World War Photos

P-47 Thunderbolt code 8N-X 42-28929 of the 371st Fighter Group

The 371st Fighter Group (371st FG) was one of the many fighter groups that bolstered the 9th Air Force’s strength in England in early 1944. Equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts, the group played a significant role in the Allied air operations leading up to and following D-Day, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for its efforts in the European Theater.

Operational History

• Arrival and Early Operations:

  • The 371st FG arrived in England in early 1944 and was initially based at Bisterne Close, Hampshire. The group began operations on 12 April 1944, conducting a fighter sweep over France. In the weeks leading up to D-Day, the group flew various missions, including strafing runs, bomber escorts, and sweeping sorties targeting German forces and infrastructure.

• D-Day and Normandy Campaign:

  • On D-Day (6 June 1944), the 371st FG’s P-47s were actively involved in attacks on trains, vehicles, gun emplacements, and other strategic targets in support of the Allied landings. The group also patrolled the beachheads to protect the invasion forces from enemy air attacks.
  • Temporary Relocation: Due to the heavy wear on the temporary runways at Bisterne, the group temporarily relocated to Ibsley airfield between 28 April and 14 May 1944.

• Post-D-Day Operations:

  • After D-Day, the 371st FG continued its operations from airstrips in France, providing close air support to the advancing Allied forces. The group targeted a wide range of strategic objectives, including transportation networks, factories, and enemy troop concentrations.
  • Autumn and Winter Campaigns: During the autumn of 1944 and the winter of 1944-45, the group focused its efforts on northeast France and southwestern Germany, attacking key German targets to disrupt their war effort.

• Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC):

  • The 371st FG was awarded a DUC for its exceptional performance between 15 and 21 March 1945. During this six-day operation, the group focused on destroying the German transportation system, factories, and gun positions, significantly contributing to the weakening of the German war machine.

• Final Operations and Return to the USA:

  • As the war in Europe drew to a close, the 371st FG continued to support the Allied advance into Germany. After VE-Day, the group returned to the United States in October and November 1945, where it was eventually inactivated.

Unit Decorations

• Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC):
  • Germany: 15 March 1945 – 21 March 1945.
• Belgian Army Order of the Day:
  • 6 June 1944 – 30 September 1944

Commander

• Col. Bingham T. Kleine: Commanded from 27 July 1943.

Overseas Stations

• England:
  • Bisterne Close, Hampshire: March 1944.
  • Ibsley Airfield: Temporary relocation from 28 April to 14 May 1944.
• France:
  • Beuzeville, Basse-Normandie: June 1944.
  • Perthes, Lorraine: 18 September 1944.
  • Dole/Tavaux, Franche-Comté: 1 October 1944.
  • Tantonville, Lorraine: 20 December 1944.
  • Metz, Lorraine: 15 February 1945.
• Germany:
  • Frankfurt/Eschborn, Hessen: 7 April 1945.
  • Fürth, Bavaria: 5 May 1945.
• Austria:
  • Hörsching: 16 August 1945.
• Germany:
  • Stuttgart: 13 September 1945 – October 1945.

Squadrons and Codes

• 404th Fighter Squadron (FS): 9Q
• 405th Fighter Squadron (FS): 8N
• 406th Fighter Squadron (FS): 4W

Aircraft

• P-47 Thunderbolt:
  • The 371st FG flew the P-47 Thunderbolt throughout its deployment in the European Theater.

Squadron Colors and Aircraft Markings

• 404th FS:

  • Noseband: Red, later extended to the entire cowling.
  • Fin and Rudder: Light blue.

• 405th FS:

  • Noseband: Medium blue, later extended to the entire cowling.

• 406th FS:

  • Noseband: Yellow, later extended to the entire cowling.

Aircraft Markings

• All squadrons of the 371st FG applied their respective squadron colors to the entire cowling area of their P-47 Thunderbolts. In some cases, the cowling flaps were also painted, though the specific purpose and extent of these additional markings are not fully documented.