P-51 Effectiveness in the PTO

[JACK COOK]

I think that it's quite simple.

1. Lack of aerial opposition and type of mission performed by the majority of units named ie ground support.

The only fighter units scoring any kills in the last months of the war did so over Japan itself.
For example:
80th FS scored 213 kills but none after 12-30-44
The 39th FS scored only 4 P-51 kills after conversion.
342nd FS scored 123 kills but only 4 in all of 1945
Basically the same for the 49th FG

Now over Japan..............
15th FG scored 110 kills over Japan between April and August 45.
Except over Japan they're just wasn't anything left to shoot at.