MS-120 Night Fighters of World War II Historical Collection

Access and Provenance

Series Listing

Brief Biographical Sketch

In October 1940, Northrop Aircraft Inc., of Hawthorne, Calif., was asked by the United States Air Corps to develop an aircraft that could be used specifically for night fighting. For the interim period, the Douglas P-70 Havoc bomber was used. It proved to be an ineffective night fighter. Some squadrons in Europe were flying British made Bristol Beaufighters, which also proved to be ineffective. By early 1944, the Northrop P-61 Black Widow was put into service in the Pacific. It was in use in Europe by the summer of 1944. The aircraft received its nick- name because of the semi-shiny black color it was painted. This radar-equipped aircraft proved to be an excellent night fighter.

One of the few training schools for night-fighting crews was in Florida at Orlando Air Base. The training center was under the direction of the Fourth Air Force. All night fighter personnel were volunteers, the pilots having had day fighter training. In 1943 the instructors consisted of specialists from the Bell Telephone Laboratories, British night fighter crews, and American crews who had trained in England. The pilots were trained in Douglas P-70 Havocs, and the radar operators were trained in Beech AT-11's.

In 1944, the entire program was moved to Hammer Field in Calif., with the Fourth Air Force still retaining command. At Hammer Field, British instructors were phased out.

The pilots and radar operators were officers, while the gunners and crew chiefs were usually enlisted men. It was necessary for the pilot and radar operator to work like a finely tuned machine, so it was important to avoid a conflict in personalities. Before coming to the school, the pilots were trained in North American B-25 Mitchells, with intensive work on instrument flying. During night fighter training, the pilot learned high and low altitude night fighting, evasive maneuvers, and aerial gunnery. It was necessary to establish close cooperation with Ground Controlled Interception. The GCI was important, since it brought the fighter to within close proximity of the target.

After graduation, the crews were sent overseas where they were attached to larger units. Once the crews left for overseas duty, the Fourth Air Force relinquished command of them. Night fighter squadrons served in the Pacific and in Europe.

Scope and Content Note

While this collection will be useful for a history of night fighters, it probably cannot stand as the sole source for such a history. The researcher should consult the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio, as well as the United States Air Force Historical Division at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., for additional material.

Additions in 2006 include: a CD with images of the Earl Tigner Photographs, Series IX, of Iwo Jima and the 549th N.F.S. ; four ink drawings by Gary Olson of aircraft flown by the Night Fighters; and four books on the Northrop P-61, which are being cataloged into the Archives Reading Room Collection.

Series Description

1. Kent Blyler Papers, date unknown
   A poem which Mr. Blyler found in his old diary. He maintained the diary while stationed on Guadalcanal with the 6th Night Fighter Squadron.

2. Robert W. Boucher Papers, 1943-1946
   Pilots' tests and certificates, squadron reports, individual flight records, photographs, and miscellaneous material. Mr. Boucher served with the 421st and the 548th Night Fighter Squadrons.

3. Don Dessert Papers, 1976
   An article copied from Air Classics, August 1976, titled, "Night Lightning." Mr. Dessert is mentioned in the article.

4. Dick Ehlert Papers, 1942-1944
   First draft of a chronology taken from Mr. Ehlert's diary. It gives a good account of his experiences as a night fighter in the Pacific. He was a member of the 6th Night Fighter Squadron.

5. Joe Gonzales Papers, 1943
   A copy of a chronology of the 417th Night Fighter Squadron. It gives a good account of their training, and experiences while being transported overseas. Many of the men in the squadron are mentioned, as well as their ranks. The chronology ends abruptly, the rest having been lost.

6. Edward F. Jones Papers, 1944-1945
   Rosters, transfer orders, and commendations pertaining to Mr. Jones' participation in the military.

7. George R. Ludlow Photographs, 1945
   Three photographs of German concentration camp victims at Furth, Germany.

8. William C. Odell Papers, 1942
   One copy of an Individual Flight Record and one copy of a page from a diary. The two pages seem to indicate that there was a night fighter squadron in existence as early as April, 1942.

9. Earl Tigner Photographs, 1945
   Photographs of Iwo Jima and the 549th Night Fighter Squadron which was stationed there.

10. Thomas C. Tillman Papers, 1970-71
    Several papers pertaining to the retirement and death of Thomas Tillman, an award that he received in 1970, and a pamphlet containing his biography.

11. Gordon T. Timmons Interview, 1978
    An interview with Gordon Timmons, who was at one time, commander of the 415th Night Fighter Squadron. He also served with the 421st Night Fighter Squadron. The interview was conducted by Susan Smith sometime between June 30, and July 2, 1978.

12. Night Fighters' Reunion, June 30, - July 2, 1978
    Two cassette tapes and one reel-to-reel tape of the speeches made at the reunion. The reel-to-reel tape is a duplicate of the cassette tapes. The speakers include Jimmy Doolittle, Colonel Richard Upstromm, who is the director of the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio (as of October 1981), and individuals who served as night fighters.

13. Gary Olson Drawings, 1988
    Donated in 2006 by Earl Tigner, this series contains four black ink drawings of aircraft flown by Night Fighter programs. The drawings are #74 of a limited production series. The four aircraft include the Northrop P-61B, the Douglas P-70, the deHAvilland Mosquito, and the Bristol Beaufighter.

14. Earl Tigner Books on P-61
    Donated in 2006 by Earl Tigner, this series contains four books about the Northrop P-61. These books are being cataloged into the Archives' Reading Room Collection.

Container Listing

Photographs (includes CD) of Iwo Jima and the 549th N.F.S., 1945