Extra Long Dogfight Trivia Quiz

Answer: 4th

Most of the 4th fighter pilots were formed from Eagle pilots who were American pilots volunteering in Britain's air force. They were transferred into the American Air Forces and formed the center of the 4th Fighter Group (sometimes known as the Blakesleewaffe) in September, 1942.
The 56th Fighter Group (aka the Wolf Pack) was formed soon after the 4th, and instantly took to the P-47 Thunderbolt, which the 4th detested because it was slow and clumsy in comparison to the slight, nimble Spitfires they were used to.
The scoring race between the groups lasted throughout the war.

Answer: Peterson and Blakeslee

All the fighter pilots were distinguished American pilots who fought during World War II. However, only Blakeslee and Peterson were commanders. Colonel Chesley Peterson, as a young man, tried to enlist in America, but was refused due to lack of "flying abilities". He then went to Canada, and was sent off to Britain, where he became the most renowned pilot of the Eagles.
Apparently, when he had been shot down once and had to bail out, he aimlessly fired at the water with his pistol just for amusement.
Colonel Donald Blakeslee was called the "iron man" because of his extraordinary endurance. He replaced Peterson, and led the 4th until near the end of the war.
Both were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross: Peterson by King George VI, and Blakeslee by General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Answer: 75

Of these, forty-one were destroyed by the 71st Squadron led by Peterson, a brilliant Eagles commander.

Answer: Colonel Hubert Zemke

Nicknamed "Hub", Zemke was an old hand at flying, though still in his twenties. He led the 56th from when they were formed till he was captured by the Germans. The 56th's 1000+ kills were mostly done during his leadership. When Zemke was captured, such was his fame that the Germans were delighted, and said 'Ah, Zemke! When we get Blakeslee the war will be over.' As soon as news of his capture reached the US, Blakeslee was grounded. Two of the best fighter pilots and leaders would never again fly a fighter plane.

Answer: 56

The 56th did mostly well from when they were formed until the enemy stayed on the ground because they were in many dogfights. The 4th met few enemy aircraft until Blakeslee took command and sent them on long distance flights.
On August 16, 1943, the 4th set a record in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) of eighteen enemy planes downed with only one of their own planes downed. However, the 56th was still ahead.
By October, 1943, four out of five aces in the ETO were in the 56th Fighter Group.

Answer: Yes

Much credit for the completion was given to Don Gentile and John Godfrey, "Damon and Pythias" of the air world, and Duane Beeson, Gentile's friendly rival.

Answer: Anti-aircraft gunners

After they defeated the Luftwaffe, the pilots began strafing the Germans on the ground and patrolling the air, taking much damage from anti-aircraft gunners. One member of the 56th discovered a disheartening fact: out of the twenty-two aces in the 56th, one only remained. The rest had been downed by gunners.
Sadly, some American pilots were shot down by friendly fire.

Answer: 4

Both groups were part of the Eight Air Force, which was deployed against the Luftwaffe. Therefore, for the two groups, the war ended when the Germans surrendered. They had nothing to do with the Japanese.
Near the end, the 56th slipped ahead, and when the curtain closed on the European Theater of Operations, the 56th led by 14 1/2 planes. In great disappointment, the 4th even wished that the war had continued for longer, when several members who were imprisoned by the Germans were freed, and presented evidence of fifteen more planes downed.
Final score: 4th: 1006 1/2; the 56th: 1006

Answer: Richard Bong

Major Richard Ira Bong shot down, alone, more than eighty enemy planes. However, less than half of them counted because they lacked witnesses. Still, forty victories was outstanding, and as of 2012 no other American pilot has ever equaled that record. Probably none ever will.
Bong was called a "bad boy" because he looped-the-loop around the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and then buzzed (flew low over) Market Street and waved to people gaping at him in shock.
Just before sending him home after his fortieth victory, General MacArthur decorated him with the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Answer: True

Pilots' victories only count if there are witnesses who saw them, or if it was caught on cameras on the plane's wings.
For example, Major Richard Bong shot down, alone, more than eighty enemy planes. However, less than half of them counted because they lacked witnesses.