... and some B-17's & P-38's from the American Air Museum in Britain.
P-47 Thunderbolts Assigned to 464th FS of the 48th Fighter Group including (6M-K, serial number c), (F4-W_, serial number 42-26419), (6M-G, serial number 42-74675), (6M-T, serial number 42-75371), (serial number, 42-76470), (serial number 42-75428), lined up on grass, 1944.
The 48th Fighter Group moved to England in March 1944 and were stationed at Ibsley where the pilots trained in P-47s in preparation for the Allied invasion of Normandy. The wartime motto was in Latin 'vulneratus non victus' (Unconquered even though wounded).
On D-Day, 6 June 1944, the Group bombed bridges and German gun positions and over the next couple of months supported the Allies advance across France. They also supported the airborne attack on Holland in September.
Their work over the winter of 1944-1945 would see them awarded two Belgian citations for their close support of Allied ground troops as well as a Distinguished Unit Citation.
The group's missions were varied. As well as flying patrol and escort missions, the group also flew weather reconnaissance and leaflet-dropping missions. On one occasion their payload consisted of blood plasma which was dropped in belly tanks to troops on the ground for medical transfusions.
P-47 Thunderbolt (UN-B_, serial number 42-26466) nicknamed Anamosa II of the 56th Fighter Group, loaded with drop tanks and taxiing past Nissen huts before a mission, 1944.
P-47 Thunderbolt (LM-Z, serial number 42-26280) of the 56th Fighter Group taxiing.
P-47 Thunderbolt (LM-S, serial number 42-26641) 'Hairless Joe' of the 56th Fighter Group taxiing, 1944.
The 56th FG Flying P-47 Thunderbolts throughout their time stationed in England, the Group, known as "the Wolfpack", had more ace pilots than any other Eighth Air Force Fighter Group. The 56th Fighter Group also destroyed more enemy aircraft in air combat than any other. Francis Gabreski and Robert Johnson, the Eighth Air Force's top aces were both with the 56th. Col. Hubert A. Zemke and Col. David C. Schilling, two of the Group's Cos, were also famous aces, rivalling the 4th Fighter Group's Don Blakeslee and Don Gentile.
US Air Force Combat Units of World War II Description
Constituted as 56th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Equipped with P-39’s and P-40’s. Trained, participated in maneuvers, served as an air defense organization, and functioned as an operational training unit. Redesignated 56th Fighter Group in May 1942. Received P-47’s in Jun and began training for combat. Moved to England, Dec 1942-Jan 1943. Assigned to Eighth AF. Continued training for several weeks. Entered combat with a fighter sweep in the area of St Omer on 13 Apr 1943, and during the next two years destroyed more enemy aircraft in aerial combat than any other fighter group of Eighth AF. Flew numerous missions over France, the Low Countries, and Germany to escort bombers that attacked industrial establishments, V-weapon sites, submarine pens, and other targets on the Continent. Also strafed and dive-bombed airfields, troops, and supply points; attacked the enemy's communications; and flew counter-air patrols. Engaged in 'counter-air and interdictory missions during the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944. Supported Allied forces for the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Helped to defend the Remagen bridgehead against air attacks in Mar 1945. Received a DUC for aggressiveness in seeking out and destroying enemy aircraft and for attacking enemy air bases, 20 Feb- 9 Mar 1944. Received another DUC for strikes against antiaircraft positions while supporting the airborne attack on Holland in Sep 1944. Flew last combat mission on 21 Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Oct. Inactivated on 18 Oct 1945.
Oblique aerial image of Boxted airfield, The ammunition dump is to the top left, and the technical site and control tower to the top right.
Airfield control tower at a fighter base of the 66th Fighter Wing.
P-47 Thunderbolt (UN-W_, serial number 42-26057) of the 56th Fighter Group in flight, 1944.
P-47 Thunderbolt (UN-T_, serial number 42-26258) of the 56th Fighter Group in flight, 1944.
This aircraft was later painted in the 63rd Fighter Squadron's livery and nicknamed "Moptop's Pride".
P-47 Thunderbolt (UN-T, serial number 43-25515) nicknamed 'Ann K' of the 56th Fighter Group in flight, 1944.
ground crewmen pumps oil into B-17G Flying Fortress (SU-K, serial number 42-37982) nicknamed Trembling Gremlin of the 384th Bomb Group at Boxted on 28 June 1944.
A B-17 Flying Fortress (JD-R, serial number 42-32106) of the 384th Bomb Group taxying past a windsock.
Ground crewmen work on P-47 Thunderbolt (LM-V, serial number 42-25728) of the 56th Fighter Group, 1944.
A damaged P-47 Thunderbolt (LM-K, serial number 42-7992) of the 56th Fighter Group undergoing salvage after crashing at Halesworth on 27 March 1944.
P-47 Thunderbolt (LH-S, serial number 42-76321) nicknamed California Ann of the 353rd Fighter Group undergoing salvage after crashing at Boxted on 28 May 1944.
P-47 Thunderbolt (LH-S, serial number 42-76321) nicknamed California Ann of the 353rd Fighter Group after crashing at Boxted, 28 May 1944.
P-47 Thunderbolt (LH-G, serial number 42-22472) nicknamed Shamrock of the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron after crashing on take off at Boxted, 27 May 1944.
Major Herschel Easy Ezell 20th Fighter Group bombardier with his 'droop snoot' P-38 Lightning (serial number 42-67450) nicknamed 'Eze Does It'.
Airmen look at 'Droop Snoot' P-38 Lightning (serial number 42-67704) nicknamed 'FUBAR'
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