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“No matter how long it may take us to overcome this
premeditated invasion, the American people in their
righteous might will win through to absolute victory,”
declared President Franklin D. Roosevelt during an address
to Congress.
The address was a response to an attack
on U.S. soil the day prior, which claimed more than 2,000
lives.
On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese
military forces attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in an attempt
to weaken the United States Pacific Fleet. The “Day of
Infamy” would act as a catalyst, beginning the involvement
of the U.S. in what would become one of the largest armed
conflicts in history ... World War II.
Two years
later, the 20th Fighter Group, now known as the 20th
Operations Group, moved from March Field, California, to
Royal Air Force King’s Cliffe, Northamptonshire, England, to
support the European war front, Aug. 26, 1943.
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U.S. Army officers assigned to the 77th Fighter Squadron pose
for a picture in front of a P-38 Lightning at Royal Air Force King’s
Cliffe, Northamptonshire, England, circa 1944. The officers took the
picture prior to participating in D-Day, also known as the invasion
of Normandy. (Courtesy photo provided by U.S. Air Force 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)
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Due to lack of resources in the group’s new home, the
55th Fighter Squadron had to be based out of Royal Air Force
Wittering, England, until April 1944.
“When we got
there, according to some sources, the airfield was very bad
and the buildings were inadequate,” said Christopher Koonce, 20th Fighter Wing historian.
“They basically had to build the place up from scratch as soon as
they got there and conduct missions at the same time.”
During
the group’s stay at King’s Cliffe, the pilots were primarily
responsible for escorting medium and heavy bomber aircraft to
targets in Europe. After the escort missions were completed, the
pilots routinely strafed targets of opportunity while flying back to
England. Pilots assigned to the 20th FG destroyed approximately 400
Axis locomotive engines, one of the common targets of opportunity,
earning them the title of “Loco Boys.”
“(Europe) didn’t have
interstate systems,” said Koonce. “It might be five miles (to their
destination) as the crow flies, but it might take you twenty miles
to get there. Locomotives traveled straight and were able to get
equipment and troops wherever they needed quickly as opposed to
using the road system.”
Between April and August 1944, 20th
FG pilots also performed light bomber sorties, bombing German
airfields, trains, barracks, radio stations and other targets
throughout France, Belgium and Germany.
The 20th FG
accomplished their missions with the P-38 Lightning from 1943 to
July 21, 1944. Although the aircraft had many successful missions,
they were not well-equipped to handle the extreme cold and high
moisture conditions present in the operating altitudes over Northern
Europe.
“We adapt,” said Koonce. “In the early days of
aviation, we were adapting all the time. We’d have one aircraft and
we’d build something that was better.”
On July 22, 1944, the
group had completely transitioned to the North American P-51
Mustang, which allowed aviators an extended flying range and more
horsepower. During the aircraft’s first month of operations, 20th FG
pilots demonstrated their new capabilities, destroying approximately
70 Axis aircraft. After mid-1944, many 20th FG missions ran
unopposed by enemy aircraft.
On June 6, 1944, commonly known
as D-Day, American and British airborne divisions spearheaded the
invasion of Normandy, France, to liberate northwestern Europe and
end the Nazi regime. Above them, pilots assigned to the 20th FG as
well as other P-38 fighter groups assigned to the 8th and 9th Air
Forces, provided continuous protection from air attacks.
“It
was World War II,” said Koonce about the importance of the 20th FG’s
presence in England. “We were at war with an evil empire and every
man, woman and child was involved.”
The 20th FG completed
more than 300 missions during its time in England and returned to
the U.S. in Oct. 1945, after Victory in Europe Day was proclaimed
May 8 of that year.
By U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Destinee Sweeney
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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