Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF)
475th Fighter GroupBackground
The 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) was part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF) flying the P-38 Lightning in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) during World War II. Nicknamed "Satan's Angels". Motto: "In Proelio Gaudete" (Latin: Be Joyful in Battle). On May 14, 1943 activated at Charters Towers Airfield equipped with P-38 Lightnings.

Headquarters Squadron (HQ)
The Headquarters Squadron for the 475th Fighter Group. On May 14, 1943 activated at Charters Towers Airfield.

431st Fighter Squadron (431t FS) "Hades"
The 431st Fighter Squadron operated the P-38 Lightning.

432nd Fighter Squadron (432nd FS) "Clover"
The 432nd Fighter Squadron operated the P-38 Lightning.

433rd Fighter Squadron (433rd FS) "Possum"
The 433rd Fighter Squadron operated the P-38 Lightning.

Tail Codes
The 475th Fighter Group used three digit tail codes assigned in ranges: 100–102 for Headquarters Squadron, 110–139 in red for 431st FS, 140–160 for 432nd FS and 170–199 for 433rd FS.

Headquarters Squadron: 100, 101, 102
431st FS "Hades" (Red): 110–139
432nd FS "Clover" (White): 140–169
433rd FS "Possum" (Blue): 170–199

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Lt. Col Charles H. MacDonald (November 10, 1943)

References
P-38 Lightnings operated by the 475th Fighter Group
475th Fighter Group Museum
475th Fighter Group Association
475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation
Satan's Angels 475th Fighter Group 14th May 43–31st Dec 44 (1946)
Lightning Strikes: The 475th Fighter Group in the Pacific War, 1943-1945 (1988) by Ronald W. Yoshino
Stars & Bars (1995) pages 65 (475th FG, 433rd FS)
P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI (1997) by John Stanaway cover (Pudgy III), pages 21-45 (475th FG references in New Guinea), 48-58 (color profiles), 60 (artwork McGuire), page 61-71 (475th FG references in Philippines), 84-88 (Bong and McGuire), 89 (Appendices P-38 aces, 475th FG pilots), 92-96 (color plates description)
Possum, Clover & Hades 475th Fighter Group in World War II (2004) by John Stanaway
475th Fighter Group Aviation Elite Units 23 (2007) by John Stanaway


  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram