The famous 56th Fighter Group is the subject of this video. It was one
of the premier fighter groups in all of Europe during World War II.
From its first operational mission on April 13, 1943, through the end
of the war in Europe, it scored 677 German aircraft destroyed in
air-to-air combat -- the second-highest among U.S. Army Air Forces
(USAAF) fighter groups in the European Theater, the highest of all
Eighth Air Force groups, and the highest among all P-47
Thunderbolt-equipped groups of the USAAF.

First commander of the 56th was Colonel Hubert "Hub” Zemke, a fearless
and highly respected leader. He devised the "Zemke fan" tactic to
enhance the flexibility of fighters escorting bombers. Instead of
flying close escort, the fighter group would rendezvous at an easily
found landmark from which it would break up into squadrons and fan
out, maintaining contact to respond to attacks on the bombers.

The 56th called itself "Zemke's Wolfpack."

Former Air Force officer and current museum docent Matt Ouding tells
us about the 56th and personal stories of some of its most famous
members. Watch Matt's presentation and then see a flight of the
museum’s P-47 Thunderbolt, a “D” model like those of the 56th.