Does anyone know where mission records for the 14th FG would be?  I assume copies would be at the College Park archives, but can anyone confirm this? 
 
I am looking for escort missions flown by the 14th on June 10, 1944.  I believe the 14th escorted the 463rd BG to Mestre on this date, and then also escorted a Catalina on a search and rescue mission later this same day.
 
Also, are there any history books on the 14th Fighter Group?
 
Thanks,
 
Marty

From a 49th FS diary:
 
 
On June 10, 1944, the target was the marshalling yards at Mestre, Italy.  Heavies belonging to the 5th & 49th Wings were to do the bombing while protected by P‑38 escorts. Squadron pilots flew north up the Adriatic, crossing the coast so as to circle the target just northwest of Venice (Venezia). The bombing went off well, setting big fires at the target. "Lightning" pilots reported seeing a good deal of yellow smoke, indicating the probability that an ammunition train had been hit. There was no contact with enemy aircraft, but about 20 were sighted in a rapid climb near Udine. There was heavy flak above the target. This did not prevent the Squadron's P‑38s from protecting the last of the departing bombers.  They then circled eastward toward Trieste to see if any bombers needed help there. Discovering none to be in trouble, the P‑38s shielded the tail‑end of homeward bound bombers as far as Ancona down the Adriatic coast and from that checkpoint returned to base. Along the way, a couple of P‑38s were seen circling over a dinghy, which did not appear to have anybody in it.  Very likely,this indicated an air‑sea rescue mission in progress.

bar

Brian A Reno, LtCol USAFR
49 FTS Alumni (AT-38 Columbus AFB, MS)
T-38, F-4G, AT-38

Thanks Brian. 
I appreciate you looking this up.  I am guessing since this diary was from a 49th FS pilot, the P-38's seen circling were from one of the other squadrons in the 14th FG.  I believe all the P-38's from the other two groups were all on the mission to Ploesti that day.

This diary kind of follows the summary in the "Fighting 463rd" book, which says that P-38's went down and dropped life rafts to the airmen from the B-17 who had parachuted into the water.  It sounds like some P-38's spotted a raft and flew down to investigate it, and somewhere along the line someone gave them credit for having dropped the raft too.

I would still like to see a full summary of the missions flown by the 14th on this day, to see if there are any other mention of the crashing of the B-17 or the attempted rescue mission.  It looks like I need to make a visit to College Park to see what their records say.

Marty

You may allso get the information on the 14th FG from the P38 national Association at March AFB Cal      Try them at www.p38assn.org

Hi Brian

I would like to ask you for a favour. Seems you have a big knowledge on 49.FS. Can you please look up for me dec 6 1944 mission data? NMR or any other info. I am trying to identify also the sole claim they had on Me 109. It was most probably JG 51 machine..
Thanks

Peter

Peter Kassak
pkassak(AT)yahoo.com

John,
 
Thanks for the lead to the P-38 site.  I have sent them an e-mail asking if they have the records and if so how to obtain copies.
 
Marty

The diary I have ends 4 Dec 1944  :(
 

bar

Brian A Reno, LtCol USAFR
49 FTS Alumni (AT-38 Columbus AFB, MS)
T-38, F-4G, AT-38

Why it is always like that. When I ask for something related to Slovakia and air combat, it is lost, missing or not available... :) That makes my research more interesting...It is not criticism or any bad work to your side...just commenting it loudly:)
Thanks for help. An 48FS Diary August 7, 1944??? ;)

Peter Kassak
pkassak(AT)yahoo.com

I exchanged messages with the folks at the P-38 National Association.  They don't have any records for the 14th FG, and their suggestion was to get copies of the records on microfilm from Maxwell.  If I get the roll(s) I will post letting everyone know how useful they look.
 
Marty

Marty
     If you find the information would you please let me know ,  I had posted earler on this site that we are planing on maybe having  a 14th fighter group reunion with all of the squadrons attending , It would be in 2009 since we have allready planed or next reunion at Langley AFB VA. in 2008 .  It would be great to have all of the Squadrons at one reunion, Specialy since there are fewer of the original members  still with us.    If any of the other sq. members would loke to join us at Langley they would be more than welcome   I can be contacted at jonwc99@aol.com   PS  the  invitation go's to all of the sister Squadrons also  
                             John Carr
 
 
 
 

Hi Marty      guess im late in making a comment on you post   I was at the P38 National Associan during our last reunion in 07 and they had many items of the 14th on display  along with  info on all of the squadrons .

John,  When will the reunion at Langley take place?  Or maybe it's already happened.  Langley is not that far from Washington, DC where I live and I might be able to find out more about my cousin, Lothrop Ellis who flew in the 49th FS of the 14th.

Paul

Paul   I dont have the defenate date yet  only that it will be in Sept  Maybe Joe has the info   you can reach him at jonesty2@roadruner.com    he is the squadron association sec. and handels the invatations    I will get the info and post it here  soon

Paul  
We have the date of Sept 24 thru 28th firmed up   I dont have all of the info just yet  Joe the gentelman that usualy gets it all togeather is having problems but I have the info on the  way  and will post it as soon as it arirves   also theres a new contact to use besides me  it is bigbob880@aol.com  we are working togeather to take the slack off of Joe    All of the former 14th FTR GP and any one else that is interestrd in attending can contact me or bob and we will be glad to get you all of the information
 
 Hope to see a lot of new faces at our reunion

10 Jun 1944...1st & 82Fgs together had about 18 - MARC's for Rumaina area & Ploesti..
 
Terry T.