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357th Fighter Group

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Parent: P-51 Mustang Hop 3
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357th Fighter Group
357th Fighter Group
The original uploader was Bwmoll3 at English Wikipedia. · Public domain · source
Unit name357th Fighter Group
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Army Air Forces
TypeFighter aircraft
Command structureEighth Air Force

357th Fighter Group was a United States Army Air Forces unit that played a significant role in World War II, particularly in the European Theater of Operations. The group was part of the Eighth Air Force and was stationed at Leiston airfield in Suffolk, England, where it operated alongside other notable units such as the 4th Fighter Group and the 56th Fighter Group. The 357th Fighter Group was equipped with P-51 Mustang aircraft, which were supplied by North American Aviation and maintained by United States Army Air Forces personnel, including those from the 8th Air Force Service Command.

● History

The 357th Fighter Group was activated on December 16, 1942, at Hamilton Field, California, under the command of Colonel Leonard K. Carson. The group was initially composed of the 362nd Fighter Squadron, 363rd Fighter Squadron, and 364th Fighter Squadron, which were all equipped with P-39 Airacobra aircraft, manufactured by Bell Aircraft. The group trained at various bases in the United States, including March Field and Oakland Municipal Airport, before deploying to England in November 1943, where they were stationed at Raydon airfield and later at Leiston airfield, under the command of General Carl Spaatz and General Ira Eaker. During their time in England, the group interacted with other units, such as the Royal Air Force and the Polish Air Forces, and participated in events like the D-Day invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge.

● Organization

The 357th Fighter Group was organized into three squadrons: the 362nd Fighter Squadron, 363rd Fighter Squadron, and 364th Fighter Squadron. Each squadron was equipped with P-51 Mustang aircraft, which were maintained by personnel from the United States Army Air Forces and supplied by North American Aviation. The group was commanded by Colonel Irving A. Rendahl and later by Colonel Donald W. Graham, who had previously served with the 1st Fighter Group and the 14th Fighter Group. The group's organization and operations were supported by units such as the 8th Air Force Service Command and the Eighth Air Force headquarters, under the command of General Carl Spaatz and General James Doolittle.

● Operations

The 357th Fighter Group began combat operations in February 1944, flying P-51 Mustang aircraft on escort missions for B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator bombers, which were supplied by Boeing and Consolidated Aircraft. The group also conducted ground attack missions, targeting German Army units and installations, such as those commanded by Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt and Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. The group participated in several notable operations, including the D-Day invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, where they interacted with units such as the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division. The group's operations were supported by units such as the 9th Air Force and the Royal Air Force, under the command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General Bernard Montgomery.

● Aircraft

The 357th Fighter Group operated several types of aircraft, including the P-39 Airacobra, P-47 Thunderbolt, and P-51 Mustang. The group's primary aircraft was the P-51 Mustang, which was supplied by North American Aviation and maintained by personnel from the United States Army Air Forces. The group's aircraft were equipped with various armaments, including M2 Browning machine guns and M10 rocket launchers, which were manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company and General Motors. The group's aircraft were also equipped with AN/APS-19 radar systems, which were developed by MIT Radiation Laboratory and General Electric.

● Notable_Pilots

The 357th Fighter Group had several notable pilots, including Captain Clarence E. Anderson, Captain Robert S. Johnson, and Lieutenant Colonel Thomas L. Hayes, who had previously served with the 56th Fighter Group and the 4th Fighter Group. These pilots flew P-51 Mustang aircraft and were credited with numerous aerial victories, including those against Luftwaffe pilots such as Adolf Galland and Werner Mölders. The group's pilots were supported by units such as the 8th Air Force Service Command and the Eighth Air Force headquarters, under the command of General Carl Spaatz and General Ira Eaker. The group's notable pilots were also recognized for their achievements, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal, which were awarded by General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General Omar Bradley.

Category:United States Army Air Forces units

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