4th Fighter Group - The Debden Eagles
"Fourth but First"
Lt. Ralph Kidd Hofer and Major James Goodson were two of the highest scoring aces of the 4th Fighter group during WWII with 29 confirmed victories each. Hofer of 334 Squadron destroyed 15 in the air and 14 on the ground While Goodson of 336 Squadron destroyed 14 in the air and 15 on the ground. Both flew with the RAF before joining the 4th Fighter Group. The 4th was the highest scoring unit in the 8th Air Force.
The paintings on this page depict aircraft flown by RAF Eagle Squadrons, the 4th Fighter Group & 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing in WWII and Korea.
The 4th Fighter group was born out of the three American Eagle Squadrons Nos 71, 121 and 133. These squadrons were made up of American pilots who made their way to England to fly and fight with the RAF against the Luftwaffe before America entered WWII.
In September of 1942 the three squadrons were officially turned over by the RAF to the fledgling 8th Air Force and became the famous 4th Fighter Group. The three squadrons were then renamed the 334th, 335th & 336th. With over 1000 Nazi aircraft destroyed the 4th FG was the highest scoring American unit in Europe during the war.
Five years later the 4th now designated as the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing was the first American unit to take the new F-86 Sabre into combat against the MiG 15 fighters being flown by Communist Chinese, Russian and North Korean pilots. When the conflict ended in the Summer of 1953 the 4th FIW was once again the highest scoring USAF outfit accounting for 54% of all enemy aircraft destroyed. Hence the motto "Fourth but First".
In September of 1942 the three squadrons were officially turned over by the RAF to the fledgling 8th Air Force and became the famous 4th Fighter Group. The three squadrons were then renamed the 334th, 335th & 336th. With over 1000 Nazi aircraft destroyed the 4th FG was the highest scoring American unit in Europe during the war.
Five years later the 4th now designated as the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing was the first American unit to take the new F-86 Sabre into combat against the MiG 15 fighters being flown by Communist Chinese, Russian and North Korean pilots. When the conflict ended in the Summer of 1953 the 4th FIW was once again the highest scoring USAF outfit accounting for 54% of all enemy aircraft destroyed. Hence the motto "Fourth but First".
