Strana 17
special color markings, and the aircraft generally retained their
white noses and code letters (usually with a black bar added
above or below the squadron letters) used during their previous
service with the 355th FG.
5th Emergency Rescue Squadron
Shepherd of the Seas
The list of units under the 65th FW would not be complete
without a brief mention of the 5th ERS. The idea was inspired by
the ARS - the RAF’s air and sea rescue system, which had helped
many American crews on more than one occasion. Nevertheless,
the 8th AF command felt the need to introduce a similar ser-
vice within its own structures. At a conference of Allied air force
commanders on May 8, 1944, it was decided to establish such
a unit and place it under the 65th FW. The 5th ERS was based in
Saron Walden and Boxted, and later also as a detachment in
Halesworth. The patrol aircraft were retired P-47s, which mon-
itored not only the sea surface but also radio trac during the
departure and return of bomber formations and their ghter es-
corts across the English Channel and the North Sea. Thunderbolt
pilots could drop dinghies and other equipment to crews in dis-
LtCol. John A. Brooks III, commander of the 2nd Scouting Force, was
a former commanding pilot with the 398th Bomb Group (BG) and
its superior, the 96th Combat Wing (CW). His P-51D, serial number
44-14309, YF-X “Calamity Jane”/”Punkin,” originated with the
355th Fighter Group (FG). The code letters “YF” of the 358th FS,
to which the aircraft originally belonged, are supplemented with
a horizontal stripe, as is the case with most other 2nd SF aircraft.
The P-51D, serial number 44-13699, ‘G.I. Jive’, was origi-
nally assigned to the 355th FG and ew with the Scouting
Force Experimental before transferring to the 1st SF.
On right: Although the photograph shows signs of age, it nevertheless provides an excellent example of SFX aircraft markings. The white
spinner and the front section of the engine cowling indicate its original aliation with the 355th FG, as do the letters YF, belonging to the
358th FS. Only the horizontal stripe above the squadron letters identies this aircraft as belonging to the SFX. This is the same aircraft
(44-14524) shown in the photograph on the previous page.
P-47 Thunderbolt s/n 42-75855 5F-A from the 5th Emer-
gency Rescue Squadron. The unit’s markings include a red-
white-blue stripe on the nose and wide yellow stripes on
the wings and tail surfaces. Noteworthy is the installed
Malcolm Hood-type convex canopy.
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 Eduard
17
April 2026