355th Fighter Group RAF Steeple Morden (P-51 Mustang)

The 355th Fighter Group (USAAF) was both constituted and activated in the United States on 12 November 1942. It was equipped with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts and later North American P-51 Mustangs. It moved to England in July 1943 and conducted their first combat mission on 14 September 1943 with a fighter sweep of Belgium. The group obtained the nickname of "Steeple Morden Strafers" which was derived from their base in England and their reputation for aggressive low-level strafing attacks against German targets.

Early operations began with fighter sweeps and transitioned quickly to bomber escort missions to major targets including, Berlin, Karlsruhe, Misburg oil refineries and Gelsenkirchen synthetic fuel plants. Conversion from the P-47 Thunderbolt to the P-51 Mustang occurred in early 1944. The 355th Fighter Group became one of the first 8th Air Force groups operating the P-51B. On 5 April 1944, the group conducted a low-level attack on German airfields during a snow squall for which they received a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC). On D-Day (6 June 1944), fighter cover for the Normandy landings was provided as well as close air support and interdiction missions for the breakout at Saint-Lô in July 1944. Later in 1944 - 1945, the group flew intensive low-level strafing attacks on airfields, locomotives, vehicles and supply lines, thus earning themselves a reputation as the top strafing group in 8th Air Force. Support was also provided for the Battle of the Bulge and the Allied advance into Germany in late 1944 and early 1945.

The 355th was among one of the earliest 8th Air Force groups to transition to the P-51 Mustang and conduct long-range escort deep into Germany. They developed highly effective low-level strafing capabilities and produced multiple aces like Capt. Henry W. Brown, and Maj. William J. Hovde. The last combat mission flown by the 355th Fighter Group was on 25 April 1945 in which they conducted a ground-attack (strafing/interdiction) operation on German transportation and military targets of opportunity in southern Germany.

By the end of the war, the group had flown approximately 342 combat missions. During this period, the group destroyed approximately 1,500 enemy aircraft (air and ground) and lost approximately 150 - 200 aircraft.

Campaigns
The 355th Fighter Group participated in the following campaigns: Air Offensive - Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe.

Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citations (DUC): mission against German airfields 5 April 1944.

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