Hi all. I am still trying to verify detail on escort mission that 20th FG partook, covering 1st Air Division August 3rd 1944. Involved 1st, 40th and 94th CBW's - included targets at Strasbourg, Mulhouse and Merkwiller.
Field Order 457 shows the 20th as still operating P-38 Lightnings, although they where in middle of exchanging these at this time for P-51's. Rendezvous with 1st AD task force 13.46hrs at Dutch coast, Town of Westhoofd.
 
The 20th may not have completed a full escort, and could have dropped out of formation to conduct 'Freelance' Op's on ground, strafing T/O's in Alsace region.
 
If there is anyone out there with a keen interest on 20th FG, and has access to Unit history, diary etc, that can confirm what exactly the 20thFG did on August 3rd 44, then I'd sure appreciate help.
 
Over to you!
Regards Ian W

Ian White - 305th BGMA Hon. Life Associate, UK Contact and Organiser of next years 40th Combat Wing UK Reunion - May 21st-31st 2009

Hi Ian
Mission Number 146 3 August 1944    Eighth Air Force dispatched very strong forces of heavy
bombers to attack railway & marschalling yards in the Saar  Basin & Eastern France .Several
Eighth Fighter Command Groups carried bombing and strafing attacks in the same area .Other
heavy bomber forces attacked bridges  and German supply depots in S.E of Paris
The 20th FG escorted 2 Fortress Wings bombing Saarbrucken near the the German - French
border from Northern Belgium through the target and again to the Dutch Islands
Impatient with the peace and tranquility of the skies, the Lieutenant RADER  77 FS. leader of
flight  Blue to deck where they sought out the ennemy with the following modest resultat
1 loco, 2 trucks, and 1 command car destroyed
Flight Blue: Lts. RADER. BRUCKS. FIEBELKORN . CLOUGH
(History of 20th FG.)           Perhaps  that a few infos help you           jean- paul