Flying Models Magazine January 2012 announcement re: Fogg in the Cockpit

Text from page 12:

Fogg in the Cockpit

Renowned for decades as the world’s foremost railroad artist, Howard Fogg’s career spanned half a century and some twelve hundred paintings.

However, while his art has been welcomed for decades, few of his enthusiasts have been aware of his prior career, as a fighter pilot in the U.S. 8th Air Force during World War II. Fortunately Fogg left behind a detailed diary of his experiences, which illuminate this brief but exciting aspect of his life, as he engaged in direct combat with the Luftwaffe at the controls of P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs.

Articulate and insightful, his diary offers a frank and fascinating glimpse into the life of a fighter pilot, both in the sky and in wartime England. Written during 1943 and 1944 it offers a confidential perspective of life as a “flyboy,” during which Howard flew 76 combat missions and was awarded the Air Medal with three clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross with one cluster.

Presented in its entirety, with supplementary material by Richard and Janet Fogg and supporting illustrations from Fogg himself, including satirical cartoons, military and railroad artwork, Fogg in the Cockpit paints with a broad brush, from the smallest details of a pilot’s day-to-day existence, to air combat, and the strategic and political decisions that influenced the course of the war.

This 6” X 9-1/4” hardcover book contains over 360 pages. The price is $32.95.

CASEMATE PUBLISHERS, 908 Darby Road, Havertown, PA 19083,
610-853-9131, www.casematepublishing.com

Flying Models website

December 22, 1944 Mission

An excerpt from Fogg in the Cockpit, The Wartime Diary of Howard Fogg:

Wednesday, December 22 (1944): Wretham

Fast moving overcast, broke by noon.

Briefing at 1100. Took off at 1215 with Major Richmond, Baldy, and Hagan. Major really flies smooth. I had Randy’s ship, which is damn good. Enjoyed successful ascent thru the clouds. What a gorgeous sight on top. We essed over the second box of 18 B-17s at 27,500 feet. Impressive to see hundreds of B-17s below you against the dazzling white clouds.

Colonel is really happy about the mission. Four aborts in squadron. Whole group off in 6 minutes 35 seconds. Baldy was low on gas, so he peeled off near Yarmouth.

Downing and Hollis saw a couple of bombs yesterday by their ships. Said, “Hell let’s put ‘em on,” so they had ‘em put on. That was crazy-nuts when they were on sweep as spares. They turned around, got lost, landed with the bombs twice, and finally brought ‘em back here. What a crazy outfit.

Got a new pilot today; Drake, from Palisades Park, New Jersey. 43-G (pilot training class) in “C” Flight. He’s bunking with us.

Books about the 359th Fighter Group

The original History of the 359th Fighter Group. This book is believed to be the work of Captain Tom Raines PRO-Intelligence, 359th Fighter Group, and was sent to all the men of the 359th after they returned home.

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The reprint of the History of the 359th Fighter Group, by the Battery Press.

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Jigger Tinplate & Redcross - The 359th Fighter Group in World War Two was published in 1987 by Academy Publishing Corporation.

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Mustangs & Unicorns, A History of the 359th Fighter Group, was published in 1997 by Pictorial Histories Publishing Company.

Tom Farrish's review of Mustangs & Unicorns: "This book is a fascinating look at the history of the 359th Fighter Group. It contains many pictures and a detailed account of the results of all their combat missions. This is a great book for the WWII Aviation enthusiast, with an emphasis on the P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolts they flew."

Amazon link

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359th Fighter Group was released in 2002 by Osprey Publishing.

George Hullet, Air Classics Magazine, review of 359th Fighter Group: "Over 130 photographs and 45 color profiles make the book an excellent addition to Osprey's outstanding series and a must for any WWII aviation bookshelf."

Amazon link

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Fogg in the Cockpit, by Richard and Janet Fogg, was released on July 28, 2011 by Casemate Publishing.

Books Monthly review of Fogg in the Cockpit: "Articulate and insightful, his diary offers a frank and fascinating glimpse into the life of a fighter pilot, both in the sky and in wartime England...paints with a broad brush, from the smallest details of a pilot's day-to-day existence to air combat, and the strategic and political decisions that influenced the course of the war..."witting testimony" of the highest calibre, and a most welcome addition to the library of reminiscences of this most recent world conflict. Add to this the genuine and amazing talent of Fogg as an artist, and you have a most fascinating read - the appendix of beautiful colour paintings by Fogg is a welcome addendum. A remarkable book indeed."

Amazon link

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If you know of any other books about the 359th Fighter Group, please let us know!

P-51C "Betty Jane" vs. 359th FG P-51s

On July 9, 2011, we attended the Wings of Freedom Tour, presented by the Collings Foundation, at the Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport. The Collings Foundation travels the country with several WWII bombers and a dual control P-51C Mustang, “Betty Jane,” a razorback “C” model (as opposed to the bubble-canopy “D” model that came out later in the war).

Several “C” models were modified to carry a passenger in a second cockpit behind the pilot. One of the most famous of these two seat fighters, “The Stars Look Down,” was used by Dwight Eisenhower, and he rode in the back seat of that Mustang over the beaches of Normandy to direct the D-Day invasion.

While looking at our pictures of “Betty Jane,” we realized that we had shots of her similar to several photos from the 359th Fighter Group’s archives, so we thought a side-by-side comparison of those photos might be interesting - a "D" that served the 359th Fighter Group versus a currently flying, dual-control "C."

“Caroline," Lt. Thomas P. Smith's P-51D CS-E 44-13893, versus “Betty Jane.” Left image of "Caroline" courtesy of Thomas P. Smith: Archived by Char Baldridge, Historian, 359th Fighter Group Association.



“CisCo” P-51D CS-Q 44-15277 is one of the last P-51s assigned to the 359th Fighter Group during their final weeks in the ETO, versus "Betty Jane." Left image of "CisCo" courtesy of Thomas P. Smith: Archived by Char Baldridge, Historian, 359th Fighter Group Association.



P-51 Instrument Panels: Left image courtesy of Robert J. Guggemos: Archived by Char Baldridge, Historian, 359th Fighter Group Association.



And here’s one last photo of “Betty Jane” – we had no similar 359th Fighter Group archived photo to compare.

Fighter Group and Squadron Insignia

The 359th Fighter Group Insignia: The unicorn, symbolic of dauntless courage, in white to indicate purity of purpose: reared in a regal manner in pride of performance, against a background of the red blood of courage, severed by a gold band of honor. The whole crested with three white stars against a background of midnight blue. The star points are consecutively 3, 5, and 9 to portray the Group numerical designation. The inscription "Cum Leone" is prophetic of the Group's baptism of fire. (The Royal Seal of Great Britain bears the unicorn emblazoned on the left and the Lion on the right.) The Group winged its way into combat from its base in Great Britain in companionship with the combined operations of the USAAF and the RAF, against enemy forces over Europe.

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The 368th Fighter Squadron Insignia. Over and through a yellow disc, the squadron color designation, the white unicorn holds a red thunderbolt firmly between his teeth. The unicorn, symbolic of dauntless courage, portrays the squadron's speed and evasiveness. Its one horn indicates that the squadron flies single engine planes.

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The 369th Fighter Squadron Insignia. Over and through a red disc, the squadron color designation, intersected by a thunderbolt, the white unicorn appears in full pursuit, as per record drawings. The unicorn, symbolic of dauntless courage, portrays the squadron's speed and evasiveness and the position indicates its aggressiveness. Its one horn indicates that the squadron flies single engine planes.

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The 370th Fighter Squadron Insignia. Over and through a dark blue disc, the squadron color designation, intersected by a red thunderbolt, the white unicorn appears prepared to attack. The unicorn, symbolic of dauntless courage, portrays the squadron's speed and evasiveness and the position indicates its determination. Its one horn indicates that the squadron flies single engine planes.

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Unit Citation

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Commanding General
APO 634
June 19, 1945
200.6

SUBJECT: Unit Citation
TO: Commanding General, 1st Air Division, APO 557.

1. The Unit Citation of the 359th Fighter Group for action against the enemy on 11 September 1944, as published in General Orders No. 436, Headquarters 1st Air Division, dated 2 June 1945, is approved.
2. Subject General Orders have been forwarded to the Adjutant General, Washington, D.C., through channels, requesting confirmation in War Department General Order.
3. You are hereby authorized to advise the 359th Fighter Group that it is entitled to a citation streamer and that all personnel assigned or attached thereto, as defined in paragraph 4a, (1) and (2), Section IV, Circular 333, War Department, dated 22 December 1943, are entitled to wear the Distinguished Unit Badge.

BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL KEPNER:
/s/&/t/ FRANCIS H. GRISWOLD,
Brigadier General, USA,
Chief of Staff.

A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:
L.M. STACKLER,
Captain, Air Corps,
Intelligence Officer.
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HEADQUARTERS 1ST AIR DIVISION
Office of the Commanding General
APO 557
2 June 1945

GENERAL ORDERS: NUMBER 436 ) Citation

THE 359TH FIGHTER GROUP is cited for extraordinary heroism, determination, and esprit de corps in action against the enemy on 11 September 1944. On this date the 359th Fighter Group was assigned the task of providing penetration, target and withdrawal support to bombardment forces attacking objectives in Germany. At 0921 hours a total of 49 P-51 airplanes took off from home base in England and proceeded to rendezvous points and assumed escort positions. At 1115 hours in the vicinity of Giessen, Germany, 50 Me 109s and FW 190s were sighted at 32,000 feet preparing to attack the trailing bombardment formation. Pilots of the 359th Fighter Group immediately dispersed and rove the hostile fighters to the deck destroying one and damaging two.

Constantly on the alert for possible interception this unit observed a number of enemy aircraft taking off from an airfield near Gothe, Germany, at 1130 hours and aggressively dived to attack.

Exhibiting the highest degree of courage pilots outmaneuvered and destroyed five (5) Me 109s in the air and then in the face of anti-aircraft fire strafed and destroyed four (4) Ju 88s and Me 210 and damaged four (4) others. Shortly thereafter an estimated thirty (30) Me 109s and FW 190s were sighted heading east at 30,000 feet on the bomber track. Although outnumbered an element of the 359th Fighter Group determinedly attacked the enemy and in close combat destroyed (2) and damaged another. At 1150 hours over 100 hostile fighters were seen at 30,000 feet, north of the bomber formation, and pilots of this unit immediately proceeded towards the enemy. Opening fire with vigor and determination they destroyed four (4), probably destroyed (2) and damaged one (1) and then in individual dogfights destroyed an additional four (4) of the enemy.

Meanwhile other pilots of the group descended to a grass landing ground in the vicinity of Kolleda, Germany, and in diving offensive tactics destroyed four (4) and damaged (9) parked aircraft. At 1205 hours in the vicinity of Eisleben, after the target had been bombed, 15 Fw 190's executed vicious attacks on the bomber formation. The 359th Fighter Group aggressively moved to the scene of this action and in daring offensive tactics destroyed six (6) of the enemy aircraft, probably destroyed an additional two (2) and damaged one (1) other. On the return to home base this unit destroyed seven (7) locomotives. The conspicuous intrepidity, aggressive tactics and esprit de corps displayed by pilots of this unit on this occasion accounted for the destruction for thirty-five (enemy aircraft and contributed to the safe escort of the attacking bombardment formation. The actions of this unit reflect the highest credit upon the 359th Fighter Group and the Armed Forces of the United States.

BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL TURNER:
/s/&/t/ BARTLETT BEAMAN,
Brigadier General, U.S. Army,
Chief of Staff

OFFICIAL:
/s/&/t/ HARRY T. HANGE,
Major, A.D. G.,
Adjutant General.

A TRUE COPY: L.M. STACKLER,
Capt., Air Corps, S-2

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These documents were transcribed and archived by Char Baldridge, Historian, 359th Fighter Group Association, from records at HQ USAF Research Center, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

One Big Day

The “one big day” so long awaited by the 359th Fighter Group arrived 11 September (1944), as the Group completed nine months of operational flying over Europe.

On that day the 359th destroyed 26 German aircraft in aerial combat, probably destroyed four, and damaged six, besides running up a score of 9-0-13 on the ground. That meant 35-4-19 for the day. Next afternoon, 12 September, the 359th scored another 10-0-3 in the air and 6-0-8 on the ground. The two-day total of 51-4-28 was one-third the total score compiled in the preceding nine months.

Ten men did not return from the missions on these two days, as a revivified Luftwaffe fought savagely against the joint Anglo-American attempt to make successful a final bombardment softening of the Reich for the ground assault...

...The strategic plan of the Eighth Air Force was to push 75 bombers across Europe on the shuttle run to Russia, under cover of a heavy assault on oil plants of the Leipzig area. This was done, the 20th Group making the long escort ride to Russia, but the Luftwaffe, up in strength, knocked down at least 20 bombers in the other forces (the total loss was 52) and itself suffered losses of 17-23-44 to the bombers, 116-7-23 to the fighters and 42-0-43 on the ground.

The 359th got itself 35-4-19 of these totals, and was officially commended for it by General Griswold. There was combat from 1115 to 1205 and the days’ losses were five men.

There were several remarkable individual performances. Cyril Jones shot down four in the air over a landing field and also destroyed two more on the ground and damaged four others. Captain King got an aerial triple, Claude Crenshaw accounted for two in the air and another on the ground, Grant Perrin, Louis E. Barnett, George F. Baker Jr., and Gilbert Ralston all destroyed two in the air.

One of the four men NYR got separated from his own outfit, joined up with the 4th Group and was seen by them to shoot down an Me109 in the air before crashing to flak on a landing ground. He was identified only by his 359th green nosed airplane.

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Photo: Line up of P-51s starting with CS-H 44-14979 courtesy of Thomas P. Smith: Archived by Char Baldridge, Historian, 359th Fighter Group Association.

Excerpts from the original monthly narrative History of the 359th Fighter Group for September 1944 dated 4 October 1944 and included in Fogg in the Cockpit, were transcribed and archived by Char Baldridge, Historian, 359th Fighter Group Association, from records at HQ USAF Research Center, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.