About this Unit
The 78th Fighter Wing was a United States Army Air Forces unit stationed at RAF Woodbridge, England, during World War II. Activated in 1942, the wing was part of the Eighth Air Force and flew P-47 Thunderbolt and later P-51 Mustang fighters. The 78th provided crucial bomber escort missions over occupied Europe and participated in ground attack operations, significantly contributing to the Allied air campaign. The unit was recognized for its valor and effectiveness before being inactivated in 1945 after the war’s end.
Historical Facts
•
World War II Origins: The 78th Fighter Wing was originally activated at RAF Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK, during World War II as part of the Eighth Air Force, playing a significant role in the air campaign over Europe.
•
Home to P-47 Thunderbolts: The unit was famous for flying the rugged P-47 Thunderbolt, a powerhouse fighter-bomber used extensively for escorting bombers and ground attack missions.
•
Key D-Day Participant: The 78th Fighter Group supported the D-Day landings in June 1944, providing vital air cover for Allied troops during the Normandy invasion.
•
Notable Aces: Several pilots from the 78th, such as Lt. Colonel Quince L. Brown and Captain John S. Loisel, became flying aces, each credited with shooting down multiple enemy aircraft.
•
Switch to Mustangs: In 1944, the group transitioned from P-47s to the lighter, longer-ranged P-51 Mustang, allowing deeper penetration into enemy territory on escort missions.
•
RAF Woodbridge’s Unique Runway: The airfield at Woodbridge was originally constructed as an emergency landing ground, featuring an extra-long, wide runway to accommodate damaged aircraft.
•
Destruction of Enemy Infrastructure: The 78th targeted German airfields, trains, and convoys, significantly disrupting enemy operations during their time at Woodbridge.
•
Distinguished Unit Citation: The 78th Fighter Group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for its aggressive attacks supporting the advance of Allied ground forces across France.
•
Post-war Legacy: After WWII, the 78th was inactivated but later reactivated in various forms, contributing to the U.S. Air Force's legacy well into the Cold War era.
•
Connection to UFO Lore: RAF Woodbridge, post-78th era, became famous for the 1980 Rendlesham Forest UFO incident—one of the most well-known military UFO cases in the world.
