Welcome to the unofficial website dedicated to The Flying Knights (9th Fighter Squadron) which along with the Screamin' Demons (7th Fighter Squadron), and the Black Sheep (8th Fighter Squadron) comprised the 49th Fighter Group. In WW II the 49th Fighter Group was the first complete expeditionary unit to depart the U.S. following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, sailing from San Francisco on 12 January, 1942. When the war ended three years and eight months later, the 49th was the top-scoring Army Air Force fighter group in the Pacific theater with 678 confirmed aerial victories.  Fifty of its pilots had become fighter aces credited with five or more enemy planes downed in aerial combat, one of them being Major Richard I. Bong, America's all-time top scoring ace with 40 victories.   [Photo c/o Ralph Holcomb - WWII 49FC Squadron]   Most of that time the group was on the "sharp end" of MacArthur's push through New Guinea, the Philippines, and Okinawa. There were many fine fighter groups in the war, but the 49th had the longest exposure to combat and perhaps better opportunities than the other units. By the same token, all of the 49th's squadrons were exceptional, but at war's end the 9th Squadron led the pack with 254 "kills" to its credit. Introduction by Ken Clark 9FS Fighter Pilot, Unit Historian, 49FG WWII

9FS WWII Unit History Read the 9th Fighter Squadron Reports: 1941 - 1945 See Maps of 9FS Humpty Doo campsite   Flying Knights Photo Galleries GEORGE D. ALBER shares his yearbook:    New Guinea Theatre in World War II  ETSYL J. SPARKMAN shares his photo collection  starting in New Guinea in 1943 to Okinawa 1945   The Reading Room A list of new and old books, plus feature articles about  the 9FS, and the 49FG during WWII  NEW BOOK LISTING! GEORGE PREDDY  Top Mustang Ace by Joe Noah and Samuel L. Sox, Jr. Major George E. Preddy, Jr. was one of the original  'Humpty Doo' 49ers to land in Australia and join the  9th Pursuit Squadron.  Visit The Flying Knights Photo History  book icon! See this exclusive bonus at this website. Memory Book info - 49th Fighter Control Squadron.   The Fighters at Humpty Doo This is a true story, with some minor embellishments, of the early 9FS at Darwin, 1942. It was written for publicity in Air Facts magazine, November 1942, by Lucien Hubbard, then Army correspondent, to boost U.S. morale. The identities of the pilots are true, but due to censorship during the war, their exact squadron and location was altered by the author, therefore the 9FS was referred to as "Fighters of Humpty Doo" in the states.  NEW! MORE HUMPTY DOO PHOTOS submitted by Sam L. Sox, Jr (co-author of 'George Preddy - Top Mustang Ace'. Credits to Preddy Memorial Foundation, Joe Noah, and I.B. 'Jack' Donalson.   Last Days in Japan Some last scenes of remaining 9FS at Okinawa & Atsugi,  plus the 9FS unofficial mascot.  9FS Lineage See the 9th Fighter Squadron WWII lineage,  plus insignia modifications.  9FS Scrapbook Many photos with captions submitted from: Mrs. Pascalis, Ken Clark, Ralph Wandrey, Les Nelson,  Bud Tiffany,  Warren Fowler, Harold Thorson,  Robert David, Ernie J. Ambort.  plus 9FS articles of interest.  49th GROUP PHOTOS 49th Fighter Group Bulletin Board  Post a message on the 49th Fighter Group Bulletin Board. Includes all 3 fighter squadrons:  7th FS, 8th FS, 9th FS Bulletin Boards.  Obituary Notice: Richard G. Voss, 8FS Seeking information regarding Lt Harold H. Thorson, 9thFS  Seeking Nelson D. Flack, Jr. and Joel D. Thorvaldson - 8thFS 49th Fighter Wing Today 7th - 8th - 9th Fighter Squadrons still going strong! F117-A photos, plus see 'The Wall'. Related Websites Several other websites worth visiting... Viewers Notice About this website

 

Update: April 11, 2005 

Inquiries regarding The Flying Knights of WWII 
can be  directed to Ken Clark, Col. USAF(Ret)       

Information about the  49th Fighter Group Association  is available upon request at: 49th Fighter Group Association P.O. Box 41539 Mesa, Arizona 85275-1539

 

This website  was created for historical purposes (see Notice). The following 3 people rotate contributions approximately $100.00+  each per year for domain name and hosting service fees:  JoAnn Speidel; Ken Clark; Les Nelson.  We kindly welcome anyone else's contribution. Thank you.

 

This website is subject to periodical editing in the proper 
form of corrections and amendments posted as 
updates/highlights. For comments or suggestions 
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