8th Pursuit Squadron (8th PS) / 8th Fighter Squadron (8th FS)
"The Black Sheep"
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Fighter Group (49th FG)

Background
During 1941 designated the 8th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) operating the P-40 Warhawk with Captain R. D. Van Auken as Commanding Officer (C. O.). Nicknamed "The Black Sheep". Also known as simply " Black Sheep".

On February 2, 1942 the 8th Pursuit Squadron arrives Melbourne equipped with P-40E Warhawks.

On April 1, 1942 Captain Allison W. Strauss became the Commanding Officer (C. O.)

On April 20, 1942 the 8th flew their first mission.

During May 1942 designated 8th Fighter Squadron (7th FS).

On April 15, 1943 moves to Horanda Airfield (Dobodura No. 4) near the north coast of New Guinea.

On August 30, 1943 moves to Tsili Tsili Airfield.

On October 29, 1943 moves to Gusap Airfield.

On December 10, 1943 P-40s from the 8th FS took off from Gusap Airfield on a mission to intercept Japanese Army Air Force (JAAF) fighters and bombers. During the air combat, P-40 Warhawk pilot Flight Officer Walter J. Linder force landed and survived.

Commanding Officers (C.O.)
Captain R. D. Van Auken (1941–March 31, 1942)
Captain Allison W. Strauss (April 1, 1942–?)

P-40E 41-5543  pilot Martin ditched June 7, 1942
P-40E 41-5607  pilot Makowski crashed November 21, 1942
P-40E 41-24871  transfered to RAAF as A29-3 (CW 656, USAAF 41-24871, RAF ET195) pilot Norton crashed March 7, 1942
P-40E "The Spoddessape" 41-25178  pilot Brownell crashed November 6, 1942
P-40E "Don't Worry" 41-25181  pilot Alford crashed June 13, 1942
P-40E pilot Strauss  crashed April 27, 1942
P-40E pilot Fish  crashed April 27, 1942
P-40E 41-36173  pilot Wohlford MIA November 1, 1942
P-40E pilot Howard  crashed November 8, 1942
P-40E pilot Wesley  crashed November 30, 1942
P-40 pilot Dennis  MIA December 18, 1942
P-40E pilot Lynd  crashed March 1, 1943
P-40E pilot Hunter  MIA April 3, 1943, 1 Missing
P-40F pilot Moose  MIA April 3, 1943, 1 missing
P-40N "The Carolina Belle" 42-104947  abandoned Finschafen Airfield salvaged 1987
P-40N 42-104961  abandoned Tsili-Tsili Airfield salvaged 1973 stored Pima Air & Space Museum
P-40N "Mr. Five by Five / Punkins" 42-104977  pilot Thorvaldson force landed September 13, 1943
P-40N 42-104984  pilot Grant crashed September 21, 1943
P-40N 42-104986  pilot Flack force landed February 14, 1944
P-40N 42-105517  pilot Arnold crashed April 7, 1944
P-40N 42-104???  pilot David force landed October 24, 1943
P-40N pilot Linder  force landed December 10, 1943
P-40 pilot Dewees  MIA March 28, 1943

References
AFHRA - History Highlights of the 49th Fighter Group 1941 to 1946
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II (1982) pages XXX (8th Fighter) [PDF pages XX]
Protect & Avenge The 49th Fighter Group in World War II (1995) by S. W. Ferguson & William K. Pascalis
49th Fighter Group Aces of the Pacific Aviation Elite Units 14 (2004) by by William Hess
Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) - 8 Fighter Squadron