What Fighter Groups Covered the 34th BG?

[Bad-Karma]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to figure out what fighter groups and units ran escort specifically for 34th BG B17s from Sept 44' onwards. If I understand correctly, any fighter group assigned to the 3rd air division would possibly be running escort. That encompasses 55, 78, 339, 353, and 357 group correct? Does anyone have any pictures or other information of fighters escorting 34th bg b17s?

 

[drgondog]

The Fighter Groups you mentioned were all part of the 66th FW which . That said, it was not hard and fast that they were only assigned to 3rd BD in that timeframe. The 8th AF re-organized the Bomb Division into Air Division on January 1, 1945 and then assigned the 65th, 66th and 67th to 2nd AD, 3rd AD and 1st AD respectively. In that timeframe the 66th FW more typically escorted 3rd Air Division missions.

 

[Bad-Karma]

The Fighter Groups you mentioned were all part of the 66th FW which . That said, it was not hard and fast that they were only assigned to 3rd BD in that timeframe. The 8th AF re-organized the Bomb Division into Air Division on January 1, 1945 and then assigned the 65th, 66th and 67th to 2nd AD, 3rd AD and 1st AD respectively. In that timeframe the 66th FW more typically escorted 3rd Air Division missions.

Thanks drgondog. Prior to Jan 1 1945 how did escort assignments work? Were all of the fighter groups assigned on a mission to mission basis or was there some sort of order? I've been going through Mendlesham Memories ( a collection of the 34th bg associations newsletters) and found at least one picture of a 357th fighter group pilot (Richard Peterson) who escorted a 34th bg fort home. Not sure of the whole story there yet the pdf is huge.

 

[drgondog]

When the 8th FC was organized to fold individual wings into different Air Divisions on January 1, 1945 (i.e. 65th FW into 2nd Air Division, the 4th, 56th, 355th, 361st and 479th) the fighter missions (Sweep, Escort, Patrol )were mostly tasked around 2nd BD B-24 escorts..

Prior to that re-org, 8th AF jointly planned with 8th BC and 8th FC to plan each mission down to the detail of selecting targets, Time over target, Route and R/V waypoints for Penetration, Target Escort, Withdrawal escort. Then the Fighter Groups would be parceled out to perform each assignment for each Bomb Division.

The assignments generally rotated relative to escort position. For example one day the 4th FG would Sweep out in front and Free lance, not tethered to escort itself but assigned to go perhaps 50 miles in front of the leading box of assigned bombers, the 355th take the leading two boxes, the 361st the trailing boxes from RV with Penetration escort (i.e 56th FG), through Target to RV with Withdrawal escort (479th FG) on a particular mission. This is a Very simplified presentation.

 

[bobbysocks]

Bad-Karma do you have that picture of Peterson? If so could you scan it and send it to me? I would like to put it on the 357th group's spokt page. if you have any info as far as date, mission, the ac he escorted, etc...that would be awesome as well.

 

[Bad-Karma]

When the 8th FC was organized to fold individual wings into different Air Divisions on January 1, 1945 (i.e. 65th FW into 2nd Air Division, the 4th, 56th, 355th, 361st and 479th) the fighter missions (Sweep, Escort, Patrol )were mostly tasked around 2nd BD B-24 escorts..

Prior to that re-org, 8th AF jointly planned with 8th BC and 8th FC to plan each mission down to the detail of selecting targets, Time over target, Route and R/V waypoints for Penetration, Target Escort, Withdrawal escort. Then the Fighter Groups would be parceled out to perform each assignment for each Bomb Division.

The assignments generally rotated relative to escort position. For example one day the 4th FG would Sweep out in front and Free lance, not tethered to escort itself but assigned to go perhaps 50 miles in front of the leading box of assigned bombers, the 355th take the leading two boxes, the 361st the trailing boxes from RV with Penetration escort (i.e 56th FG), through Target to RV with Withdrawal escort (479th FG) on a particular mission. This is a Very simplified presentation.

Thank' so much for that information, helps a lot!

Bad-Karma do you have that picture of Peterson? If so could you scan it and send it to me? I would like to put it on the 357th group's spokt page. if you have any info as far as date, mission, the ac he escorted, etc...that would be awesome as well.

Hi Bobbysocks,

At work right now but you can download the pdf of Mendlesham Memories at this location:
Mendlesham Memories

It's searchable in chrome so if you type in Richard Peterson it should come up. If you're having trouble I can try when I get home.