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CARF-Models P-47
bringing down 3,916 enemy aircraft, the Thunderbolt destroyed 6,000 tanks, 9,000 locomotives,
68,000 trucks and 86,000 rail wagons in 746,000 sorties of all types. In Europe, Thunderbolts
flew more sorties than P-51s, P-38s and P-40s combined.
In the Pacific, Colonel Neel E. Kearby of the Fifth Air Force destroyed 22 Japanese aircraft
and was awarded the Medal of Honor for an action in which he and his Thunderbolt downed six
enemy fighters on a single mission.
By the end of WWII, the 56th Fighter Group was the only 8th Air Force unit still flying the P-
47, preferring it to the more modern P-51. The 56th claimed 665.5 air victories and 311 ground
kills, losing 128 aircraft in the process. Lieutenant Colonel Francis S. Gabreski scored 31
victories, including three ground kills; Captain Bob Johnson scored 27 (with one unconfirmed
probable giving his tally as 28); and 56th FG Commanding Officer Colonel Hubert Zemke scored
17.75 kills. Despite being the sole remaining P-47 group in the 8th Air Force, the 56th remained
its top-scoring group in aerial victories throughout the war – quite a testament to the deadly
effectiveness of the P-47.
"Target spotted...six o' clock low...Tally Ho!"
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