"The Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney"
The pages in this section feature paintings by Troy White that were inspired by the deeds of the 352nd Fighter Group during World War Two. Accompanying photos were provided by the 352nd FG Organization. Special thanks go out to Bob Powell, Tom Ivie, Sam Sox, Marc Hamel, Joe Noah and all of the other supporters of the 352nd FG Association.
487th Fighter Squadron P-51 Mustangs on the flight line at Bodney in the Spring of 1945. Photo copyright ©352nd FG Association via Sam Sox . Used with permission.
The 352nd Fighter Group was activated on October 1, 1942 at Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York. The Group began to train on the P-47 Thunderbolt in March of 1943 and in July of that year was sent to England. Upon arrival the unit was sent to Bodney, AAF station 141. The 352nd operated from this base from July 8, 1943 until December 23, 1944 when the aircraft pilots and ground crews were sent to Asch, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. On January 23, 1945 the Group moved to Chievres, Belgium and remained there until April 13, 1945 when it returned to Bodney.
The 352nd FG flew the P-47 from its first combat mission on September 9, 1943 until it completed its transition to the P-51 Mustang in April of 1944. When the Mustangs had their noses painted blue for easy recognition, the Group was dubbed the "Bluenosed Bastards of Bodney"
The Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its role in the May 8, 1944 escort mission to Brunswick, Germany when it destroyed 27 enemy aircraft. On November 2, 1944 the Bluenosers shot down 38 German planes. This was the the second highest single day score turned in by an 8th AF fighter group. Additionally, the 487th FS was the only 8th AF Squadron to be independently awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation. They received the award for their role in the epic battle that unfolded over their home base at Asch, Belgium on January 1, 1945. The Squadron destroyed 23 German fighters that morning with no losses of their own.
The Bluenosers flew 420 combat missions and destroyed 519-1/2 Luftwaffe planes in the air and additional 287 on the ground against the loss of 118 of their own in combat. The group produced 29 aces with five or more aerial victories.
Click on any of the 12 images below to view a larger picture with background stories and accompanying photos.
To see which of the Bluenoser paintings are available as Limited Edition Prints click here.
On the left some
487th FS pilots in May of 1944. Pictured from L-R, Barnes,
Whisner, Palmer, Kessler,
Pickering and Preddy. On the right 328th FS pilots perched atop a
P-47 Thunderbolt. Jack Thornell
and Ed Zellner standing, and Earl Abbott and R G Brookins
kneeling.
486th
FS pilots who scored 11 victories on September 12, 1944.
From L- R, Lazar (3) Freeman (1) Bostrom (1) Miklajcyk (2)
Gerbe (2) Carter (1) and Sterns(1).
Photos copyright
©352nd FG Association via Sam Sox . Used with permission.
Official 352nd FG books are available from the 352nd FG Association. For more information click here.
All artwork represented on the pages of this website is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without the knowledge, permission and express written consent of the artist Troy White.
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