[drgondog]

I am somewhat curious about the note "50 Thunderbolts" as that would be a bounce by all three squadrons which are normally separted by at least a mile during escort duties.

It is possible the 359th was doing a Sweep in which case the entire group would be more concentrated - but even then doctrine would bounce with one squadron and follow with more as required... usually when another force of German fighters engaged, that were not seen originally.

So, the usual practice was to attack with the lead (or trailing depending on where the German fighters were positioned) section eight, calling out the location - and the other section might or might not join depending on squadron commander prerogative.