Hardstand
Significant Days in the History of the P-38 (Part II)
By John Stanaway
MARCH
There were several key March days in the operational history of the P-38. The great sea battle in the Bismarck Sea was perhaps the first of significant moments in the service life of the P-38, and began the impression in the public mind that the P-38 was central to the turn of the tide in the Southwest Pacific. In the Mediterranean more than 20 Axis aircraft were claimed at the end of the month in 1943 to initiate the period of impressive successes in North Africa that spurred the P-38 to the fore of fighter aircraft in the theater. In 1944 the P-38s of the 475th Fighter Group and the 80th Fighter Squadron began claiming Japanese aircraft over Hollandia to start the final drive to eliminate Japanese forces in New Guinea.
March 3, 1943: P-38s of the 39th and 9th Fighter Groups cover attacks on the Japanese convoys heading for Lae, and claim many Zeros and Oscars (Japanese sources specify 10 Zeros lost, plus several Oscars) to help score a stunning victory that virtually wiped out a force of 16 destroyers and transports.
March 3, 1944: P-38s of the 20th and 55th Fighter Groups are the first American fighters over Berlin when they manage to reach the German capital after a general recall of the bombing mission due to weather. (Note: some of the P-38s sported red noses, per Goering’s lament that he knew the war was lost when he saw red-nosed American fighters over the city.
March 8, 1944: 364th Fighter Group P-38s have their best day when they claim nine of an 8th Fighter Command bag totaling some 80 German fighters on another Berlin raid.
March 30, 1944: On the first strike at Hollandia (the old capital of Dutch New Guinea) the 80th Fighter Squadron claims seven JAAF fighters.
March 31, 1944: 80th and 431st Fighter Squadrons score a total of 14 claims over Hollandia. Jay Robbins gets three more victories during the two days to bring his total to 17 confirmed of an eventual 22.
