Timeline of Significant Events and Milestones in Group and Base History
1934
May - Experiencing engine problems, an RAF pilot sets his Bristol Bulldog down in a wheat field on a farm in Wimbish belonging to A. C. Kettley. Officers sent to investigate the crash quickly determined the site was perfect for an airdrome. Eventually - and begrudgingly - Kettley sold 300 acres of his land to the RAF.
1936
January - Construction of the three main hangars begins.
1937
22 April - Debden Airdrome becomes operational as an RAF Fighter Station, under the command of Wing Commander S.L.G. Pope.
7 June - No. 87 Squadron, flying the Hawker Fury arrives at Debden, followed shortly thereafter by No. 80 Squadron (10 June) and No. 73 Squadron (14 June).
By this time all three squadrons were equipped with the Gloster Gladiator.
9 November - No. 73 Squadron returned to Digby, replaced immediately by No. 29 Squadron.
7 June - No. 87 Squadron, flying the Hawker Fury arrives at Debden, followed shortly thereafter by No. 80 Squadron (10 June) and No. 73 Squadron (14 June).
By this time all three squadrons were equipped with the Gloster Gladiator.
9 November - No. 73 Squadron returned to Digby, replaced immediately by No. 29 Squadron.
1938
29 April - No. 80 Squadron departs for Ismailia. The replacement squadron, No. 85, is made up of pilots from No. 87's A Flight.
12 July - No. 87 Squadron begins re-equipping with the Hurricane Mk I followed in short order by No. 85 Squadron.
19 December - No. 29 Squadron gives up their Hawker Demons for the Bristol Blenheim Mk. I
12 July - No. 87 Squadron begins re-equipping with the Hurricane Mk I followed in short order by No. 85 Squadron.
19 December - No. 29 Squadron gives up their Hawker Demons for the Bristol Blenheim Mk. I
1939
20 February - W/Cmdr Pope is replaced by Group Captain E. A. Fawcus. Pope is posted to No. 236 Squadron at Harwell.
1 September - A state of emergency is declared and a general mobilization of the RAF commences. At 1149 on 3 September, it is announced that a state of war exists between Germany and Britain.
During the month barrack blocks and the perimeter track are finished; excavation begins on the west side of the filed for underground facilities. No.'s 85 and 87 Squadrons are sent to France as part of No. 60 Wing under the command of G/Cpt Fawcus. He is replaced by G/Cpt C.L. King.
9 October - No. 504 Squadron (City of Nottingham) arrives with their Hurricanes
1 September - A state of emergency is declared and a general mobilization of the RAF commences. At 1149 on 3 September, it is announced that a state of war exists between Germany and Britain.
During the month barrack blocks and the perimeter track are finished; excavation begins on the west side of the filed for underground facilities. No.'s 85 and 87 Squadrons are sent to France as part of No. 60 Wing under the command of G/Cpt Fawcus. He is replaced by G/Cpt C.L. King.
9 October - No. 504 Squadron (City of Nottingham) arrives with their Hurricanes
1940
Paved runways installed; base construction finally completed.
2 April - No. 504 Squadron sees its first combat, attacking two He-115 seaplanes off the Suffolk coast, downing one.
11 May - No. 17 Squadron encounters the Luftwaffe in the Delft-Hague area, downing an Me-109 and an Hs 126 against the loss of four Hurricanes. The following day No. 504 Squadron is sent to reinforce No. 60 Wing in France. At this time, No. 85 Squadron was under the command of Sqdn/Ldr Peter Townshend.
10 June - G/Cpt King is relieved by W/Cmdr W.L.F. Fuller-Good. King was posted to H.Q. Technical Training Command.
19 June - No.29 Squadron destroys two He-111's while losing one Blenheim.
23 June - No. 17 Squadron arrives at Debden from Kenley.
25 June - The Luftwaffe attacks the station for the first time, dropping 12 bombs north of the airfield.
Squadrons were now frequently moving in and out of Debden to operate from satellite or nearby stations like Castle Camps, Church Fenton, Wick and Great Sampford. The departure of No'.s 29 and 85 Squadrons was mitigated by the posting of No 264 Squadron.
2 August - Attacking German bombers hole the east runway. Though repaired, a small rise remained in the spot for the rest of the war. Five people were killed and several buildings were destroyed. According to Grover Hall, Mr. Kettley lost "two cows, three calves, seven hogs and ...56 head of poultry, including geese" during the raid. Mrs. Kettley's two swans departed during the attack, never to return.
11 August - Nos. 17 and 85 Squadron claim 4 e/a destroyed in an engagement off Harwich.
31 August - Another Luftwaffe raid inflicts serious damage to the base.
2 April - No. 504 Squadron sees its first combat, attacking two He-115 seaplanes off the Suffolk coast, downing one.
11 May - No. 17 Squadron encounters the Luftwaffe in the Delft-Hague area, downing an Me-109 and an Hs 126 against the loss of four Hurricanes. The following day No. 504 Squadron is sent to reinforce No. 60 Wing in France. At this time, No. 85 Squadron was under the command of Sqdn/Ldr Peter Townshend.
10 June - G/Cpt King is relieved by W/Cmdr W.L.F. Fuller-Good. King was posted to H.Q. Technical Training Command.
19 June - No.29 Squadron destroys two He-111's while losing one Blenheim.
23 June - No. 17 Squadron arrives at Debden from Kenley.
25 June - The Luftwaffe attacks the station for the first time, dropping 12 bombs north of the airfield.
Squadrons were now frequently moving in and out of Debden to operate from satellite or nearby stations like Castle Camps, Church Fenton, Wick and Great Sampford. The departure of No'.s 29 and 85 Squadrons was mitigated by the posting of No 264 Squadron.
2 August - Attacking German bombers hole the east runway. Though repaired, a small rise remained in the spot for the rest of the war. Five people were killed and several buildings were destroyed. According to Grover Hall, Mr. Kettley lost "two cows, three calves, seven hogs and ...56 head of poultry, including geese" during the raid. Mrs. Kettley's two swans departed during the attack, never to return.
11 August - Nos. 17 and 85 Squadron claim 4 e/a destroyed in an engagement off Harwich.
31 August - Another Luftwaffe raid inflicts serious damage to the base.
8 October 1940 - 71 Squadron Becomes Operational
No. 71 Squadron is declared operational by Air Minister Sir Archibald Sinclair. It is the first RAF squadron made up of American volunteers who answered the British call for pilots. 71 Squadron was formed at Church Fenton on 19 September 1940, with three pilots on hand: Andy Mamedoff, Vernon Keough and Eugene "Red" Tobin. On 29 September, Squadron Leader W. M. Churchill was designated the CO by the RAF.
Known as the Eagle Squadron, 71 Squadron would not see combat immediately, as the unsatisfactory OTU situation in England prevented the squadron from receiving the appropriate amount of training. With enough pilots in the pipeline already to form a second squadron, the RAF was determined not to activate another unit before they had the requisite amount of training.
Known as the Eagle Squadron, 71 Squadron would not see combat immediately, as the unsatisfactory OTU situation in England prevented the squadron from receiving the appropriate amount of training. With enough pilots in the pipeline already to form a second squadron, the RAF was determined not to activate another unit before they had the requisite amount of training.
1941
28 January - The station plays host to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.
14 February - A Luftwaffe pilot mistakenly lands his Heinkel 111 at the station, believing he had returned to his base. After he taxied his plane right up to the control tower, a crew member actually got out and attempted to speak with the watch officer before realizing the extent of their error. With his shocked crew member back aboard, the pilot managed to turn around and take off before station personnel could react.
14 May - A second squadron of American volunteers - designated No. 121 Squadron - is established at Kirton-in-Lindsey.
14 February - A Luftwaffe pilot mistakenly lands his Heinkel 111 at the station, believing he had returned to his base. After he taxied his plane right up to the control tower, a crew member actually got out and attempted to speak with the watch officer before realizing the extent of their error. With his shocked crew member back aboard, the pilot managed to turn around and take off before station personnel could react.
14 May - A second squadron of American volunteers - designated No. 121 Squadron - is established at Kirton-in-Lindsey.
21 July 1941 - 121 Squadron Becomes Operational
No. 121 Squadron is deemed ready for operartions.
1 August - No. 133 Squadron, the third and last squadron of American volunteers, is established at Coltishall.
26 September 1941 - 133 Squadron Becomes Operational
No. 133 Squadron, becomes "day operational."
1942
19 August - Operation Jubilee, known to most as the Dieppe Raid, is launched with Allied reconnaissance forces put ashore in France. Flying from separate bases, all three Eagle Squadrons are assigned to cover the operation and are in the thick of the action - No.'s 71 and 133 Squadrons taking part in four missions while No. 121 Squadron takes part in three. For the day No. 133 Squadron takes the honors, reporting 6 destroyed and 8 damaged without a loss. Two of the six, a Fw-190 and a Ju-88, are the first kills for Don Gentile.
22 August - The United States Army Air Force constitutes the 4th Fighter Group.
12 September - The 4th Fighter Group is activated, via Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command General Order No. 5: "Pursuant to the provisions od 320.2 Hq Eighth AF 8 September 1942, subject: 'Constitution and Activation of the Fourth Fighter Group,' and AG 320.2 (8-22-42) MR-M-AF, 2D, 22 August 1942, 'Constitution and Activation of the Fourth Fighter Group,' the following units having been constituted, are hereby activated with station at Bushey Hall, England. Personnel from the units indicated are assigned thereto." The designated units are the 4th Headquarters Squadron, the 334th Fighter Squadron, the 335th Fighter Squadron and the 336th Fighter Squadron.
Issued the same day, Special Order No. 46, also from Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, appoints Col. Edward W. Anderson as the commanding officer, and assigns Eugene E. Grunow the post of Group Adjutant..
26 September - On the first anniversary of becoming operational, No. 133 Squadron flies the Eagles last mission for the RAF, the infamous escort mission to Morlaix. All twelve planes and eleven pilots are lost. This is the last mission on which Spitfire Mk. IX's were used. Due in part to these horrific losses, the 4th is equipped with their old standby, the Spitfire Mk. Vb.
22 August - The United States Army Air Force constitutes the 4th Fighter Group.
12 September - The 4th Fighter Group is activated, via Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command General Order No. 5: "Pursuant to the provisions od 320.2 Hq Eighth AF 8 September 1942, subject: 'Constitution and Activation of the Fourth Fighter Group,' and AG 320.2 (8-22-42) MR-M-AF, 2D, 22 August 1942, 'Constitution and Activation of the Fourth Fighter Group,' the following units having been constituted, are hereby activated with station at Bushey Hall, England. Personnel from the units indicated are assigned thereto." The designated units are the 4th Headquarters Squadron, the 334th Fighter Squadron, the 335th Fighter Squadron and the 336th Fighter Squadron.
Issued the same day, Special Order No. 46, also from Headquarters, VIII Fighter Command, appoints Col. Edward W. Anderson as the commanding officer, and assigns Eugene E. Grunow the post of Group Adjutant..
26 September - On the first anniversary of becoming operational, No. 133 Squadron flies the Eagles last mission for the RAF, the infamous escort mission to Morlaix. All twelve planes and eleven pilots are lost. This is the last mission on which Spitfire Mk. IX's were used. Due in part to these horrific losses, the 4th is equipped with their old standby, the Spitfire Mk. Vb.
29 September 1942 - The Eagle Squadrons Are Transferred to the USAAF
The official transfer ceremony
The official ceremony transferring the men of the three Eagle Squadrons into the United States Army Air Force is held in a light rain at their new home in Debden, Essex. (Though 336 would operate out of the satellite field at Great Sampford for some time) Air Marshall Sholto Douglas thanks the Eagles for their service and hands them over to their new boss, 8th Air Force chief Maj. General Carl Spaatz. The 4th Fighter Group begins operations under the command of Col. Edward W. Anderson, though W/Cmdr Raymond M.B. Duke-Wooley would still lead operations for the time being.
In his address, Air Marshall Douglas said, "We of Fighter Command deeply regret this parting for in the course of the past 18 months, we have seen the stuff of which you are made and we could not ask for better companions with whom to see this fight through to a finish. It is with deep persoanl regret that I today say "goodbye" to you to whom it has been my privilege to command. You joined us readily and of your own free will when our need was greatest. There are those of your number who are not here today - those sons of the United States were who were the first to give their lives for their country. We of the RAF no less than yourselves wil lalways remeber them with pride."
Wrote Grover C. Hall, "The band struck up the Star Spangled Banner, and two corporals hoisted Old Glory to the top of the flagstaff: The United States Army had a fighter group operating in England."
In his address, Air Marshall Douglas said, "We of Fighter Command deeply regret this parting for in the course of the past 18 months, we have seen the stuff of which you are made and we could not ask for better companions with whom to see this fight through to a finish. It is with deep persoanl regret that I today say "goodbye" to you to whom it has been my privilege to command. You joined us readily and of your own free will when our need was greatest. There are those of your number who are not here today - those sons of the United States were who were the first to give their lives for their country. We of the RAF no less than yourselves wil lalways remeber them with pride."
Wrote Grover C. Hall, "The band struck up the Star Spangled Banner, and two corporals hoisted Old Glory to the top of the flagstaff: The United States Army had a fighter group operating in England."
2 October - On its first mission as the USAAF's 4th Fighter Group, W/Cmdr Duke-Woolley leads 334 and 335 on Circus 221 - a diversionary fighter sweep in the Calais-Dunkirk area. Encountering Luftwaffe fighters, Capt. Oscar Coen, Lt. Stanley Anderson and F/O Gene Fetrow each shoot down a Fw-190, while Duke-Woolley and Lt. James Clark share a fourth.
3 October - Squadron Headquarters are relocated from Bushey Hall to Debden, now USAAF station F-356.
4 November - First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visits Debden accompanied by VIII FC CO General Hunter and Air Marshall Leigh-Mallory.
22 November - Squadron CO's Daley (335) and McColpin (336) are reassigned to the Zone of the Interior. Blakeslee assumes command of 335, Coen takes over 336.
26 November - Capt Robert Sprague is killed during non-operational flying when he collided with squadron mate Lt James Harrington. Sprague's kite crashed 4 miles south of Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire. Though injured, Harrington survived the collision.
29 November - A group of enlisted men 800 strong earmarked for Debden disembark from RMS Queen Mary in Greenock, Scotland.
9 December - After having their kites serviced and aided in their work by RAF ground crewmen, the first contingent of American Enlisted Men arrives from the states. Upon their arrival, these men begin learning their trade under the tutelage of British WAAFs stationed on the base. After just a few weeks, these men would begin the important task of keeping the 4th's fighters combat-ready for the duration of the war.
21 December - A second wave of enlisted men arrive from Atcham. The 334 Squadron history notes "Most of these men came from the States, unassigned as 131 A and B. The group composed the 921st, 922nd and the 991st T.S.S's of Atlantic City, New Jersey."
3 October - Squadron Headquarters are relocated from Bushey Hall to Debden, now USAAF station F-356.
4 November - First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visits Debden accompanied by VIII FC CO General Hunter and Air Marshall Leigh-Mallory.
22 November - Squadron CO's Daley (335) and McColpin (336) are reassigned to the Zone of the Interior. Blakeslee assumes command of 335, Coen takes over 336.
26 November - Capt Robert Sprague is killed during non-operational flying when he collided with squadron mate Lt James Harrington. Sprague's kite crashed 4 miles south of Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire. Though injured, Harrington survived the collision.
29 November - A group of enlisted men 800 strong earmarked for Debden disembark from RMS Queen Mary in Greenock, Scotland.
9 December - After having their kites serviced and aided in their work by RAF ground crewmen, the first contingent of American Enlisted Men arrives from the states. Upon their arrival, these men begin learning their trade under the tutelage of British WAAFs stationed on the base. After just a few weeks, these men would begin the important task of keeping the 4th's fighters combat-ready for the duration of the war.
21 December - A second wave of enlisted men arrive from Atcham. The 334 Squadron history notes "Most of these men came from the States, unassigned as 131 A and B. The group composed the 921st, 922nd and the 991st T.S.S's of Atlantic City, New Jersey."
1943
15 January - 334 is taken off operational status to become the P-47 training squadron for the group. This begins what will be a laborious, and sometimes painful, transition to Republic Aviation's 7-ton P-47 Thunderbolt.
21 January - An entry from 335's unit history notes that "Lt. McMillan of the Ferry Command landed an aircraft at the squadron's dispersal today which is assigned to HQ and is to be delivered to 336 Squadron. She called the Watch Tower and Ops from this dispersal."
1 February - "The Officer's Mess officially changed from British to American rations." notes the 334 squadron history. "Farewell to sprouts, cabbage and kipper and imitation sausage. The officers go on American rations with a sigh of relief, but a dubious look in their eyes over increased cost. Now, only pilots may go to tea at 16.30 hours."
5 February - The Group endures the loss of veteran Eagle Capt William “Wild Bill” Kelley. While attacking a convoy, Kelley’s kite AV-X received a direct hit from a destroyer. In an attempt to make the Dutch coast, Kelley turned to fall near the convoy, but while rolling to bail, the plane hit the water with Kelley halfway out. The 335 squadron history noted, “Old Kelley wasn’t in the groove for the last couple of weeks. Didn’t seem to be in the mood for this trip.”
15 February - The Enlisted Mess follows suit, switching over to American rations. The first 'American' breakfast consists of "a dipper of tomato juice (this was the first taste of fruit or vegetable juice for many of the boys in over two months), powdered eggs, oatmeal with cold milk, plenty of sugar and coffee."
20 February - Despite the fact that they had not yet seen combat, P-47's were already being mistaken for Fw-190's. VIII Fighter Command issues orders for recognition markings to be painted on all Thunderbolts. This includes painting a 24" white band on the engine cowling, an 18" white stripe on the wings and one of 12" on the tail/rudder. Changes were also made to the national insignia, including painting a 2" yellow band around the star.
27 February - A day after noting the squadron's serious issues with landings following missions, 335's operational diary notes: "Some of the boys again pulled the Grandstand takeoffs. There was also considerable trouble in landings. Major Blakeslee threatened to have the Squadron practice takeoffs and landings."
3 March - 334 CO Daymond, the last of the three original squadron commanders, leaves for the States. Oscar Coen moves over from 336 to take the reins from Daymond while John DuFour supplants Coen at 336.
16 March - Last day of Spitfire operations for 335. Their Spits are taxied over to 336 dispersal. 9 squadron pilots - who had been training in the Thunderbolts with 334 - returned the following day with their P-47's. They in turn would be paired up with other pilots to transition them to the Jug.
3 April - The two digit codes identifying each aircraft (the last two digits of the BuAer serial number) are removed and replaced with unique squadron code consisting of a pair of letters: QP for 334, WD for 335 and VF for 336. These codes had initially been assigned to the 52nd Fighter Group, but became available upon that group's transfer to the 12th Air Force in North Africa.
8 April - For the first time, all three squadrons put up P-47's on a mission, with both Cols. Anderson and Peterson going along. The show, designated Circus 280, a fighter sweep to St. Omer, France, was to prove uneventful. Thunderbolts from the 56th and 78th Fighter Groups also participated in the mission.
15 April - The new Thunderbolts square off with the Luftwaffe for the first time, with Peterson, Blakeslee and Boock each shooting down one Fw-190. Anderson and McMinn of 334 both went down in the North Sea after engaging Fw-190's. Neither survived. As the English coast came into sight , Col. Peterson's P-47 caught fire and he was forced to bail out low over the Channel. Though pilots from the group saw his chute open as he struck the water, the resilient colonel survived and was picked up by an ASR Walrus 45 minutes later.
19 May - Chesley Peterson is replaced as Group Executive Officer by Don Blakeslee. At this time, Peterson has over 200 sorties to his name and had been flying combat for close to 2 years. He is assigned to VIII Fighter Command as Assistant A-3, Operations and Training.
19 June - Operational tours for fighter pilots are increased to 200 combat hours. Once complete, pilots were to be sent back to the states within 48 hours. Many men of the Fourth would fly multiple tours, even as the hours total increased.
21 January - An entry from 335's unit history notes that "Lt. McMillan of the Ferry Command landed an aircraft at the squadron's dispersal today which is assigned to HQ and is to be delivered to 336 Squadron. She called the Watch Tower and Ops from this dispersal."
1 February - "The Officer's Mess officially changed from British to American rations." notes the 334 squadron history. "Farewell to sprouts, cabbage and kipper and imitation sausage. The officers go on American rations with a sigh of relief, but a dubious look in their eyes over increased cost. Now, only pilots may go to tea at 16.30 hours."
5 February - The Group endures the loss of veteran Eagle Capt William “Wild Bill” Kelley. While attacking a convoy, Kelley’s kite AV-X received a direct hit from a destroyer. In an attempt to make the Dutch coast, Kelley turned to fall near the convoy, but while rolling to bail, the plane hit the water with Kelley halfway out. The 335 squadron history noted, “Old Kelley wasn’t in the groove for the last couple of weeks. Didn’t seem to be in the mood for this trip.”
15 February - The Enlisted Mess follows suit, switching over to American rations. The first 'American' breakfast consists of "a dipper of tomato juice (this was the first taste of fruit or vegetable juice for many of the boys in over two months), powdered eggs, oatmeal with cold milk, plenty of sugar and coffee."
20 February - Despite the fact that they had not yet seen combat, P-47's were already being mistaken for Fw-190's. VIII Fighter Command issues orders for recognition markings to be painted on all Thunderbolts. This includes painting a 24" white band on the engine cowling, an 18" white stripe on the wings and one of 12" on the tail/rudder. Changes were also made to the national insignia, including painting a 2" yellow band around the star.
27 February - A day after noting the squadron's serious issues with landings following missions, 335's operational diary notes: "Some of the boys again pulled the Grandstand takeoffs. There was also considerable trouble in landings. Major Blakeslee threatened to have the Squadron practice takeoffs and landings."
3 March - 334 CO Daymond, the last of the three original squadron commanders, leaves for the States. Oscar Coen moves over from 336 to take the reins from Daymond while John DuFour supplants Coen at 336.
16 March - Last day of Spitfire operations for 335. Their Spits are taxied over to 336 dispersal. 9 squadron pilots - who had been training in the Thunderbolts with 334 - returned the following day with their P-47's. They in turn would be paired up with other pilots to transition them to the Jug.
3 April - The two digit codes identifying each aircraft (the last two digits of the BuAer serial number) are removed and replaced with unique squadron code consisting of a pair of letters: QP for 334, WD for 335 and VF for 336. These codes had initially been assigned to the 52nd Fighter Group, but became available upon that group's transfer to the 12th Air Force in North Africa.
8 April - For the first time, all three squadrons put up P-47's on a mission, with both Cols. Anderson and Peterson going along. The show, designated Circus 280, a fighter sweep to St. Omer, France, was to prove uneventful. Thunderbolts from the 56th and 78th Fighter Groups also participated in the mission.
15 April - The new Thunderbolts square off with the Luftwaffe for the first time, with Peterson, Blakeslee and Boock each shooting down one Fw-190. Anderson and McMinn of 334 both went down in the North Sea after engaging Fw-190's. Neither survived. As the English coast came into sight , Col. Peterson's P-47 caught fire and he was forced to bail out low over the Channel. Though pilots from the group saw his chute open as he struck the water, the resilient colonel survived and was picked up by an ASR Walrus 45 minutes later.
19 May - Chesley Peterson is replaced as Group Executive Officer by Don Blakeslee. At this time, Peterson has over 200 sorties to his name and had been flying combat for close to 2 years. He is assigned to VIII Fighter Command as Assistant A-3, Operations and Training.
19 June - Operational tours for fighter pilots are increased to 200 combat hours. Once complete, pilots were to be sent back to the states within 48 hours. Many men of the Fourth would fly multiple tours, even as the hours total increased.
24 June 1943 - The Duchess of Kent Visits
The Duchess of Kent reviews the troops.
The Duchess of Kent arrived on station, to present commemorative plaques to the three squadrons for the contributions of the American Eagle Squadrons in the RAF. The three squadron commanders - Tom Andrews (334), Gunner Halsey (335) and Jim Dufour (336) received the plaques bearing the squadron crests for 71, 121 and 133 Squadrons respectively. "To commemorate forever the part the Eagle Squadrons played in those critical days of the war, the King has gladly given permission given for the RAF crest to be designed for those squadrons and has approved and signed them."
The 334 Squadron history noted "At the ceremony, officers and enlisted men of these squadrons marched in review. The Duchess made the presentation on behalf of Britain's Royal household, after being greeted officially by Brig. Gen. Frank O.D. Hunter, chief of EIghth Fighter Command. With Gen. Hunter were Col. Edward Anderson of Tampa, Fla., commanding officer this station; Col. Ross G. Hoyt of Traverse City, Mich., C.O. of the 6th Fighter WIng, and Col. William H. Stovall, of Stovall, Miss.
Following the presentation ceremony, the DUchess inspected P-47 fighters and looked on from the statopn watch-tower as Thunderbolts pilot of fomrer RAF airman passed over head in formation."
The 334 Squadron history noted "At the ceremony, officers and enlisted men of these squadrons marched in review. The Duchess made the presentation on behalf of Britain's Royal household, after being greeted officially by Brig. Gen. Frank O.D. Hunter, chief of EIghth Fighter Command. With Gen. Hunter were Col. Edward Anderson of Tampa, Fla., commanding officer this station; Col. Ross G. Hoyt of Traverse City, Mich., C.O. of the 6th Fighter WIng, and Col. William H. Stovall, of Stovall, Miss.
Following the presentation ceremony, the DUchess inspected P-47 fighters and looked on from the statopn watch-tower as Thunderbolts pilot of fomrer RAF airman passed over head in formation."
28 July 1943 - The First Tank Show
Encumbered by 200-gallon ferry tanks, 4th Thunderbolts taxi out for the show on 28 July 1943.
The 4th provided escort for heavies attacking Kassel, Germany and accomplished two “firsts” in the process. It was the first time the 8th Air Force was able to provide cover for their bombers over Germany. Making this possible was the 200-gallon drop tanks fitted to the group’s Thunderbolts, the first time any fighter group operated with auxiliary fuel tanks. Fifty P-47s were put up for this effort.
From Escort to Berlin: "In spite of the new tanks being only half-filled due to technical problems, the Germans were caught surpised. As the group arrived over Emmerich, there were no bombers. Passing Leerdam, they spotted a different gaggle of Forts being attacked. 335 passed ovr and in front of the bombers while 336 went port and 334 starboard to get at the 45-60 Huns. In a roaring dogfight from 1155-1220, from Germany back to the Netherlands, th group downed three 109s and six 190s - Col. Anderson got two 190s for himself. At the end of combat, Henry Ayres bailed out to become a POW."
From Escort to Berlin: "In spite of the new tanks being only half-filled due to technical problems, the Germans were caught surpised. As the group arrived over Emmerich, there were no bombers. Passing Leerdam, they spotted a different gaggle of Forts being attacked. 335 passed ovr and in front of the bombers while 336 went port and 334 starboard to get at the 45-60 Huns. In a roaring dogfight from 1155-1220, from Germany back to the Netherlands, th group downed three 109s and six 190s - Col. Anderson got two 190s for himself. At the end of combat, Henry Ayres bailed out to become a POW."
29 July - General Hunter and all available 4th personnel assemble at the parade grounds to welcome American WWI Ace Eddie Rickenbacker. Rickenbacker speaks to the crowd about the war, and how important their role is in whipping Italy and Germany and bringing peace back to the world
16 August - The group has its best day ever, downing 18 during FO 105, a Ramrod to Paris. Intercepting the Luftwaffe in front of the bombers, all three squadrons dueled with their German counterparts for 40 minutes during both the B-17's ingress to and egress from the target area. Joe Mathews was shot down but evaded and returned to Debden in October. The 18 kills on a single mission tied the Wolfpack - as the 56th Fighter Group was known - for the most ever. The following day, Group commander Colonel Anderson addressed the ground crews at Debden saying, “Much of the credit for this impressive score belongs to the ground crews of this station, and this is as it should be.” The ground crews were truly one of the unsung heroes behind the success of the group, often working through the night to ensure that their kite was listed on the duty report the next morning.
20 August - Lt. Col. Chesley Peterson assumes command of the group. He is 23 years old. Outgoing CO Col Edward Anderson soon assumed command of the 67th Fighter Wing and was later promoted to Brigadier General in March 1944.
16 August - The group has its best day ever, downing 18 during FO 105, a Ramrod to Paris. Intercepting the Luftwaffe in front of the bombers, all three squadrons dueled with their German counterparts for 40 minutes during both the B-17's ingress to and egress from the target area. Joe Mathews was shot down but evaded and returned to Debden in October. The 18 kills on a single mission tied the Wolfpack - as the 56th Fighter Group was known - for the most ever. The following day, Group commander Colonel Anderson addressed the ground crews at Debden saying, “Much of the credit for this impressive score belongs to the ground crews of this station, and this is as it should be.” The ground crews were truly one of the unsung heroes behind the success of the group, often working through the night to ensure that their kite was listed on the duty report the next morning.
20 August - Lt. Col. Chesley Peterson assumes command of the group. He is 23 years old. Outgoing CO Col Edward Anderson soon assumed command of the 67th Fighter Wing and was later promoted to Brigadier General in March 1944.
26 September - The first P-51B arrives on station, going onto 334’s books. Maj Oscar Coen and Capt Jim Clark, eager to take their first test flight, each make a quick hop to get a feel for the highly desirable fighter. The Mustang, 43-6388, would be available for a few weeks for "test and evaluation purposes." Ultimately, 43-6388 was sent to the 354th Fighter Group, which commenced operations with the P-51 in December. Assigned to 353rd Fighter Squadron, it was coded FT-P and named Shillalah. It was lost on 14 January 1944 with pilot Grant Logan KIA.
8 October 1943 - A Pair of Aces
Roy Evan's in his kite WD-E in the 335 dispersal.
It was an auspicious day in the annals of the 4th Fighter Group. With Lt Col Blakeslee in the lead, the group engaged well over 30 German aircraft in a running battle near Meppel. Despite repeated bounces by the Luftwaffe, the 4th remained engaged and kept the attacking fighters away from the bombers. The group claimed six, two of which were downed by 334's Duane Beeson with another destroyed by Roy Evans of 335. This brought their totals to six and five respectively, making the pair the first aces in the group.
Beeson would continue to have great success flying the rugged P-47, which put him in the minority among the group's pilots. His Thunderbolt, named Boise Bee, would have the distinction of being the kite with the most kill markings when the group transitioned to the P-51 Mustang.
8 October also marked another pair of "firsts." 334's Ralph Hofer flew his first show with the group, and on the trip shot down his first enemy aircraft when blasted a 109 out over the Zuider Zee.
Beeson would continue to have great success flying the rugged P-47, which put him in the minority among the group's pilots. His Thunderbolt, named Boise Bee, would have the distinction of being the kite with the most kill markings when the group transitioned to the P-51 Mustang.
8 October also marked another pair of "firsts." 334's Ralph Hofer flew his first show with the group, and on the trip shot down his first enemy aircraft when blasted a 109 out over the Zuider Zee.
1944
1 January - Lt. Col. Donald J. M. Blakeslee assumes command of the group.
7 January - While protecting the low box of B-17's on a show to Ludwigshafen, Blakeslee is set upon by three FW-190's. Though he manages to down one, the other two are hot on his tail and riddling his Thunderbolt with cannon fire when Bob Wehrman and Jim Goodson swoop in to down the attackers. Goodson gets credit for two, and the colonel puts his oil-covered WD-C down at Manston with 71 holes courtesy of the Luftwaffe.
7 January - While protecting the low box of B-17's on a show to Ludwigshafen, Blakeslee is set upon by three FW-190's. Though he manages to down one, the other two are hot on his tail and riddling his Thunderbolt with cannon fire when Bob Wehrman and Jim Goodson swoop in to down the attackers. Goodson gets credit for two, and the colonel puts his oil-covered WD-C down at Manston with 71 holes courtesy of the Luftwaffe.
10 February 1944 - £30 for #50
Tom, Monty and The Playboy share the prize.
Lt Col Sel Edner led the show, a Penetration Support effort covering the 1st ATF to Brunswick on which the group destroyed eight. High clouds over the Channel led to the squadrons becoming separated, but they regrouped in time for the rendezvous with the bombers. 25-30 Me-109s and Fw-190s hit the bombers "head on," unusually determined and aggressive - diving to attack then climbing up to reform and attack again. The group downed 8 without a loss.
Upon return to Station 356, 334 pilots gathered to award £30 to the pilot who destroyed the 50th enemy aircraft for the squadron. On 31 January, with the squadron's score standing at 48, squadron Intelligence Officer Ben Ezzell had secured £1 from each of the squadron's 30 pilots, with the loot going to the man who claimed # 50.
Minnesotan Hipolitus "Tom" Biel and Texans Gerald "Monty" Montgomery and Vic "The Playboy" France each claimed an enemy aircraft destroyed on this show, pushing the squadron past the 50 threshold. They split the £30 prize.
Upon return to Station 356, 334 pilots gathered to award £30 to the pilot who destroyed the 50th enemy aircraft for the squadron. On 31 January, with the squadron's score standing at 48, squadron Intelligence Officer Ben Ezzell had secured £1 from each of the squadron's 30 pilots, with the loot going to the man who claimed # 50.
Minnesotan Hipolitus "Tom" Biel and Texans Gerald "Monty" Montgomery and Vic "The Playboy" France each claimed an enemy aircraft destroyed on this show, pushing the squadron past the 50 threshold. They split the £30 prize.
20 February - The commencement of Operation Argument, the 8th Air Force's push to inflict significant losses on the Luftwaffe fighter corps. Six straight days of hitting targets involved in aircraft production or supporting industries designed to not only cripple fighter production, but destroy the fighters themselves when they came up to defend the factories. This offensive would come to be known as Big Week. On this day, the 4th was assigned Withdrawal Support, rendezvousing with 1st and 2nd Bomb Division B-17's and B-24's near Koblenz and shepherding them home. Duane Beeson, Pierce McKennon and Hank Mills each got a Fw-190; while Paul Riley and Richard Reed teamed up to get a Me-110. Reed was later shot down and killed.
25 February - This mission, a Penetration Support show to Stuttgart, marked not only the end of Big Week, but also the end of group operations in the P-47 Thunderbolt. Celebrating the Jug's swan song with the group, McKennon, Beeson, Gentile, Garrison and Herter each score once.
25 February - This mission, a Penetration Support show to Stuttgart, marked not only the end of Big Week, but also the end of group operations in the P-47 Thunderbolt. Celebrating the Jug's swan song with the group, McKennon, Beeson, Gentile, Garrison and Herter each score once.
26 February 1944 - The Switch to Mustangs
A freshly painted P-51B sits in the 335 Squadron dispersal as the P-47s are moved out.
The long anticipated day arrives, as the 4th is set to begin combat operations with the P-51 Mustang. Though weather over the Continent postpones the debut, the squadron dispersals are abuzz with excitement over the new kites. All fall and through the winter, Col. Blakeslee had pleaded with 8th Fighter Command boss Gen William Kepner to get his group the much-coveted fighter. His selling point to Kepner? He would have his group ready for operations in 24 hours. Eventually, Kepner relented and moved the 4th to the head of the line, ahead of the 355th FIghter Group at Steeple Morden.
The delay gives some pilots the chance for some extra stick time in the new fighter. Sent up on a weather recce in his P-51 QP-F, Mike Sobanski belly lands his new kite upon return. In his accident report, Sobanski wrote, "I was trying to get in the field and did a tight turn near the downside end of the field with my wheels down. As I was turning into the wind, I forgot my wheels were already down, and pulled my u/c lever up, putting the flaps down at the same tie. I did not relaize my wheels were up until my prop hit the runway, and I belly landed." It is not recorded what Col. Blakeslee's response was, but as Escort to Berlin notes, "Hell hath no fury like Blakeslee over a pranged kite."
The delay gives some pilots the chance for some extra stick time in the new fighter. Sent up on a weather recce in his P-51 QP-F, Mike Sobanski belly lands his new kite upon return. In his accident report, Sobanski wrote, "I was trying to get in the field and did a tight turn near the downside end of the field with my wheels down. As I was turning into the wind, I forgot my wheels were already down, and pulled my u/c lever up, putting the flaps down at the same tie. I did not relaize my wheels were up until my prop hit the runway, and I belly landed." It is not recorded what Col. Blakeslee's response was, but as Escort to Berlin notes, "Hell hath no fury like Blakeslee over a pranged kite."
28 February - At long last, the much heralded P-51 Mustang is taken into combat for the first time. The show is a Free Lance sweep under Type 16 control, first to Boulogne, then on to Compiegne in France.
3 March - It's Big B! The much anticipated first show to Berlin is on the docket, but the weather does not cooperate. Shortly after crossing the Channel, the recall is given, but 336 does not receive the order. Continuing on, 8 pilots plus 335's George Barnes run into 60+ German fighters. In the ensuing melee, Barnes and Glenn Herter are killed. Vermont Garrison and Pappy Dunn go down on the way home to become POW's. The remaining five, Gentile, Godfrey, Carlson, Millikan and Halsey make it back to Debden.
4 March - The group becomes the first fighter group to escort bombers over Berlin when it escorts a lone combat wing of 2nd ATF B-17's over the German capital. Roughly half of the group returns to Debden with engine issues, a problem that would plague early Mustang models. Lt Hugh Ward of 335 becomes the first pilot taken POW in Berlin when his kite disintegrates after clocking more than 550 KIAS!
6 March - The group is chosen again to escort bombers over the heart of Berlin, taking elements of the 1st Bomb Division into and off of the target. The Luftwaffe fighters come up in force to defend their capital, and the formation quickly breaks down into section and element sized dogfights. 4th pilots are credited with 13 victories, though Hank Mills, William Whalen, Cecil Manning and Robert Messenger fail to return. Back at Debden, a reporter from the NY Times caught McKennon outside 335 dispersal and asked if they had met up with any German fighters. Exclaimed McKennon, "Millions, boy! Millions!"
7 March - A new type of spark plug arrives at squadron hangars in the wee hours of the morning with the hope they will improve the rough engine performance of the new Mustangs. Crew chiefs with operational fighters are awakened so the plugs can be installed before the next mission.
3 March - It's Big B! The much anticipated first show to Berlin is on the docket, but the weather does not cooperate. Shortly after crossing the Channel, the recall is given, but 336 does not receive the order. Continuing on, 8 pilots plus 335's George Barnes run into 60+ German fighters. In the ensuing melee, Barnes and Glenn Herter are killed. Vermont Garrison and Pappy Dunn go down on the way home to become POW's. The remaining five, Gentile, Godfrey, Carlson, Millikan and Halsey make it back to Debden.
4 March - The group becomes the first fighter group to escort bombers over Berlin when it escorts a lone combat wing of 2nd ATF B-17's over the German capital. Roughly half of the group returns to Debden with engine issues, a problem that would plague early Mustang models. Lt Hugh Ward of 335 becomes the first pilot taken POW in Berlin when his kite disintegrates after clocking more than 550 KIAS!
6 March - The group is chosen again to escort bombers over the heart of Berlin, taking elements of the 1st Bomb Division into and off of the target. The Luftwaffe fighters come up in force to defend their capital, and the formation quickly breaks down into section and element sized dogfights. 4th pilots are credited with 13 victories, though Hank Mills, William Whalen, Cecil Manning and Robert Messenger fail to return. Back at Debden, a reporter from the NY Times caught McKennon outside 335 dispersal and asked if they had met up with any German fighters. Exclaimed McKennon, "Millions, boy! Millions!"
7 March - A new type of spark plug arrives at squadron hangars in the wee hours of the morning with the hope they will improve the rough engine performance of the new Mustangs. Crew chiefs with operational fighters are awakened so the plugs can be installed before the next mission.
8 March 1944 - Damon and Pythias Down 6
Gentile and Godfrey walk from their kites in the 336 dispersal on 8 March 1944.
The 4th returns to the southwest suburbs of Berlin, escorting Forts to the Erkner Ball Bearing Works. The three squadrons combine to destroy 16 enemy aircraft, six of which fall to the guns of 336's Don Gentile and John Godfrey. Flying together unexpectedly - and alone - due to the high number of aborts, the two pioneer combat tactics during their engagement by alternating as element leader and wingman throughout.
By the time they run out of ammunition, Gentile has three kills, Godfrey two and they share a sixth. Not only does this mission make Godfrey an ace, he would be awarded the Silver Star for his exploits as well. Gentile raised his total to 14, tying him with 334 ace Duane Beeson for the group lead. On the way home, the pair come across Black Magic, a straggling 92nd Bomb Group/326th Bomb Squadron B-17G coded JW-G, and escort it to the Channel.
The Press immediately picked up on the pairing, and they became celebrities almost over night. Winston Churchill referred to the pair as the "Damon and Pythias of the 8th Air Force." Never one to pass up a golden opportuity, newly minted 336 CO Jim Goodson paired the two the following day. But Godfrey was too experienced by then for it to last, and returned to his role as an element leader when combat ops resumed on 16 March.
By the time they run out of ammunition, Gentile has three kills, Godfrey two and they share a sixth. Not only does this mission make Godfrey an ace, he would be awarded the Silver Star for his exploits as well. Gentile raised his total to 14, tying him with 334 ace Duane Beeson for the group lead. On the way home, the pair come across Black Magic, a straggling 92nd Bomb Group/326th Bomb Squadron B-17G coded JW-G, and escort it to the Channel.
The Press immediately picked up on the pairing, and they became celebrities almost over night. Winston Churchill referred to the pair as the "Damon and Pythias of the 8th Air Force." Never one to pass up a golden opportuity, newly minted 336 CO Jim Goodson paired the two the following day. But Godfrey was too experienced by then for it to last, and returned to his role as an element leader when combat ops resumed on 16 March.
13-15 March - All three squadrons stand down to address the myriad of mechanical problems plaguing the new Mustangs. While spark plugs, engine and wing bolts were replaced, and glycol leaks, R/T issues and auxiliary tank feed problems are repaired, the 4th receives orders to paint their prop spinners and a 12" band on their noses red.
16 March - The Fourth surpasses the 200 kill mark! Although in stiff competition with the 56th flying Thunderbolts, with Blakeslee at the helm, the 4th would soon put in work that would see them surpass the 56th and eventually all fighter groups in Europe. The group flew a sortie to Munich this day, which was annotated in the diary “This was the first time the boys were over Adolph’s Beer Hall, but it certainly won’t be the last.”
5 April - FO 288, a Jackpot Operation and the group's 152nd operational sortie (21st in Mustangs), proves to be a fruitful, and ultimately costly, day. The group fanned out to strafe airdromes in Friedersdorf, Stendal, Brandenburg, Potsdam and Plaue, destroying 43 on the ground and two in the air for good measure. With 5 e/a to his credit, Gentile pushed his total to 27 and became the first man to surpass Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker's Great War total of 26 destroyed. But the much heralded "ace race" between Gentile and Duane Beeson comes to an abrupt end when the latter goes down after hitting the field near Brandenburg. 334 also loses Lts. Allen Bunte and Chuck Carr, all three becoming POW's. Additionally, 336's Doug Hobert had to ditch in the North Sea on the way home. Upon landing, 336 CO Jim Goodson organizes an ASR flight to search for him, and though Hobert is located and rescued, he later dies from exposure.
11 April - General Dwight D. Eisenhower comes to Debden to personally pin DSC's on Col. Don Blakeslee and Capt. Don Gentile, to whom Ike refers as a "One Man Air Force." Also in attendance for the ceremony, covered heavily by the press, are General Spaatz (Commander, Strategic Air Forces, Europe) , General Jimmy Doolittle (Commander, 8th Air Force), General William Kepner (Commander, VIII Fighter Command) and General Jesse Auton (Commander, 65th Fighter Wing). A 55th FG P-38J Droop Snoot arrives and Eisenhower climbs aboard for a short hop.
16 March - The Fourth surpasses the 200 kill mark! Although in stiff competition with the 56th flying Thunderbolts, with Blakeslee at the helm, the 4th would soon put in work that would see them surpass the 56th and eventually all fighter groups in Europe. The group flew a sortie to Munich this day, which was annotated in the diary “This was the first time the boys were over Adolph’s Beer Hall, but it certainly won’t be the last.”
5 April - FO 288, a Jackpot Operation and the group's 152nd operational sortie (21st in Mustangs), proves to be a fruitful, and ultimately costly, day. The group fanned out to strafe airdromes in Friedersdorf, Stendal, Brandenburg, Potsdam and Plaue, destroying 43 on the ground and two in the air for good measure. With 5 e/a to his credit, Gentile pushed his total to 27 and became the first man to surpass Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker's Great War total of 26 destroyed. But the much heralded "ace race" between Gentile and Duane Beeson comes to an abrupt end when the latter goes down after hitting the field near Brandenburg. 334 also loses Lts. Allen Bunte and Chuck Carr, all three becoming POW's. Additionally, 336's Doug Hobert had to ditch in the North Sea on the way home. Upon landing, 336 CO Jim Goodson organizes an ASR flight to search for him, and though Hobert is located and rescued, he later dies from exposure.
11 April - General Dwight D. Eisenhower comes to Debden to personally pin DSC's on Col. Don Blakeslee and Capt. Don Gentile, to whom Ike refers as a "One Man Air Force." Also in attendance for the ceremony, covered heavily by the press, are General Spaatz (Commander, Strategic Air Forces, Europe) , General Jimmy Doolittle (Commander, 8th Air Force), General William Kepner (Commander, VIII Fighter Command) and General Jesse Auton (Commander, 65th Fighter Wing). A 55th FG P-38J Droop Snoot arrives and Eisenhower climbs aboard for a short hop.
13 April 1944 - Gentile's Last Show
Ground crewmen inspect the wreck of Shangri-La on 13 April 1944.
Tasked with providing Target WIthdrawal support to Schweinfurt, the group hears calls of bombers under attack south of Aschaffenburg, so Col. Blakeslee had the group race for the R/V point. Once there, the 4th spotted "twenty-plus Fw-190s approaching from the northeast at 23,000' and engaged." The 4th's aggresive tactics worked, as they chased the 190s down to 10,000', breaking up the attack. Five 190s were shot down before the group picked up the heavies and brought them out, breaking escort at Ghent. Upon return from Schweinfurt, leading ETO ace Don Gentile celebrates the completion of his tour with a buzz job for the press assembled to document the occasion. But Gentile comes in too low and his prop strikes the ground. He coaxes the stricken fighter over the shocked onlookers and crashes the famous "Shangri La" in a nearby field. While the dazed but unhurt and contrite Gentile waits on the wing of his broken fighter for the crash truck, Col. Blakeslee is heard to roar at the correspondents, "You people have just ruined one good man!"
As it was the last show of Gentiles tour, Col. Blakeslee's law that anyone who pranged a kite stunting or showboating would immediately be kicked out of the group seemed to be an empty threat, as Don was going home anyway. What the accident ultimately did, though, was prevent Gentile from ever returning. After a war bond tour with squadron mate John Godfrey, Gentile finished out the war at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio.
As it was the last show of Gentiles tour, Col. Blakeslee's law that anyone who pranged a kite stunting or showboating would immediately be kicked out of the group seemed to be an empty threat, as Don was going home anyway. What the accident ultimately did, though, was prevent Gentile from ever returning. After a war bond tour with squadron mate John Godfrey, Gentile finished out the war at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio.
16 April - The 4th takes its trademark red nosed Mustangs into combat on a Target Support mission to Munich, destroying 13. Ernest Skilton was KIA after being struck by flak near Gussenstadt. That evening, a dance is held at the base to celebrating the group's 400th victory.
22 April 1944 - Millie Gets 4
Willard Millikan makes his report to 336 I/O Lloyd Benjamin.
Led by Col. Blakeslee, the group scores big on a fighter sweep to the Kassel-Hamm area, despite several aborts caused by the new paper drop tanks. Sighting a gaggle of over twenty Germans at 12,000', Blakeslee orders an orbiting decent and surprises the unsuspecting enemy. The group downs seventeen in the battle, with 336's Willard Millikan dispatching four Me-109s with just 666 rounds of ammunition. Squadron mate John Godfrey bags three, and the Colonel Blakeslee and Red Dog Norley each knock down a pair.
The victory is tempered by the loss of 336's Bob Nelson's whose motor died in the middle of an engagement and was forced to bail out. He evaded capture for four days before finally being tracked down.Pictured at left, back at Debden, are L-R: Louis Norley, Eddie Hughes, Elwood Briel (on the wing), Willard Millikan, Lloyd Benjamin, crew chief Neil Gallagher, Frank Blankschaen and an unknown 336 ground crewman.
The victory is tempered by the loss of 336's Bob Nelson's whose motor died in the middle of an engagement and was forced to bail out. He evaded capture for four days before finally being tracked down.Pictured at left, back at Debden, are L-R: Louis Norley, Eddie Hughes, Elwood Briel (on the wing), Willard Millikan, Lloyd Benjamin, crew chief Neil Gallagher, Frank Blankschaen and an unknown 336 ground crewman.
23 April - New call signs are officially assigned to the every 8th Fighter Command group. On this date, effective at midnight, the airborne group leader will use the callsign HORSEBACK. 334's squadron call sign is changed from PECTIN to COBWEB, 335's from GREENBELT to CABOOSE, and 336's from SHIRTBLUE to BECKY. The group had, in fact, been using the new call signs for a week.
30 April - The Group is now officially credited with over 500 destroyed, due much in part to their 200+ kill mark for the month of April.
30 April - The Group is now officially credited with over 500 destroyed, due much in part to their 200+ kill mark for the month of April.
4 May - FO 386: The group was tasked with penetration-target-withdrawal support to The Big B. However, weather intervened and the Controller recalled the group as they neared the Rhine. Two boxes of B-17s were seen orbiting east of Utrecht on the way out. The group was back by 1145.
That evening, "All available officers and men attended the "500" victory party. Free beer and hot dogs were served to all-comers in the gymnasium. To top off the evening's entertainment, there were two performances of a very good USO show in the cinema." Having two shows allowed everyone the opportunity to see the show and attend the party. In somewhat of an understatement, the 335 squadron history noted, "These parties are very popular."
At right, Col. Blakeslee does the honors while group Deputy CO Jim Clark stands by. Behind Clark, Deacon Hively takes in the proceedings. The group had crossed the 500 threshold on 29 April, just thirteen days after surpassing the 400 plateau.
That evening, "All available officers and men attended the "500" victory party. Free beer and hot dogs were served to all-comers in the gymnasium. To top off the evening's entertainment, there were two performances of a very good USO show in the cinema." Having two shows allowed everyone the opportunity to see the show and attend the party. In somewhat of an understatement, the 335 squadron history noted, "These parties are very popular."
At right, Col. Blakeslee does the honors while group Deputy CO Jim Clark stands by. Behind Clark, Deacon Hively takes in the proceedings. The group had crossed the 500 threshold on 29 April, just thirteen days after surpassing the 400 plateau.
29 May - After completion of escort duties, 334 pilots Ralph “Kidd” Hofer and his wingman Frank Speer strafe Mackfitz AD, destroying seven German aircraft between the two of them. However, on the final run, Speer’s kite is hit and he is forced to belly land near Stargard, where he is soon picked up and taken POW. The Group claimed a total of 15 for the day.
6 June - D-Day! The day for the much anticipated cross-channel invasion had arrived. The group took off at 0320 on the first of the 6 missions they flew in support of the Normandy landings. Early on, Thomas Fraser went down east of Rouen to become a POW, as did Oscar Lejeunesse in the early afternoon. Harold Fredericks also went down about the same time, but evaded and eventually made his way back to Debden. The day's last mission, a fighter patrol in the vicinity of Rouen/Dreaux would take a high toll, as 335's Blue section was attacked by a German force four times its size and all four men - Bernard McGrattan, Cecil Garbey, Harold Ross and Walter Smith - were killed. Mike Sobanski and his wingman Edward Steppe, were caught alone by a superior force after attacking some trains and were both killed. Finally, Mike McPharlin of the 339th FG, who on this occasion had returned to fly with his old squadron, succumbed to engine troubles and attempted to return to Debden but never made it. He was the 10th and final casualty of the day.
20 June - Col Jim Clark led the group on a Penetration, Target, and Withdrawal Support to Politz. Fifteen enemy aircraft are claimed in the air and on the ground. 336 commander James “Goody” Goodson is shot down by flak at Neubrandenburg AD. His name is added to the list of combat experienced Fourth pilots to be downed by flak. That evening, the field order is received to proceed with the Russia Shuttle mission, Operation FRANTIC II. The base is locked down as aircrew and ground crew alike prepare for their historic mission across Europe.
6 June - D-Day! The day for the much anticipated cross-channel invasion had arrived. The group took off at 0320 on the first of the 6 missions they flew in support of the Normandy landings. Early on, Thomas Fraser went down east of Rouen to become a POW, as did Oscar Lejeunesse in the early afternoon. Harold Fredericks also went down about the same time, but evaded and eventually made his way back to Debden. The day's last mission, a fighter patrol in the vicinity of Rouen/Dreaux would take a high toll, as 335's Blue section was attacked by a German force four times its size and all four men - Bernard McGrattan, Cecil Garbey, Harold Ross and Walter Smith - were killed. Mike Sobanski and his wingman Edward Steppe, were caught alone by a superior force after attacking some trains and were both killed. Finally, Mike McPharlin of the 339th FG, who on this occasion had returned to fly with his old squadron, succumbed to engine troubles and attempted to return to Debden but never made it. He was the 10th and final casualty of the day.
20 June - Col Jim Clark led the group on a Penetration, Target, and Withdrawal Support to Politz. Fifteen enemy aircraft are claimed in the air and on the ground. 336 commander James “Goody” Goodson is shot down by flak at Neubrandenburg AD. His name is added to the list of combat experienced Fourth pilots to be downed by flak. That evening, the field order is received to proceed with the Russia Shuttle mission, Operation FRANTIC II. The base is locked down as aircrew and ground crew alike prepare for their historic mission across Europe.
21 June 1944 - Operation FRANTIC II
Col. Blakeslee addresses the pilots on 21 June 1944
The three squadrons of the 4th, bolstered by the 352nd Fighter Group's 486th Fighter Squadron, embark upon the first England-to-Russia Shuttle mission, code named Operation FRANTIC II. Despite being engaged on the way, the escorting Mustangs arrived over their base at Piryatin, Russia at the designated time - 7 hours after leaving Debden.
In order to service the Mustangs in Russia, 4th ground crewmen went to Russia in the Flying Forts as waist gunners. The B-17 in which 336 crew chief Robert Gilbert was flying was shot down, and Gilbert spent the better part of a month fighting with Polish guerrillas before making his way back to England in August.
The operation turned out to be the last hurrah for 334's Ralph "Kidd" Hofer. Refusing at first to receive the required innoculations, Hofer was initialy left off the list of particpating pilots. Relenting at the last minute, the only way he could make the show was to fly as a second spare with 335. He was shot down and killed at Mostar, Yugoslavia on the return leg of the 2 July mission to Budpest, Hungary.
In order to service the Mustangs in Russia, 4th ground crewmen went to Russia in the Flying Forts as waist gunners. The B-17 in which 336 crew chief Robert Gilbert was flying was shot down, and Gilbert spent the better part of a month fighting with Polish guerrillas before making his way back to England in August.
The operation turned out to be the last hurrah for 334's Ralph "Kidd" Hofer. Refusing at first to receive the required innoculations, Hofer was initialy left off the list of particpating pilots. Relenting at the last minute, the only way he could make the show was to fly as a second spare with 335. He was shot down and killed at Mostar, Yugoslavia on the return leg of the 2 July mission to Budpest, Hungary.
26 June - The Shuttle continues, as the group provides escort for 72 B-17s, up from Poltava and Mirgorod, on a milk run to Drohobycz, Poland. After clearing the target, bombers and fighters alike continue on to Italy. Over the Adriatic the task force was met by 15th Air Force fighters and escorted to the base at Lucera, home of the 301st Bomb Group. After being refueled and serviced, the next day the group would be dispersed to area fighter stations. The 31st Fighter Group at San Severo, the 52nd Fighter Group at Madna, and 325th Fighter Group at Lesina would be hosts for their 8th Air Force counterparts for more than a week. Some men were forced to remain behind while mechanical issues wit their kites were resolved.
29 June - Four stragglers - Willard Gillette, James Lane, James Callahan and Ralph Hofer depart from Kiev and head for Italy. Hofer and Callahan left late, and The Kidd had a brief exchange with Gillette over the correct heading to take once airborne. Gillette, knowing Hofer was wrong, reamined on the planned heading with Lane and the two reached the Foggia area without issue. Hofer, not known as a great navigator, not only missed Foggia but missed Italy entirely! Flying with Hofer, Callahan, low on gas, crashed his kite on a beach in southern Sicily. Hofer flew on until he met up with two patrolling Spitfires based on Malta. Hofer made his way back to the group after getting gas and checking in on Callahan on Sicily.
2 July - Forty-one aircraft from the 4th and 352nd join the 15th Air Force in a fighter sweep out in front of the bombers hitting Budapest, Hungary. Still in rough shape after their stay in the Ukraine, twelve are forced to abort. The remainder square off with an aggressive and determined Luftwaffe, with combat beginning between 23,000 and 30,000 feet. Deacon Hively downed 3 Me-109s despite suffering facial wounds from a hit on his canopy. Providing cover for Deacon, Grover Siems shot a 109 off of Hively's tail before being wounded severely himself. Col Blakeslee, William Hedrick and Frank Jones each down one, while Donald Emerson shares on with Raymond Higgins of the 486th. Siems, suffering from wounds in the abdomen, shoulder neck and chin, and unable to move anything on his left side, has to kick down the gear handle with his right foot in order to get his kite down. Too weak to open the canopy himself, he fires off his guns to attract the attention of the ground crews. The eight victories come at the high price - in addition to Siems, four others are MIA. J.C. Norris was last seen as the group over Budapest shortly after the engagement began, and was KIA. George Stanford had issues dropping his tanks, fell behind when his motor acted up and was shot down and became a POW. Thomas Sharp was also beset with tank issues, was shot down and killed. Finally, Ralph Hofer was last seen over the northern part of the city, climbing to meet the oncoming Germans. It was determined later that Hofer met his fate when he was shot down by flak at an airdrome in Mostar, Yugoslavia.
3 July - The group is back up to escort heavies to strike marshalling yards at Arad, Romania. Fifty-five 8th Air Fore B-17s join 15th Air Force B-24s on the show, which was uneventful.
5 July - The group finally leaves Italy bound for England, and the Forts bomb the rail yards at Beziers, France on the way. Deacon Hively, recovering from wounds suffered over Budapest, is ordered to remian behind by Col. Blakeslee. Determined to return with the group, Hively shows up at the field under the pretext of seeing the group off. Then, out of Blakeslee's sight, recruits three pilots to fly in a section with him, climbs into a Mustang and joins the mission. When Col. Blakeslee walked into the bar back at Debden to find Deacon there ahead of him, he could only shake his head and laugh. At right, Col. Blakeslee gives the gen to Gen. Kepner, shortly after landing at Debden.
6 August - Struck by flak while strafing and with his P-51's engine streaming glycol, 336's John Godfrey is halfway out of his cockpit when over the R/T squadron mate Fred Glover implores him not to jump. Once back in his Mustang, Godfrey is instructed by Glover to pump the engine primer to bring the temperature of his engine back within normal limits. Without a canopy, and with one hand reserved for the primer, Godfrey makes the 2+ hour flight home with wingman Joe Patteeuw providing cover. He lands at an emergency strip in Beccles with but a few gallons of gas in his tanks.
8 August - The group is once again picked for a landmark mission, this one a low level escort of RAF Beaufighters to attack a convoy off Norway. The Group flew down low over the North Sea to avoid radar detection. After covering the Beaufighter attacks, all but one section then turned inland to strafe airdromes in and around Sola. 334's Tom Underwood was struck by shipboard antiaircraft fire and bailed out, becoming a POW. 335 was hit hardest, losing both Frank Jones and Robert Fischer. Jones was flying his last mission before going on leave to get married. Additionally, squadron CO Leon Blanding was seriously wounded when flak struck his cockpit, shattering the canopy. Despite intense pain and great loss of blood, Blanding got his kite back to Scotland and managed to put it down. His wounds would take him out of the war.
18 August - The group flew two shows, an Area Support mission covering the 56th and 356th FG's dive-bombing Thunderbolts and a dive-bombing/strafing show of their own. At the end of the day the group had suffered its most casualties since D-Day with 10 pilots listed NYR. Though 3 would ultimately return - Tom Joyce landed his shot-up Mustang at strip A-1 in Normandy and both Otey Glass and Arthur Cwiklinski evaded back to Debden - 7 did not. Leo Daley, Robert Cooper, John Conley, Bernard Rosenson and Donald Smith all went in near Les Andelys after getting jumped by 50+ Me-109's, while Dean Lange and C.G. Howard went down after bouncing 15 Me-109's near Beauvais, Lange becoming a POW. Howard was not seen to go down. He was flying his nineteenth mission, and he was just nineteen years old.
24 August - This was a watershed day in 336's history. Leading ace John Godfrey is shot down while strafing a field north of Nordhausen. It was later detrmined that Godfrey's kite had been downed by fire from his wingman Melvin Dickey. He would ride out the war as a POW. Back at Debden, squadron CO John McFarlane is relieved and appointed Squadron Operations Officer. Col. Blakelsee makes Fred Glover, at the time just a lieutenant, the Squadron CO. The squadron gets another jolt days later when A Flight CO Louis Norley is transferred to 335 in the wake of Pierce McKennon's downing.
28 August - August was turning out to be a brutal month as 5 more pilots fail to return to Debden from a strafing show, FO 538. Pierce McKennon went down after being hit by flak, but managed to escape capture and evade back to Debden. Archibald Thomson eluded the Germans until taken in and sheltered until the area was liberated. But Ferris Harris, Herbert VanderVate and Albert Schlegel were all killed in the Strasbourg area. It was determined years later that Schlegel bailed out of his kite safely, only to be captured and executed later that day by German troops.
30 August - Several 4th pilots participated in the filming of a documentary - officially titled Special Film Project 157 - being filmed by the 3rd Combat Camera Unit of the Army Air Forces. The film's intent was to give folks back home a look into 8th Air Force fighter operations. Joe Joiner, Don Pierini, Joe Patteeuw and others flew in formation, dove, climbed and mimicked strafing runs while a B-17 camera ship flew near by and captured the action. When finished, the film was released in 1945 under the name The Fight for the Sky. (view the film here)
1 September - With Col. Blakeslee headed back to the States for leave, Lt. Col. James A. Clark assumes command (acting) of the group. Lt. Col. Claiborne Kinnard, late of the 355th Fighter Group at Steeple Morden, arrives on station to assume the duties as Deputy Group CO.
15 September - Jim Clark is transferred to a new post at the American Embassy, assuming the post of Assistant Military Attache for Air. Lt. Col. Claiborne Kinnard assumes command (acting) of the group.
27 October - Orders are sent to all three squadrons to remove the stripe on the vertical stabilizer of all planes and paint the rudders a solid color to aid in recognition. 334 kite rudders are painted red, 335's white and 336's blue. Later, a thin red stripe will appear on the outline of 335 rudders.
2 November - Old hands Louis Norley and Fred Glover become the first 4 FG pilots to down "jet jobs," each getting an Me-163 Komet on the mission to Merseburg. Actually rocket-powered, the small and fast Komets were difficult targets to track and hit, and this pair would be the only Me-163's downed by the 4th.
3 November - Lt. Col. Claiborne Kinnard assumes command of the group.
29 November - Lt. Col. William A. Trippet assumes command (acting) of the group.
5 December - Lt. Col. Jack J. Oberhansly assumes command (acting) of the group.
7 December - Lt. Col. Harry J. Dayhuff assumes command of the group, with Lt. Col. Oberhansly becoming the deputy group commander. Both men had previously served in the ETO with the 78th Fighter Group at Duxford.
13 December - In a meeting with all group pilots, Lt. Col. Dayhuff introduces himself to the group and Lt. Col. Oberhansly and announces that the group will soon be using U.S. Standards of flight in place of the British standards, which with the group was accustomed to using. The last vestiges of the Eagle Squadrons were reluctantly being removed from the group's operations and culture.
25 December - Ground crews awaken to find the ground covered not with snow or frost, but with what would become known as the famous "frozen fog,' courtesy of the coldest day in England in 54 years. The frigid temps however, did not keep 334 from becoming the first squadron in the ETO to destroy 300 aircraft. But as was common at Debden, the joy was tempered with solemnness. 335's Charles Poage was shot down to become a POW, while 336's Donald Emerson, scurrying home on the deck after taking on six Fw-190's (and downing two) was killed when his Mustang was struck by ground fire and crashed just before crossing over friendly lines.
29 June - Four stragglers - Willard Gillette, James Lane, James Callahan and Ralph Hofer depart from Kiev and head for Italy. Hofer and Callahan left late, and The Kidd had a brief exchange with Gillette over the correct heading to take once airborne. Gillette, knowing Hofer was wrong, reamined on the planned heading with Lane and the two reached the Foggia area without issue. Hofer, not known as a great navigator, not only missed Foggia but missed Italy entirely! Flying with Hofer, Callahan, low on gas, crashed his kite on a beach in southern Sicily. Hofer flew on until he met up with two patrolling Spitfires based on Malta. Hofer made his way back to the group after getting gas and checking in on Callahan on Sicily.
2 July - Forty-one aircraft from the 4th and 352nd join the 15th Air Force in a fighter sweep out in front of the bombers hitting Budapest, Hungary. Still in rough shape after their stay in the Ukraine, twelve are forced to abort. The remainder square off with an aggressive and determined Luftwaffe, with combat beginning between 23,000 and 30,000 feet. Deacon Hively downed 3 Me-109s despite suffering facial wounds from a hit on his canopy. Providing cover for Deacon, Grover Siems shot a 109 off of Hively's tail before being wounded severely himself. Col Blakeslee, William Hedrick and Frank Jones each down one, while Donald Emerson shares on with Raymond Higgins of the 486th. Siems, suffering from wounds in the abdomen, shoulder neck and chin, and unable to move anything on his left side, has to kick down the gear handle with his right foot in order to get his kite down. Too weak to open the canopy himself, he fires off his guns to attract the attention of the ground crews. The eight victories come at the high price - in addition to Siems, four others are MIA. J.C. Norris was last seen as the group over Budapest shortly after the engagement began, and was KIA. George Stanford had issues dropping his tanks, fell behind when his motor acted up and was shot down and became a POW. Thomas Sharp was also beset with tank issues, was shot down and killed. Finally, Ralph Hofer was last seen over the northern part of the city, climbing to meet the oncoming Germans. It was determined later that Hofer met his fate when he was shot down by flak at an airdrome in Mostar, Yugoslavia.
3 July - The group is back up to escort heavies to strike marshalling yards at Arad, Romania. Fifty-five 8th Air Fore B-17s join 15th Air Force B-24s on the show, which was uneventful.
5 July - The group finally leaves Italy bound for England, and the Forts bomb the rail yards at Beziers, France on the way. Deacon Hively, recovering from wounds suffered over Budapest, is ordered to remian behind by Col. Blakeslee. Determined to return with the group, Hively shows up at the field under the pretext of seeing the group off. Then, out of Blakeslee's sight, recruits three pilots to fly in a section with him, climbs into a Mustang and joins the mission. When Col. Blakeslee walked into the bar back at Debden to find Deacon there ahead of him, he could only shake his head and laugh. At right, Col. Blakeslee gives the gen to Gen. Kepner, shortly after landing at Debden.
6 August - Struck by flak while strafing and with his P-51's engine streaming glycol, 336's John Godfrey is halfway out of his cockpit when over the R/T squadron mate Fred Glover implores him not to jump. Once back in his Mustang, Godfrey is instructed by Glover to pump the engine primer to bring the temperature of his engine back within normal limits. Without a canopy, and with one hand reserved for the primer, Godfrey makes the 2+ hour flight home with wingman Joe Patteeuw providing cover. He lands at an emergency strip in Beccles with but a few gallons of gas in his tanks.
8 August - The group is once again picked for a landmark mission, this one a low level escort of RAF Beaufighters to attack a convoy off Norway. The Group flew down low over the North Sea to avoid radar detection. After covering the Beaufighter attacks, all but one section then turned inland to strafe airdromes in and around Sola. 334's Tom Underwood was struck by shipboard antiaircraft fire and bailed out, becoming a POW. 335 was hit hardest, losing both Frank Jones and Robert Fischer. Jones was flying his last mission before going on leave to get married. Additionally, squadron CO Leon Blanding was seriously wounded when flak struck his cockpit, shattering the canopy. Despite intense pain and great loss of blood, Blanding got his kite back to Scotland and managed to put it down. His wounds would take him out of the war.
18 August - The group flew two shows, an Area Support mission covering the 56th and 356th FG's dive-bombing Thunderbolts and a dive-bombing/strafing show of their own. At the end of the day the group had suffered its most casualties since D-Day with 10 pilots listed NYR. Though 3 would ultimately return - Tom Joyce landed his shot-up Mustang at strip A-1 in Normandy and both Otey Glass and Arthur Cwiklinski evaded back to Debden - 7 did not. Leo Daley, Robert Cooper, John Conley, Bernard Rosenson and Donald Smith all went in near Les Andelys after getting jumped by 50+ Me-109's, while Dean Lange and C.G. Howard went down after bouncing 15 Me-109's near Beauvais, Lange becoming a POW. Howard was not seen to go down. He was flying his nineteenth mission, and he was just nineteen years old.
24 August - This was a watershed day in 336's history. Leading ace John Godfrey is shot down while strafing a field north of Nordhausen. It was later detrmined that Godfrey's kite had been downed by fire from his wingman Melvin Dickey. He would ride out the war as a POW. Back at Debden, squadron CO John McFarlane is relieved and appointed Squadron Operations Officer. Col. Blakelsee makes Fred Glover, at the time just a lieutenant, the Squadron CO. The squadron gets another jolt days later when A Flight CO Louis Norley is transferred to 335 in the wake of Pierce McKennon's downing.
28 August - August was turning out to be a brutal month as 5 more pilots fail to return to Debden from a strafing show, FO 538. Pierce McKennon went down after being hit by flak, but managed to escape capture and evade back to Debden. Archibald Thomson eluded the Germans until taken in and sheltered until the area was liberated. But Ferris Harris, Herbert VanderVate and Albert Schlegel were all killed in the Strasbourg area. It was determined years later that Schlegel bailed out of his kite safely, only to be captured and executed later that day by German troops.
30 August - Several 4th pilots participated in the filming of a documentary - officially titled Special Film Project 157 - being filmed by the 3rd Combat Camera Unit of the Army Air Forces. The film's intent was to give folks back home a look into 8th Air Force fighter operations. Joe Joiner, Don Pierini, Joe Patteeuw and others flew in formation, dove, climbed and mimicked strafing runs while a B-17 camera ship flew near by and captured the action. When finished, the film was released in 1945 under the name The Fight for the Sky. (view the film here)
1 September - With Col. Blakeslee headed back to the States for leave, Lt. Col. James A. Clark assumes command (acting) of the group. Lt. Col. Claiborne Kinnard, late of the 355th Fighter Group at Steeple Morden, arrives on station to assume the duties as Deputy Group CO.
15 September - Jim Clark is transferred to a new post at the American Embassy, assuming the post of Assistant Military Attache for Air. Lt. Col. Claiborne Kinnard assumes command (acting) of the group.
27 October - Orders are sent to all three squadrons to remove the stripe on the vertical stabilizer of all planes and paint the rudders a solid color to aid in recognition. 334 kite rudders are painted red, 335's white and 336's blue. Later, a thin red stripe will appear on the outline of 335 rudders.
2 November - Old hands Louis Norley and Fred Glover become the first 4 FG pilots to down "jet jobs," each getting an Me-163 Komet on the mission to Merseburg. Actually rocket-powered, the small and fast Komets were difficult targets to track and hit, and this pair would be the only Me-163's downed by the 4th.
3 November - Lt. Col. Claiborne Kinnard assumes command of the group.
29 November - Lt. Col. William A. Trippet assumes command (acting) of the group.
5 December - Lt. Col. Jack J. Oberhansly assumes command (acting) of the group.
7 December - Lt. Col. Harry J. Dayhuff assumes command of the group, with Lt. Col. Oberhansly becoming the deputy group commander. Both men had previously served in the ETO with the 78th Fighter Group at Duxford.
13 December - In a meeting with all group pilots, Lt. Col. Dayhuff introduces himself to the group and Lt. Col. Oberhansly and announces that the group will soon be using U.S. Standards of flight in place of the British standards, which with the group was accustomed to using. The last vestiges of the Eagle Squadrons were reluctantly being removed from the group's operations and culture.
25 December - Ground crews awaken to find the ground covered not with snow or frost, but with what would become known as the famous "frozen fog,' courtesy of the coldest day in England in 54 years. The frigid temps however, did not keep 334 from becoming the first squadron in the ETO to destroy 300 aircraft. But as was common at Debden, the joy was tempered with solemnness. 335's Charles Poage was shot down to become a POW, while 336's Donald Emerson, scurrying home on the deck after taking on six Fw-190's (and downing two) was killed when his Mustang was struck by ground fire and crashed just before crossing over friendly lines.
1945
21 February 1945 - Stewart Takes Command
Col. Everett W. Stewart
Everett Stewart was a veteran fighter pilot who was at Pearl Harbor and served in the Pacific before heading to England as CO of the 352nd’s 328th Fighter Squadron. From there, he was appointed Deputy Commanding Officer of the 355th at Steeple Morden under William Cummings. At Debden, Stewart wasted no time in letting the men at Station 356 know what he expected. In his first meeting with the administrative officers, he made it clear that judgement of officers would be based entirely on their performance from the date on which he took command. A keen observer, Stewart did not come in with a set mind and a set way of doing things. “I shall be evolving my policies slowly and cautiously,” he related, “There are, however, a few general policies that I may express…” In short: he saw no difference between ground officers and pilots; officers would command the willing cooperation of the enlisted men, and cliques would not be tolerated.
Speaking to a gathering of pilots shortly after arriving, Stewart assured them the 4th would regain its premier scoring position, and what’s more, would top 1,000 before the 56th reached 900. In perhaps the biggest understatement he ever committed to paper, Grover C. Hall wrote of this moment that, “Col. Stewart’s expression had a most salutary effect.”
“I’m not interested in making any records for using the least petrol for liberty runs. I want the officers to bring to our parties the best looking women in England, I want them to drink as much as they wish short of being asses, I want them to play hard and fight hard. I want the G.I.s looked after. In short, I run a happy ship and I mean for the 4th Group to get back where it belongs.”
Speaking to a gathering of pilots shortly after arriving, Stewart assured them the 4th would regain its premier scoring position, and what’s more, would top 1,000 before the 56th reached 900. In perhaps the biggest understatement he ever committed to paper, Grover C. Hall wrote of this moment that, “Col. Stewart’s expression had a most salutary effect.”
“I’m not interested in making any records for using the least petrol for liberty runs. I want the officers to bring to our parties the best looking women in England, I want them to drink as much as they wish short of being asses, I want them to play hard and fight hard. I want the G.I.s looked after. In short, I run a happy ship and I mean for the 4th Group to get back where it belongs.”
18 March 1945 - Green Picks Up McKennon
Back at Debden, Mac climbs out of the cockpit, as George Green stands by.
Shot down over Neubrandenburg airdrome, Pierce McKennon barely has time to shed his parachute when squadron mate George Green lands his Mustang in the plowed field - against standing orders - to pick up his startled CO. While approaching soldiers are kept at bay by the rest of the squadron, Green sheds his own parachute in order to make room in the cramped cockpit for his boss. Sitting on McKennon's lap, Green gets his Mustang airborne in a fraction of the normal distance required.
Thus rescued, McKennon repeatedly shouts "Oh, you crazy bastard! You crazy bastard you!" on their way back to Debden. The return trip takes 2 hours and 35 minutes. Once in the pattern over their base, Green radios the tower and requests "landing instructions for two." It is the second such rescue in the 8th Air Force.
Also on this date, David Howe of 334 completes his second combat tour, having "piled up 502:05 combat hours." Howe is believed to be the first ETO fighter pilot to complete two tours, and did so without a single abort - a testament to his crew chief Ray Larmouth's abilities and dedication.
Thus rescued, McKennon repeatedly shouts "Oh, you crazy bastard! You crazy bastard you!" on their way back to Debden. The return trip takes 2 hours and 35 minutes. Once in the pattern over their base, Green radios the tower and requests "landing instructions for two." It is the second such rescue in the 8th Air Force.
Also on this date, David Howe of 334 completes his second combat tour, having "piled up 502:05 combat hours." Howe is believed to be the first ETO fighter pilot to complete two tours, and did so without a single abort - a testament to his crew chief Ray Larmouth's abilities and dedication.
1 April - 334's commanding officer Maj Louis "Red Dog" Norley embarks upon his third tour of operations with the 4th. Norley had served with all three squadrons while racking up 553:35 hours of combat time.
16 April - In what turned out to be the last big beat-up of the war, 62 fighters in two groups ranged far to the east to strike Luftwaffe aircraft pulled back from the front. Lt. Col. Wood's A group struck three Praha airdromes in Czechoslovakia loaded with 175+ German aircraft. After making multiple passes through heavy flak, A group set course back to Debden, having destroyed 61 and leaving another 35 damaged. In the process 8 fighters went down, resulting in the deaths of Leroy Carpenter and Carl Alfred. The remaining 6, including Woods, became POW's.
While Praha was burning under A group's onslaught, Maj. Norley's B group completed their escort of 1st ATF Liberators and went in search of targets of their own, finding Gablingen A/D packed with aircraft. After 40 minutes of continuous strafing, B group added 44 more destroyed to the 4th's total. Though the final tally for the day was 105, the show exacts. the high cost of 8 pilots. Many of the group's Mustangs had to land on the Continent to refuel before making their way back to Debden, the high fuel consumption the result of the mission's distance from Debden and protracted periods over the targets.
25 April - Led by Col. Stewart, the 4th flies it's last show of the war, a Fighter Sweep to the Linz-Prague area.
16 April - In what turned out to be the last big beat-up of the war, 62 fighters in two groups ranged far to the east to strike Luftwaffe aircraft pulled back from the front. Lt. Col. Wood's A group struck three Praha airdromes in Czechoslovakia loaded with 175+ German aircraft. After making multiple passes through heavy flak, A group set course back to Debden, having destroyed 61 and leaving another 35 damaged. In the process 8 fighters went down, resulting in the deaths of Leroy Carpenter and Carl Alfred. The remaining 6, including Woods, became POW's.
While Praha was burning under A group's onslaught, Maj. Norley's B group completed their escort of 1st ATF Liberators and went in search of targets of their own, finding Gablingen A/D packed with aircraft. After 40 minutes of continuous strafing, B group added 44 more destroyed to the 4th's total. Though the final tally for the day was 105, the show exacts. the high cost of 8 pilots. Many of the group's Mustangs had to land on the Continent to refuel before making their way back to Debden, the high fuel consumption the result of the mission's distance from Debden and protracted periods over the targets.
25 April - Led by Col. Stewart, the 4th flies it's last show of the war, a Fighter Sweep to the Linz-Prague area.