US Intruder Detachment - Little Snoring

[MW Giles]

Please, can anyone help

I have come across various references to a US detachment under Major T Gates operating alongside 515 Sqn RAF at Little Snoring in Norfolk operating 2 x P-51s and 2 x P-38s as night intruders (operational trials). The unit was in place between 20.02.44 and 24.04.44 and flew 10 sorties in March 44 (from 24th onwards) and 21 in April 44. There were no claims but at least one reference suggests a P-38 was lost.

I have exhausted all the National Archives references I can think of for 100 Group, 515 Sqn, Little Snoring, Bomber Command Night Raid Reports etc and have all the books on 100 Group but no luck. Streetly makes a few references and Martin Middlebrook also notes a handful of sorties in his Nürnberg raid book.

I am trying to compile a list of sorties, can anyone point me in the right direction please

Regards

Martin