Constituted as 480th Antisubmarine Group on 19 Jun 1943 and activated
in North Africa on 21 Jun. Assigned to AAF Antisubmarine Command. Using
B-24's, the group had the primary mission of carrying out antisubmarine
patrols in an area of the Atlantic extending north and west from Morocco.
Its antisubmarine activity reached a peak in Jul 1943 when enemy U-boats
concentrated off the coast of Portugal to intercept convoys bound for the
Mediterranean; by destroying and damaging several submarines during the
month, the group aided in protecting supply lines to forces involved in
the campaign for Sicily. The group also covered convoys and engaged
numerous enemy aircraft in combat. In Sep 1943 part of the group moved
temporarily to Tunisia and operated in connection with the assault on
Italy; missions included searching for enemy submarines, covering Allied
convoys, and protecting the Italian fleet after the surrender of Italy.
The group was awarded a DUC for actions that contributed to the winning of
the Battle of the Atlantic. Moved to the US in Nov and Dec 1943. Disbanded
on 29 Jan 1944.
Squadrons. 1st: 1943-1944. 2d: 1942-1944.
Stations. Port Lyautey, French Morocco, 21 Jun-Nov 1943; Langley Field,
Va, c. 18 Nov 1943; Clovis AAFld, NM, 1-29 Jan 1944.
Commanders. Col Jack Roberts, 21 Jun 1943-unkn.
Campaigns. Antisubmarine, EAM Theater; Air Combat, EAME Theater.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: North African Theater of
Operations [1943]. Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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