PORTLAND, Ore. -- “The rumor of yesterday is now confirmed - THE WAR IN EUROPE IS DEFINITELY OVER” recorded the entry for 8 May, 1945 in the 405th Fighter Squadron’s monthly history for May, 1945. And so it was, eighty years ago today, marking Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day). The 142nd Wing, then designated as the 371st Fighter Group and parent unit to the 404th, 405th and 406th fighter squadrons, was an important part of the victorious Allied team. The group, commanded through the war by Colonel Bingham T. “Bing” Kleine, was part of Ninth Air Force and flew the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter in combat in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) from 12 April 1944 to 8 May 1945.
For an overview of the group’s operations in the weeks leading up to, on and immediately after V-E Day, see “There at the Finish – The 371st Fighter Group on Victory in Europe Day,” at: https://www.142wg.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2181178/there-at-the-finish-the-371st-fighter-group-on-victory-in-europe-day/
Though written for one of the group’s three fighter squadrons, a portion of the May 1945 history of the 404th Fighter Squadron, drafted by the squadron’s Historical Officer, 1st Lt. Thomas P. Marsh described the key elements of the group’s experience in the ETO. Lt. Marsh wrote:
“The operational story for the month of May can be briefly told. Due to bad weather, the long distance to the bomb-line, and the end of the war, three combat missions were flown.
“However, the squadron had more than contributed it’s share in the past months in bringing the enemy to defeat. The first few days of May were more than an anti-climax -, a period of waiting for the inevitable collapse of Germany. And when it came, all personnel had the satisfied feeling of a hard job well done.
“One of the primary purposes for which the squadron was activated had been accomplished and accomplished well. At the conclusion of the hostilities the outfit had collected five battle stars for the various campaigns in which it had participated. A total of six hundred and seventeen combat missions had been flown since the arrival of the eager but uncertain group of men at Bistern, England on the 7th of March 1944. The many obstacles entailed in the waging of war had been met and surmounted in various and sometimes unorthodox ways. The first days of combat operations, the invasion of France, the cold winter in the field, the many difficult moves, and the loss of friends all serve to weld the individuals into one compact and hard-working fighter squadron. And its primary purpose was to keep the planes in the air. A record was made of which each man may be justly proud.”
As the war ended the paperwork continued to flow, including that for awards and decorations earned for previous accomplishments, which reflected the group’s war across Northwestern Europe. For example, there were beaucoup Air Medals and several of the Distinguished Flying Crosses (DFC) given in Ninth Air Force General Orders 65, dated 7 May 1945. The DFC, given for single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement, was awarded to six 371st Fighter Group P-47 pilots in this order. Their citations all began with “For extraordinary achievement in aerial flight in the European Theater of Operations.” These citations describe some of the many battles the group’s pilots fought, and read as follows:
First Lieutenant Lawrence D. Damewood of the 406th Fighter Squadron, for his combat mission flown on 3 October 1944. “Lt DAMEWOOD was flying in a cover flight of a squadron enroute to bomb railroad lines in Germany when attacked by a superior number of enemy aircraft. Despite heavy antiaircraft fire and the unequal odds Lt. DAMEWOOD vigorously pursued one of the hostile planes and destroyed it. Although his own aircraft was severely damaged during the course of this engagement he determinedly stayed with the formation until the condition of his aircraft became so critical that he was compelled to abandon it. His courageous devotion to duty on this occasion is exemplary of the finest traditions of the Service. Entered military service from Virginia.” (Sec V, GO No. 65, Ninth Air Force, 7 May 1945, p. 6-7)
First Lieutenant William H. Gill, 405th Fighter Squadron, for his aerial flight against the enemy on 17 March 1945: “Lt GILL distinguished himself by outstanding aerial proficiency and leadership while attacking enemy motor transports in the vicinity of St Wendel, Germany. Despite the concentration of intense antiaircraft fire Lt GILL directed his flight on several low altitude attacks and destroyed eighteen motor transports and damaged sixteen others. With his ammunition and fuel supplies nearing exhaustion Lt GILL successfully bombed and strafed additional enemy concentrations, thereby contributing in large measure to the rapid advancement of allied ground forces. His perseverance, courage and technical skill, as well as his fearless leadership on this occasion, are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Army Air Forces. Entered military service from Maryland.” (Sec V, GO No. 65, Ninth Air Force, 7 May 1945, p. 7)
First Lt. Fred D. Nightingale, 405th Fighter Squadron was awarded the DFC for his bombing and strafing mission on 14 October 1944. “After successfully destroying important railroad lines in the vicinity of Ulm and Friedrickshafen, Germany, Lt NIGHTINGALE, despite intense antiaircraft fire, led his element in repeated strafing attacks and destroyed a large number of locomotives and rolling stock. His outstanding leadership and tactical proficiency were in a large measure responsible for the success of this mission and reflect great credit upon himself and his organization. Entered military service from New York.” (Sec V, GO No. 65, Ninth Air Force, 7 May 1945, p. 10)
First Lieutenant Estell L. Stobough of the 404th Fighter Squadron for extraordinary achievement in aerial flight against the enemy on 28 February 1945: “While leading a flight of P-47 type aircraft, providing top cover for a squadron dive-bombing an enemy installation in the vicinity of Darmstadt, Germany, Lt STOBOUGH sighted 20 enemy aircraft attacking the squadron. Despite their numerically superior numbers, Lt STOBOUGH led his flight against the enemy, and during the course of the engagement, he personally accounted for the destruction of two enemy fighters. Demonstrating aggressive determination, Lt STOBOUGH continued his attacks until the remaining enemy aircraft were dispersed, and, as a result of his brilliant leadership on this occasion, the complete success of the mission was assured. Entered military service from Oklahoma.” (Sec V, GO No. 65, Ninth Air Force, 7 May 1945, p. 11)
Captain Alexander H. Tait, of the 405th Fighter Squadron: “Serving as a pilot of a P-47 type aircraft on 21 February 1945, Capt. TAIT led two successful missions in cooperation with allied ground forces in the vicinity of the Saar-Moselle Triangle. Despite a withering barrage of enemy antiaircraft fire, Capt. TAIT made repeated attacks on the targets and destroyed vital hostile installations, gun emplacements, enemy personnel and other vital material. Capt. TAIT’S high professional skill and tactical technique, as well as his courageous devotion to duty on this occasion, contributed in large measure to the successful advance of the ground forces. Entered military service from Virginia.” (Sec V, GO No. 65, Ninth Air Force, 7 May 1945, pp. 11-12)
Lieutenant Colonel Sanders E. Delaney, 406th Fighter Squadron, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross for his action on 20 October 1944: “While leading a squadron on a dive-bombing mission in Germany his formation was attacked by twenty enemy aircraft. However, under Lt Col DELANEY’S skillful (sic) leadership, the squadron remained in close formation during the engagement with the enemy and he himself was responsible for the destruction of two aircraft. His formation then continued on and bombed an important enemy bridge with outstanding success. His superior flying skill and forceful leadership on this occasion contributed in large measure to the completion of the mission, which reflects the highest credit upon himself and his organization. Entered military service from Illinois.” (Sec V, GO No. 65, Ninth Air Force, 7 May 1945, p. 14)
These DFC-winning missions were among the total 1,749 combat missions flown by the three fighter squadrons of the 371st Fighter Group, consisting of 17, 866 individual aircraft sorties. The P-47s flown by the group fired 5,390,321 rounds of .50 caliber machine gun ammunition and dropped 4,167 tons of bombs. The results of all this are summarized on page 64 of the 1946 publication The Story of the 371st Fighter Group in the ETO (Army & Navy Publishers, Baton Rouge, La.) and is included among the images accompanying this article.
The effort cost the lives of 55 members of the group, including battle and non-battle deaths. Five men remain missing to this day. Twenty pilots were shot down and captured by the Germans, including two who escaped and evaded back to friendly lines and one who died in captivity. Another pilot was captured by a rogue group of Frenchmen who debated selling him to the Germans, but he escaped before that happened. Over 100 P-47 aircraft were expended in combat and in non-combat operations, some outright destroyed, and others written off after returning to base due to extensive damage.
In recognition for the group’s important role, it was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation, the highest American unit-level award (now called the Presidential Unit Citation), for its actions in Germany between 15 - 21 March 1945.
The group also garnered some foreign recognition in being cited in the Belgian Army Order of the Day for the period 6 June to 30 September 1944. The 371st Fighter Group received credit for participation in six military campaigns across Northwest Europe, including Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe campaigns.
On this 80th anniversary of V-E Day, we remember the members and achievements of the 371st Fighter Group team. May a grateful nation and its citizens honor their service, heroic sacrifice and vital contributions to the defeat of Nazi Germany and fascism in Europe.