B Mustang, at Debden air base, 1944-1945.
Ground crew of the 4th Fighter Group at work above and below the wing of a P-51 Mustang at Debden air base, 1944-1945.
Interior of an armament shack of the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, at Debden. One of the three men is working on an AN/M2 .50 Browning machine gun.
Lieutenant Peter G. Lehman, of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, and Crew Chief Staff Sergeant Elwood Briel, in front of a P-47 Thunderbolt (VF-S, serial no. 41-6573), named "B.E.V.O.A.P.A.B.M.", at Debden air base. Winter 1943-1944.
Ace pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, First Lieutenant Ralph K. Hofer, from Salem, Missouri, seated in cockpit with ground crew standing on the wing, at Debden air base.
Captain James A. Clark holds the front paws of a German Shepherd dog (Duke). In the background is a P-47 Thunderbolt (QP-W), of the 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, which was based at Debden air base. October 1943. Printed caption attached to print: 'American Thunderbolt fighters are proving a terror to the Germans. The pilots (former members of the R.A.F.) flying their high altitude fast diving fighters that have accounted for many enemy planes. On raid over Paris the fighters of this station accounted for 17 downs, 5 probables and one damaged. 15/10/43.'
Some of the pilots of the 4th Fighter Group had seen many hours of combat by the time they joined the 4th Fighter Group as they had volunteered with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Air Force. The three 'Eagle Squadrons' of RAF Fighter Command, Squadrons No. 71, 121 and 133 became the 334th, 335th and 335th Fighter Squadrons of the 4th Fighter Group on 29 September 1942. The Group's combined air (583.3) and ground (469) claims of enemy aircraft was the highest of any USAAF Group.
The 4th Fighter Group was activated on 12 September 1942. Based in Debden, England, it was made up of the three Eagle Squadrons of the Royal Air Force (No. 71, No. 121, and No. 133). As they were transferred from the Royal Air Force to the United States Army Air Force, in the Eighth Air Force they became designated as the 334th, 335th, and 336th Squadrons.
They flew their first combat mission under American colours on 2 October 1942, still flying British Spitfires. Upon receipt of an adequate number of P-47 Thunderbolts and crews skilled in their maintenance, the group converted to P-47s in March 1943. In February 1944 the group switched to P-51 Mustangs, which they continued to fly until the end of the war in Europe. They flew their last combat mission on 25 April 1945. They had become the top scoring Allied Fighter Group in the war, having destroyed 1016 enemy aircraft for a loss of 241 of their own planes.
It is of note that their losses were disproportionately high due to the fact that their combat was always over enemy territory and many of their losses were suffered as the result of flak (anti-aircraft fire).
Notable achievements of the group are as follows:
The first fighter to penetrate German airspace;
the first selected to escort bombers on the first shuttle bombing run to land in Russia;
the first to escort bombers over Berlin.
The Association of the 4th Fighter Group
The Association of the 4th Fighter Group (A4FG) is an active group dedicated to preserving the memory of this famous unit. Originally established by 4th FG veterans themselves, it still holds reunions yearly and publishes a newsletter quarterly. The Association has a website which regularly publishes the results of research undertaken by its members, and is an invaluable resource for understanding more about the men who served with the 4th FG.
Visit The Association of the 4th Fighter Group website to find out more about their work.
Constituted as 4th Fighter Group on 22 Aug 1942. Activated in England on 12 Sep 1942. Former members of RAF Eagle Squadrons formed the nucleus of the group, which served in combat from Oct 1942 to Apr 1945 and destroyed more enemy planes in the air and on the ground than any other fighter group of Eighth AF. Operated first with Spitfires but changed to P-47’s in Mar 1943 and to P-51’s in Apr 1944. On numerous occasions escorted bombers that attacked factories, submarine pens, V-weapon sites, and other targets in France, the Low Countries, or Germany. Went out sometimes with a small force of bombers to draw up the enemy’s fighters so they could be destroyed in aerial combat. At other times attacked the enemy’s air power by strafing and dive-bombing airfields. Also hit troops, supply depots, roads, bridges, rail lines, and trains. Participated in the intensive campaign against the German Air Force and aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Received a DUC for aggressiveness in seeking out and destroying enemy aircraft and in attacking enemy air bases, 5 Mar-24 Apr 1944. Flew interdictory and counter-air missions during the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944. Supported the airborne invasion of Holland in Sep. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Covered the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Moved to the US in Nov. Inactivated on 10 Nov 1945.
Military | Major General | Fighter Pilot 1055 single engine/Group Commander
Whilst serving with No. 71 Eagle Squadron, he was promoted to Flt Lt - the first American in the Eagle Squadrons to be promoted above the enlisted rank of Pilot Officer.
...
Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Commanding Officer, Pilot | 355th Fighter Group
Colonel Kinnard, already a much decorated fighter pilot, came to the 4th Fighter Group in September 1944 from his former position as Group Commander of the 355th Fighter Group. He was appointed Deputy Group Commander, reporting to Lt. James Clark,...
Military | Colonel | Fighter pilot, Commanding Officer | 4th Fighter Group
Don Blakeslee was born on 11 September 1917 in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. As a boy, he became captivated with planes while watching the Cleveland National Air Races held only 30 miles away from his home at 529 7th St, Fairport Harbor, Ohio. In 1938,...
Military | Brigadier General | Commanding General
Assigned to HQ Sqn, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Commanding Officer, from 27 September 1942 to 20 August 1943.
...
Military | Colonel | Fighter Pilot 1055 single engine/Group Commander | 352nd Fighter Group
CO 4th FG Feb 1945 - Sept 1945
...
Military | Colonel | Fighter pilot / Commanding Officer 4th FG
Assigned to 82FS, 78FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to HQ Sqn, 78FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to VIII fighter Command. Transferred to HQ Sqn, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Flew 108 x missions.
...
Wing
Browse 65th Fighter Wing photographs and other documents in the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library digital archive here: www.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive/Dashboard/Index/51
Group
Group
Squadron
Squadron
The 334th Fighter Squadron was the successor to No. 71 Eagle squadron of the Royal Air Force when the 4th Fighter Group was activated on 12 September 1942. They were based at Debden Field, Essex. The "Fighting Eagles" as they were called, flew...
Squadron
The 335th Fighter Squadron was the offspring of No. 121 (Eagle) Squadron RAF. Formed on 21 May 1941, No. 121 was the second of the three Eagle Squadrons composed of American volunteers flying out of England. They were known as the "Chiefs" and were...
Squadron
The 336th Fighter Squadron was constituted by the War Department on 22 august 1942, and was activated at Bushey Hall, England, on 12 September. It had been designated as No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron, and was made up of American volunteers to the Royal Air...
Squadron
Squadron
Squadron
Headquarters
The Headquarters Squadron was made up of true leaders. Most had flown Hurricanes, Spitfires, Thunderbolts and Mustangs.
...
19 August 1942
31st Fighter Group despatches 123 Spitfires in support of the landings at Dieppe, France. 8 are lost. These are the first operations of VIII Fighter Command units under VIII Fighter Command control.
...
2 October 1942
1FG despatches 31 P-38s to escort bombers attacking the aircraft factory at Meaulte, France, sustaining one loss. 1FG also despatches 34 Spitfires on a sweep over the English Channel; 52FG despatches 7 Spitfires on a sweep over the English Channel; 4FG...
2 October 1942
1FG despatches 31 P-38s to escort bombers attacking the aircraft factory at Meaulte, France, sustaining one loss. 1FG also despatches 34 Spitfires on a sweep over the English Channel; 52FG despatches 7 Spitfires on a sweep over the English Channel; 4FG...
9 October 1942
1FG despatches 36 P-38s to escort RAF "Circus" 224; 4FG despatches 36 Spitfires as a diversion for the bombers attacking at Lille, France.
14 October 1942
4FG despatches 11 Spitfires to attack enemy shipping off the Holland coast.
15 October 1942
4FG despatches 36 Spitfires to escort an RAF mission of A-20 Bostons and 24 P-38s to join the RAF in "Circus" 227 over the Le Havre, France area.
15 October 1942
4FG despatches 36 Spitfires to escort an RAF mission of A-20 Bostons and 24 P-38s to join the RAF in "Circus" 227 over the Le Havre, France area.
20 October 1942
4FG despatches 10 Spitfires on defensive sorties in support of 2 aircraft on convoy patrol. 1 is lost. First 8th AF MIA of a fighter pilot.
22 October 1942
2 Spitfires from 4th Fighter Group are despatched on a weather reconnaissance mission.
23 October 1942
14 Spitfires from 4th Fighter Group are despatched on defensive sorties.
| Station | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 336 FS Satellite BASE | Great Sampford | 23 August 1942 – 30 October 1942 |
| Based | Debden | 29 September 1942 – 27 July 1945 |
| Based | Steeple Morden | 27 July 1945 – 4 November 1945 |
Military | Captain | Pilot | 4th Fighter Group
He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in October 1940, and was awarded his pilot wings on September 15, 1941, joining the 133 Eagle Squadron in England. Alexander was credited with destroying 1 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, plus 1 probable, before...
Military | Flight Officer | Fighter Pilot | 10th Air Depot Group
Assigned to 336FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 10ADG, 8AF USAAF.
Awards: WWII Victory, EAME.
Post War: Computer Analyst GM Indianapolis, IN, USA. Retired 1988.
Military | GP | 479th Fighter Group
Military | Captain | Pilot | 365th Fighter Group
On DS (detached service) for operational training. Flew four missions with the 335th Fighter Squadron.
Awards: DFC, AM (13OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.
Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Pilot | 4th Fighter Group
Duane W Beeson joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941, by February 1942 he had completed over 200 hours of flying and was transferred to Britain to join No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron, RAF 24 days later he joined the 4th Fighter Group in September 1942....
Military | Colonel | Fighter pilot, Commanding Officer | 4th Fighter Group
Don Blakeslee was born on 11 September 1917 in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. As a boy, he became captivated with planes while watching the Cleveland National Air Races held only 30 miles away from his home at 529 7th St, Fairport Harbor, Ohio. In 1938,...
Military | Sergeant | 4th Fighter Group
Military | Staff Sergeant | Ground crew | 4th Fighter Group
Assigned to 335FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF.
Awards: GC, WWII Victory, EAME (6 x battle stars).
Military | Corporal | 4th Fighter Group
Military | First Lieutenant | Fighter Pilot | 4th Fighter Group
Chuck Carr was assigned to 334th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, from October 10, 1943-April 5, 1944. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on January 12, 1944. On April 5 his P-51B (43-6837) was hit by heavy flak while he was strafing JU-88’s on...
P-47 Thunderbolt
Assigned to 336FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred 53FS, 36FG, 9AF USAAF.
P-47 Thunderbolt
P-47C-5-RE 41-6587 was assigned to the 4FG/334FS at Debden UK. On 3-Nov-43 the aircraft, piloted by 1LT Ivan R. Moon, took off from Halesworth as a more forward location and was despatched with other fighters from 4FG to provide escort to B-17s...
P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 336FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) strafing mission to Rouen area, made 3 passes to strafe a truck convoy over a grass airfield and was shot down by flak on 6-Jun-44. Pilot Lt Harold H Fredericks evaded capture and was returned...
P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 334FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Struck ground during strafing run, regained a little altitude, pouring black smoke from the engine before exploding, pilot Lt Leon J Cole Jr KIA. MACR 5572.
P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 336FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Rouen area. A/C hit by flak in engine attempting to bomb train in ravine, engine oil spilling from nose to tail. A/C abandoned Lyons area. Pilot 1st Lt Oscar Lajeunesse baled...
P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 335FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. A/C hit by Flak at 26,000ft over Aachen. Turned for home, forced to bailout 12 miles SW of Antwerp. Pilot Lt Lester B Godwin evaded capture, EVD. 20-Jul-44. MACR 6849.
P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 335FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Signalled flight his intention to RTB, turned for home, not seen after. Shot down in Ostend area. Pilot Lt Carroll McElroy POW. 31-May-44. MACR 5670.
P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 334FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Whilst on mission to provide top cover for 335FS, section were bounced by Bf109's. A/C received multiple hits and caught fire, forcing pilot to bail out. Pilot 2nd Lt Dean Lange wounded in left arm by cannon fire,...
P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 336FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) strafing mission to Strausberg 28-Aug-44. Pilot 1st Lt Ferris Harris KIA. MACR 8301.
P-51 Mustang
Assigned to 335FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to return, shot down in combat with Bf109,
crashed near Hamburg 24-May-44. Pilot 2nd Lt Harry E Jennings KIA MACR 5287.
The 4th Fighter Group was awarded a Unit Citation for destroying 189 enemy aircraft for the period 5 March to 24 April 1944.
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 30 November 2018 15:40:11 | general ira snapsorter | Changes to commanding officers associations |
| Sources | ||
https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 09 March 2018 15:53:44 | 2nd Air Division Memorial Library | Changes to description |
| Sources | ||
2nd Air Division Memorial Library |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 09 March 2018 15:52:52 | 2nd Air Division Memorial Library | Changes to description |
| Sources | ||
2nd Air Division Memorial Library |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 13 May 2017 16:47:02 | tmccann | Changes to insignia |
| Sources | ||
The boxing eagle was the group's insignia, and it was a blue eagle. The red eagle is used by the Association of the 4th Fighter Group today. |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 02 December 2016 20:01:12 | WD-C Mustang | Changes to insignia |
| Sources | ||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 03 August 2016 15:39:30 | general ira snapsorter | Changes to stations |
| Sources | ||
Unit associations and unit ‘BASED’ locations and dates added from “The Mighty Eighth- A History of the U.S. Army Air Force”, Roger A. Freeman |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 23 July 2016 20:06:20 | LUCKY PARTNERS | Changes to person associations |
| Sources | ||
remove person incorrectly associated |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 22 April 2016 13:43:06 | Lucy May | Changes to motto and mission associations |
| Sources | ||
The motto of the 4th Fighter Group was: "Fourth but First". Meaning of course that the Group was in WWII First - as Eagle Squadrons in the RAF - and only later in 1942 did they become the US Army Air Force 4th FG. Russ Brengelman |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 19 March 2015 11:00:50 | rossingtonj | Changes to nicknames and mission associations |
| Sources | ||
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/4thfg.php?action=list_records&recs=50&sor... |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 13 March 2015 15:28:41 | rossingtonj | Changes to type and mission associations |
| Sources | ||
Type added. |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 01 March 2015 11:21:17 | apollo11 | Changes to citations, description and mission associations |
| Sources | ||
All information correct as far as I am aware. |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 October 2014 16:11:57 | Lee8thbuff | Changes to description, aircraft types, mission associations and stations |
| Sources | ||
Lee Cunningham 27-Oct-2014. 4FG association "USAAF Combat Chronology" Jack McKillop; Station dates; http://www.usaaf.com/8thaf/fighter/4fg.HTM |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:42:46 | AAM | AAM ingest |
| Sources | ||
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / The Mighty Eighth. A History of the Units, Men and Machines of the US 8th Air Force.' by Roger A. Freeman (1989). 'Air Force Combat Units of World War II' compiled by the Department of the US Air Force, edited by Maurice Maurer (1983). / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980) |
||
