World War Photos

Spitfire 52nd FG, 4th FS

52nd Fighter Group within 8th AF – overview

Command Assignments

• Assigned to Eighth Air Force: 13 July 1942 – 14 September 1942
• Wing & Command Assignments:
  • VIII Fighter Command (VIII FC), 6th Fighter Wing (FW): 18 August 1942

Component Squadrons

• 2nd Fighter Squadron (FS)
• 4th Fighter Squadron (FS)
• 5th Fighter Squadron (FS)

Combat Aircraft

• Spitfire V: The group operated the Spitfire V during its time with the Eighth Air Force.

Stations

• Eglinton: 13 July 1942 – ~25 August 1942 (5th FS remained until 13 September 1942)
• Goxhill: ~26 August 1942 – ~21 October 1942 (Main air echelons of 2nd and 4th FS arrived on 13 September 1942)
  • 2nd FS was stationed at Biggin Hill from 25 August – 13 September 1942
  • 4th FS was stationed at Kenley from 25 August – 13 September 1942
  • Maydown was also used as a satellite for Eglinton from 7 August 1942 – September 1942

Group Commander

• Lt Col Dixon M. Allison: 27 February 1942 – 1 March 1943

Mission Details

• Operational History in the UK:
  • The group was activated on 15 January 1941 at Selfridge Field, Michigan, where it initially trained with P-40s and P-39s.
  • It was completely equipped with P-39s by early 1942 and moved to Florence Army Base, South Carolina, on 18 February 1942, and later to Wilmington, North Carolina, on 27 April 1942.
  • The group was originally scheduled to move to the UK, flying its aircraft via the northern ferry route, and was stationed at Grenier Field, New Hampshire, in mid-June 1942 to prepare for this. However, the project was canceled.
  • The air echelon sailed for the UK at the end of July 1942, followed by the ground echelon in early August 1942.
  • Combat Operations:
    • The 2nd and 4th FS flew sorties up to squadron strength between 27 August 1942 and 11 September 1942 in conjunction with RAF Fighter Command, completing a total of 83 sorties, including 12 on defensive patrols.
    • No combat engagements or losses were recorded during these operations.
    • The 5th FS did not participate in operations from the UK.
• Reassignment:
  • The group was reassigned to the Twelfth Air Force and XII Fighter Command on 14 September 1942.
  • The Spitfires were shipped to Gibraltar, and the personnel sailed in a convoy on 26 October 1942 to join the Twelfth Air Force in North Africa.
  • The group subsequently fought in North Africa and Italy. In April 1944, they converted to P-51 Mustangs and flew escort missions for the Fifteenth Air Force.
• Inactivation: The group was inactivated in November 1945.

Aircraft Markings and Color Schemes

Spitfire VBs (July – October 1942)

• Camouflage:
  • The Spitfire VBs were painted in the standard RAF temperate land camouflage colors:
    • Upper Surfaces: Dark Green and Ocean Grey in a disruptive pattern.
    • Undersurfaces: Medium Sea Grey.
• Markings:
  • These aircraft carried standard British ‘friendly aircraft’ markings similar to those used by the 4th Fighter Group.
  • The British roundels were eliminated and replaced in the same manner as the Spitfires of the 31st Fighter Group.
  • The identification letters, typically 24 inches high, were painted in Sky.
  • The squadron code was positioned forward of the national insignia on the left side of the fuselage and aft on the right.
  • Squadron Codes:
    • 2nd FS: “QP”
    • 4th FS: “WD”
    • 5th FS: “VF”