4th Fighter Group - RAF Debden (P-51 Mustang)

The 4th Fighter Group (USAAF) was formed from the Eagle squadrons, three RAF squadrons manned by American volunteers, and served with the 8th Air Force from the autumn of 1942 until the end of the War. In September 1942 the three Eagle squadrons were transferred to the USAAF, forming the 4th Fighter Group. No. 71 Squadron became the 334th Fighter, Squadron, No. 121 Squadron became the 335th Fighter Squadron and No. 133 Squadron became the 336th Fighter Squadron. The new 4th Fighter Group was the second operational US fighter group in England, after the 31st Fighter Group. In October 1942 the 31st was allocated to Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, and for a short period the 4th was the only active US fighter group based in Britain during that time. Due to their formation from Eagle RAF squadrons and their location in Debden, the 4th Fighter Group adopted the nickname "Debden Eagles".

The group's initial combat mission was October 1942, still using its RAF Spitfires. In March 1943 the Spitfires were replaced with P-47 Thunderbolts. At first the pilots were opposed to the switch, seeing the Spitfire as a thoroughbred fighter when compared to the very bulky Thunderbolt, but they soon came to appreciate the larger fighter's robustness and firepower. In April 1943 the 4th, along with other newly arrived P-47 groups, began to fly fighter sweeps along the Dutch and French coasts, starting with a sweep over Dunkirk on 8 April. One of these, on 15 April 1943, led to the first clash between the P-47 and German fighters. The 4th Fighter Group was leading two composite groups that clashed with a force of FW-190s. The Germans lost two aircraft, the Americans one, and the P-47 emerged with its reputation enhanced. On 4 May 1943 the 4th and 56th Fighter Groups became the first American fighter units to escort bombers of the 8th Air Force, during an attack on a Ford and General Motors factory at Antwerp.

The group soon gained in experience and efficiency, and by the end of the war it had destroyed more enemy aircraft, both on the ground and in the air, than any other fighter group within the 8th Air Force, being credited with more than 1,000 German aircraft destroyed. Numerous aces were produced including Don Gentile and John Godfrey. The group's main task was to provide fighter escorts for the bombers of the 8th Air Force, but it also supported bomber sweeps designed to provoke a German fighter response and took part in ground attack missions. The group took part in the Big Week campaign against the Luftwaffe of 20 - 25 February 1944.

In March-April 1944 the group converted to the P-51 Mustang, the long-range fighter that solved the biggest problem with the USAAF's daylight bombing campaign. On 4 March 1944 the group took the P-51 to Berlin on escort duties for the first time. The P-51 could escort the heavy bombers all the way to their targets in Germany, and soon took a heavy toll on the Luftwaffe, eventually winning control of the air over Europe. The group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its aggressive attitude and attacking Luftwaffe bases between 5 March and 24 April 1944. During the D-Day campaign, the group flew a mix of fighter defense and ground attack missions. It supported Operation Market Garden in September 1944 and took part in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 - January 1945. In March 1945, its fighters escorted the massive aerial armada that took part in the crossing of the Rhine. The group flew their last combat mission 25 April 1945 with an escort / patrol mission over Germany.

The 4th Fighter Group was one of the most effective fighter units in the 8th Air Force. They were a key contributor to achieving air superiority over Germany and protecting 2nd Air Division B-24 bomber formations. The group formed from a veteran core of RAF Eagle Squadrons employed highly aggressive leadership and was an early adopter of long-range escort tactics.

By the end of the war, the group had flown a total of 550 - 600 combat missions. During this period, the group destroyed over 1,000 enemy aircraft and lost approximately 170 - 180 aircraft.

Stations
RAF Debden Sept 1942 - 1945

Campaigns
The 4th Fighter Group participated in the following campaigns: Air Offensive - Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe.

Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citations (DUC): Berlin escort mission 5 March 1944, and support of airborne operations (Operation Varsity) 24 March 1945.
French Citation Award Croix de Guerre and Belgian Fourragère.

Group Web Site   http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/