15th (Strategic) Army Air Force

HQ : Italy

Order:  Strategical raids in Mediterranean Area

Version: 23-12-08 (D-M-Y) - 174 pics of planes on this site...;-)

 

XV Bomber Command
5th Bomb Wing 47th Bomb Wing 49th Bomb Wing 55th Bomb Wing 304th Bomb Wing
2nd BG (B-17) 98th BG (B-24) 451st BG (B-24) 460th BG (B-24) 454th BG (B-24)
97th BG (B-17) 376th BG (B-24) 461st BG (B-24) 464th BG (B-24) 455th BG (B-24)
99th BG (B-17) 449th BG (B-24) 484th BG (B-24) 465th BG (B-24) 456th BG (B-24)
301st BG (B-17) 450th BG (B-24)   4585th BG (B-24) 459th BG (B-24)
463rd BG (B-17)        
463rd BG (B-17)        

 

XV Fighter Command
306th Fighter Wing Miscellaneous
1st FG (P-38) 15th/2641st SG (Provisional)
14th FG (P-38) 154th WRS
82th FG (P-38)  
31st FG (P-51)  
42nd FG (P-51)  
325th FG (P-51)  
332rd FG (P-51)  

 

 

 

5th Bomb Wing
Boeing B-17 FLYING FORTRESS

2nd BG

97th BG

99th BG

301st BG

463rd BG

483rd BG

 

 

 

 

2nd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Served on antisubmarine duty after the US entered World War II
1943, March   -   Moved to North Africa, assigned to the Twelfth AF.
1943, December 13   -   Assigned to Fifteenth AF
20th Bomb Squadron 49th Bomb Squadron
 (Former 166th)		 96th Bomb Squadron 429th Bomb Squadron
1943, April   -   Boeing B-17 FLYING FORTRESS   -   Arrived in Algeria
- - - -
1943  -   Boeing B-17 FLYING FORTRESS   -   Tunesia
- - - -
1943, December   -   Boeing B-17 FLYING FORTRESS   -   Foggia, Italy
- - - -

2nd Bombardment Group (Heavy)

1944   -   Boeing B-17 FLYING FORTRESS   -   Amendola, Italy
- - - -
 Served as part of the occupation force in Italy after V-E Day.
1946, February 28   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

97th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Constituted as 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942.
Activated on 3 Feb 1942. Moved to England, May-Jul 1942 with Eighth AF.
Moved to the Mediterranean theater Twelfth AF Nov 1942.
1943, November   -   Assigned to Fifteenth AF
340th Bomb Squadron 341st Bomb Squadron 342nd Bomb Squadron 414th Bomb Squadron
1943, November   -   Boeing B-17F FLYING FORTRESS   -   North Africa
- - -
B-17F (41-24408) "All American"
1943
1943, December   -   Boeing B-17F FLYING FORTRESS   -   Cerignola, Italy
- - - -

97th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

1944, January   -   Boeing B-17 FLYING FORTRESS   -   Amendola, Italy
  - -
B-17F-100-BO (42-30407)

B-17G (44-45(?)597)
-
-		 - -
B17G-15-BO (44-45544)
"KWITURBITCHIN"
97th BG, 414th BS, MTO 1944
1945, October 29   -   Inactivated in Maricianise, Italy

 

 

 

 

99th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Constituted as 99th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated 1 Jun 1942.
Moved to North Africa, Feb-May 1943, assigned to Twelfth AF.
Entered combat in Mar 1943.
1943, November   -   Assigned to Fifteenth AF
346th Bomb Squadron 347th Bomb Squadron 348th Bomb Squadron 416th Bomb Squadron
I II III IV
1944,February   -   Boeing B-17F FLYING FORTRESS   -   North Africa
-
B-17F-55-BO (42-29473)
"Yankee Doodle"
347th BS, 99th BG, 15th AF
MTO, November 1943		 - -
1943, December   -   Moved to Italy
1944, February   -   Boeing B-17F-55-BO FLYING FORTRESS   -   Tortorella (near Foggia), Italy
- - - -

99th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
1944   -   Boeing B-17G FLYING FORTRESS   -   Tortorella (near Foggia), Italy

B-17G-30-DL (42-38201)
"2nd Patches"		 - -
B-17G-35-BO (42-32023)
"Flak Happy"

1945   -   Boeing B-17G FLYING FORTRESS   -   Tortorella (near Foggia), Italy

B-17G-50-VE (44-8187)
Pathfinder painted in overall Blue-Grey camouflage and fitted with
H2X radar in place of the ball turret.
This aircraft was interned in Switzerland February 27, 1945.
 Returned on September 19, 1945.		 - -  
1945, November 8   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

301st Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Constituted as 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 3 Feb 1942.
Moved to England Jul-Aug 1942 assigned to Eighth AF.
Moved to North Africa Nov 1942 assigned to Twelfth AF.
1943, September   -   Boeing B-17F-50-BO FLYING FORTRESS   -   ?

B-17F-50-BO (42-5350)
"Skinhead"		 - - -
1943, November   -   Assigned to Fifteenth AF
1943, December   -   Moved to Italy
32nd Bomb Squadron 352nd Bomb Squadron 353rd Bomb Squadron 419th Bomb Squadron
1944   -   Boeing B-17G FLYING FORTRESS   -   Lucera, Italy
- - - -

301st Bombardment Group (Heavy)

1945   -   Boeing B-17G-50-DL FLYING FORTRESS   -   Lucera, Italy
- - -
B-17G-50-DL (44-6407)
"Miss`Behavin"
Hit by AAA over Komaron, Yugoslavia March 14th, 1945
1945, July   -   Returned to the US
1945, August   -   Redesignated 301st Bombardment Group (Very Heavy)
1945, October 15   -   Inactivated

5Sqds: +354th BS !!

 

 

 

463rd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
 1943, May 19   -   Constituted as 463rd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
 1943, August 1   -   Activated
772nd Bomb Squadron 773rd Bomb Squadron 774th Bomb Squadron 775th Bomb Squadron
1944, Februay-March   -   Moved to Italy
1944, March   -   Boeing B-17 FLYING FORTRESS   -   Celone, Italy
- - - -
1944   -   Boeing B-17G-25-BO FLYING FORTRESS   -   Foggia, Italy
-
B-17G-25-BO (42-31684) "JOKER"
Shot down July 7th, 1944
over Vicany, Germany during
 mission "Blechhammer"		 - -

463rd Bombardment Group (Heavy)

1945   -   Boeing B-17G-25-BO FLYING FORTRESS   -   Foggia, Italy
- - - -
1945, August   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

483rd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
 1943, September 14   -   Constituted as 483rd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
 1943, September 20   -   Activated. Trained with B-17's.
815th Bomb Squadron 816th Bomb Squadron 817th Bomb Squadron 840th Bomb Squadron
 (Former 818th )
1945, March-April   -   Moved to Italy
1944, September   -   Boeing B-17 FLYING FORTRESS   -   Tortorella (near Foggia), Italy
- - - -
1944   -   Boeing B-17 FLYING FORTRESS   -   Sterparone, Italy

B-17G-35-BO (42-32044)
"Good Deal"		 - - -

483rd Bombardment Group (Heavy)

1945   -   Boeing B-17 FLYING FORTRESS   -   Sterparone, Italy
- - - -
1945, September 25   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

"The Pyramidiers"

47th Bomb Wing
Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR

98th BG

376th BG

449th BG

450th BG

98th BG

376th BG

449th BG

450th BG

 

 

 

 

'Force For Freedom'

98th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Constituted as the 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 January 1942 at Barksdale Field, LA.  Activated on 3 February 1942 at McDill Field, FL with B-24 Liberator Bombers, the 98th continued training at Ft. Myers and Drane Field, FL.

The 98th was initially manned by a cadre of men from the 44th Bombardment Group.  At least two b-24s were wrecked during phase training in the U.S.  The two planes were 41-1131, Pilot, Joe Kilgore on 6-4-1942 and 41-1137, Pilot, Francis Menge on 6-24-1942.  All the aircraft used in phase training were transferred to another group.

343rd Bomb Squadron

?

344th Bomb Squadron

?

345th Bomb Squadron

?

415th Bomb Squadron
The 98th was alerted and departed for the Middle East on 15 July 1942, arriving in Palestine in late July 1942.
They flew their first mission to Mersa Metruh on 1 August 1942,
with the aircraft being serviced by RAF personnel until 98th maintenance personnel arrived about 19 August 1942.
1942, November  -   Under the command of USMEAF (United States  Middle East Air Force)
1942, July   -   Consolidated B-24D-25-CO LIBERATOR   -   Palestine, Middle East
-
B-24D-1-CO   V  (41-23659)
''Blonde Bomber II''
Sqn ??
(First B-24 to fall into Axis hands when the pilot accidentaly landed at Pachino, Sicily)		 - -
-
B-24D-1-CO   V  (41-11825) ''HailColumbia''		 - -
1942, November 12  -   Under the command of the 9th Air Force (USMEAF was dissolved)
1943, August 1   -   Consolidated B-24D-25-CO LIBERATOR   -   Operation Tidal Wave (Ploesti Raid) [9AF]
1943, August 1   -   Operation Tidal Wave (Ploesti Raid) [9AF]

 Ploesti was a massive complex consisting of seven major refineries, storage tanks and related structures covering 19 square miles. It supplied Germany with 1/3rd of its entire fuel oil needs.

Probably their most famous mission was the Low Level raid to Ploesti on 1 August 1943, exactly one year after the first mission was flown.
On this raid, of 47 B-24s launched, only 21 returned safely.  One crashed on takeoff with the loss of all crewmembers except two.
Six aborted before reaching the target.  Seventeen went down in enemy territory.  Two went down at sea.
The Group Commander, Col. John R. (Killer) Kane was awarded the Medal of Honor for his leadership.
- -
B-24D-55-CO   W  (42-40402)
''The Sandman''
B-24D-1-CO   D  (41-11825)
''Hail Columbia''
1943, September and October   -   Under the command of the 12th Air Force
1943, September and October   -   Consolidated B-24D-20-CO LIBERATOR   -   Brindisi, Italy

B-24D-20-CO   R  ''The Squaw''
On War Bond Tour through USA
Winter 1943		 - - -
1943, November 1   -   Finally under the command of the 15th Air Force
1943, November  -   Consolidated B-24J-1-NT LIBERATOR

B-24D-120-CO  R  (42-40991)
''Kate Smith''		 - - -

98th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
1944   -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR   -   San Pancrazio, Italy

B-24H-10-DT  A  (41-28702)
-
-
-
-
-		 - - -

98th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
1945   -   Consolidated B-24J-1-NT LIBERATOR

B-24J-1-NT  AL  (42-78600)
''Delectable Doris''
(Shot down by AAA on 8th April 1945 over North Africa)
Sqn ?
-
-
-
B-24J-1-NT  P  (42-51176)
-
-
-		 -
1945, April-May   -   Returned to the U.S. and was re-designated the 98th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy).
The 98th was deactivated as a group on 10 November 1945.

 

 

 

 

376th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
 'Liberandos'

512th Bomb Squadron

513th Bomb Squadron

514th Bomb Squadron

515th Bomb Squadron
1943   -    Tunisia (Serving with the Ninth and Twelfth Air Forces)
1943, Early   -    Consolidated B-24D-85-CO LIBERATOR   -   Soluch Air Base near Benghazi, Cirenaica, Libya
''Lady Be Good''-Story
On April 4, 1943 another 514th crew consisting of Ist Lt. William J. Hatton, pilot; 2nd Lt. Robert F. Toner, co-pilot; 2nd Lt. Dp. Hays , navigator; 2nd Lt . John S. Woravka , bombardier; T/ Sgt . Harold J. Ripslinger, engineer; T/Sgt. Robert E. LaMotte, radio operator; S/Sgt. Guy E. Shelley, asst. engineer; S/Sgt. Vernon L. Moore, asst. radio operator and S/ Sgt . Samuel E. Adams, tail gunner, departed from Soluch in the "Lady Be Good" on a high altitude attack on the harbor at Naples, Italy.

Of the twenty-four B-24s participating in the mission only the "Lady Be Good" failed to return to Soluch or be accounted for.
The only contact with the lost crew was a terse radio distress call shortly after midnight on April 5th.

In February 1959, a British Petroleum oil exploration team discovered the nearly intact "Lady Be Good" 448 miles southeast of Soluch in the untravelled Libyan Desert. Investigation at the crash site confirmed that the crew had bailed out after exhausting their fuel.


B-24D-85-CO  23  (42-4...)
-
-
-		 -
B-24D-85-CO  64  (41-24301)
''Lady Be Good''
A fresh delivered plane, no RAF finflash yet applied when lost		 -
1943, August 1   -   Operation Tidal Wave (Ploesti Raid) [9AF]

 Ploesti was a massive complex consisting of seven major refineries, storage tanks and related structures covering 19 square miles. It supplied Germany with 1/3rd of its entire fuel oil needs.

Probably their most famous mission was the Low Level raid to Ploesti on 1 August 1943.
1943, August   -    Consolidated B-24D-85-CO LIBERATOR   -   Tunisia

B-24D-70-CO  28  (42-40563)
''Mongo Wongo''
Lt. Brian W. Flavelle
Berca 2, Benghazi, Libya
1943, August 1		 -
B-24D-85-CO  74  (42-....)
''?''
-
-
-
B-24D-85-CO  100  (42-40664) "Teggie Ann"
Leading plane 47BW Ploesti Raid
Berca 2, Benghazi, Libya
1943, August 1

376th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
1943, September   -    Consolidated B-24D-85-CO LIBERATOR   -   Enfidaville, Tunisia

B-24D-160-CO  24  (42-72843)
 ''Strawberry Bitch''		 - - -
1943, November   -    Assigned to 15th Air Force   -    Enfidaville, Tunisia
1943, November - end of war   -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR   -   San Pancrazio, Italy

B-24D  ??  (..-..)
-
-
-
-
-
B-24D-155-CO  42  (42-72767)
"FLAME McGOON"
lost Jul 31, 1944, Bulgaria.
MACR 7210. The target that day was the oil storage dumps at Targoviste, Romania		 - -

B-24J  39  (..-..)
-
-
-
-
-		 - -
B-24H-10-FO  82  (42-52200)
Piloted by Edward H. Belyea
515th Squadron. Shot down by fighters during Mission 216 to Steyr, Austria. The plane crashed at Wels, Austria on Feb 23, 1944. MACR 2583

376th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
       
1946, August    -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

449th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Constituted as 449th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 6 Apr 1943.
Activated on 1 May 1943. Prepared for combat with B-24's. Moved to Italy, Dec 1943-Jan 1944, and assigned to Fifteenth AF.
Operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization, attacking such targets as oil refineries, communications centers, aircraft factories, and industrial areas in Italy, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, Albania, and Greece.
Received a DUC for a mission on 4 Apr 1944 when the group, flying without escort, raided marshalling yards in Bucharest; although heavily outnumbered by German fighters, the group succeeded not only in bombing the target but also in destroying many of the enemy interceptors. Received another DUC for action on 9 Jul 1944 when the group flew through heavy smoke and intense enemy fire to attack an oil refinery at Ploesti. Other operations of the group included bombing gun emplacements in southern France in preparation for the invasion in Aug 1944, and attacking troop concentrations, bridges, and viaducts in Apr 1945 to assist Allied forces in northern Italy. Returned to the US in May 1945. Redesignated 449th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Trained with B-17, B-25, and B-29 aircraft. Assigned to Strategic Air Command on 21 Mar 1946. Inactivated on 4 Aug 1946.
716th Bomb Squadron 717th Bomb Squadron 718th Bomb Squadron 719th Bomb Squadron
1943, May   -    Activated at Davis-Monthan AB, Arizona

449th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
1944, April - end of war   -   Consolidated B-24H-5-FO LIBERATOR   -   Deployed to Grottaglie, Italy
- - -
B-24H-5-FO  5  (42-52106)
 ''Sunshine''
Captured by Luftwaffe at Venegono, Italy March 29, 1944

449th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
1945   -   Consolidated B-24J LIBERATOR   -   Italy
-
B-24J  35  (4.-..)
''My Achin' Back''
Italy 1945, Sqn?
B-24J  43  (4.-.0570)
''?''
Italy 1945, Sqn?		 -
1946, August    -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

450th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
720th Bomb Squadron 721st Bomb Squadron 722nd Bomb Squadron 723rd Bomb Squadron
1943, April   -   Formed at Gowen AB, Idaho

450th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
1943, December - end of war   -   Consolidated B-24H-5-CF LIBERATOR   -   Deployed at Manduria, Italy
-
B-24H-5-CF (42-64449)
''Wolf Wagon''
salvaged on 16th August 1945.
Sqn?		 - -

450th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
1945   -   Consolidated B-24J LIBERATOR   -   Italy
-
B-24J (..-....)
Italy 1945, Sqn?		 - -
1945, October   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

49th Bomb Wing
Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR

451st BG

461st BG

484th BG

 

 

 

451st Bombardment Group (Heavy)
724th Bomb Squadron 725th Bomb Squadron 726th Bomb Squadron 727th Bomb Squadron
1943, April   -   Formed at Davis-Monthan AB, Arizona
1944, January   -   Consolidated B-24H LIBERATOR   -   Arrived at Gioia del Colle, Italy
- - - -
1944, March   -   Consolidated B-24H-1-FO LIBERATOR   -   San Pancrazio, Italy
- -
B-24H-1-FO  48  (42-7697?)
''The Stork''
lost on 17th March 1944, MACR 3261		 -
1944, April   -   Consolidated B-24H/J LIBERATOR   -   Castellucio, Italy
-
B-24H-30-FO  35   P  (42-95379)
''Extra Joker''
451st BG, 725th BS,
shot down by FW 190s over Turnitz, Austria Aug 23, 1944.
10 KIA. MACR 7956		 - -

B-24M-15-FO  19  (42-50906)
''Minnesota Mauler''
451st BG, 724th BS-
to RFC Kingman AAF, Az Dec 13, 1945
-
-
-
-
B-24H-20-DT  40   Y  (42-51090)
''Hey Moe''
 Castelluccia, Italy
It flew 67 combat missions, before crashing on takeoff during a training
 flight, Nov 14, 1944 when wing
broke. All 11 on board killed.
For more information, please visit this external LINK		 -
B-24J-195-CO  17   J  (44-41056)
''42-Kay''
451st BG, lost Oct 13, 1944, Austria. MACR 9088-
-
Sqn.?
-
-
-

B-24L-10-FO  21  (44-49647)
''?''
to RFC Walnut Ridge Jan 3, 1946
 
B-24  61   F  (42-50466)
''?''
 Castelluccia, Italy		 -

-
-
-
-
-
-
1945, September   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

461st Bombardment Group (Heavy)
764th Bomb Squadron 765th Bomb Squadron 766th Bomb Squadron 767th Bomb Squadron
1943, May   -   Formed at Wendover AB, Utah
1944   -   Consolidated B-24G/J/L/M LIBERATOR   -   Torretta, Italy

B-24G-10-NT  10  (42-78226)
''?''
(450th BG?) MIA over Austria May 24, 1944. MACR 5640
-
Sqn. ?
-
-
B-24L-1-FO  30  (44-49038)
"Billie K."
A 'Radar-Mickey' plane
Italy 1944-45
to RFC Walnut Ridge Jan 17, 1946
-
Sqn. ?
-
B-24J-10-DT  24  (42-51430)
"Tulsaamerican"
Ditched in Adriatic Sea off coast of Vis Island (near Croatia)
Dec 17, 1944 after raid on Odertal.
3 crew KIA. Rest of crew picked up by fishing vessel.
Sqn. ?		 -

B-24J-210-CO  14  (44-41355)
''?''
764th Sqn.
-
-
B-24M-10-FO  39  (44-50816)
''?''
Italy 1944-45
Italy 1944-45; Sqn. ?
to RFC Kingman AAF, Az Nov 1, 1945		 - -
1945, August    -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

484th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
824th Bomb Squadron 825th Bomb Squadron 826th Bomb Squadron 827th Bomb Squadron
1943, September   -   Formed at Harvard AB, Nebraska
1944, April - end of war   -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR   -   Torretta, Italy

B-24J-5-NT  7  (44-28276)
''Hurry Home''
to RFC at Kingman AAF, AZ Dec 17, 1945
824th BS/484 BG
B-24M-1-FO  41  (44-50378)
''?''
to RFC Walnut Ridge Jan 3, 1946

Sqn. ?		 - -
1945, September   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

55th Bomb Wing
Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR

460th BG

464th BG

465th BG

485th BG

 

 

 

 

460th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
760th Bomb Squadron 761st Bomb Squadron 762nd Bomb Squadron 763rd Bomb Squadron
? ? ? ?
1943, May   -   Formed at Alamogordo AB, New Mexico
1944, April - end of war    -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR  -   Spinazzola, Italy
Mid 1944   -   Circle slightly in front of the middle of the fin

B-24J  F  (4.-...)
''Helen''
760BS/460BG
B-24J  Y  (4.-...)
''?''
Italy, mid 1944; Sqn. ?		 - -
Late 1944   -   Circle moved to the middle of the fin
-
B-24J  H  (4.-...)
''?''
Italy, late 1944; Sqn. ?		 - -
1945, September   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

464th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
1943, May   -   Formed at Wendover AB, Utah
776th Bomb Squadron 777th Bomb Squadron 778th Bomb Squadron 779th Bomb Squadron
Each ship was first known in the 464th by a Letter and each of the 4 squadrons had that Letter painted a different color.
1944, March    -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR  -   Arrived at Pantanella Airfield, Italy
- - - -
1944, April    -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR  -   Gioia, Italy
- - - -
1944, June - end of war    -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR  -   Pantanella, Italy
-
B-24J  A  (4.-..)
''?''
Italy, late 1944
-
-
-
-
B-24H-15-FO  F  (42-52485)
''BROWN NOSE''
464th BG, 778th BS
interned in Switzerland Oct 4, 1944 after being damaged by flak in raid on marshaling yards at Munich, Germany.
B-24J  Q  (42-50796)
''Easy Maid''
lost on a mission on Aug. 27, 1944 to Blechhammer, Germany
-
-
-
1945, July   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

465th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
1943, May   -   Formed at Alamogordo AB, New Mexico
780th Bomb Squadron 781st Bomb Squadron 782nd Bomb Squadron 783rd Bomb Squadron
1944, April - end of war    -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR  -   Pantanella, Italy
-
B-24J  E  (4.-..)
''?''
Italy, 1945
Sqn. ?		 - -
1945, July   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

485th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
828th Bomb Squadron 829th Bomb Squadron 830th Bomb Squadron 831st Bomb Squadron
1943, September   -   Formed at Fairmont AB, Nebraska
1944, April - end of war    -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR  -   Venosa, Italy
- - - -
1944, July    -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR  -   Venosa, Italy

B-24H-15-FO  F  (42-52728)
''LIFE''
Italy, 1945
Sqn. ?
B-24H-15-FO  H  (42-52724)
''BUZZ JOB''
Italy, 1945
Sqn. ?		 -
B-24J  S  (4.-..)
''?''
Italy, 1945
Sqn. ?
1946, August   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

304th Bomb Wing
Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR

454th BG

455th BG

456th BG

459th BG

 

 

 

 

454th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
735th Bomb Squadron 737th Bomb Squadron 738th Bomb Squadron 739st Bomb Squadron
1943, May - 1945, July   -   Constituted at Alamogordo, New Mexico
1943, December   -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR   -   San Giovanni, Italy

B-24M-5-FO  82  (44-50582)
''?''
Italy, 1945
to RFC Walnut Ridge, Ark Jan 12, 1946
Sqn.?		   - -
1945, October    -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

455th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
740th Bomb Squadron 741st Bomb Squadron 742nd Bomb Squadron 743rd Bomb Squadron
1943, May   -   Formed at Alamogordo, New Mexico
1944   -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR   -   San Giovanni, Italy
-
B-24G-16-NT  32  (42-78435)
''?''
Italy, 1945
to RFC at Altus Aug 1, 1945		 - -
1945, September   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

456th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
 1943 - Steed's Flying Colts - 1945
744th Bomb Squadron 745th Bomb Squadron 746th Bomb Squadron 747th Bomb Squadron
1943, May   -   Formed at Wendover Field AB, Utah
1945, February    -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR  -   Cerignola (Stornara?), Italy

B-24J-15-FO  26  (42-51974)
''Sissy Lee''
Interned in SUI on Feb 27, 1945.
Returned on Sep 29, 1945
Sqn?		 - - -
1945, October   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

459th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
756th Bomb Squadron 757th Bomb Squadron 758th Bomb Squadron 759th Bomb Squadron
1943, May   -   Formed at Alamogordo, New Mexico
1944   -   Consolidated B-24 LIBERATOR   -   Giulia, Italy

B-24L-15-FO  6E  (44-49771)
''?''
 lost Apr 25, 1945, Austria.
MACR 13992		 - - -
1945, August   -   Inactivated in Italy

 

 

 

 

306th Fighter Wing
All 306th FW aircraft had red spinners as MTO Theater markings.

Further on the P-47 and P-51 types a yellow stripe on the upper wing and the underside.
This stripe was located outboard in early 1944 and later on in the same location
as the white or black Identification bands on P-51's of the 8th and 9th AF's.
Roughly said, these were used when operating over Italy.

Some aircraft had yellow bands almost at the wingtips.
These bands were generally 15 inches wide, the same width as those inboard.
On November 1, 1943 the three P-38 groups were transferred from the 12th Air Force. Following their transfer, the 1st, 14th and 82nd Fighter Groups concentrated on escorting the B-17 and B-24 bombers of the Fifteenth Air Force in their raids on targets in Austria,
the Balkans, France, Greece, and Italy.
However, on occasion, they escorted the medium bombers of the Twelfth Air Force as before.
3x P-38 Groups 4x P-51 Groups
1st FG (P-38) 31st FG (P-51)
14th FG (P-38) 42nd FG (P-51)
82th FG (P-38) 325th FG (P-51)
  332rd FG (P-51)

 

 

 

 

1st Fighter Group

27th Fighter Squadron

71st Fighter Squadron

94th Fighter Squadron
     
1943, November   -   Lockheed P-38F/G LIGHTNING   -   Sardinia, Italy
- -
P-38F  UN G  (42-13480)
''Bat out of Hell''
CO 94FS Captain James Hagenback
Sardinia, early 1944
- -
P-38G-10  UN 9  (42-13480)
''Billie-Jo/Nasaserbska/Bar Fly''
Lt. Donald D. Kienholz
Italy, January 1944
1944, Spring   -   Lockheed P-38L LIGHTNING   -   Italy
- -
P-38J-15  89  (43-28252)
''Mon Ami''
Lt. Franklin C. Lathrope
Italy, May 1944
1944, in Spring    -   From now on with red spinners, like all Allied fighters in the MTO

P-38J-15  5  (43-28650)
''Sweet Sue/Nellie Ann''
Lt. Phillip E. Tovrea
Italy, June 1944
P-38J  49  (43-28...)
''Mon Ami''
Lt. Herbert B. Hatch
Italy, June 1944		 -

P-38J-15  22  (42-104096)
Capt. Thomas 'Tom' E. Maloney
Italy, May 1944
He flew whatever fighter was available, but remembers this one as his usual mount.
On 28. May he downed a Do217 over Buxim, Yugoslavia in it and
on the 31. he downed a Bf 109 over Ploesti		 - -

P-38J-15  23  (43-128746)
Capt. Thomas 'Tom' E. Maloney
He scored his final two kills (both Bf 109)
on August 15 of 1944 in this P-38.		 - -
1944   -   Republic P-47 THUNDERBOLT
- - -

 

 

 

 

?

14th Fighter Group

?

37th Fighter Squadron

?

47th Fighter Squadron

?

48th Fighter Squadron
  ?  
1943, November   -   Lockheed P-38H LIGHTNING   -   Triolo, Italy

P-38H  81  (4.-...)
''Stingeree''
CO 37FS Major William L. Leverette
Gambut-2, Libya, October 1943		 - -
1943, November   -   Lockheed P-38G LIGHTNING   -   Triolo, Italy
- -
P-38G-15  56  (43-2527)
''PAT II''
CO 14FG Colonel Oliver B. Taylor
Triolo, Italy, January 1944
1944, in Spring    -   From now on with red spinners, like all Allied fighters in the MTO
1944, April   -   Lockheed P-38G LIGHTNING   -   Triolo, Italy
- -
P-38G-15  56  (43-2527)
''PAT II''
CO 14FG Colonel Oliver B. Taylor
Foggia, Italy, April 1944
- -
P-38J-15  47  (42-104107)
''JEWBOY''
Lt. Philip M. Goldstein (now Graham)
He scored his final two kills (both Bf 109)
Triolo, Italy, May 1944
Red spinners?
1944, June   -   Lockheed P-38J LIGHTNING   -   Triolo, Italy
- -
P-38J-10  34  (42-68024)
''SNOOKIE II''
Lt. Jack Lenox
He scored his final two kills (both Bf 109)
Triolo, Italy, June 1944
Red spinners?
- -
P-38J-15  51  (43-28258)
''PAT III''
CO 14FG Colonel Oliver B. Taylor
Triolo, Italy, July 1944
Red spinners?

 

 

 

 

''Adorimini''
(Up and at 'Em!)

82nd Fighter Group

95th Fighter Squadron

96st Fighter Squadron

97th Fighter Squadron
AI CB CH
  ?  
1943, November   -   Lockheed P-38J-15 LIGHTNING   -   Vinzenzo, Italy
1944, in Spring    -   From now on with red spinners, like all Allied fighters in the MTO

P-38J-15  AI  (43-28796)
''Judy Ann''
Lt. Charles E. Adams
Vinzenzo, Italy, June 1944
P-38J-15  CB  (4.-.....)
''Elaine III''
Captain Jack 'Johnny' Walker (5 victories)
MTO
P-38J-15  CH   H  (4.-.....)
''?''
?
Italy, 1945

 

 

 

 

'Return with honor'

31st Fighter Group

307th Fighter Squadron

308th Fighter Squadron

309th Fighter Squadron
Note: Squadron Codes just like 78th Fighter Group of 8th AF :
MX HL WZ
1944, April   -   Transferred from 12th Tactical Air Force
reequipped with   North American P-51B MUSTANG   -   Italy

Spitfire F.Mk.VIII  MX 
(kept some Spitfires as squadron run arounds)
P-51B  HL+B  (4.-..) ''Nightshade''
Lt.Col. Thorsen		 -

1944, Summer   -   North American P-51D MUSTANG   -   Italy

P-51D  MX+A  (44-13464)
Major Sam Brown
P-51D  HL+B  (44-..) ''American Beauty''
Captain John 'Johnny' Voll		 -
P-51D  MX+? 
P-51D  HL+C  (4.-..)''O Kaye''
 Tommy Molland		 -

P-51D  MX+I  (4.-..)
-
P-51D  HL+J  (44-..)
-		 -
P-51D  MX+? 
P-51D  HL+N  (44-..) ''Flying Dutchman''
-		 -
P-51D  MX+? 
P-51D  HL+R  (44-..)
-		 -
P-51D  MX+? 
P-51D  HL+Z  (44-..)
-		 -
1944, late   -   Painting of the tails were modified and extended to the rear fuselage

1944-1945   -   North American P-51D MUSTANG   -   Italy

P-51D  HL+H  (44-..) ''Tempus Fugit''
CO Colonel Bill Daniel

 

 

 

 

'Seek - Attack - Destroy'

52nd Fighter Group

2nd Fighter Squadron

4th Fighter Squadron

5th Fighter Squadron
Note: The codes for the three Sqns of the 52nd Group duplicated those of the famous 4th Fighter Group of the 8th AF based in the UK:
QP WD VF
1944, May   -   Transferred from 12th Tactical Air Force
1944, May   -   North American P-51B MUSTANG   -   Madna, Italy

P-51C-5-NT  QP+ C  (42-103579)
 ''Julie''
condemned salvage from enemy action
Jun 22, 1946
P-51B  WD+ A  (4.-....)
-
-
-		 P-51  VF+ ?  (4.-....)

P-51D-5-NA  QP+ E  (44-13431)
pilot?
-		 P-51  WD+ ?  (4.-....) P-51  VF+ ?  (4.-....)

P-51C-5-NT  QP+ L  (42-103357)
(67th FG?) MIA Dec 2, 1944. MACR 10554		 P-51  WD+ ?  (4.-....)
P-51C-5-NT  VF+ Q  (42-103582)
-
1944, late   -   Painting of the tails were modified and extended to the rear fuselage
1944, late   -   North American P-51C-10-NT MUSTANG   -   Madna, Italy

P-51C-10-NT  QP+ 2  (43-25117) ''Sit''
Lt. Emerson		 P-51  WD+ ?  (4.-....)
P-51B-15-NA  VF+ 5  (42-106750)
-
1945   -   North American P-51D MUSTANG   -   Italy

P-51D-5-NA  QP+ Q  (44-13298) ''Marie''
Captain Freddie F. Ohr
-
P-51D  WD+ D  (4.-....)
-
-		 P-51D  VF+ D
P-51D  QP+ H
P-51D  WD+ H  (4.-....) ''Miss Rogers''		 P-51D  VF+ H
P-51D  QP+ L
P-51D  WD+ L  (44-63799)		 P-51D  VF+ L
P-51D  QP+ M
P-51D  WD+ M  (44-13287) ''Miss Ruth''		 P-51D  VF+ M

P-51D-25-NA  QP+ V  (44-63563)
Operations Officer
Major Ralph J. 'Doc' Watson		 P-51D  WD+ V
P-51D-25-NA  VF+ V  (44-72777)
Operations Officer
Major Ralph J. 'Doc' Watson
P-51D  QP+ X
P-51D  WD+ X  (44-13289)		 P-51D  VF+ X
P-51D  QP+ Z
P-51D  WD+ Z  (44-13442) ''LITTLE EVA''		 P-51D  VF+ Z

 

 

 

 

'Consilum Conficitur'

325th Fighter Group

'Checkertail Clan'

317th Fighter Squadron

318th Fighter Squadron

319th Fighter Squadron
# 10-39 # 40-69 # 70-99

1944, April   -   Transferred from 12th Tactical Air Force
1944   -   Republic P-47D-10 THUNDERBOLT   -   Foggia, Italy

P-47D  11  (4.-..)
Herschel 'Herky' Green
P-47D  44  (4.-..) ''Spirit of Milwaukee''
Lt. Paul B. Dowd
P-47D  81  (4.-..) ''Dallas Blonde''
-

P-47D  13  (4.-..) ''Devil May Care''
-
P-47D  68  (4.-..) ''Cherry Mary''
Lt. Lamar Perry
P-47D  88  (4.-..) 'Big Stud''
-

P-47D  17  (4.-..)
Lt. Cicel O. Dean		 - -

P-47D  30  (4.-..) ''Topper''
Lt. Warren F. Penney		 - -
1944   -   Republic P-47D-40-RA THUNDERBOLT   -   Italy
-
B-26B MARAUDER ''Passion Flower III''
-
P-47D-40-RA  88  (4.-..) ''Big Stud''
-
1944   -   North American P-51B MUSTANG   -   Italy

P-51B/C  22  (4.-..) ''Sweet Clara II''
-
-
-
-
P-51C-5-NT  48  (42-103562) ''Little Bastard''
Varner A. Woodman
Note the very faded replacement rudder
(325th FG, 318th FS) MIA Dec 17, 1944.
MACR 10674
P-51B-15-NA  85  (43-24890) ''Hairless Joe''
Lt. Joe Smith
-
-
-
-
P-51B-15-NA  52  (43-24867) ''Shimmy III''
CO 325FG Lt.Col. Chester L. Sluder
-
-
-
P-51B-15-NA  87  (43-24852)
''Delightful Dee / Gravel Gertie''
Arthur Albin
Aircraft lost on Oct 12, 1944 flown by Lt. Videto
 MACR 9082

P-51B/C  30  (4.-..) ''Dorothy II''
-
P-51B-15-NA  69  (43-24877) ''Penrod''
Major Roy B. Hogg		 -

Quite a number was lost, of the block 43-24752/24901 (P-51B-15-NA), beside the already mentioned, further following:

24784 (325th FG, 318th FG) lost over Austria Apr 2, 1945.  MACR 13642.
24809 (325th FG, 319th FS) lost over Austria Mar 26, 1945.  MACR 13483
24836 (325th FG, 318th FS) lost Jun 23, 1944.
24856 (325th FG, 319th FS) lost Nov 21, 1944.  MACR 9952
24861 (325th FG, 319th FS) lost Feb 12, 1945.  MACR 12189
24865 (325th FG, 319th FS) lost over Austria Aug 23, 1944.
MACR 7960.
24876 (325th FG, 318th FS) lost Apr 8, 1945.  MACR 13976
24878 (325th FG, 318th FS) lost Jan 5, 1945.  MACR 10900
24883 (325th FG, 318th FS) lost Jun 15, 1944.  MACR 6129
24889 (325th FG, 317th FS) lost Sep 15, 1944.  MACR 8761
	24893 (325th FG, 319th FS) lost over Austria Jul 26, 1944.
MACR 7120
24895 (325th FG, 318th FS) lost Jul 7, 1944.
	24900 (325th FG, 319th FS) lost Oct 14, 1944.  MACR 9193
1944   -   North American P-51D MUSTANG   -   Vincenzo, Italy

P-51D  11  (4.-..) ''?''
pilot?		 - -

P-51D-10-NA  22  (44-14440)
''Mary Nell''
1st Lt. William A. Taylor
MIA-POW 22 Feb 1945		 - -

P-51D  25  (4.-..) ''?''
pilot?		 - -

P-51D-5-NA  27  (44-13322)
''Devastating Dottie / Lady Janie VIII''
John Simmons
-
P-51D  52  (4.-..) ''Shimmy IV''
CO 325FG Lt.Col. Chester L. Sluder
-
-		 -

P-51D  30  (4.-..) ''Ballzout II''
Lt. Walter R. Hinton
-
-
P-51D-20-NA  59  (44-15480)
''Shu-Shu''
Major Norman McDonald
Later lost with pilot Fred Wulf		 -
1944, late   -   Painting of the tails were modified and extended to the rear fuselage
1945   -   North American P-51D MUSTANG   -   Vincenzo, Italy

P-51D-15-NA  10  (44-15131)
''Stinker Pat'' (after his son)
Major George Hamilton
Note red wingtips
P-51D-10-NA  40  (44-14467) ''Mary Mac''
Captain Gordon H. McDaniel
Italy 1945
-
P-51C  72  (4.-..) ''Lady Jean''
Pilot ?
Italy 1945
-
-
P-51D-20-NA  66  (44-63512)
''Shu-Shu / Chuck-O''
Major Norman McDonald
Italy 1945		 -
- P-51D-10-NA  ??  (44-14462) ''?''
Pilot ?
318th Fighter Squadron
lost over Austria Apr 2, 1945.  MACR 13641
P-51D-10-NA  79  (4.-..) ''Squeezie''
Pilot ?
Italy 1945
- -
P-51D-10-NA  98  (4.-..) ''?''
Pilot ?
Italy 1945
- -
P-51D-10-NA  00  (4.-..) ''Double Nuthin' ''
Lt. Grant Smith
Lesina, Italy in early 1945

 

 

 

 

'SPIT FIRE'

332nd Fighter Group

'Tuskegee Airmen' / 'Red Tail Angels'
 President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the Army Air Corps to form an all-Negro flying unit in 1940.
Due to the rigid pattern of racial segregation that prevailed in the United States during World War II, the Air Corps opened an isolated new training base at the Tuskegee Institute (now known as Tuskegee University) in central Alabama in order to train the Negro pilots needed for the new squadron.
As a result the 99th Pursuit Squadron was created.
In the spring of 1941 the first African-American enlisted men began training to become mechanics
and the first thirteen candidates (of over 966) entered pilot training.

Four Hundred and fifty black fighter pilots under the command of Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., (who was to later become the U.S. Air Force's first Black General) fought in the aerial war over North Africa, Sicily and Europe flying in secession, P-40, P-39, P-47, and P-51 type aircraft.

These gallant men flew 15,553 sorties and completed 1578 missions with the 12th Tactical U. S. Army Air Force and
the 15th Strategic U. S. Army Air Force.

The 332 Fighter Group was credited with 113 confirmed victories while losing 66 pilots killed and 32 prisonners. It received 3 Distinguished Unit Citation, the last one was the only one received as an autonomous unit (for its succes of the 24 March 1945).

The pilots received the following decorations: 1 Silver Star, 1 Legion of Merit, 2 Soldier's Medals, 8 Purple Hearts, 14 Bronze Stars,
95 DFC and 744 Air Medals.
1941, Spring   -   Tuskegee Air Field, Alabama, USA
The base operated a fleet of PT-13 Kaydets, PT-19 Cornells, BT-13 Vibrators? and AT-6 Texans for its students,
with a mix of twin-engined types for multi-engined and navigation training.

AT-6A TEXAN  TU-28  (41-6058)
Wearing early war colors, this AT-64 Texan graced the cover of the 1942 Yearbook of the Tuskegee Army Air Field Flying School.
The TU prefix in the aircraft's fuselage identifying code denoted the AT-6's assignment to Tuskegee Army Air Field.
Unlike many training command Texans, this particular aircraft survived the war and was finally scrapped at Craig Army Air Field in late 1945

99th Fighter Squadron

100th Fighter Squadron

301st Fighter Squadron

302nd Fighter Squadron
# A00 - A39
(Kept the system from 12AF time, to distinguish from 100th FS)		 # 1-39 # 1-39 # 1-39
1943, November =>   -   Curtiss P-40L WARHAWK   -   Madna, Italy

P-40L-15  A17  (42-10888)
''ACE OF PEARLS''
2Lt. Herman Ace Lawson
Madna, Italy, December 1943
During the 99th's second mission on 27 January 1944, Bailey used this machine to destroy an FW 190		 - - Not yet

P-40L-15  A19  (42-10461)
''JOSEPHINE''
1Lt. Charles Bailey
Madna, Italy, January 1944
During the 99th's second mission on 27 January 1944, Bailey used this machine to destroy an FW 190		 - - Not yet

P-40L-10  A24  (42-10841)
''NONA II''
2Lt. Alva Temple
Madna, Italy, November 1943
During the 99th's second mission on 27 January 1944, Bailey used this machine to destroy an FW 190		 - - Not yet

P-40L-15  A33  (42-10855)
1Lt. Robert W Diez
Madna, Italy, January 1944
Shot down two FW 190 in this plane		 - - Not yet
1944, May =>   -   Italy
Note: The group used several different A/C types before switching to the Mustang.
I am not sure, if each squadron used another type, but it could make sense?!
That would also explain, why they all used the numbers (A)1-39 in this time.
Curtiss P-40L WARHAWK
Tunesia		 Bell P-39Q AIRACOBRA
Capodichino, Italy		 Republic P-47D THUNDERBOLT
 Ramitelli, Italy		 -
-
P-39Q-20  CF  (44-3028)
''QUANTO COSTA''
1Lt Samuel Curtis
Capodichino, Italy, May 1944
Wears nose art from its previous assignment, probably with the 350th FG. Samuel Curtis flew this veteran Airacobra on a series of fruitless harbour patrol missions from Capodichino during the spring of 1944.
-
-
-
-
P-47D-16-RE  27  (42-75971)
2nd Leutnant Lloyd Hathcock
301st FS, Ramitelli in May 1944
One of the first thunderbolts received by the 332nd, this aircraft had previously been the mount of eight-kill ace George Novotny from the 317th FS/325th FG. Hathcock became disoriented during a mission on 29 may 1944 and landed in Rome, where he and his aircraft were captured. The aeroplane was given a Yellow cowling and undersides, coded T9+LK and flown north to Rechlin, in Germany, for testing.		 Not yet
1944, June   -   Transferred from 12th AF and united with the 99FS as fourth Squadron

P-40L-5  -  (42-10448)
'A TRAIN II'
1Lt. Charles Dryden
Fardjouna, Tunisia, June 1944
A TRAIN II carried Dryden safely through 30 missions, including the 99th's first aerial tangle with German fighters,
before he was rotated home to serve as an instructor.
Before Dryden could leave Tunisia, however, he witnessed Sidney Brooks belly-land this aircraft. Although Brooks escaped from the burning wreck, he later died of secondary shock.		 -
P-47D-16-RE  34  (4?-???)
-
Sqn.?-
-
-
-
-
-
--
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
P-47D-22  38  (4?-???)
pilot unknown
Ramitelli, Italy, June 1944
The logo on the cowling belonged to its previous owner, the 64th FS Black Scorpions' of 57FG
The Sqn. is unknown, but the yellow band at the fin points to the 302nd
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- - -
P-47D-22  39  (4?-???)
1Lt. Gwynne Peirson
302nd FS, Ramitelli, Italy, June 1944
Began the transformation on P-51B/C in July 1944.
1944, July =>   -   North American P-51B/C MUSTANG   -   Ramitelli, Italy
They flew the North American P-51B/C/D/K versions of the Mustang from June(July?) 1944 thru May 1945 in combat.
Note: Because serial numbers are often unknown, it is unclear if these are B or C types. I have listed all of them as C's here.
# A00 - A39
(Kept the system from 12AF time, to distinguish from 100th FS)		 # 1-39 # 40-69 # 70-99
&
# 01-09
       
Blue trim tabs on rudder and horizontal stabilizer.

Blue and white checkerboard,
later a solid blue band.

  Black trim tabs on rudder and horizontal stabilizer.

Red band with a blaze pointed aft
( I> ) (maybe not all)

 White trim tabs on rudder and horizontal stabilizer.

Red band.

 Yellow trim tabs on rudder and horizontal stabilizer.

Horizontal yellow and red band,
later a solid yellow band.

P-51C  A00  (4.-..) ''Topper III''
Captain Ed Toppins
Ramitelli, Italy, August 1944
With four kills, he was the second highest scorer in the group.
This aircraft was issued to Toppins after he had scored his fourth kill.
-
P-51C-10  1  (42-103960)
''Skipper's Darlin' III''
Capt. Andrew 'Jug' Turner
Ramitelli, Italy, September 1944
Turner, who was the Business-like CO of the 100th FS, had taken command of the unit upon the death of Robert Tresville.
P-51C  64  (4.-..)
''Joedebelle''
Capt. Joseph Elsberry
Ramitelli, Italy, July 1944
While flying this aircraft, Capt. 'Jodie' Elsberry scored three kills and a probable on 12 July 1944 over southern France all of the Fw 190s
P-51C-10  72  (4.-..)
''INA the Macon Belle''
Lt. Lee 'Buddy' Archer
Ramitelli, Italy, July 1944
Arched used 'INA THE MACON BELLE' to become the only officially-recognized black ace in US history.
-

P-51C  A13  (4.-..)
-
-
-
-
-
P-51C  3  (4.-..) ''Daisey Mae''
Capt. 'Woody' Crockett
Ramitelli, Italy, November 1944
-
-
-		 -
P-51C  73  (4.-..)
''ALICE-JO''
Capt. Wendell Pruitt
Ramitelli, Italy, September 1944
He downed two Bf 109s and a He 111 in this plane.

P-51C  A23  (4.-..)
Captain Elwood T. Driver
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
P-51C-10  7  (42-103956)
''Miss Pelt''
1Lt. Clarence 'Lucky' Lester
Ramitelli, Italy, September 1944
He flew at least two similarly marked P-51B/C. This one lacks the yellow wingbands
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 -
P-51C  75  (4.-..)
''Luzifer''
1Lt. Luther Smith
Ramitelli, Italy, October 1944
On his 133rd mission, Smith's LUCIFER caught fire after being severely damaged when an ammunition dump exploded below him as he was strafing a freight yard near Lake Balaton in Hungary. Smith became entangled in the cockpit and escaped only after suffering severe injuries to his ankle and hip.

P-51C  A26  (4.-..) ''My Buddy''
1st Lt. Charles P. Bailey
Ramitelli, Italy, December 1944		 - - -

P-51C  A38  (4.-..)
''APACHE II''
1/Lt. Henry 'Herky' Perry
Ramitelli, Italy, September 1944
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
P-51C  37  (4.-..)
''Stinky II''
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 -
P-51C  78  (4.-..)
''Kitten''
1st Lieutenant Charles E. McGee
On 23 march 1945 flown by
2Lt. Leon "Woodie" Spears,
hit by heavy flak over Berlin during the 332nd's Distinguished Unit Citation-winning mission.
With part of its wing sheared off, Spears coaxed KITTEN to a wheels up landing in Poland, where he was briefly held as a POW before his captors were overrun by the Soviets.
The first KITTEN ended its proud career in a Polish scrap yard
1944, December   -   painting of the red tails were modified by late 1944 with the diagonal edge versus the shorter straight edge
-
P-51D-15  10  (44-15648)
''LOLLIPOOP II''
1Lt Spurgeon Ellington
Ramitelli, Italy, December 1944
-
-
-
P-51C  66  (4.-..)
''By ReQuest''
CO 322FG Col. Benjamin O. Davis
Ramitelli, Italy, December 1944
Written off in a crash at Ramitelli in late December 1944 while Davis was back in the USA.		 -
1945   -   North American P-51D MUSTANG   -   Ramitelli, Italy

P-51D  A13  (4.-..)
-
-
-
P-51D  7  (44-15569)
''Bunnie''
Lt. Roscoe C. Brown Jr.
-
P-51D  42  (4.-..)
''Creamers Dream''
1Lt. Charles White
Ramitelli, Italy, January 1945
P-51D  70  (4.-..)
-
-
-

P-51D  A33  (4.-..)
''TALL in the SADDLE''
1Lt. George Hardy
Ramitelli, Italy, February 1945
-
-
P-51D-15  10  (44-15648)
''Dutchess Arlene''
Captain Robert Williams
He downed two FW 190s in it, both during the group's fighter sweep of the Munich area on 30 March 1945 		-
P-51D  88  (4.-..)
''Little Freddie''
Captain Freddie Hutchins
-
-
-

P-51D  A35  (4.-..)
''Meatball Rap''
Flt Off Charles Lane
Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945		 - - officialy dissolved
on 12 March 1945
Four pilots from the 332nd FG are credited with the last air victories in the MTO on April 26, 1945.
 Turned in their aircraft by August, 1945
References
http://www.balad.afcent.af.mil/art/index.asp?galleryID=1509

 

 

 

 

Miscellaneous
15th/2641st Special Group (Provisional)

154th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron

 

 

 

 

?

15th/2641st Special Group (Provisional)
Re-designated 2641st Special Group (Provisional)
Consolidated B-24J LIBERATOR

?

859th Bomb Squadron

?

885th Bomb Squadron
From January 1945 on From July 1944 on
859th BS flew Carpetbagger operations out of England until September 1944 before being moved to MTO.
859th BS was stationed at Brindisi, Italy and attached to the 15th Special Group.		 885th BS was flown out of a number of locations but primarily from
Brindisi, Italy.
While with the 15th AF they flew B-24J's and they were painted all black.
 The unit was used for covert operations dropping OSS agents and such. This unit has been relatively unwritten about in USAAF histories.

885th BS was initially known as 122nd BS assigned to 68th Reconnaissance Group operating B-17s in the MTO.
Assigned to 15th Air Force in June 1944, the 885th was assigned to the 15th Special Group in July 1944.

 

 

 

 

?

154th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron
Lockheed P-38J LIGHTNING
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References
USAAF - Serial numbers collection by Joseph F. Baugher

 

 

 

 

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© Michael Reimer 2008 / 2009