Where were the 408th Fighter Squadron based and why is there so little known/written about them?
 

I've just come across a few images in personal collection of images that show various pilots and a couple of aircraft (one a P-40) which are of the 408th Fighter squadron.

Looking at the obvious places of the internet, I have not been able to find out very much at-all about this Squadron and wonder where they were based as it doesn't seem to be apparent that they were based overseas in combat? Were they a training Group?

History

Lineage

• Constituted as 372d Fighter Group on 12 October 1943

Activated on 28 October 1943Redesignated 372d Fighter-Bomber Group in April 1944Redesignated 372d Fighter Group in June 1944Inactivated on 7 November 1945

• Redesignated 144th Fighter Group and allotted to ANG (Calif) on 24 June 1946.

Assignments

• IV Fighter Command, 28 October 1943
• III Fighter Command, 29 March 1944-7 November 1945

Components

• 407th Fighter Squadron: 1943-1945
• 408th Fighter Squadron: 1943-1945
• 409th Fighter Squadron: 1943-1945.

Stations

• Hamilton Field, California, 28 October 1943
• Portland Army Air Base, Oregon, 7 December 1943
• Esler Army Airfield, Louisiana, 29 March 1944
• Pollock Army Airfield, Louisiana, 14 April 1944
• Esler Army Airfield, Louisiana, 9 February 1945
• Alexandria Army Air Base, Louisiana, 14 September-November 1945.

I have some pictures showing Zack Taylor, formerly of the 325th Fighter group with the 408th Fighter Squadron and I'm just wondering what their role in WW2 was?

Thanks for any help, cheers, MP

Re: Where were the 408th Fighter Squadron based and why is there so little known/written about them?
 

There's something about the 408th FS here too: http://forum.armyairforces.com/m72478-p1-print.aspx

It appears that the unit was involved in training activities.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: Where were the 408th Fighter Squadron based and why is there so little known/written about them?
 

MP -
408th Sq. Operations:
Replacement Training and Air Support for
Maneuvers 1944 - 1945.
A/C : P-39 1943 - 44 , P-40 1944 - 45 , P-51 1945
Mike

Re: Where were the 408th Fighter Squadron based and why is there so little known/written about them?
 

Thanks for the help. That seems to make the pictures I have make a little more sense as they show a P-40 sometime between 44 and 45.

Thanks for the help. Cheers, MP