325th FG - P-47 variants - Italy - January / February 1944

[Wotan]

Both the 332nd and 325th FGs were attached to the 15th Air Force somewhere around mid October 1943. The 332nd didn't receive P-47s until April 1944. With the 325th I have seen a few images of a P-47 from the 319th FS / 325th FG labeled as "Dallas Blonde - P-47D-16-RE - Lesina, Italy - Early 1944" but from what I can gather this was at the earliest March 1944 - sound correct? Does anyone have better information on service dates for P-47 D-15/16 variants in Italy during January / February 1944? I have data for the 57th, 79th, and 350th FGs. I just need better sourced confirmation for the P-47D-15/16 for the 325th FG during early 1944.

From:

P-47 Thunderbolt Aces of the Ninth and Fifteenth Air Forces. Scutts & Davey.

I have seen images of D-16s:

Caption on page 28:
Although better known for their spectacular black and yellow checkered tails [referring to the 325th FG], the group's initial batch of Thunderbolts were very plain indeed, as this P-47D-10 seen at Foggia in late 1943 proves. The group received its first dozen P-47D-6s and D-10s as P-40F replacements in September, and after a period of pilot conversion training in Tunisia, the premier Thunderbolt mission (involving no fewer than 48 aircraft) took place on 14 December. Older D-models like this particular aircraft had been passed to the Twelfth Air Force's 57th and 79th FGs before the end of January 1944, the 325th taking delivery of longer ranged D-15s and D-16s in their place.

Caption on page 29:
Quickly appreciating the rugged qualities of the P-47 in comparison with their old Warhawks, the 'Checkertail Clan' soon began to rack up air combat victories on long-range escort missions. The first P-47 kill occurred on 30 December 1943, but the big day for the unit was 30 January 1944, when a surprise attack on Italian airfields netted 38 victories, six of which fell to leading 325th FG Thunderbolt ace 'Herky' Green.

Wotan

[Hajo]

Wotan  the book Air war over Italy by Andrew Brookes is a great source for that info.

I have it...will look into it tonight or tomorrow for you.

Hajo

[Hajo]

wotan  P47s were in the air during the landings at Anzio behind the beachhead January 22nd.

Quote:  from the book the airwar over Italy:

    behind the beachead, US p47 strategic fighters swept the
Rome area and claimed 5 BF109s, while other fighters and
fighter-bombers assisted the heavies and mediums in their
efforts to isolate the battlefield by cutting and harrying railways
and roads.

the date 22 January 1944

The book also lists the 325th FG as active with P47s 1 November 1943. 

Now....I'll get to my Bodie book Thunderbolt Seversky to Victory and see what I can scrounge up there.

OK...On 11 October 1943, Colonel Baseler buzzed the 325FG base at Mateur with a new republic P47D-10 -RE beginning the transition to Thunderbolts. (Bodie)

OK...scrounged   Bodies book.  There weren't that many 15RE & 16RE models made.
There were 3 runs as follow:

                                Contract                                           Quantity                                         AC Serial Number
P-47D-15-RE           W535-AC-29279                                         250                                        42-75615 thru 75684
P-47D-15-RE           W535-AC-29279                                         246                                        42-76119 thru 76364
P-47D-16-RE           W535-AC-29279                                         254                                        42-75865 thru 76118
                                                                                  Total  750
These were the only D15s and D16 models manufactured.

This info appears to say THEY COULD HAVE had the 15s and 16s by then.  It does not state in any of my sources what model they flew at your dates. (early 44)
According to info that I read the 317th FS earliest actions in P47s were Dec 13th 1943 as escorts.  318th and 319th I've not read yet.



 
Hope this is of service!

Hajo

[Wotan]

Still looking for more concrete dates but thanks!

btw - how ya been?

Wotan

[Hajo]

Not bad Bro thanks!  I'll keep looking.

The Osprey Books you are reading I also have.  Nice plates.  Jerry Scutts authored many of them.

He is a prolific aviation writer of WW2 era aircraft.  Being prolific however does not guarantee accuracy.

I checked one 325th sight.  No mention of models D15/16RE just Thunderbolts.

[Ruah]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idLl3v7rmAU&feature=related

maby its not really that related, but U-tube really does have everything!!

[Hajo]

Wotan:

I've written the USAF Air College.  Hopefully we'll get a response soon.  They're usually great responding.

If they don't have the answer they can point in the right direction.

Hajo

[Guppy35]

Bodhi's book says that the 325th got D15s and D16s in January 44 and that their D10s were retrofitted with belly and wing racks to carry DTs or bombs.  They also got the checkertails so it was impossible to tell which was which unless you knew the serial number.

[Hajo]

Dan...... Bodhi???? He is in my Squad 

And Wotan I can confirm Dans answer....there ya go !


Now....to find their first use....this oughta be good.

Serial Numbers are in the above Post.

Bodie describes the 15 & 16REs as basically D11-REs with wing strengthening for accommodating the installation of pylons
for bombs up to 1K and DTs with 175 gal. capacity.

[AWwrgwy]

Dan...... Bodhi???? He is in my Squad 

Warren M. Bodie

Widewing Publications


wrongway

[Hajo]

Wrongway.....I have a few books by  Mr Bodie.

BTW he probably has the largest collection of aircraft photos during the WWII Era. (per/Widewing who co-authored books with him)

[Guppy35]

Dan...... Bodhi???? He is in my Squad 

And Wotan I can confirm Dans answer....there ya go !


Now....to find their first use....this oughta be good.

Serial Numbers are in the above Post.

Bodie describes the 15 & 16REs as basically D11-REs with wing strengthening for accommodating the installation of pylons
for bombs up to 1K and DTs with 175 gal. capacity.

OK so they both like airplanes

Warren Bodie.  Best book on the T-Bolt, and best book on the 38

[AWwrgwy]

Wrongway.....I have a few books by  Mr Bodie.

BTW he probably has the largest collection of aircraft photos during the WWII Era. (per/Widewing who co-authored books with him)

Doh!!  I missed the ' on the =)


wrongway

[Hajo]

Dan....have'em both 


IMHO probably Bodie is the best.

[Wotan]

Thanks all - thats just what I was looking for.

Wotan