9th U.S. Army Air Force Order: tactical bombing raids over occupied Europe Version: 15-08-08 (D-M-Y) - 194 pics of aircraft to see here ;-) |
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The Ninth Air Force began life in the United States as a numbered close
air support command. This establishment became the major Tactical Air Force in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Most of the Ninth
Air Force was created from USAAF units which had been part of the U.S. Army
Forces in the Middle East (USAFIME) fighting in the Egypt-Libya Campaign in late
1942. As the Ninth Air Force they were initially under the overall command of
AFHQ in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. In 1943 they moved to the
United Kingdom with their headquarters at R.A.F Burtonwood, England in 1943.
They left behind the heavy bombers of IX Bomber Command which joined the
newly created Fifteenth Air Force. Following the war, Ninth Air Force served as
one of the tactical air forces of Tactical Air Command. |
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9th USAAF was a tactical force. Before the Invasion of the Normandy, it must
ensure the air control and prepare the invasion. Thereafter, it had the role of supporting the troops on the ground at the time of their progression. Thus, 9th USAAF objectives were:
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| IX Bomber Command | ||||
| Commander ? | ||||
| IX Troop Carrier Command | ||||
| Brigadier General (*) P. Williams | ||||
| IX FIGHTER COMMAND | ||||
| Brigadier General (*) R. Etheral - Middle Wallop, England | ||||
| Direct Reporting Units | ||||
| 71th Fighter Group (P-61) | ||||
| IX Tactical Air Command | XIX Tactical Air Command | XXIX Tactical Air Command | ||
| Major General (**) Elwood Quesada | Major General (**) Otto Weyland | (Activated 15 September 1944) | ||
| Provided tactical air support in support of U.S. First Army | Provided tactical air support in support of U.S. Third Army. | Provided tactical air support in support of U.S. Ninth Army. | ||
| IX Bomber Command | ||
| Commander ? | ||
| 97th Bomb Wing | 98th Bomb Wing | 99th Bomb Wing |
| 409th BG (A-20) | 323rd BG (B-26) | 322nd BG (B-26) |
| 410th BG (A-20) | 387th BG (B-26) | 344th BG (B-26) |
| 416th BG (A-20) | 394th BG (B-26) | 386th BG (A-26) |
| - | 395th BG (B-26) | 391st BG (B-26) |
| - | 397th BG (B-26) | - |
| - | Pathfinder | - |
| - | 1st (P)PS (Aircraft?) | - |
| 97th Bomb Wing |
| 409th Bomb Group | |||
| Colonel Preston Pender | |||
| 640th Bomb Squadron | 641st Bomb Squadron | 642nd Bomb Squadron | 643rd Bomb Squadron |
| WS | 7F | E2 | 5L |
| 1944 - Douglas A-20G HAVOC | |||
| A-20G WS+? | A-20G 7F+? | A-20G E2+? | A-20G 5L+? |
| 410th Bomb Group (Light) | |||
| Colonel Ralph Raudy | |||
| 644th Bomb Squadron | 645th Bomb Squadron | 646th Bomb Squadron | 647th Bomb Squadron |
| 5D | 7X | 8U | 6Q |
| Propeller-hub-colors: | |||
| 1944, June 6 (D-Day) - Douglas A-20J HAVOC - Gosfield, England | |||
 A-20J-20-DO 5D+G (43-22022) "Bill" |
 A-20J-10-DO 7X+P (43-10131) "Source of Annoyance" |
 A-20J-15-DO 8U+S (43-21745) "Irene" |
A-20G 6Q+? |
| 1944, August - Douglas A-20G-35-DO HAVOC - France | |||
| A-20G 5D+? |
 A-20G 7X+G (43-9671) "8 Ball Express" |
A-20G 8U+? |
 A-20G-35-DO 6Q+O (43-10181) "Joker" |
| A-20G 5D+? |
 A-20G-30-DO 7X+J (43-9670) "Margaret Maria" |
A-20G 8U+? | A-20G 6Q+? |
| 416th Bomb Group (Light) | |||
| Colonel Harold Mace | |||
| 668th Bomb Squadron | 669th Bomb Squadron | 670th Bomb Squadron | 671st Bomb Squadron |
| 5H | 2A | F6 | 5C |
| 1944, February - Douglas A-20G-25-DO HAVOC - Wethersfield, England, UK | |||
 A-20G 5H+B (43-9182) |
A-20G 2A+? | A-20G F6+? | A-20G 5C+? |
| 1944, July - Douglas A-20G-20 HAVOC - France | |||
 A-20G 5H+E ''La France Libre'' |
A-20G 2A+? | A-20G F6+? | A-20G 5C+? |
| 98th Bomb Wing |
| 323rd Bomb Group | |||
| Colonel Wilson Wood | |||
| 453rd Bomb Squadron | 454th Bomb Squadron | 455th Bomb Squadron | 456th Bomb Squadron |
| VT | RJ | YU | WT |
| 1945, early - Martin B-26G-MA MARAUDER - Laon, France | |||
| Black paint for Night Intruder Missions | |||
| B-26G VT+? |
 B-26G RJ+G (41-34871) (41-31813) in the back |
B-26G YU+? |
 B-26G WT+K - - - - |
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387th Bomb Group (3.BW (From 8AF) ???) |
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| Colonel Tom Seymour | |||
| 556th Bomb Squadron | 557th Bomb Squadron | 558th Bomb Squadron | 559th Bomb Squadron |
| FW | KS | KX | TQ |
| 1943 - Martin B-26B-20-MA MARAUDER - Chipping Onger, England | |||
| B-26G FW+? |
 B-26G KS+K (41-31714) "Keller's Killer" |
B-26G KX+? | B-26G TQ+? |
| 1944 - Martin B-26G-15-MA MARAUDER - France(?) | |||
| B-26G FW+? | B-26G KS+? |
 B-26G KX+D (42-95930) - - - - - - |
 B-26G-15-MA TQ+M (44-67894) This aircraft crashed near Zuzgen, Switzerland on 16th April 1945. The pilot was killed, white the rest of the crew successfully bailed out. Then the aircraft was interned in Switzerland. |
| 394th Bomb Group | |||
| Colonel Tom Hall - Holmesley | |||
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The 394th Bombardment Group (Medium) was
constituted on 15 Feb 1943. Activated on 5 Mar 1943. Moved to England, Feb-Mar 1944, and assigned to Ninth AF. Entered combat in Mar 1944 and helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by hitting V-weapon sites, marshalling yards, bridges, air-dromes, and gun emplacements. On D- Day, 6 Jun, bombed gun positions at Cherbourg; afterward, struck communications, fuel supplies, and strong points in support of the Normandy campaign. Aided the breakthrough at St Lo by bombing targets in the area on 25 Jul 1944. |
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| 584th Bomb Squadron | 585th Bomb Squadron | 586th Bomb Squadron | 587ht Bomb Squadron |
| K5 | 4T | H9 | 5W |
| 1944 - Martin B-26G-25-MA MARAUDER - Boreham, England | |||
| B-26G K5+? | B-26G 4T+? |
 B-26G H9+A (44-68129) "Lil Ass" Aircraft code letter unknown, shown as 'A' for effect. |
B-26G 5W+? |
| 1944 - Martin B-26B MARAUDER - Cambrai, France | |||
| B-26G K5+? |
 B-26G 4T+Z - - |
 B-26G 7T+E (41-17769) "Nightmare" (7T?? - probably 4T of 585BS) |
B-26G 5W+? |
| 395th Bomb Group | |||
| Colonel Richard Joiner - Hurn | |||
| ?th Bomb Squadron | ?th Bomb Squadron | ?th Bomb Squadron | ?th Bomb Squadron |
| ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Martin B-26B MARAUDER | |||
| - | - | - | - |
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397th Bomb Group (3.BW (From 8AF) ???) |
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| Colonel Tom Seymour | |||
| 596th Bomb Squadron | 597th Bomb Squadron | 598th Bomb Squadron | 599th Bomb Squadron |
| X2 | 9F | U2 | 6B |
| 1944, June 6 (D-Day) - Martin B-26B-55-MA MARAUDER - Revinal, UK | |||
 B-26B-55-MA X2+M (42-96152) "Missouri Mule II" |
 B-26B-55-MA 9F+N (42-96191) ''Milk Run Express" |
B-26B U2+? |
 B-26B-55-MA 6B+A (42-96165) - |
| B-26B X2+? | B-26B 9F+? | B-26B U2+? |
 B-26B-55-MA 6B+T (42-96165) "The Big Hairy Bird" Revinal, UK, June 1944 After the war this aircraft was transferred to 387th BG and used in training and occupation duties. |
| 1944, post D-Day - Martin B-26B MARAUDER - France | |||
| D-Day-Stripes overpainted on Top surfaces | |||
 B-26B X2+A |
B-26B 9F+? | B-26B U2+? | B-26B U2+? |
 B-26B X2+M (42-96152) "Missouri Mule II" |
B-26B 9F+? | B-26B U2+? | B-26B U2+? |
1st (Provisional) Pathfinder Squadron |
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| 1H | |
| - | |
| - |
| 99th Bomb Wing |
| 322nd Bomb Group | |||
| Colonel Glen Nye | |||
| 449th Bomb Squadron | 450th Bomb Squadron | 451st Bomb Squadron | 452nd Bomb Squadron |
| PN | ER | 5S | DR |
| 1944 - Martin B-26B MARAUDER - RAF Andrews Field | |||
 B-26B PN+Q (41-18272) ''Murder Inc'' - |
B-26 ER+? | B-26 5S+? | B-26 DR+? |
| 1944 - Martin B-26B MARAUDER - RAF Andrews Field | |||
 B-26B PN+F (42-94483)? ''Los Lobos Grandes III'' - |
 B-26B ER+X (41-31765) ''Fightin' Cock'' Andrews Field in March 1944 |
B-26B 5S+? |
 B-26B DR+H (41-18054) ''Jezabelle'' - |
| 1944, June - Martin B-26C MARAUDER - Great Sailing, UK | |||
| B-26 PN+? |
 B-26C-45-MO ER+V (42-107685) ''Fightin' Cock'' Great Sailing, UK, June 1944 Fate: Damaged by AAA and crew bailed out Feb 22, 1945 |
B-26 5S+? | B-26 DR+? |
| 1944, end - Martin B-26C MARAUDER - Italy | |||
 B-26G-5-MA PN+X (43-34371) ''Los Lobos Grandes III'' Italy 1944 |
B-26 ER+? | B-26 5S+? | B-26 DR+? |
| 344th Bomb Group | |||
| Colonel Reginald Vance | |||
| 494th Bomb Squadron | 495th Bomb Squadron | 496th Bomb Squadron | 497th Bomb Squadron |
| K9 | Y5 | N3 | 7I |
| Martin B-26B MARAUDER | |||
| B-26B K9+? |
 B-26B Y5+D (43-34101) ''?'' ? |
B-26B N3+? |
 B-26B 7I+B (42-95864) ''Valkyrie'' January 1945 |
| B-26B K9+? |
 B-26B Y5+P (43-34101) ''?'' ? |
B-26B N3+? | B-26B 7I+? |
| 1945 - Douglas A-26C INVADER - Schleissheim, Germany | |||
| Note: Neutrality band of Occupation Force | |||
| B-26B K9+? | B-26B Y5+? |
 B-26B N3+C (43-34101) ''?'' Schleissheim, Germany |
B-26B 7I+? |
| 386th Bomb Group, 3.BW (From 8AF) | |||
| Colonel Joe Kelly | |||
| 552th Bomb Squadron | 553th Bomb Squadron | 554th Bomb Squadron | 555th Bomb Squadron |
| RG | AN | RU | YA |
| 1943-44 - Martin B-26B MARAUDER - Boxted, England | |||
| B-26B RG+? | B-26B AN+? (41-...) |
 B-26B-30-MA RU+V (41-31877) ''Bar Fly'' Boxted 1943-44 This aircraft crashed on takeoff January 1st, 1945 |
B-26B YA+? (41-...) |
| 1944, June - Martin B-26B MARAUDER - Boxted, England | |||
| B-26B RG+? |
 B-26B AN+L (41-34946) ''Yankee Guerilla'' June 1944 |
B-26B RU+? |
 B-26B YA+P (42-...) ''?'' July 1944 |
| B-26B RG+? | B-26B AN+? (41-...) | B-26B RU+? |
 B-26C-25-MO YA+V (41-35358) ''?'' Boxted, UK, June 1944. This aircraft condemned salvage from enemy action April 2, 1946. |
| 1944 - Douglas A-26B INVADER - France | |||
 A-26B RG+D (?) - |
A-26B AN+? | A-26B RU+? | A-26B YA+? |
 A-26B RG+O (?) - |
A-26B AN+? | A-26B RU+? | A-26B YA+? |
| 1945, April - Douglas A-26B INVADER - France | |||
 A-26B-15-DT RG+A (43-22369) ''Stinky'' |
A-26B AN+? |
 A-26B-20-DT RU+D (43-22418) ''Kiwi Boid'' |
A-26B YA+? |
| A-26B RG+? | A-26B AN+? |
 A-26B-20-DT RU+V (?) |
A-26B YA+? |
| 391th Bomb Group | |||
| Colonel Gerald Williams | |||
| 572th Bomb Squadron | 573th Bomb Squadron | 574th Bomb Squadron | 575th Bomb Squadron |
| P2 | T6 | 4L | O8 |
| 1944 - Martin B-26B-55 MARAUDER - France | |||
| - |
 (T6+D) ''Hitch Hiker'' |
- | - |
| 1945 - Douglas A-26B INVADER - France | |||
 A-26B P2+C |
A-26B T6+? | A-26B 4L+? | A-26B =8+? |
| IX Troop Carrier Command | ||
| Brigadier General (*) P. Williams | ||
| IX TCC Pathfinder Group (Provisional) | ||
| 50th Troop Carrier Wing | 52nd Troop Carrier Wing | 53rd Troop Carrier Wing |
| 439th TCG (C-47A) | 61st TCG (C-47A) | 434th TCG (C-47A) |
| 440th TCG (C-47A) | 313th TCG (C-47A) | 435th TCG (C-47A) |
| 441st TCG (C-47A) | 314st TCG (C-47A) | 436th TCG (C-47A) |
| 442nd TCG (C-47A) | 315th TCG (C-47A) | 437th TCG (C-47A) |
| - | 349th TCG (C-47A) | 438th TCG (C-47A) |
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Note: The individual Code behind the cockpit is painted sometimes in
yellow and sometimes in white on these pics. I have no idea, if one of them is wrong interpretation, if this varied from squadron to squadron, or changed in time from one colour to the other. If you know the secret, please tell me! Thanks in advance! |
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| IX TCC Pathfinder Group (P) | |||
| Colonel Charles Young | |||
| 1st PFS (P) | 3rd PFS (P) | 3rd PFS (P) | 4th PFS (P) |
| 1944 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - North Witham, Chalgrove | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 50th Troop Carrier Wing |
| Cottesmore, Bottesford, Exeter |
| 439th Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Colonel Charles H. Young (to 06-10-1945) | |||
| 91st Troop Carrier Squadron | 92nd Troop Carrier Squadron | 93rd Troop Carrier Squadron | 94th Troop Carrier Squadron |
| L4 | J8 | 3B | D8 |
| 1944, February - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Balderton | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1944, April 26 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Upottery | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1944, June 6 (D-Day) - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Devon, UK | |||
 (L4 F) |
- | - |
 (D8 H) |
 (L4 S) - |
 (J8 I) "Kilroy was here" |
- |
 (D8 Z) "The Argonia" |
| 1944, post D-Day - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Upottery, UK | |||
| Note: D-Day-stripes overpainted on top surfaces | |||
 (L4 L) |
- | - |
 (D8 Z) "The Argonia" |
| 440th Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Lt.Colonel Frank X. Krebs (from 03-1944 to 18-09-1944) | |||
| 95st Troop Carrier Squadron | 96nd Troop Carrier Squadron | 97rd Troop Carrier Squadron | 98th Troop Carrier Squadron |
| 9X | 6Z (6X?) | W6 | 8Y |
| 1944, March - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Bottesford | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1944, April 18 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Exeter | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1944, June (D-Day) - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Exeter | |||
| - | - | - |
 (8Y D) |
| 441st Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Colonel Theodore G. Kershaw (from 03-1944 to 24-11-1944) | |||
| 99th Troop Carrier Squadron | 100th Troop Carrier Squadron | 301th Troop Carrier Squadron | 302nd Troop Carrier Squadron |
| 3J | 8C | Z4 | 2L |
| 1944, March - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Langar | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1944, April 25 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Merryfield | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1944, June 6 (D-Day) - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Merryfield | |||
| - | - |
 (Z4 E) (42-101033) Para-Dropper - |
- (2L ?) (43-15073) Para-Dropper Pilot: Harper This C-47 will be exposed the museum of
merville in 2008! |
| Douglas C-53 | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 442nd Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Colonel Charles M. Smith (to 25-09-1945) | |||
| 303rd Troop Carrier Squadron | 304th Troop Carrier Squadron | 305th Troop Carrier Squadron | 306th Troop Carrier Squadron |
| J7 (I7?) | V4 | 4J | 7H |
| 1944, March 29 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Fulbeck | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1944, June 6 (D-Day) - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Weston Zoyland | |||
| - | - |
 (4J B) Para-Dropper |
- |
| Douglas C-53 | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 52nd Troop Carrier Wing |
| Cottesmore |
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Deliveries of Curtiss C-46 Commando began to all 52d Troop Carrier Wing
groups in March 1945, however only used by 349th Troop Carrier Group in
combat during Operation Varsity, 24 March 1945. High attrition rate during operation led to withdrawal from combat afterwards and aircraft deemed too vulnerable for further combat assignments. |
| 61st Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Colonel Willis M. Mitchell (to 12-04-1945) | |||
| 14th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 15th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 53th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 59th Troop Carrier Sqd. |
| 3I | Y9 | 3A | X5 |
| 1944, February - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Barkston Heath | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1944, June 6 (D-Day) - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Barkston Heath | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 313th Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Colonel James Roberts Jr. (to 18-03-1945) | |||
| 29th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 47th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 48th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 49th Troop Carrier Sqd. |
| 5X | N3 | Z7 | H2 |
| 1944, February - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Folkingham | |||
| - | - |
 (Z7 S) Para-Dropper |
- |
| 314th Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Colonel Clayton Styles (to 22-08-1945) | |||
| 32nd Troop Carrier Sqd. | 50th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 61st Troop Carrier Sqd. | 62nd Troop Carrier Sqd. |
| S2 | 2R | Q9 | E5 |
| 1944, February - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Saltby | |||
| - | - |
 (Q9 R) |
 (E5 ?) |
| 315th Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Colonel Hamish McLelland (16-10-1943 to 27-09-1944) | |||
| 34th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 43rd Troop Carrier Sqd. | 309th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 310th Troop Carrier Sqd. |
| NM (ex 8thAF) | UA (ex 8thAF) | M6 | 4A |
| 1943 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Aldermarston | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1943, November 6 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Welford | |||
| - |
 |
- | - |
| 1944, December 7 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Spanhoe | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 316th Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Lt.Col. Burton R. Fleet (to 13-05-1944) | |||
| Colonel Harvey A. Berger (to 02-09-1944) | |||
| 36th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 36th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 44th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 45th Troop Carrier Sqd. |
| 6E (2E?) | W7 | 4C | T3 |
| 1944, February - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Cottesmore | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 349th Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Colonel ? | |||
| 23rd Troop Carrier Sqd. | 312th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 313th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 314th Troop Carrier Sqd. |
| Q8 | 9J (9E?) | 3E (3F?) | ? |
| 1944 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Barkston Heath | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1945, March 24 (Operation Varsity) - Douglas C-46 COMMANDO - Barkston Heath | |||
| Note: The only group that used the C-46 in combat! | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 53rd Troop Carrier Wing |
| Greenham Common |
| 434th Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Lt.Col. Fred D. Stevers (16-10-1943 to 29-11-1943) | |||
| Colonel William Whiteacre (to 17-12-1944) | |||
| 71st Troop Carrier Sqd. | 72nd Troop Carrier Sqd. | 73rd Troop Carrier Sqd. | 74th Troop Carrier Sqd. |
| CJ | CU | CN | ID |
| 1944, October 16 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Fulbeck | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1943, December 10 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Welford Park | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 435th Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Colonel Frank J. MacNees (03-11-1943 to 15-11-1945) | |||
| 75th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 76th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 77th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 78th Troop Carrier Sqd. |
| 5H (SH?) | CW | IB | CM |
| 1943, November 3 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Langar | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1944, January 25 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Welford Park | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 436th Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Colonel Adriel N. Williams (04-02-1944 to 01-10-1945) | |||
| 79th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 80th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 81st Troop Carrier Sqd. | 82th Troop Carrier Sqd. |
| S6 | 7D | U5 | 3D |
| 1944, February 4 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Bottesford | |||
| C-47A S6 ? | C-47A 7D ? | C-47A U5 ? | C-47A 3D ? |
| 1944, March 3 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Membury | |||
| C-47A S6 ? | C-47A 7D ? | C-47A U5 ? | C-47A 3D ? |
| 1944, June 6 (D-Day) - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Membury | |||
| C-47A S6 ? | C-47A 7D ? |
 C-47A U5 N |
C-47A 3D ? |
| 1945 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Membury | |||
| C-47A S6 ? |
 C-47A 7D B |
 C-47A U5 X |
C-47A 3D ? |
| 437th Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Colonel Cedric E. Hudgens (to 12-06-1944) | |||
| Colonel Donald J. French (to 11-1945) | |||
| 83rd Troop Carrier Sqd. | 84th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 85th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 86th Troop Carrier Sqd. |
| T2 | Z8 | 9O | 5K |
| 1944, February - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Ramsbury | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 438th Troop Carrier Group | |||
| Colonel John M. Donalson (o 27-12-1944) | |||
| 87th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 88th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 89th Troop Carrier Sqd. | 90th Troop Carrier Sqd. |
| 3X | M2 | 4U | Q7 |
| 1944, February 9 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Langar | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1944, March 16 - Douglas C-47A SKYTRAIN - Greenham Common, Berkshire | |||
| - | - | - | - |
| 1944, June 6 (D-Day) - Douglas C-47A-50-DL SKYTRAIN - Greenham Common, Berkshire | |||
 C-47A 3X ? (dropping paras) |
 C-47A M2 R (towing gliders) |
 C-47A 4U N (dropping paras) |
 C-47A Q7 Q (42-24190) "Sugar Puss" |
| IX FIGHTER COMMAND |
| Brigadier General (*) R. Etheral - Middle Wallop, England |
| Direct Reporting Units |
| 71th Fighter Group (P-61) |
| 71th Fighter Group | |||||
| The 71FG was a direct reporting unit to the IX FIGHTER COMMAND | |||||
422nd Night Fighter Squadron |
425th Night Fighter Squadron |
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| 1944, July - the 422 as first P-61 equipped unit arriving in UK, flew the first Night Fighter Mission (from Hurn) | |||||
| 1944, July - Northrop P-61A BLACK WIDOW - Ford, England, UK | |||||
 P-61A-5-NO (42-5547) "Borrowed Time" Pilot: 1st Lt. Herman Ernst Radar Operator: 2Lt Edward Kopsel Fate: DBR at Florennes, Belgium Dec 2, 1944. Condemned salvage no battle damage Dec 4, 1944 |
P-61A | ||||
| 1944, Post D-Day - Northrop P-61A BLACK WIDOW - Charmy Down, Scorton, Yorks | |||||
 P-61A-5-NO (42-5536) "Husslin Hussey" One of the First P-61 in the ETO. Fate: to excess inventory list Jun 1, 1946 - - - - - - |
 P-61A-10-NO (42-5565) "Double Trouble" Pilot: 1st Lt. Robert Bolinger (4 Kills) Radar Operator: 2nd Lt. Robert F. Graham The first P-61A-10-NO. Contrary to most other P-61s, this one had the data block and tail number in white rather than red. This particular P-61 is one of the most photographed Black Widows and clearly shows the application of invasion stripes. Fate: w/o in landing accident at Liege, Belgium Apr 26, 1945. Condemned salvage Apr 2, 1946 |
||||
| 1944, Post D-Day - Northrop P-61A BLACK WIDOW - England | |||||
 P-61A-5-NO (42-5558) "No Love, No Nothing" Pilot: CO Lt. Col. O. B. Johnson Radar Operator: Montgomery Fate: crew bailed out due to fuel starvation over England Dec 28, 1944. Condemned salvage no battle damage Dec 28, 1944 |
P-61A | ||||
| 1944 - Northrop P-61A BLACK WIDOW - Chateaudun, France | |||||
 P-61A-5-NO (42-5543) "Tennessee Ridge Runner" Pilot: Lieutenant John W. Anderson Radar Operator: Lieutenant James W. Mogan Chateaudun, France Fate: w/o in landing accident at Gotha, Germany, May 9, 1945. To excess inventory list Jun 1, 1946 |
P-61A | ||||
 P-61A-5 (42-5544) "Lady GEN" Pilot: Lieutenant Paul A. Smith Radar Operator: ? Flown by at least two crews. This example is the first crew that racked up the rather impressive scoreboard seen here. Later it was flown by Captain Leonard F. Koehler, but it didn't add anything to its score under his command. Perhaps that was because they removed the upper turret with the new crew, but more likely it was because of the total lack of Luftwaffe opposition at night during the last stages of the war. France 1944 Fate: w/o in landing accident at Kassel, Germany Jun 5, 1945. Condemned salvage no battle damage Jun 5, 1945 |
P-61A | ||||
| 1944, post D-Day - Northrop P-61A BLACK WIDOW - Etain, France, late 1944 | |||||
 P-61A-5-NO (42-5564) "Jukin Judy" Pilot: Lieutenant Eugene Lee Radar Operator: Lt Donald Doyle Fate: condemned MIA Dec 27, 1944 The last P-61A-5-NO - |
 P-61A-10-NO(?) (42-9569) "Tabitha" Pilot: Capt. Hardin Ross Radar Operator: ? Crashed on October 27, 1944. At the time it was being flown by Lt. Bruce Hefling and F/O Bill Broach, both of whom were killed in the crash. - |
||||
| 1945 - Northrop P-61A BLACK WIDOW - A-58 (Coulommiers), France | |||||
| P-61A |
 P-61A-10 (42-5580) "Wabash Cannon-Ball IV" Pilot: Major Leon Gilly Lewis (Squadron Commander) Radar Operator: ? Named after the train that ran between Detroit and St. Louis and for which that country song was written. A-58 (Coulommiers), France condemned salvage May 24, 1946 |
||||
| IX Tactical Air Command | ||
| Major General (**) Elwood Quesada | ||
| Provided tactical air support in support of U.S. First Army | ||
| 70th Fighter Wing | 71th Fighter Wing | 84th Fighter Wing |
| 48th FBG (P-47) | 57th FBG (P-40) *till 1943* | 50th FBG (P-40, P-47) |
| 367th FG (P-38, P-47) | 366th FG (P-47) | 65th FG (P-47) |
| 371st FG (P-47) | 368st FG (P-47) | 404st FG (P-47) |
| 474th FG (P-38) | 370th FG (P-38) | 405th FG (P-38) |
| - | - | Direct Reporting Unit |
| - | - | 67th TRG (F-5, F-6) |
| 70th Fighter Wing |
| 48th Fighter Bomber Group | ||||||||
| Colonel Geo Wertenbaker | ||||||||
492nd Fighter Squadron |
493rd Fighter Squadron |
494th Fighter Squadron |
||||||
| F4 | I7 | 6M | ||||||
| 1944 - Republic P-47D-25 THUNDERBOLT - Ibsley, later France | ||||||||
| P-47D F4+? |
 P-47D-25-RA I7+L (44-33204) - |
 P-47D-15-RE 6M+C (42-75648) "Old C" March 1944 - August 1945 : 200 missions! |
||||||
| 367th Fighter Group | ||||||||
| Colonel Charles Young | ||||||||
392nd Fighter Squadron |
393rd Fighter Squadron |
394th Fighter Squadron |
||||||
| H5 | 8L | 4N | ||||||
| 1944 - Lockheed P-38J-10-LO LIGHTNING - Stoney Cross | ||||||||
| P-38J H5+? | P-38J 8L+? |
 P-38J -10-LO 4N+L ''Hey Stuff'' Lieutenant W.T. Estabrook |
||||||
| 1944, August - Lockheed P-38J-25 LIGHTNING - Peray, France | ||||||||
 P-38J-25 H5 A (44-23677) "LITTLE BUCKAROO" CO 392nd FS Major Robert C. 'Buck' Rogers |
P-38J 8L+? | P-38J 4N+? | ||||||
| 1944, November - Lockheed P-38J-25 LIGHTNING - Juvaincourt, France | ||||||||
 P-38J-25 H5 U (44-23511) "Arkansas Traveller" Lieutenant Owen Fischer |
 P-38J-25 8L C (44-23590) "SCRAPIRON IV" CO 393rd FS Captain Lawrence E. Blumer |
P-38J 4N+? | ||||||
| 1945, April - Republic P-47D-30-RA THUNDERBOLT - Eschborn, Germany | ||||||||
 P-47D-30-RA H5+H (44-32760) "The Body" Lieutenant Elson R. Rodewald Eschborn, Germany, April 1945 |
 P-47D-30-RA 8L+A (43-3524) Edwin J. 'Chick' Chickering - |
 P-47D-30-RA 4N+Q (42-2667) Lt. Jack ... - |
||||||
 P-47D-30-RA H5+J (44-20072) "Duck Butt" Lieutenant Arthur C. Witters |
P-47D 8L+? | P-47D 4N+? | ||||||
| 371st Fighter Group | ||||||||
| Colonel Bingham Kleine | ||||||||
401st Fighter Squadron |
402nd Fighter Squadron |
485th Fighter Squadron |
||||||
| 9Q | 8N | 4W | ||||||
| 1945 - Republic P-47D THUNDERBOLT - Bisterne | ||||||||
| P-47D 9Q+? | P-47D 8N+? | P-47D 4W+? | ||||||
474th Fighter Group |
||||||||
| Commander ? | ||||||||
428th Fighter Squadron |
429th Fighter Squadron |
430th Fighter Squadron |
||||||
| F5 | 7Y | K6 | ||||||
| 1944, October - Lockheed P-38J-25 LIGHTNING - Florennes, Belgium | ||||||||
| P-38J F5 ? |
 P-38J 7Y Y (4.-..661) Summer 1944 |
P-38J K6 ? | ||||||
| P-38J F5 ? |
 P-38J 7Y ? (43-3524) "SWAT" Lieutenant Robert C. Milliken |
P-38J K6 ? | ||||||
| 1945, June - Lockheed P-38J-25 LIGHTNING - Langensalza, Germany | ||||||||
 P-38J F5 L Blue colours? |
 P-38J 7Y X (43-3524) Lieutenant Lawrence P. Liebers |
P-38J K6 ? | ||||||
| 71st Fighter Wing |
57th Fighter Group |
||||||||
| Commander ? | ||||||||
64th Fighter Squadron |
65th Fighter Squadron |
66th Fighter Squadron |
||||||
| #'s 10-39 | #'s 40-69 | #'s 70-99 | ||||||
| 1942, July - Curtiss P-40F WARHAWK - Western Desert | ||||||||
|
1942, May 10 - Approximately 80
miles off coast of Accra, Africa: As CO of the 57th Fighter Group, Mears flew the first P-40 Warhawk off the deck of the carrier USS RANGER when the 57th went into action in North Africa in August '42. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Legion of Merit for the action. |
||||||||
| P-40F 1+0 | P-40F 4+0 |
 P-40F 9+2 |
||||||
| 1942, July - Curtiss P-40F WARHAWK - Muqeibile, Palestine | ||||||||
| P-40F 1+0 | P-40F 4+0 | P-40F 7+0 | ||||||
| 1942, September - Curtiss P-40F WARHAWK - Egypt | ||||||||
| P-40F 1+0 | P-40F 4+0 | P-40F 7+0 | ||||||
| 1942, November - Curtiss P-40F WARHAWK - Libya | ||||||||
| P-40F 1+0 |
 P-40F 5+4 |
P-40F 7+0 | ||||||
| 1943, March - Curtiss P-40F-10 WARHAWK - Tunesia | ||||||||
 P-40F 10 |
P-40F 40 | P-40F 70 | ||||||
| 1943, June - Curtiss P-40F-10 WARHAWK - Malta | ||||||||
| P-40F 10 | P-40F 40 | P-40F 70 | ||||||
| 1943, August - transferred to 12th Air Force, NATAF, XII Tactical Support Command, DESERT AIR FORCE | ||||||||
366th Fighter Group |
||||||||
| Lt. Colonel Norm Holt | ||||||||
389th Fighter Squadron |
390th Fighter Squadron |
391st Fighter Squadron |
||||||
| A6 | B2 | A8 | ||||||
| 1945(44?), January - Republic P-47D-20-RE THUNDERBOLT - Asch, Belgium | ||||||||
| P-47D A6+? | P-47D B2+? |
 P-47D A8+O ''Peg O'My Heart'' Lieutenant Floyd Hass |
||||||
| 1945, May - Republic P-47D-28-RE THUNDERBOLT - Hamdorf, Germany | ||||||||
| P-47D A6+? |
 P-47D B2+M 1st Lt. Melvyn R. Paisley (?) |
P-47D A8+? | ||||||
| 1945, May - Republic P-47D-30-RE THUNDERBOLT - Neutrality-Patrol, Germany | ||||||||
| P-47D A6+? | P-47D B2+? |
 P-47D A8+C |
||||||
| 368th Fighter Group | ||||||||
| Colonel Gil Meyers | ||||||||
395th Fighter Squadron |
396th Fighter Squadron |
397th Fighter Squadron |
||||||
| A7 | C2 | D3 | ||||||
| 1945, May - Republik P-47D-30-RE THUNDERBOLT - St.Dizier, France | ||||||||
 P-47D A7+W (42-2864) - |
P-47D C2+? |
 P-47D D3+V (44-20456) George McWilliams |
||||||
| 370th Fighter Group | ||||||||
| Colonel Seth McKee | ||||||||
401st Fighter Squadron |
402nd Fighter Squadron |
485th Fighter Squadron |
||||||
| 9D | E6 | 7F | ||||||
| The 370th Fighter Group formed on 25 May 1943 and activated on 1 Jul 1943. | ||||||||
| 1943 - Republic P-47 THUNDERBOLT - Mitchell Field, United States | ||||||||
| P-47 9D+? | P-47 6E+? | P-47 7F+? | ||||||
| They trained until May 1, 1944 when the group entered combat | ||||||||
| They dive-bombed radar installations and flak towers, and escorted bombers that attacked bridges and marshalling yards in France as the Allies prepared for the invasion of the Continent. | ||||||||
| 1944, post D-Day - Lockheed P-38J-15-LO LIGHTNING - Andover Hants Airfield (station 406), Hampshire, England | ||||||||
|
They were trained stateside in the P-47 and were surprised when they
arrived at Aldermaston and were introduced to the P-38. Members of the 20th FG came over to get the 370 FG`s Thunderbolt pilots up to speed at Andover. Because of that, there are some misinterpretation of 20 FG planes at Andover - to clear it: 370FG planes had a RED band behind the spinner. Even on B&W you can identify them, because the band did not run as far back as the 20th FG had on their Lightnings. Please note, that OD and the newer aluminium colored ones were used together.
Note: The individual aircraft letter behind the squadron code was not
given randomly in this group. |
||||||||
 P-38J 9D F - - - |
 P-38J E6 T "Margie II" (after his wife) Major Jim Tucker (He was shot down & KIA on a napalm mission on August 10th near Chateaudun, France |
 P-38J 7F E "Mary Rose" "Winnie" is painted on the left nacelle Note disc covers only on main gear wheels 1944 |
||||||
| P-38J 9D ? |
 P-38J E6 Y "Peg O`My Heart II" 1st Lt. Cy B. Coenen (Y for Yoke - there was already a plane with C in this squadron) Given to me by his son, Michael - who also sent more infomation to correct the other profiles of the 370FG shown here. Thanks for the help! |
P-38J 7F ? | ||||||
| 1944, October - Lockheed P-38J-25-LO LIGHTNING - Lonray, France | ||||||||
| P-38J 9D ? | P-38J E6 ? |
 P-38J 7F S (44-23624) "LES VIN, LES FEMMES, LES CHANSONS" Captain Paul Sabo Captain Paul Sabo's plane code was 7F S with a bar above the S that indicated there was another Lightning with the same code of 7F S in the squadron. |
||||||
| 1944, November - Lockheed P-38J-15-LO LIGHTNING - Florennes, Belgium | ||||||||
| P-38J 9D ? | P-38J E6 ? |
 P-38J 7F N Florennes, Belgium, November 1944 |
||||||
| P-38J 9D ? | P-38J E6 ? |
 P-38J 7F O "Peggy" / "My California Cutie" On left engine nacelle: "Mary" / right: "Jean" Lt. Stan Ordway Florennes, Belgium in 1944 With 18 years the youngest pilot to fly a P-38 in combat. Pic is based on photos, model and paintings of it hanging in his office today. Named after his wife Peggy. "Engines" probably named after the girls of the mechanics |
||||||
| 1945 - Lockheed P-38J-15-LO LIGHTNING - Asch, Belgium | ||||||||
| P-38J 9D ? | P-38J E6 ? |
 P-38J 7F A "Spirit of Oakridge" Lt. Country Carroll |
||||||
| 1945 - North American P-51D MUSTANG | ||||||||
| P-51D 9D+? | P-51D 6E+? | P-51D 7F+? | ||||||
| 84th Fighter Wing |
| 50th Fighter Group | ||||||||
| Colonel William Greenfield | ||||||||
10th Fighter Squadron |
81st Fighter Squadron |
313th Fighter Squadron |
||||||
| T5 | 2N | W3 | ||||||
| 1945 - Republic P-47D THUNDERBOLT - Lymington | ||||||||
| P-47D T5+? |
 P-47D 2N+R |
P-47D W3+? | ||||||
365th Fighter Group |
||||||||
| Colonel Reg Stacker | ||||||||
386th Fighter Squadron |
387th Fighter Squadron |
388th Fighter Squadron |
||||||
| D5 | B4 | C4 | ||||||
| 1944, July - Republic P-47D THUNDERBOLT - Azeville (A-7), France | ||||||||
| P-47D D5+? | P-47D B4+? |
 P-47D-25-RE C4+Y (42-26407) |
||||||
 P-47D-30-RE D5+C (44-20571) fresh delivered, Winter 1944 |
P-47D B4+? | P-47D C4+? | ||||||
| 1945 - Republic P-47D THUNDERBOLT - Beaulieu, France | ||||||||
| P-47D D5+? | P-47D B4+? | P-47D C4+? | ||||||
"IGNE FERROQUE HOSTEM ARMATUM CONTERE" 404th Fighter Bomber Group |
||||||||
| Commander ? | ||||||||
506st Fighter Squadron |
507th Fighter Squadron |
508th Fighter Squadron |
||||||
| 4K | Y8 | 7J | ||||||
| 1944, April 4 - Republic P-47D THUNDERBOLT - Arrived at Winkton (Station 414), Kent | ||||||||
 P-47D-25-RE 4K+R (42-26465) ''Rae'' CO of 506th FS, Harold G. 'Hal' Shook |
P-47D Y8+? | P-47D 7J+? | ||||||
| 1944, June - Republic P-47D THUNDERBOLT - Chapelle, France | ||||||||
| P-47D 4K+? | P-47D Y8+? | P-47D 7J+? | ||||||
| 405th Fighter Group | ||||||||
| Commander ? | ||||||||
509th Fighter Squadron |
510th Fighter Squadron |
511th Fighter Squadron |
||||||
| G9 | 2Z | K4 | ||||||
| 1944, Summer - Republic P-47D THUNDERBOLT - England ? | ||||||||
 P-47D-20-RE G9+H (42-76528) Lieutenant William Downey Red canopy already?? |
 P-47D-20-RE 2Z+B (42-76553) "The Bug" - - |
P-47D K4+? | ||||||
| 1944, June 6 - Republic P-47D THUNDERBOLT - England ? | ||||||||
| Full D-Day Stripes | ||||||||
| P-47D G9+? |
 P-47D-20-RE 2Z+Q (42-76496) ''BOOG'' Captain Ralph Santasiero |
P-47D K4+? | ||||||
| 1944, June - Republic P-47D THUNDERBOLT - England ? | ||||||||
| Squadron colours introduced to Propeller hub and tail | ||||||||
 P-47D-22-RE G9+U (42-25890) Lieutenant Bob Hartmann |
 P-47D-15-RE 2Z+P (42-76275) ''Squirt II'' Lieutenant Richard H. Parker |
P-47D K4+? | ||||||
| 1944 - Republic P-47D-28-RA THUNDERBOLT - England ? | ||||||||
 P-47D-28-RA G9+B (42-28445) ''Chow Hound'' Captain Robert Blackburn |
P-47D 2Z+? | P-47D K4+? | ||||||
| 1944, June 30 - moved to France | ||||||||
| 1944, Summer - Republic P-47D THUNDERBOLT - Picauville (A-8), France | ||||||||
| The initially black/white cowling & stripes were soon painted in squadron colours | ||||||||
 P-47D-22-RE G9+G (43-34780) ''The TURTLE No.9'' Pilot ? |
 P-47D-20-RA 2Z+B (42-76591) ''YANKEE TARHEEL'' Lieutenant H.I. Price |
P-47D K4+? | ||||||
| 1944, September 13 => - Republic P-47D-22-RE THUNDERBOLT - St.Dizier (A-64), France | ||||||||
| P-47D G9+? |
 P-47D-22-RE 2Z+D (42-26747) ''Kansas Tornado II'' Captain Howard Curran |
On 1 November, a P47D
‘Razorback’ model (high back); coded K4-S ‘Little Audrey’ of 511FS was
relegated to second line duties due to the arrival of new bubbletop
examples. The code K4-S remained unused until mid December 1944, when ‘29150 was issued to the 511FS. ‘29150 arrived on site with lower D-Day stripes to the fuselage as well as a black cowling and tailplane/fin bands. |
||||||
| 1944 - Republic P-47D-28-RA/D-30-RA(Tailfin) THUNDERBOLT - St.Dizier (A-64), France | ||||||||
 P-47D-28-RA G9+A (42-28443) ''?'' Major Kinne |
 P-47D-27-RE 2Z+O (42-26800) ''Evie'' Lieutenant G.W. Orange |
 P-47D K4+J (44-46789) ''?'' Pilot unknown |
||||||
 P-47D-28-RA G9+B (42-28445) ''Chow Hound 2nd'' Captain Robert Blackburn |
 P-47D-28-RA 2Z+S (42-28927) ''Miss Caesar'' Pilot unknown |
 P-47D K4+S (42-26261) Lieutenant Walter A. Grabowski (Winter 44-45 ??) |
||||||
 P-47D-28-RA G9+C (44-33200) ''Peggy Darlin'' Major (later Lt.Colonel) Richard C. Bender |
 P-47D-28-RA 2Z+X (42-28549) ''Georgia Peach II'' Captain Edward Curry Powell |
P-47D K4+? | ||||||
 P-47D-28-RA G9+I (44-3..) - |
P-47D 2Z+? | P-47D K4+? | ||||||
 P-47D-28-RA G9+J (42-27316) ''CHIEF-SKI-OH-MAH II'' Lieutenant Duane E. Buholz |
P-47D 2Z+? | P-47D K4+? | ||||||
 P-47D-30-RA G9+L (44-33813) ''Balls Out'' Lieutenant Mill Thompson |
P-47D 2Z+? | P-47D K4+? | ||||||
| 1945, early - Republic P-47D-28-RA/D-30-RA(Tailfin) THUNDERBOLT - St.Dizier (A-64), France | ||||||||
 P-47D-28-RA G9+K (42-29147) ''The TURTLE No.10'' Captain Charles Dooney |
P-47D 2Z+? | P-47D K4+? | ||||||
| 1945, Spring - Republic P-47D-28-RA/D-30-RA(Tailfin) THUNDERBOLT - St.Dizier (A-64), France | ||||||||
|
As was often the case
with many units within the 9AF, the 405FG had no Group colours. Tail
colours were generally used, but only to identify aircraft within each
Flight (A Flt – Red, B Flt – White, C Flt – Blue and D Flt – Yellow) but
for some reason blue did not seem to be applied. In December 44, ‘29150
was painted with yellow bands to her fin/rudder and to each tailplane
and in early 1945 these were changed to red. As ‘29150 belonging to C
Flight, the colours on the tailplane remain a mystery. As was often the case, the flights were assembled on available aircraft and pilots so flight colours were generally ignored. ???? I can not confirm this statement, to me it appears the tail must have been yellow. |
||||||||
 P-47D-30-RA G9+K (44-21055) ''Look 'No Hands'' Major Chester Van Etten - - |
 P-47D-30-RA 2Z+K (43-34336) ''Mormon Meteor IV'' Pilot ? - - |
 P-47D-28-RA K4+S (42-29150) ''Dottie Mae'' Lieutenant Larry A. Kuhl (named after his wife at the time) http://www.dottiemaep-47.com/ |
||||||
 P-47D-28-RA G9+T (42-28354) ''The MOLE'' Lieutenant Michael T.. |
 P-47D-30-RA 2Z+T (43-3133) ''Tallahassee Lassie'' Major Ralph C. Jenkins |
 P-47D-28-RA K4+S (42-29150) Lieutenant Walter A. Grabowski 1945 |
||||||
| 67th Tactical Recon/Photo Group | |||||||||||
| Colonel William Reid - Membury, Middle Wallop, England | |||||||||||
107th Tactical Recon Sqd. |
109th Tactical Recon Sqd. |
30th Photo-Recon Squadron |
33rd Photo-Recon Squadron |
||||||||
| AX | VX | I6 | 2W | ||||||||
| F-6B Photo-MUSTANG | F-6B Photo-MUSTANG | F-5 Photo-LIGHTNING | F-5E-2 Photo-LIGHTNING | ||||||||
 F-6B AX+B ''Little Sir Echo II'' |
 F-6B VX+U ''Section 8'' |
 F-5 I6 D (42-13303) "Snooper" Charleroi-Gosselies Air Field in Belgium, January 1945 ------------------------------------ Collection of P.M. Larkin, Photographer/Aerial Photographer, US 9th AAF, 10th & 67th PRG, 30th Photo Recon Sq. 1943-1945 Given to me by his son, Joe to show here! Thanks, Joe! |
 F-5E-2 H2 W ''Queenie'' Captain William C. Clevenger and later by Lieutenant Tom Gordon |
||||||||
| XIX Tactical Air Command | |
| Major General (**) Otto Weyland | |
| Provided tactical air support in support of U.S. Third Army. | |
| 100th Fighter Wing | 303rd Fighter Wing |
| 354th FBG (P-51B/C, P-47D, P-51D) | 36th FBG (P-40, P-47) |
| 358th FG (P-38, P-47) | 373th FG (P-47) |
| 361st FG (P-47) | 406st FG (P-47) |
| 362nd FG (P-38) | Direct Reporting Unit |
| 363rd FG (P-51) | 10th TRG (F-6C,F-6D) |
| XXIX Tactical Air Command | |
| (Activated 15 September 1944) | |
| Provided tactical air support in support of U.S. Ninth Army. | |
| 100th Fighter Wing | 303rd Fighter Wing |
| 354th FBG (P-51B/C, P-47D, P-51D) | 36th FBG (P-40, P-47) |
| 358th FG (P-38, P-47) | 373th FG (P-47) |
| 361st FG (P-47) | 406st FG (P-47) |
| 362nd FG (P-38) | Direct Reporting Unit |
| 363rd FG (P-51) | 363rd TRG (F-5/F-6) |
| 100th Fighter Wing |
''Valor in Combat'' 354th Fighter Group |
||||||||
| Colonel George Bickell | ||||||||
353rd Fighter Squadron |
355th Fighter Squadron |
356th Fighter Squadron |
||||||
| FT | GQ | AJ | ||||||
| 1943, November - North American P-51B MUSTANG - RAF Boxted, United Kingdom | ||||||||
| The first operational group equipped with P-51Bs was the 354th FG, based at Boxted during November of 1943. | ||||||||
| P-51B FT+? |
 P-51B GQ+A (43-12173) ''Peg O`my Heart'' Captain Clayton Gross |
P-51B AJ+? | ||||||
| 1943, December - North American P-51B MUSTANG - Boxted, United Kingdom | ||||||||
| Aircraft have the white identification stripes roughly applied, in order to distinguish the aircraft from the Bf-109. | ||||||||
 P-51B FT+E (43-12457) ''Bonnie B'' Don Beerbower (from Minnesota) This was his first assigned P-51B. It is named after his daughter Bonnie Beerbower His second and better known P-51 was (43-12375) ''Bonnie B II''. In this aircraft he scored almost all of his 15.5 air victories and was unfortunately shot down and killed by Flak on August 9, 1944. |
 P-51B GQ+A (43-12451) ''Peggy'' Pilot ? - - - - - - . |
P-51B AJ+? | ||||||
 P-51B FT+T (43-12178) "Swede's Steed" William Y. Anderson, known as 'The Swede' (Seven victory fighter ace) The aircraft was possibly named 'Swede's Steed' and it was later assigned to another ace - Bob Weldon of the 356th squadron. Weldon re-named the aircraft "Mackie the 3rd" (AJ-W) |
 P-51B GQ+I (43-12451) ''Live Bait'' Captain Clayton Gross - - - - - |
P-51B AJ+? | ||||||
| 1943, December - North American P-51B MUSTANG - Boxted, United Kingdom | ||||||||
| The white stripes at the tailfin were overpainted, the ones at the elevators and the wingroot kept. | ||||||||
| P-51B FT+? | P-51B GQ+? |
 P-51B AJ+A (43-6315) ''Ding Hao!'' (=>Very good!) Major James Howard |
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| P-51B FT+? | P-51B GQ+? |
 P-51B AJ+L (44-72216) ''Miss L'' This is postwar plane, painted after P-51B optics |
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| P-51B FT+? | P-51B GQ+? |
 P-51B AJ+O (43-6322) ''The VERNA Q'' - |
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| P-51B FT+? | P-51B GQ+? |
 P-51B AJ+T (43-12434) ''Short-Fuse Sallee'' Captain Richard E. Turner |
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| P-51B FT+? | P-51B GQ+? |
-no pic yet- P-51B AJ+W (43-12178) "Mackie the 3rd" Bob Weldon ex (FT+T) (43-12178) "Swede's Steed" |
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|
Later some P-51B MUSTANG were modificated with the "Malcolm Hood"
(The bubble-style canopie) for better visibility. These were canopies for the RAF version of the Mustang and not directly supplied by the USAAF. So you needed to have "connections" and probably a certain rank to get one organized. |
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| P-51B FT+? | P-51B GQ+? |
 P-51B AJ+A (43-6315) ''Ding Hao!'' (=>Very good!) Major James Howard |
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| P-51B FT+? | P-51B GQ+? |
 P-51B AJ+T (43-12434) ''Short-Fuse Sallee'' Captain Richard E. Turner |
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| 1944, April 17 - North American P-51B MUSTANG - Lashenden (An advanced Landing Field), Kent, England | ||||||||
| 1944, June - D-Day stripes were introduced: | ||||||||
| P-51B FT+? |
 P-51B GQ+I (43-12451) ''Live Bait'' Captain Clayton Gross, D-Day |
P-51B AJ+? | ||||||
| 1944, June ca. 17 - North American P-51D MUSTANG - Cricqueville, France | ||||||||
| Colours for each squadron from now on | ||||||||
| FT | GQ | AJ | ||||||
| P-51D FT+? |
 P-51D GQ+U (44-63702) ''Grim Reaper'' Captain Lowell K. Brueland |
 P-51D AJ+T (44-15622) ''Short Fuse Sallee'' CO 356 FG Lt. Col. Richard E. Turner |
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| 1944, August 11 - North American P-51D MUSTANG - Gael, France | ||||||||
|
1944, September ca. 16 - North American P-51D
MUSTANG - Orconte, France (operated from St.Dizier, France, circa 14 Nov-3 Dec 1944) |
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| P-51D FT+? | P-51D GQ+? | P-51D AJ+? | ||||||
| 1944, December - Republic P-47D-28-RA THUNDERBOLT - Rosieres-en-Haye (near Nancy), France | ||||||||
|
The 354th FG flew P-47D THUNDERBOLTs from the fall of 1944 to the spring
of 1945 from Rosieres-en-Haye, near Nancy, France. I assume, they had just a few next to the P-51`s, which with they were normally equipped? |
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 P-47D-28-RA FT+L (44-20473) Major Glenn T. Eagleston, Dec 1944 |
 P-47-28-RA GQ+U (42-29750) ''Live Bait'' Captain Clayton Gross |
 P-47-28-RA AJ+D (44-20566) - |
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| P-47D-28-RA FT+? |
 P-47-28-RA GQ+U (44-20514) ''?? Spock'' Captain Lowell K. Brueland, Dec 1944 |
P-47-28-RA AJ+? | ||||||
| 1944, December 3 - North American P-51D MUSTANG - Rosieres-en-Haye (near Nancy), France | ||||||||
 P-51D FT+L (44-63607) Major Glenn T. Eagleston |
P-51D GQ+? | P-47-28-RA AJ+? | ||||||
| 1945, April 45 - North American P-51D MUSTANG - Ober Ulm (Y-64), Germany | ||||||||
 P-51D FT+I (44-63497) ''Angel's Playmate'' Captain Bruce W. Carr, Spring 1945 |
P-51D GQ+? |
 P-51D AJ+I (44-13882) ''Uno Who?'' Major George 'Max' Lamb |
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| 1945, May 1 - North American P-51D MUSTANG - Ansbach, Germany | ||||||||
| 1945, May 15 - North American P-51D MUSTANG - Herzogenaurach, Germany, 15 May 1945 | ||||||||
| P-51D FT+? | P-51D GQ+? |
 P-51D AJ+T (44-15622) ''Short Fuse'' CO 356 FG - Lt. Col. Richard E. Turner |
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| 1946, February 15 moved back to Bolling Field, DC | ||||||||
358th Fighter Group |
||||||||
| Colonel Cecil Wells | ||||||||
| The 358th FG was a dedicated ground attack unit operating over France and Germany. | ||||||||
365th Fighter Squadron |
366th Fighter Squadron |
367th Fighter Squadron |
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| CH | IA | CP | ||||||
| 1943 - Lockheed P-38J LIGHTNING | ||||||||
| CH+? | IA+? | CP+? | ||||||
| Arrived 31 Jan 1944 - Republic P-47D-23 THUNDERBOLT 157 Raydon, Suffolk | ||||||||
| CH+? |
 P-47D-23-RE IA+Z (42-...) - |
CP+? | ||||||
| 1944 - Republic P-47D-28-RE THUNDERBOLT 157 Raydon, Suffolk | ||||||||
| CH+? | IA+? |
 P-47D-28-RE CP+J (44-20244) ''THAT'S URASS'' - |
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| 1944, Winter - Republic P-47D-30-RA THUNDERBOLT - Toul, France | ||||||||
 P-47D-30-RA CH+Y - - |
 P-47D-30-RA IA+N (44-33240) ''Tarheel Hal'' Lt. 'Ike' Davis |
CP+? | ||||||
| 1945 - Republic P-47D-30-RA THUNDERBOLT - Sonthofen (Y-79), Germany | ||||||||
 P-47D-30-RA CH+Y (44-33418) ''Stinky'' 1st Lt. Don Volkmer |
IA+? |
 P-47D-30-RA CP+U (44-3214) ''Ole Trapper'' 1st Lt. Donald D. Schnoor (?) |
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362th Fighter Group |
|||
| Colonel Morton Magaffin | |||
|
377th Fighter Squadron |
378th Fighter Squadron |
379th Fighter Squadron |
|
| E4 | G8 | B8 | |
| 1944 - Republic P-47D-22-RE THUNDERBOLT - France | |||
| E4+? |
 P-47D-22-RE G8+Z (42-76424) ''My Gal Sal'' |
B8+? | |
| 1944, September - Republic P-47D-30-RE THUNDERBOLT - Prosnes (A-79), France | |||
 P-47D-30-RA E4+D (42-0737) ''Gooch'' - |
G8+? | B8+? | |
| 1945, early - Republic P-47D-30-RA THUNDERBOLT - Rouvres (A-82), France | |||
 P-47D-30-RA B8+A (44-33287) ''Five-by-Five'' LCOL Joe Laughlin CO 362nd Fighter Group |
|||
 P-47D-30-RA E4+T (42-26470) ''Chuck`s Wagon'' Lt. Charles Mann |
P-47D-30-RA G8+? |
 P-47D-30-RA B8+N (44-33522) ''Why Pick On Me?'' Lt. Robert McCormack |
|
| 363rd Fighter Group | ||||||||
| Colonel Jim Tipton, Staplehurst | ||||||||
380th Fighter Squadron |
381st Fighter Squadron |
382nd Fighter Squadron |
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| A9 | B3 | C3 | ||||||
| 1943 - North American P-51B MUSTANG - UK | ||||||||
| P-51B A9+? | P-51B B3+? |
 (C3+F) (43-6830) (At visit in Glatton) |
||||||
| 1944 - North American P-51D-5-NA MUSTANG - Normandy, France | ||||||||
 (A9+A) (44-13309) "Fool`s Paradise IV" - |
P-51D B3+? | P-51D C3+? | ||||||
 (A9+I) (44-13706) "Courser II'" - |
P-51D B3+? | P-51D C3+? | ||||||
| 1945 - North American P-51D-5-NA MUSTANG - Asch, Belgium | ||||||||
| P-51D A9+? | P-51D B3+? |
 (C3+M) (44-13380) "Hoo Flung Dung/City of Paris" Major Robert McWherter |
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| 303rd Fighter Wing |
| 36th Fighter Group | ||||||||
| Colonel Van Slayden | ||||||||
492nd Fighter Squadron |
493rd Fighter Squadron |
494th Fighter Squadron |
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| 3T | 7U | 6V | ||||||
| 1944 - Republic P-47D THUNDERBOLT - France | ||||||||
 P-47D 3T+A (..) - |
P-47D 7U+? | P-47D 6V+? | ||||||
| 373rd Fighter Group | ||||||||
| Colonel William Schwartz | ||||||||
410th Fighter Squadron |
411th Fighter Squadron |
412th Fighter Squadron |
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| R3 | U9 | V5 | ||||||
| Arrived 4 Apr 1944 - Republic P-47D-22-RE THUNDERBOLT - 419 Woodchurch, Kent | ||||||||
 P-47D-22-RE R3+G (42-25845) July 1944 |
P-47D U9+? | P-47D V5+? | ||||||
| 1945 - Republic P-47D-28 THUNDERBOLT - 419 Woodchurch, Kent | ||||||||
 P-47D-28 R3+F (42-28473) ''Dorothy K'' Lt. Tallmadge Ambrose, April 1945 |
P-47D U9+? | P-47D V5+? | ||||||
406th Fighter Group |
||||||||
| Colonel Anthony Grossetta | ||||||||
512th Fighter Squadron |
513th Fighter Squadron |
514th Fighter Squadron |
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| L3 | 4P | O7 | ||||||
| 1944 - Republic P-47D-25 THUNDERBOLT - France, Italy | ||||||||
| Note: Colors of tailstripes probably only for L3+O right | ||||||||
 P-47D-27-RE L3+O (42-26860) ''Angie'' (a D-27-RE) |
P-47D 4P+? |
 P-47D O7+R (44-33087) ''Bloom's Tomb'' Italy, 1944 |
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| 1945, Spring - Republic P-47D-30-RA THUNDERBOLT - Melsbroek Airfield, Belgium | ||||||||
 P-47D-28-R L3+Q (44-20246) ''Gladys'' / "Texas Kay" Lt. Ernest Sprouse He had the name "Gladys" (for his fiance) painted on the left side, paying the artist a couple of bottles of whiskey to complete the work |
 P-47D-30-RA 4P+K (44-32773) ''Big Ass Bird II'' Captain Howard Parks - - - - |
P-47D O7+? | ||||||
| 1945, Spring - Republic P-47D-25 THUNDERBOLT - Melsbroek Airfield, Belgium | ||||||||
| Neutrality Band (?) after Germanys capitulation | ||||||||
| P-47D L3+? |
 P-47D-25 4P+K (44-33033) |
P-47D O7+? | ||||||
| 1945, Spring - Republic P-47D-25 THUNDERBOLT - Nordholtz, Germany | ||||||||
 P-47D-25 L3+A (44-333733) |
P-47D 4P+? | P-47D O7+? | ||||||
| 10th Tactical Reconnaissance /Photo Reconnaissance Group | ||||||||||||||
| Colonel William Reid | ||||||||||||||
12th Tactical Recon Sqd. |
15th Tactical Recon Sqd. |
30th Photo-Recon Sqd. |
31st Photo-Recon Sqd. |
34th Photo-Recon Sqd. |
||||||||||
| ZM | 5M | I6 | 8V | S9 | ||||||||||
| 1944 | ||||||||||||||
| F-6C Photo-MUSTANG | F-6C Photo-MUSTANG | F-5 Photo-LIGHTNING | F-5 Photo-LIGHTNING | F-5E Photo-LIGHTNING | ||||||||||
| F-6C ZM+? |
 F-6C 5M+G (42-10068) Captain John H. Hoefker |
30th PRS was with 10th PRG from February 1944 through 9 June 1944, when it became part of 67th Tactical Recon Group |
8V | S9 | ||||||||||
| 1945, April 8 | ||||||||||||||
12th Tactical Recon Sqd. |
15th Tactical Recon Sqd. |
162nd Photo-Recon Sqd. |
163rd Photo-Recon Sqd. |
X | ||||||||||
| ZM | 5M | IX | ? | X | ||||||||||
| ? | X | |||||||||||||
| 1945 - North American F-6C Photo-MUSTANG, Fuerth, Germany | ||||||||||||||
 F-6C ZM+G (42-103206) Lt. Robert Little |
F-6C 5M+? |
 F-6C IX+H (42-103213) "Azel / Boomerang" |
? | X | ||||||||||
 F-6C ZM+U (43-..) ''Hot Shot'' Lt. William M. Bob Gardner |
F-6C 5M+? | F-6C IX+? | ? | X | ||||||||||
| 1945 - North American F-6D Photo-MUSTANG, Fuerth, Germany | ||||||||||||||
 F-6D ZM+D (43-..) ''Pride Of The Blue Grass'' John R. 'Red' Ellis |
 F-6D 5M+K (44-14..) ''Lil Margaret'' Clyde East East encountered and shot down an He-111K during a recon mission near Dresden. He made a pass over crash-landed 111 and used his recon cameras to confirm the kill. |
F-6D IX+? | ? | X | ||||||||||
| F-6D ZM+? |
 F-6D 5M+M (44-14.) Lealand A. 'Lee' Larson |
F-6D IX+? | ? | X | ||||||||||
| 69th Reconnaissance / Tactical Reconnaissance Group | |||||||||||
| CO ? | |||||||||||
|
Starting as the 69th Observation Group in August 1941 and fully
operational in September 1941, they were renamed the 69th Reconnaissance
Group in mid 1943 and then the 69th Tactical Reconnaissance Group in
August 1943. Used primarily in air-ground training during the years 1943
and 1944 and then began training with F-6's in January 1945 for duty
overseas. Moved to France in March 1945 and was assigned to 9th US
Airforce, flying visual-reconnaissance and photographic missions.
Another name change in June 1945 to the 69th Reconnaissance Group. The Group returned to the USA between July and August 1945 and was then made inactivated in July 1946. |
|||||||||||
10th Tactical Recon Sqd. |
11th Tactical Recon Sqd. |
?th Photo-Recon Sqd. |
?st Photo-Recon Sqd. |
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| ? | ? | ? | ? | ||||||||
| 1945 | |||||||||||
| Douglas A-26 INVADER | ? | ? | ? | ||||||||
 A-26B-60-DL 58 (44-34486) Nancy, France early 1945 |
? | ? | ? | ||||||||
 A-26C-45-DT 58 (44-35710) as in 1945 Converted to On Mark Marketeer N7705C with Historic Invader of Las Vegas, NV. Now operated from Schiphol Airport by Dutch owners. Now registered OO-INV still Dutch owned (Historic Invader Aviation, J. Schatteman) serialled 435710 with tail code 58 and operated from Schipol. Certificate of Airworthiness was not granted by Belgian administration - the registration OO-INV was cancelled on 19 May 2000 and the aircraft reverted to the registration N7705C with Cavanaugh Flight Museum, Addison, TX |
? | ? | ? | ||||||||
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© Michael Reimer 2008