 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2024) |
| 4th Fighter Group | |
|---|---|
 P-51D Mustang of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group | |
| Active | 12 September 1942–10 November 1945 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | RAF Debden |
| Nickname(s) | Debden Eagles |
| Motto(s) | Fourth But First |
| Engagements | Air Offensive, Europe Normandy Market Garden Battle of the Bulge Invasion of Germany |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation |
| Website | http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/ |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Edward W. Anderson Chesley G. Peterson Donald Blakeslee Everett W. Stewart |
| Insignia | |
| 4th Fighter Group Emblem |  |
| 334th Fighter Squadron | QP |
| 335th Fighter Squadron | WD |
| 336th Fighter Squadron | VF |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Supermarine Spitfire 1942–1943 P-47 Thunderbolt 1943–1944 P-51 Mustang 1944–1945 |
The 4th Fighter Group was an American element of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Eighth Air Force during World War II.[1][2] The group was known as the Debden Eagles because it was created from the three Eagle Squadrons of the Royal Air Force: No. 71, No. 121 Squadron RAF, and No. 133 Squadron RAF.[3] These squadrons became the 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Squadrons of the 4th Fighter Group based at RAF Debden. The group was the first fighter group to fly combat missions over German airspace, the first to escort bombers over Berlin, and the first selected to escort bombers on shuttle bombing runs landing in Russia. The group was credited with shooting down 1,016 German planes.[4]
- ^ Frank E. Speer (1999). The Debden Warbirds: The Fourth Fighter Group in World War II. Schiffer Publishing, Limited. ISBN 978-0-7643-0725-6.
- ^ Troy L. White (12 July 2015). Adventures of the 4th Fighter Group. Stardust Studios. ISBN 978-0-578-16605-6.
- ^ Philip D. Caine (July 1994). Eagles of the RAF: The World War II Eagle Squadrons. DIANE Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7881-1114-3.
- ^ Frank Speer (2009). Eighty-One Aces of the 4th Fighter Group. Schiffer Military History. ISBN 978-0-7643-3374-3.