How A WW2 Fighter Ace Did The Impossible

There’s a usual bustle at the Debden Airfield in Eastern England as a few dozen P-47 Thunderbolts from the 4th Fighter Group approach for landing. The group is returning after escorting a group of B-17 Flying Fortresses that attacked German industrial targets. However, the group commander noticed one missing plane and quickly identifies that it’s one piloted by the rookie pilot, Ralph Hofer.
During the mission, the P-47’s formation was attacked by German Me-109 fighter planes and forced to break. With no previous experience in aerial combat, everyone thought Hofer was shot down and lost. The mission was his first combat flight. As it seemed, it was also his last.
Then, when almost all hope of his return was lost, an aircraft approached the airfield, and it became apparent it was Hofer. As he landed his plane, other pilots noticed the protective tape placed over his .50 cal machine guns was broken, meaning Hofer had used them. Hardly anyone was left unbaffled when a young cocky pilot admitted that not only he fired his machine guns but he shot down an enemy plane. For most pilots, it took more than ten sorties to even fire a burst, let alone to hit an enemy, and Hofer confidently claimed to have done so. The gun camera didn’t lie. Hofer had indeed shot down an enemy Messerschmitt.
This day was just the first chapter of one of the most audacious stories of World War Two - one filled with fascinating stories, but a mysterious end…
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The Militology Channel does it's best to produce historically accurate content for history enthusiasts. All content is carefully researched and sources shared. Images and footage of the actual events may not be 100% accurate due to availability, but we do our best. Some images and footage may be used for dramatic effect, but the narrative content adheres to historical accuracy based on available sources. Please reach out with any concerns around historical accuracy so we can incorporate feedback. We also want to hear your constructive interpretation of historical events in our video comments.
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Script Author:
Dejan Milivojevic
Sources:
Hess, William. America’s Top WWII Aces in Their Own Words: Eighth Air Force. MBI Publishing Company, 2001.
White, Troy L. Kidd Hofer-- the Last of the Screwball Aces: The Story of Lt. Ralph K. Hofer and the 4th Fighter Group in WWII. Stardust Studios, 2003.
Cora, Paul B. WWII Fighter Aces: Ralph K. ‘Kid’ Hofer, WWII HIstory, Volume 4, No. 2. March 2005.
Heidicker, Roy. “Heroes of the 4th FW: Lt. Ralph ‘Kidd’ Hofer.” Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Accessed February 28, 2024. www.seymourjoh....
American Air Museum. “Ralph Kidd Hofer.” Accessed February 28, 2024. www.americanai....
Tittle, Jim. “Don’t Mess with the Kid!” Combatism.com. Accessed February 28, 2024. www.combatsim.....

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[@RogueAce93]

"Kidd" Hofer was, as one war correspondent put it, the Last of the Screwball Aces. Thnx for making this vid about him! His story deserves to be more well-known, same with other unique aces similar to Hofer!

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@@RogueAce93 thx for watching and commenting!