356th Fighter Group
The 356th FG was based at Martlesham throughout its tour of duty in the European Theatre of Operations. Like most other US fighter groups, it had three squadrons - the 359th, 360th and 361st. Group squadrons were not always consecutive numbers. The three 356th units were distinguished by their code letters OC for 359th, PI for 360th and QI for 361st.
Towards the end of the war, squadron colours also became apparent; these being yellow for 359th, red for 360th and blue for 361st. This was mainly for rudders and spinners with some aircraft having a spiral on the spinner in a different colour.
Numbers of aircraft in a squadron varied. Originally each of the three squadrons were required to put up sixteen aircraft for each mission and they normally had a pool of about twenty-four to choose from. These of course carried the individual letters of the alphabet. As things progressed and more aircraft became available, it got to the stage where some squadrons had up to fifty aircraft on strength and they were then able to fly as "A Group" and "B Group" on missions. As the letters of the alphabet became used up, they used a bar, normally below the letter to signify the second aircraft with that code letter in the squadron.
Here are some of the aircraft that were based at Martlesham Heath.
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