The Former Quarters of the 362nd Fighter Group in Reims, France
Before the chateau, the pilots of the 362nd Fighter Group were in tents on the edge of a forest
Lodgings were not always glamorous for the 362nd Fighter Group. However, after Colonel Joseph Laughlin managed to "acquire" a chateau outside Reims, the pilots of the group were upgraded from these tents.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
September 1944
P-47s on Take-Off
P-47s about to lift off from a makeshift airstrip
This photo shows P-47s in the 362nd fighter group preparing to take-off. They are waiting for the signal from the grounds crewman to hit the throttle. They are not attempting to do a dual take-off at this airfield in Reims, France.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
October 1944
The 362nd Receives a Presidential Unit Citation
The 362nd received their second Presidential Unit Citation
In this article taken from the Associated Press, the 362nd received their second Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism in action against the enemy in Germany.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
March-April 1945
362nd Destroys Multiple German Planes and Trains in One Day
The effective destruction that the 362nd could impose on the Germans
This article describes the destructiveness of the 362nd by describing the amount of German planes and trains that they destroyed in one Saturday.
Omaha World-Herald
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
October 30, 1944
Colonel Joseph Laughlin Describes Devastation in Germany to his Hometown Newspaper
Colonel Laughlin describes the devastation inflicted on a region in Germany by his 362nd Fighter Groups
In this article, Colonel Laughlin describes what he sees on the ground after his 362nd Fighter Group bombed and strafed a region outside Mainz in Germany.
Grand Island Daily Independent
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
March 19, 1945
Before and After of the Linder Dam outside Dieuze, France and Story
Colonel Joseph Laughlin was credited with dropping his payload closest to the target, giving him most of the credit for breaking the dam
The before and after shots of the Linder Dam show the short term effect of the damage done by squadrons of the 362nd Fighter Group. The 378th and 379th squadrons took part in the bombings, with Colonel Laughlin leading the way. The pilots were aiming for the sluice gate, an extremely narrow portion of the dam, and they were mostly effective. Colonel Laughlin was given the most credit as his bombs were dropped closest to the sluice. A third squadron was called in, but by the time they arrived, the water was already pouring out of the now large hole in the dam.
This action had been personally requested by General Patton, and it was such a huge news story that within 24 hours, they were announcing the success over the radio. The 362nd's former commander, Colonel Morton Magoffin, was lying in a hospital when the bombing of the dam was announced. All they said about the mission was that it was completed by a "Thunderbolt" fighter group. He didn't even have to ask; he knew it was the 362nd.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
October 1944
Colonel Joseph Laughlin and Officers of the 362nd Fighter Group in Front of the Chateau Outside Reims
Colonel Laughlin acquired a chateau outside of Reims in France to house the pilots of the 362nd Fighter Group
From left, 1st Lt. Joe Lane, Colonel Laughlin, 1st Lt. John Hill, and an unknown pilot stand in front the the chateau outside of Reims. Colonel Laughlin managed to "acquire" it, and it was large enough to house all of the pilots of the 362nd Fighter Group. These were the most comfortable accommodations the men would see during the war, and they never wanted to leave. The officers appear to have just come from the airstrip, as all of them are wearing their flight suits, with the two officers in front, both from the 377th Fighter Squadron, also wearing their leather jackets.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
October 1944
Pilots from the 377th Fighter Squadron Pose Atop a Captured Flak Gun
Two pilots have some fun on a captured flak gun outside Rennes in France
377th Fighter Squadron pilots Lt. Robert J. "Red" Campbell and Lt. Roy D. Christian hang onto a previously camouflaged 88 mm flak gun. These larger flak guns were used to target high-altitude planes, like the P-47. Sadly, Lt. Christian was KIA a few months after this photo was taken.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
August - September 1944
Men From the 362nd Fighter Group Play Volleyball
The men of the 362nd Fighter Group had to find ways to unwind in their downtime
Pilots and grounds crew were encouraged to take their minds off of the war by their commander, Colonel Joseph Laughlin. He did not want his pilots to get battle fatigue or his grounds crew to suffer exhaustion so he made sure they had something else to do, whether that was a little R & R back in England or a little game of volleyball near the base.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
September - November 1944
A German POW Among the 362nd Fighter Group
The pilots of the 362nd stayed in these tents outside Reims before moving into the chateau, with a little help from a German POW
According to the caption on this photo, a German POW is directed to dig a latrine for the 362nd Fighter Group near their tents. Note the soldier on the far left, his guard. You can just make out a smirk on the face of the seated airman. The caption also states that these were the pilots' tents before they moved into the chateau.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
September - November 1944