Another squadron of P-51 Mustangs was assigned Choosing to protect Preventing_or_letting Allied aircraft operating Being_in_operation near Norway from German fighters .

The operation was a failure , there were no Merlin engined P-51 Mustangs available for USAAF fighter squadrons to provide Supply long-range escort until the winter of 1943–44 ) , while the P-47 Thunderbolt was inadequate .