20th Fighter Group P-38's over Normandy ...

[Mark Allen M]

Below a formation of P-38 Lightnings from the 20th Fighter Group over France, 29 June 1944










June 1944 Bob Riemensnider's P-38J 42-68108 KI-Y "Bobby" with two of his crewmembers. Bob was assigned to the 55th FS at Wittering in Jan 1944. Whilst with the 20th he subsequently rose to the rank of Major and commanded the 55th Sqdn from July 1945.


First Lieutenant Richard O. Loehnert and Crew Chief Technical Sergeant Thomas W. Dickerson sitting on their P-38J Lightning named "California Cutie".


1Lt Russell Bebout of the 79th FS 20th Fighter Group with his ground crew P-38J Lightning “Betsy VI” code MC-Y


Capt Roy Scrutchfield of the 55th Fighter Squadron, 20th FG with his ground crew and P-38J Lightning 43-28430 coded KI-N


55th Fighter Squadron, 20th FG P-38J Lightning 43-28430 "JEANNE"


79th FS, 20th FG P-38 being refueled


P-38 Lightning “FILLY FROM PHILLY IV” code LC-R 20th Fighter Group, 77th FS


A lineup of 20th FG P-38 Lightnings are prepared and ready to take off on another mission, 6th June 1944, D-Day.


20th FG pilots.

[Mark Sampson]

Thank you, Mark- great bit of history here.
My father was a B-17 FE/gunner (452nd BG) and flew a mission that day. His diary mentioned that they bombed through overcast and he didn't see any of it.
My wife's father was a P-38 pilot (later a squadron commander) who flew at least one mission on D-Day as well. Perhaps he's in one of these pictures. I'd have to look up his unit to be sure.

[makin' boost]

Impressive photos, thank you Mark for posting them ..............

Cheers to all that served ...............

[Jack Cook]

Below a formation of P-38 Lightnings from the 20th Fighter Group over France, 29 June 1944

Not a mission over France. This is a PR shot of the 20th FG in "Droopsnoot" formation over England. It is being led by Capt Jim Bradshaw of the 79th FS

[Mark Allen M]

Thanks Jack for your correction.

[Steve Birdsall]

Thanks Mark. I’d like to use this opportunity to remember 20th Fighter Group pilot Royal D. Frey. Royal was curator of the Air Force Museum in the 1960s and was always ready to help us would-be researchers and writers. I remember him fondly.

Last edited by Steve Birdsall on Fri Aug 11, 2023 2:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[raconnel]

I love the name "Big Noise" on the P-47.

[LysanderUK]

For me, the best group markings on a P38. I've probably been biased ever since TFC had their P38J painted as Happy Jack's Go Buggy and then of course California Cutie. My favourite warbird when I was growing up, and much missed.

[lucky52]

I have a 1947 book called “Bombs Away” that has that same formation picture of P-38s that says it was taken over France, probably where that mis-information came from.