Throughout their time in combat the group flew the P47 Thunderbolt, the heaviest fighter in WWII. The role of the group was escorting the bombers over enemy territory. Later with additional fuel tanks fitted, the 56th could escort all the way to Germany. As the war in Europe was coming to an end and the Luftwaffe were virtually defeated, the Wolfpack would attack ground targets. The 56th stayed at Boxted until the end of the war in Europe, finally returning home by the end of October 1945. The airfield was then used by various squadrons of the RAF until the beginning of 1947. Aircraft seen at the time were, Spitfires, Nightfighter Mosquitoes and the early Jets, Meteors and Vampires. Richard Turner From inside the community 37
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA4ODM=