24.05.2010, 12:07
Just noticed that you were asking about USAAF outfits in England, not just the 8th Air Force.
A I mentioned , the 9th flew 'em too. The afore mentioned 354th went back to 9th Command and began flying fighter bomber missions across the channel, with the rest of the 9th Air Force. They went to France shortly after D-Day.
The 363rd was anoth 9th Air Force Fighter Group flying P-51s. Like the 354TH, their first missions were escorting the 8th's bombers top Berlin. They were soon operating as fighter bomber, however, and went top France, also. They were redesignated the 363RD Fighter Bomber Group, on the 20th of May. Before the years end, the unit was redesignated , again. This time into a Photo Recon Group.
The 9TH Air Forces Tactical Recon Group also flew Mustangs, the recon version being designated, F6.
The 67th Tac/R Group had been flying worn out Spitfires , and older Allison powered Mustangs with the 8t. They were transferred to the 9th and began recieving the new Merlin powered models, and two Recon Lightning Squadrons.
The 10th Tac/R Group was another mixed Lightning and Mustang recon outfit. They began flying recon missions across the Channel in February, and like the rest of the 9th Air Force, they headed to the Continent shortly after the Invasion.
A I mentioned , the 9th flew 'em too. The afore mentioned 354th went back to 9th Command and began flying fighter bomber missions across the channel, with the rest of the 9th Air Force. They went to France shortly after D-Day.
The 363rd was anoth 9th Air Force Fighter Group flying P-51s. Like the 354TH, their first missions were escorting the 8th's bombers top Berlin. They were soon operating as fighter bomber, however, and went top France, also. They were redesignated the 363RD Fighter Bomber Group, on the 20th of May. Before the years end, the unit was redesignated , again. This time into a Photo Recon Group.
The 9TH Air Forces Tactical Recon Group also flew Mustangs, the recon version being designated, F6.
The 67th Tac/R Group had been flying worn out Spitfires , and older Allison powered Mustangs with the 8t. They were transferred to the 9th and began recieving the new Merlin powered models, and two Recon Lightning Squadrons.
The 10th Tac/R Group was another mixed Lightning and Mustang recon outfit. They began flying recon missions across the Channel in February, and like the rest of the 9th Air Force, they headed to the Continent shortly after the Invasion.