Mission of February 5, 1944

[Henofred]

Hello,

I am looking for details regarding the mission of these three FGs on February 5, 1944.
56th, 78th and 356th Fighter Groups.
I thank you by advance.

Regards,
Frederic

[Bruce Lander]

Hi

8th AF FC escorting raids on French airfields

56 FG lost Lt.John.A.Patton (61st FS) s/d by Fw.190 near Forges - KIA
P.47D HV-42-75063

78 FG cliamed 2 e/a damaged
Lt.L J Abel - Fw.190 Dam + Lt.E S Laing & Lt.P E Pompetti shared
1 Fw.190 Dam

Also 56 FG lost 2 pilots killed in accidental collision - Lt.R.A.Phillips (61stFS)
and Lt.R A Albert (63rd FS) NE of Wangford

Source - Kent D.Miller - Fighter Units & Pilots of 8th AF

Cheers

Bruce Lander

[Henofred]

Hello Bruce,

Thanks for these details
I am also looking for a short summary of the escort mission for each Group.

Merci,
Frederic

[Bruce Lander]

Hi Frederic

not much recorded in my sources :-
Mighty 8th War Diary - R.Freeman
Air War Europa - E.Hammel
Maybe more information in the various Unit histories !

Cheers
Bruce

[Henofred]

Hello Bruce,

Thank you for these messages
I have still two FGs of which I don't know exactly the job for this day there. The 352nd and 78th FGs. For the others I succeeded in having information.

Best regards, Frederic.