Re: Princess Marge P-51B/C
Hi Jason-
That's REALLY neat having such family history & thanks for sharing w/the rest of us. (+ Being on the cover of LIFE Magazine- few people out there have that kind of achievement f/their family archives.)
Checked my ref. library for anything that might add to the info you are gathering. Don't have alot on the 9th USAAF, but did find a couple items that may or may not help you pin factual details down.
*Fm historian/author- Kenn C. Rust's book- The 9th Air Force in World War II (1970 Aero Publishers-Revised 2nd printing) P.189:
"362nd FIGHTER GROUP: By the late summer of 1944, the P-47s of the Group had the tip of the fin and rudder, above the recognition band, painted red. By the same time, squadron colors were in use, being applied to the first 18 inches of the cowl. These colors were - Red for the 377th Squadron, Green for the 378th, and Yellow for the 379th."
"363rd FIGHTER GROUP: The P-51 equipped Group did not carry group color markings. Squadron colors, however, were applied to the spinner and nose band - Blue for the 380th Squadron, Yellow for the 381st, and Red for the 382nd. These were in use when the unit was redesignated a tactical reconnaisance group in September 1944."
(Appears that the 362nd FG was a WW2 Jug outfit, although the following book title notes they- "Trained in P-51's"...DBD)
*Fm AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II - HISTORY and INSIGNIA - Edited by Maurer Maurer (Orig. pub. 1961/Reprinted 1980 - Zenger Pub. Co.) P.246-247:
"363d RECONNAISSANCE GROUP -
Constituted as 363d Fighter Group on 11 Feb 1943. Activated on 1 Mar 1943. Trained with P-39's and served as part of the air defense force. Moved to England in Dec 1943 for duty with Ninth AF. Equipped with P-51's in Jan 1944 and entered combat in Feb. Escorted bombers and fighter-bombers to targets in France, Germany, and the Low Countires; strafed and dive-bombed trains, marshalling yards, bridges, vehicles, airfields, troops, gun positions, and other targets on the Continent. Supported the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944 by escorting troop cariers and gliders and by attacking enemy positions near the front lines, and moved to the Continent at the end of Jun to take part in the Allied drive to the German border.
Redesignated 363d Tactical Reconnaisance Group in Aug 1944. Equipped with F-5 and F-6 aircraft. Flew photographic missions to support both air and ground operations; directed fighter-bombers to railway, highway, and waterway traffic, bridges, gun positions, troop concentrations, and other opportune targets; adjusted artillery fire; and took photographs to assess results of Allied bombardment operations. Received two Belgian cirations for reconnaissance activities, including the group's support of the assault on the Siegfried Line and its participation in the Battle of the Bulge (Dec 1944-Jan 1945). Assisted Ninth Army's drive across the Rhine and deep into Germany during the period from Feb. 1945 to V-E Day. Redesignated 363rd Reconnaissance Group in Jun 1945. Returned to US in Dec. Inactivated on 11 Dec 1945.
Activated on 29 Jul 1946. Equipped initially with RF-80 and RB-26 aircraft, and later with RF-84 and RB-57 aircraft. Redesignated 363d Tactical Reconnaisance Group in Jun 1948.
SQUADRONS. 9th: 1953-. 12th: 1946-1947. 17th: 1951-. 31st: 1945. 33d: 1945. 39th: 1945. 155th: 1945. 160th (formerly 380th, later 16th): 1943-1945; 19471949, 1950-. 161st (formerly 381st, later 18th): 1943-1945; 1946-1949, 1951-. 162d (formerly 382nd): 1943-1944; 1946-1050." (Continues-on w/Stations, Commanders, Campaigns, Decorations & Insigne. I'd be happy to fax or email you the rest of the text to you Jason, if you PM me your contact info.)
This specific unit history book looks like a really good one:
The 363rd Fighter Group in World War II: In Action over Europe with the P-51 Mustang by Kent D. Miller. Shiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 19310; 192 pages; illustrated; $49.95.
Found this June 2003 Flight Journal Magazine (Air Age Pub. Co.) book review extract on it online:
"More unit histories have recently been published because members of the "greatest generation" are painfully aware that time is running short. An example is the new book "The 363rd Fighter Group in World War II" by Kent D. Miller. It is the unusual story of the third group to fly the P-51 Mustang in combat over Europe; a group that existed as a pure fighter group for only seven months. During its brief existence, how-ever, it counted among its members future aces such as Brace Carr and James Jabara.
There is a large photo section, with great images of those operations and the planes flown, including wonderful color profiles of some of the 363rd's P-51s. Since the FG flew both escort and ground support, appendices include victory claims (obviously limited), bomb tonnage and a list of high scorers as well as a pilot list, a group hierarchy and an expansive list of aircraft used.
It is one of the better unit histories recently published. Until now, not much has been written about the 363rd FG, and documentation must have been difficult; that, of course, makes it all the more valuable to historians and enthusiasts alike. Recommended.
-Robert S. DeGroat"
Jason- Good Luck & hope you find some real research gems during your hunt f/historical facts & photos!
DBD
Hi Jason-
That's REALLY neat having such family history & thanks for sharing w/the rest of us. (+ Being on the cover of LIFE Magazine- few people out there have that kind of achievement f/their family archives.)
Checked my ref. library for anything that might add to the info you are gathering. Don't have alot on the 9th USAAF, but did find a couple items that may or may not help you pin factual details down.
*Fm historian/author- Kenn C. Rust's book- The 9th Air Force in World War II (1970 Aero Publishers-Revised 2nd printing) P.189:
"362nd FIGHTER GROUP: By the late summer of 1944, the P-47s of the Group had the tip of the fin and rudder, above the recognition band, painted red. By the same time, squadron colors were in use, being applied to the first 18 inches of the cowl. These colors were - Red for the 377th Squadron, Green for the 378th, and Yellow for the 379th."
"363rd FIGHTER GROUP: The P-51 equipped Group did not carry group color markings. Squadron colors, however, were applied to the spinner and nose band - Blue for the 380th Squadron, Yellow for the 381st, and Red for the 382nd. These were in use when the unit was redesignated a tactical reconnaisance group in September 1944."
(Appears that the 362nd FG was a WW2 Jug outfit, although the following book title notes they- "Trained in P-51's"...DBD)
*Fm AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II - HISTORY and INSIGNIA - Edited by Maurer Maurer (Orig. pub. 1961/Reprinted 1980 - Zenger Pub. Co.) P.246-247:
"363d RECONNAISSANCE GROUP -
Constituted as 363d Fighter Group on 11 Feb 1943. Activated on 1 Mar 1943. Trained with P-39's and served as part of the air defense force. Moved to England in Dec 1943 for duty with Ninth AF. Equipped with P-51's in Jan 1944 and entered combat in Feb. Escorted bombers and fighter-bombers to targets in France, Germany, and the Low Countires; strafed and dive-bombed trains, marshalling yards, bridges, vehicles, airfields, troops, gun positions, and other targets on the Continent. Supported the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944 by escorting troop cariers and gliders and by attacking enemy positions near the front lines, and moved to the Continent at the end of Jun to take part in the Allied drive to the German border.
Redesignated 363d Tactical Reconnaisance Group in Aug 1944. Equipped with F-5 and F-6 aircraft. Flew photographic missions to support both air and ground operations; directed fighter-bombers to railway, highway, and waterway traffic, bridges, gun positions, troop concentrations, and other opportune targets; adjusted artillery fire; and took photographs to assess results of Allied bombardment operations. Received two Belgian cirations for reconnaissance activities, including the group's support of the assault on the Siegfried Line and its participation in the Battle of the Bulge (Dec 1944-Jan 1945). Assisted Ninth Army's drive across the Rhine and deep into Germany during the period from Feb. 1945 to V-E Day. Redesignated 363rd Reconnaissance Group in Jun 1945. Returned to US in Dec. Inactivated on 11 Dec 1945.
Activated on 29 Jul 1946. Equipped initially with RF-80 and RB-26 aircraft, and later with RF-84 and RB-57 aircraft. Redesignated 363d Tactical Reconnaisance Group in Jun 1948.
SQUADRONS. 9th: 1953-. 12th: 1946-1947. 17th: 1951-. 31st: 1945. 33d: 1945. 39th: 1945. 155th: 1945. 160th (formerly 380th, later 16th): 1943-1945; 19471949, 1950-. 161st (formerly 381st, later 18th): 1943-1945; 1946-1949, 1951-. 162d (formerly 382nd): 1943-1944; 1946-1050." (Continues-on w/Stations, Commanders, Campaigns, Decorations & Insigne. I'd be happy to fax or email you the rest of the text to you Jason, if you PM me your contact info.)
This specific unit history book looks like a really good one:
The 363rd Fighter Group in World War II: In Action over Europe with the P-51 Mustang by Kent D. Miller. Shiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 19310; 192 pages; illustrated; $49.95.
Found this June 2003 Flight Journal Magazine (Air Age Pub. Co.) book review extract on it online:
"More unit histories have recently been published because members of the "greatest generation" are painfully aware that time is running short. An example is the new book "The 363rd Fighter Group in World War II" by Kent D. Miller. It is the unusual story of the third group to fly the P-51 Mustang in combat over Europe; a group that existed as a pure fighter group for only seven months. During its brief existence, how-ever, it counted among its members future aces such as Brace Carr and James Jabara.
There is a large photo section, with great images of those operations and the planes flown, including wonderful color profiles of some of the 363rd's P-51s. Since the FG flew both escort and ground support, appendices include victory claims (obviously limited), bomb tonnage and a list of high scorers as well as a pilot list, a group hierarchy and an expansive list of aircraft used.
It is one of the better unit histories recently published. Until now, not much has been written about the 363rd FG, and documentation must have been difficult; that, of course, makes it all the more valuable to historians and enthusiasts alike. Recommended.
-Robert S. DeGroat"
Jason- Good Luck & hope you find some real research gems during your hunt f/historical facts & photos!
DBD
.
Comment