Strana 16
SFX and 2nd Scouting Force
One of the problems faced by 8th AF bomber crews was the
unreliability of weather forecasts deep over the continent. This
manifested itself not only in diculties during the journey to the
target, but above all in bomb runs. Contrary to forecasts, it was
not uncommon for the target to be obscured by clouds. Although
radar-based bombing methods capable of ‘seeing’ through solid
cloud cover were developed, the results of such procedures were
worse than better, especially in the early stages of their devel-
opment. It would be more advantageous for the bombing units to
turn to a secondary, opportunity target, or a ‘last resort target’
in time. However, the realization that it was impossible to bomb
the primary target usually came too late.
The commander of the 384th Bomb Group, Col. Budd J. Pea-
slee, came up with a solution to this problem. He proposed cre-
ating a special unit comprising fast single-engine ghter aircraft.
The pilots would y solo over the target area and report the
situation to the bomber wing commanders by radio. The P-51D
was the obvious choice, although the 8th Air Force also used Brit-
ish Mosquitoes for similar purposes. The pilot of such a Mustang
would primarily be an experienced bomber pilot who had already
completed their operational tour, preferably as a Commanding
Pilot (formation or wing commander). These pilots’ experience
gained during their bombing missions meant they knew exactly
what information bomber wing commanders needed.
The Scouting Force Experimental (SFX), which was to test this
theory in practice, found its base in Steeple Morden with the
355th FG, belonging to the 65th FW. Its size was supposed to
correspond roughly to one squadron, but in terms of the num-
ber of pilots and aircraft, it was smaller, more in the range of
one ight. Between July 16 and September 12, 1944, SFX ew
35 successful missions, after which it was decided that similar
units would be established for all three ghter wings, or the
bomber divisions respectively. Col. Peaslee continued to com-
mand the 1st Scouting Force, assigned to the 1st BD (B-17), and
moved to Honington (home of the 364th FG and 1st Strategic Air
Depot). The newly formed 2nd Scouting Force remained under
the arms and operational support of the 355th FG at Steeple Mor-
den and provided service for the 2nd BD (B-24). The 3rd Scouting
Force, which provided service for the 3rd BD (B-17) within the
66th FW, was established at Wormingford (55th FG).
The color scheme of the SFX and later 2nd SF (established on
September 26, 1944) Mustangs was based on the practice of the
units from which they were borrowed or transferred. In this case,
it was the Mustangs of the 355th FG. The 2nd SF did not use any
P-51D s/n 44-14524 YF-M ‘Li’l Larry II‘ (L) ‘Yo.o.o!!‘ (R),
from the 2nd SF, own on weather reconnaissance
missions by Lt. Ray L. Shewfelt, a former B-17
pilot with the 479th BG.
Col. Budd J. Peaslee, former commander of the 384th BG and
founder of the Scouting Force Experimental, next to his P-51D
44-13283 YF-A ‘Carolyn Ann’. After the Scouting Force Experimen-
tal expanded into three separate units for each bomber division,
Col. Peaslee continued to command the 1st SF.
HISTORY
INFO Eduard16
April 2026