Constituted as 491st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943.
Activated on 1 Oct 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. On 1 Jan 1944 the
group, less the air echelon, was transferred without personnel and
equipment to England, where personnel were assigned later. The air echelon
continued to train in the US until it joined the group in England in May
1944. Served in combat with Eighth AF until the end of Apr 1945. Began
operations early in Jun 1944 and attacked airfields, bridges, and coastal
defenses both preceding and during the invasion of Normandy. Then
concentrated its attacks on strategic objectives in Germany, striking
communications centers, oil refineries, storage depots, industrial areas,
shipyards, and other targets in such places as Berlin, Hamburg, Kassel,
Cologne, Gelsenkirchen, Bielefeld, Hannover, and Magdeburg; on one
occasion attacked the headquarters of the German General Staff at Zossen,
Germany. While on a mission to bomb an oil refinery at Misburg on 26 Nov
1944, the group was attacked by large numbers of enemy fighters; although
about one-half of its planes were destroyed, the remainder fought off the
interceptors, successfully bombed the target, and won for the group a DUC.
Although engaged primarily in strategic bombardment, the group also
supported ground forces at St Lo in Jul 1944; assaulted V-weapon sites and
communications lines in France during the summer of 1944; dropped supplies
to paratroops on 18 Sep 1944 during the airborne attack in Holland; bombed
German supply lines and fortifications during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec
1944-Jan 1945; supported Allied forces in the airborne drop across the
Rhine in Mar 1945; and interdicted enemy communications during the Allied
drive across Germany in Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Jul. Inactivated
on 8 Sep 1945.
Squadrons. 852d: 1943-1945. 853d: 1943-1945. 854th: 1943-1945. 855th:
1943-1945.
Stations. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 1 Oct 1943; El Paso, Tex, 11 Nov
1943; England, 1 Jan 1944; North Pickenham, England, Feb 1944; Metfield,
England, Mar 1944; North Pickenham, England, 15 Aug 1944-Jun 1945; McChord
Field, Wash, 17 Jul-8 Sep 1945.
Commanders. Col Dwight O Monteith, 10 Oct 1943; Maj Jack G Merrell, 20
Dec 1943; Col Wilson H Banks, 5 Jan 1944; Maj Alex E Burleigh, 19 Jan
1944; Lt Col Jack G Merrell, 29 Jan 1944; Lt Col Carl T Goldenburg, 12 Feb
1944; Col F H Miller, 26 Jun 1944; Col Allen W Reed, c. 20 Oct
1944-1945.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Misburg, Germany, 26 Nov
1944. Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
|
