COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE
US ARMY AIR FORCES
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER
OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
NOVEMBER
MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF):
B-24s strike the airfield and dispersal areas at Maleme, Crete; P-40s escort
the bombers and hit ground targets in the battle area. An air depot, 2 service
groups, and 1 Military Police company are assigned to USAMEAF.
MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF):
In Egypt, the British Eighth Army opens an assault (Operation SUPERCHARGE,
the plan for the British XXX Corps breakout from Egypt) W of Tell el-Eisa with
2 New Zealand Division in the lead; B-25s bomb a track extending S from Rahman
as the British 9 Armored Brigade establishes bridgeheads across the track;
other B-25s attack tanks and other targets in support of the assault; P-40s fly
escort and strafing missions in the battle area. B-17s bomb shipping and
jetties in Tobruk, Libya harbor.
MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF):
In Egypt, B-25s bomb tanks, motor transports, landing ground, ammunition
dumps, mainly in the Rahman Track area and on the road between Fuka and El
Daba, and also hit town of Fuka and Ghazal station; P-40s fly several escort
and fighter-bomber missions, attacking ground targets in support of the British
Eighth Army; Allied aircraft fly 400+ sorties against troops retreating along
the coastal road; during the night of 3/4 Nov, British and Indian troops
outflank and break an enemy tank screen in the sector S of Tell el Aqqaqir.
MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF):
9 B-24s bomb the Bengasi, Libya harbor, hitting 3 ships and claiming 1 enemy
fighter shot down. In Egypt, B-25s and P-40s attack motor transports and troops
retreating from the El Alamein battle line with British in pursuit; 10 Corps
armor clashes with the rearguard S of Ghazal. Lieutenant General Frank M
Andrews replaces Brigadier General Russell L Maxwell as Commanding General
USAFIME.
MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF):
General Bernard L Montgomery announces the victory of the British Eighth
Army in Egypt; 10 Corps, pushing rapidly W, overcomes a rearguard action near
Fuka; as Field Marshall Erwin Rommel retreats W from El Alamein, P-40s bomb
targets on the Fuka road and patrol the Sidi Hanaish area; B-25s also bomb
motor transports.
MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF):
B-24s hit the harbors of Tobruk and Bengasi, Libya, scoring hits on 2
vessels. Heavy rains delay the British pursuit of the retreating enemy in the
Matruh, Egypt area.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (US Army, Middle East Air Force):
HQ 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 513th, 514th and 515th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) move from Lydda, Palestine to Abu Sueir, Egypt
with B-24s.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
The invasion of N Africa (Operation TORCH) begins. In French Morocco, C-47s
of the 60th Troop Carrier Group attempting to land troops at La Senia Airfield
find the French unexpectedly hostile and have several aircraft shot down by
fighters and AA; several other C-47s are damaged when trying to land on the dry
lakebed of Sebkra d'Oran. Spitfires of the 31st Fighter Group, flying from
Gibraltar into Tafaraoui Airfield, Algeria during the afternoon of D-Day, claim
3 hostile French fighters destroyed. In Algeria, the following units arrive at
Tafaraoui Airfield from the UK: HQ XII Fighter Command, HQ 31st Fighter Group,
HQ 60th Troop Carrier Group and 10th, 11th and 12th Troop Carrier Squadrons
with C-47s, air echelon of 2d, 4th and 5th Fighter Squadrons, 52d Fighter Group
with Spitfires, and the 308th and 309th Fighter Squadrons, 31st Fighter Group,
with Spitfires; the 71st Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, arrives at St Leu
from the UK with P-38s. In French Morocco during Nov 42, HQ 5th Bombardment
Wing and HQ 7th Fighter Wing arrive at Casablanca from the US.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (US Army, Middle East Air Force):
The 512th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
moves from Lydda, Palestine to Abu Sueir, Egypt with B-24s.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, Spitfires of the 31st Fighter Group attack and halt an armored
column moving N toward Tafaraoui, and also attack artillery and AA batteries SE
of Tafaraoui and along the coastal road; at 1605 hours, Major General James H
Doolittle, Commanding General Twelfth AF, arrives in Algeria from Gibraltar by
B-17, escorted by 12 Spitfires from the 52d Fighter Group; HQ Twelfth AF
arrives in Algeria from the UK; HQ 52d Fighter Group arrives at Tafaraoui from
the UK; the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group arrives at St Leu with
P-38s; the 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group arrives at Tafaraoui with
Spitfires. In French Morocco, HQ XII Air Support Command arrives from the US;
HQ 68th Observation Group and the 16th and 122d Observation Squadron arrive at
Casablanca and Fedala respectively from the US with A-20s and P-39s.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (US Army, Middle East Air Force):
B-24s hit the harbor at Bengasi, Libya while B-17s hit the harbor at Candia,
Crete. The 343d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
moves from St Jean, Palestine to Kabrit, Egypt with B-24s.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
AAF Spitfires escort a convoy, fly reconnaissance, and attack tanks and
other vehicles in the Oran, Algeria area. French Admiral Jean F Darlan
broadcasts orders for the French forces in N Africa to cease resistance against
the Allies. In Algeria, the following units arrive at St Leu from the UK: 111th
and 154th Observation Squadrons, 68th Observation Group, with A-20s; 437th,
438th, 439th and 440th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 319th Bombardment Group
(Medium), with B-26s. In French Morocco, 72 P-40s of the 33d Fighter Group,
catapulted from the US auxiliary aircraft carrier USS Chenango (ACV-28), land
in Port Lyautey; the 91st and 93d Fighter Squadrons, 81st Fighter Group, arrive
at Port Lyautey from the US with P-39s.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (US Army, Middle East Air Force):
In Libya, B-24s hit shipping N of Bengasi, claiming 4 direct hits and
several near misses on 1 vessel; P-40s fly a sweep over the Gambut area,
claiming 3 Stukas destroyed; the British Eighth Army drives the last of the
enemy from Egypt and crosses into Libya, taking Bardia without opposition; HQ
98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 344th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), move
from Ramat David, Palestine to Fayid, Egypt with B-24.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, fighters fly reconnaissance over the Oran-Tafaraoui area and
escort C-47s carrying paratroops from Gibraltar to Algiers. All French
resistance against the Allies in NW Africa ceases in the early morning. HQ
319th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from England to St Leu, Algeria. The
16th, 17th and 18th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 64th Troop Carrier Group, based in
England begin operating from Maison Blance, Algeria. The 92d Fighter Squadron,
81st Fighter Group, arrives at Port Lyautey, French Morocco from the US with
P-39s.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
US Army Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF) is dissolved and replaced by HQ
Ninth AF, commanded by Lieutenant General Lewis H Brereton; major components
are: IX Bomber Command (Brigadier General Patrick W Timberlake) at Ismailia,
Egypt, IX Fighter Command (Colonel John C Kilborn) enroute to Egypt, and IX Air
Service Command (Brigadier General Elmer E Adler). HQ 57th Fighter Group and
the 65th Fighter Squadron move from Egypt to Libya with P-40s; the 85th, 86th
and 87th Fighter Squadrons, 79th Fighter Group, arrives in Egypt from the US
with P-40s; the 415th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), moves from Ramat David, Palestine to Fayid, Egypt with B-24s.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, fighters fly patrols over a wide area around Oran and escort
C-47s which drop US paratroops at Duzerville Airfield SE of Bone; Duzerville
Airfield is bombed by Axis aircraft during the night of 12/13 Nov; HQ XII
Fighter Command moves from Tafaraoi to La Senia; the ground echelon of the 2d,
4th and 5th Fighter Squadrons, 52d Fighter Group, arrive at La Senia from the
UK; the 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Twelfth AF (attached to 3d
Photographic Group) arrives La Senia from the UK with F-4s (first mission in
Nov 42); the 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group, moves from Tafaraoui
to La Senia with Spitfires. In French Morocco, the 16th and 122d Observation
Squadrons, 68th Observation Group, move from Fedala to Casablanca with A-20s
and P-39s.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
Tobruk, Libya falls to 10 Corps of the British Eighth Army. The 64th and
66th Fighter Squadrons, 57th Fighter Group, move from Egypt to Libya with
P-40s.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, C-47s, with P-38 escort, fly AA guns and aviation gasoline to
Duzerville Airfield; US Spitfires patrol the Oran-Tafaraoui area; HQ 1st
Fighter Group arrives at Tafaraoui from the UK; HQ 97th Bombardment Group
(Heavy) and the 340th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) arrive at Maison Blanche
from the UK with B-17s; the 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), Twelfth AF,
arrives at Tebessa from the UK with A-20s; the 27th Fighter Squadron, 1st
Fighter Group, moves from St Leu to Tafaraoui with P-38s. In French Morocco, HQ
33d Fighter Group moves from Port Lyautey to Casablanca.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
6 B-17s are dispatched to attack the harbor at Bengasi, Libya, but only 1
locates the target and drops its bombs.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, US Spitfires fly routine patrols in the Oran-Tafaraoui area and
escort C-53's carrying paratroops from Gibraltar to Algiers; HQ 52d Fighter
Group moves from Tafaraoui to La Senia; the 28th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th
Troop Carrier Group, arrives at Tafaraoui from the UK with C-47s; the 71st
Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group moves from St Leu to Tafaraoui with P-38s;
the 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group moves from Tafaraoui to La Senia
with Spitfires. In French Morocco, the 35th Troop Carrier Squadron, 64th Troop
Carrier Group, begins operating from Casablanca with C-47s (squadron is enroute
from the UK).
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, B-24s from 2 groups are sent to bomb Tripoli, but unfavorable
weather prevents them from reaching the target; 1 group bombs a motor convoy,
as well as an airfield and crowded roads in the Bengasi area; P-40s fly sweeps
and fighter-bomber missions against the retreating enemy W of Martuba; Martuba
Airfields are captured by British 10 Corps and are soon occupied by the 57th
Fighter Group.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, C-47s fly an airborne operation from Algiers to Youks-le-Bains;
escort is provided at intervals by Royal Air Force (RAF) Spitfires and
Hurricanes. British First Army ground forces reach Tunisia at Taberka; the
following units arrive at Tafaraoui from the UK: HQ 14th Fighter Group; HQ 62d
Troop Carrier Group and the 4th and 7th Troop Carrier Squadrons with C-47s; the
94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, with P-38s.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
P-40s patrol over the Germiston, Libya area. the 345th Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Ramat David, Palestine to
Fayid, Egypt with B-24s.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, Twelfth AF C-47s drop British paratroops at Souk el Arba; 6
B-17s, of the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) based at Maison Blanche, Algeria,
raid Sidi Ahmed Airfield at Bizerte; thus the 97th which flew the first US
heavy bomber mission from the UK, on 17 Aug, becomes the first Twelfth AF
bombardment group to fly a combat mission in Africa. In Algeria, the 8th Troop
Carrier Squadron, 62d Troop Carrier Group, arrives at Tafaraoui from the UK
with C-47s; the 111th and 154th Observation Squadrons, 68th Observation Group,
moves from St Leu to Tafaraoui with A-20s; the 341st Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) arrives at Maison Blanche from the UK
with B-17s.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, P-40s patrol over Tobruk and the Derna road.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, air action is limited to routine patrols in the Tafaraoui area;
the 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Twelfth Air Force (attached to 3d
Photographic Group) moves from La Senia to Tafaraoui with F-4s; the 437th and
438th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 319th Bombardment Group (Medium), move
from St Leu to Tafaraoui with B-26s. In French Morocco, the following units
arrive at Mediuna from the US: 85th, 86th and 97th Bombardment Squadrons
(Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), with A-20s; 380th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium), with B-25s.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
B-17s bomb the marshalling yard and docks at Bengasi, Libya. HQ 79th Fighter
Group arrives at Kasfareet, Egypt from the US.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, several P-38s are damaged in an enemy air raid on Maison Blanche
Airfield; HQ 14th Fighter Group moves from Tafaraoui to Maison Blanche; HQ
319th Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 439th, and 440th Bombardment Squadrons
(Medium) move from St Leu to Tafaraoui with B-26s; "A" flight of the air
echelon of the 15th Photographic Mapping Squadron, 3d Photographic Group,
arrives at Tafaraoui with B-17s and F-4s (ground echelon in England; "B" and
"C" Flights of air echelon remain in Colorado until Oct 43). In French Morocco,
HQ 47th Bombardment Group (Light) and the 84th Bombardment Squadron (Light)
arrive at Mediouna from the US with A-20s; HQ 310th Bombardment Group (Medium)
and the 381st Bombardment Squadron (Medium) arrive at Mediouna from the US with
B-25s.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
B-17s, escorted by P-38s, bomb El Aouina Airfield, Tunisia. In Algeria, the
342d and 414th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
arrive at Maison Blanche from the UK with B-17s. In French Morocco, the 345th
and 346th Fighter Squadrons, 350th Fighter Group, arrive at Casablanca, the air
echelon from the UK with P-39s and P-40s and the ground echelon from the US;
the 379th and 428th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group
(Medium), arrive at Mediouna with B-25s.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
P-40s patrol over the battle area near Bengasi, Libya, as that city falls to
the British 10 Corps.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria during the night of 20/21 Nov, enemy aircraft bomb the harbor and
Maison Blanche Airfield at Algiers, destroying several aircraft at the field;
HQ 1st Fighter Group and the 27th Fighter Squadron move from Tafaraoui to
Nouvion; the 154th Observation Squadron, 68th Observation Group, moves from
Tafaraoui to Blida with A-20s.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, B-24s flying out of Gambut bomb Tripoli harbor, scoring a direct
hit on a warehouse; RAF bombers follow the US raids with staggered attacks
during the night of 21/22 Nov; P-40s patrol the battle area S of Bengasi.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
B-17s hit El Aouina Airfield, Tunisia. In Algeria, P-38s of the 1st Fighter
Group arrive at Nouvion to replace the 14th Fighter Group in escorting B-17s;
during the night of 21/22 Nov enemy aircraft again hit Algiers, damaging
several aircraft and destroying a B-17; the 71st and 94th Fighter Squadrons,
1st Fighter Group, move from Tafaraoui to Nouvion; the 440th Bombardment
Squadron (Medium), 319th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Tafaraoui to
Maison Blanche with B-26s. In French Morocco, the 12th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group, arrives at Casablanca from the
US with F-4s.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
P-40s patrol over the Derna, Libya area.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, HQ XII Bomber Command arrives at Tafaraoui from the UK; HQ 14th
Fighter Group moves from Maison Blanche to Youks-les-Bains; HQ 97th Bombardment
Group (Heavy) and the 340th, 341st, 342d and 414th Bombardment Squadrons
(Heavy) move from Maison Blanche to Tafaraoui with B-17s because of enemy
bombing raids.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
HQ 316th Troop Carrier Group and the 36th and 37th Troop Carrier Squadrons
arrive at El Adem, Egypt from the US with C-47s.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
B-17s, with P-38 escort, sent to bomb the airfield at Elmas, Sardinia abort
due to bad weather. In Algeria, the Twelfth AF Main HQ moves from Gibraltar to
Algiers; HQ 51st Troop Carrier Wing arrives at Algiers from the UK.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, P-40s patrol over the Bengasi and Derna areas.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
B-17s, with P-38 escort, are dispatched against the harbor at Bizerte,
Tunisia but must abort because of bad weather. In Algeria, fighters patrol the
Oran-Nouvion-Tafaraoui area, and fly sea patrol off Oran and destroy several
aircraft and attack ground targets in the vicinity of Gabes, Tunisia. In
Algeria, HQ 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 439th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium) move from Tafaraoui to Maison Blanche with B-26s; the 352d and 419th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at
Tafaraoui from the UK with B-17F’s.
Tail #’s 352 BS - 41-24347, 41-24350, 41-24352, 41-24368, 41-24372, 41-24397, 41-24404, 41-24407
41-24409, 41-24422,
Tail #’s 419th BS - 1-24346, 41-24360, (41-24362 MIA before North Africa Deployment) 41-24367,
41-24390, 41-24393, 41-243494, 41-24395, 41-24396, 41-24398,
Tail #’s 353 rd BS 41-24348, 41-24351, 41-24364, 41-24366, 41-24371, 41-24374, 41-24386,
41-24405, 41-24423,
Tail #’s 32nd BS -41-24359, 41-24361, 41-24363, 41-24418, 41-24618, 41-24369, 41-24408
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
In Libya, P-40s escort minesweepers in the vicinity of Bengasi harbor; the
RAF raids Tripoli harbor during the night of 25/26 Nov.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
Spitfires and P-38s fly widespread reconnaissance missions over coastal
Algeria.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Libya, B-24s fly 3 missions against Tripoli, scoring direct hits on 2
vessels, 1 B-24 bombs a ship at Homs harbor; P-40s patrol over the Bengasi and
Derna area. In Algeria, HQ 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 32d and 353d
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Tafaraoui from the UK with B-17s; the
437th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 319th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves
from Tafaraoui to Maison Blanche with B-26s.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
B-17s bomb Portolago Bay in the Dodecanese Islands hitting 2 vessels.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Algeria, HQ XII Bomber Command moves from Tafaraoui to Algiers; HQ 60th
Troop Carrier Group and the 10th and 28th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from
Tafaraoui to Relizane; the 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Twelfth AF
(attached to 3d Photographic Group), moves from Tafaraoui to Algiers.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, 35 B-17s of the 97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the
newly-arrived 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) bomb Bizerte airfield and dock
area; because of mud, no P-38 escort is provided; 2 B-17s are lost to fighter
attacks; B-26s of the newly-arrived 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) bomb oil
tanks, warehouses, and rail yards at Sfax, marking the debut of Twelfth AF
medium bombers in NW Africa. The 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group,
moves from Nouvion to Youks-les-Bains, Algeria with P-38s.
NORTHEAST AFRICA (Ninth Air Force):
B-24s bomb Tripoli, Libya harbor at dusk, hitting docks, warehouses, 2
vessels, and silencing an AA battery.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, the British First Army, after taking Tebourba on 27 Nov, is
stalled at Djedeida; in an effort to rejuvenate the drive on Tunis elements of
the British 1 Parachute Brigade are dropped at Depienne by Twelfth AF C-47s,
but the objective of capturing Oudna airfield and threatening Tunis, 10 miles
(16 km) to the N, fails because of overwhelming defense of the airfield; over
300 casualties are suffered by the paratroops; P-38s and DB-7s attack Gabes
Airfield while other US fighters operate with the RAF out of Bone, Algeria,
furnishing air cover for ground units in the battle area. The 11th Troop
Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Tafaraoui to Relizane,
Algeria with C-47s.
NORTHWEST AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force):
In Tunisia, B-17s bomb the N quay at Bizerte; B-26s hit the airfield and
railroad at Gabes; DB-7s attack a bridge and railway station at Djedeida; P-38s
escort all 3 missions; other P-38s strafe Gabes Airfield, fly reconnaissance,
and shoot down a Bf 109 in an aerial battle near Tunis; elements of the British
First Army remain hard pressed at Djedeida. The 12th Troop Carrier Squadron,
60th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Tafaraoui to Relizane, Algeria with C-47s.
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
The Fifteenth Air Force is activated, with HQ at Tunis, Tunisia and
Lieutenant General James H. Doolittle as Commanding General. The following
Twelfth Air Force units are transferred to the new Fifteenth Air Force:
B-17 Units
----------
5th Bombardment Wing at Depienne, Tunisia
2d Bombardment Group (Heavy) [20th, 49th, 96th and 429th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy)] at Massicault, Tunisia
97th Bombardment Group (Heavy) [340th, 341st, 342d and 414th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy)] at Depienne, Tunisia
99th Bombardment Group (Heavy) [346th, 347th, 348th and 416th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy)] at Oudna, Tunisia
301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) [32d, 352d, 353d and 419th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy)] at Oudna, Tunisia
B-24 Units
----------
98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) [343d, 344th, 345th and 415th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy)] at Hergla, Tunisia
376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) [512th, 513th, 514th and 515th Bombardment
Squadrons (Heavy)] at Enfidaville, Tunisia
B-25 Units (Groups transferred to Twelfth Air Force on 3 Nov 43)
----------
47th Bombardment Wing (Medium) at Hammamet, Tunisia
310th Bombardment Group (Medium) [379th, 380th, 381st and 428th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium)] at Menzel Temime, Tunisia
321st Bombardment Group (Medium) [445th, 446th, 447th and 448th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium)] at Grottaglie, Italy
B-26 Units (all transferred back to Twelfth Air Force at end of year)
----------
42d Bombardment Wing (Medium) at Ariana, Tunisia
17th Bombardment Group (Medium) [34th, 37th, 95th and 432d Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium)] at Djedeida, Tunisia
319th Bombardment Group (Medium) [437th, 438th, 439th and 440th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium)] in Sardinia
320th Bombardment Group (Medium) [441st, 442d, 443d and 444th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium)] in Sardinia
P-38 Units
----------
1st Fighter Group [27th, 71st and 94th Fighter Squadrons] in Sardinia
14th Fighter Group [37th, 48th and 49th Fighter Squadrons]
Ste-Marie-du-Zit, Tunisia
82d Fighter Group [95th, 96th and 97th Fighter Squadrons] at Lecce, Italy
P-47 Unit
---------
325th Fighter Group [317th, 318th and 319th Fighter Squadrons] at Mateur,
Tunisia
Other aircraft
--------------
68th Reconnaissance Group at Massicault, Tunisia
16th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bomber) at Foch Field, Tunisia with B-17
111th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) at Pomigliano, Italy with A-36 and
F-6
122d Liaison Squadron at Berteaux, Algeria with B-17
154th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) at Nouvion, Algeria with P-51
In Italy, B-l7's bomb the town and harbor of La Spezia and a railroad bridge
at Vezzano; B-25's hit marshalling yards at Rimini and Ancona. Fighters fly
escort.
During the month of Nov 43, HQ 68th Reconnaissance Group transfers from
Massicault, Tunisia to Manduria, Italy.h, 439th and 440th
Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) transfer from Dje
HQ 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 437th, 438tdeida, Tunisia to Decimomannu,
Sardinia with B-26's.
HQ 320th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from El Bathan, Tunisia to
Sardinia.
The 27th and 94th Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group, transfer from
Mateur, Tunisia to Djedeida, Tunisia with P-38's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
With the activation of the Fifteenth AF on this date, the units of the XII
Bomber Command transfer to the new air force. Northwest African Tactical Bomber
Force (NATBF) aircraft bomb shipping in harbors of Ancona, Italy and Split,
Yugoslavia, hit a tunnel mouth near Antrodoco, Italy, and attack scattered gun
positions and motor transport on both the US Fifth and British Eighth Army
fronts. The XII Air Support Command hits numerous bridges and junctions and the
town of Pontecorvo, Italy. The Royal Air Force (RAF) Desert Air Force (DAF)
hits inland roads and vehicles in advance of the battleline, shipping at Split,
Yugoslavia and the town of Carpinone, Italy.
During Nov, the 15th Photographic Squadron (Heavy), 3d Photographic
Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, transfers from La Marsa, Tunisia to
Grottaglie, Italy with B-17, B-25 and F-5.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-17's and B-24's bomb the aircraft factory and surrounding industrial
complex at Wiener-Neustadt, Austria; the bombers claim 50+ attacking fighters
destroyed. In Italy, B-25's bomb the Ancona marshalling yard; B-26's bomb the
harbor at Civitavecchia and miss a railroad bridge near Amelia; P-38's escort
the heavy bombers and the B-26's.
The 379th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
based at Menzel Temime, Tunisia begins operating from Ed Adem, Libya with
B-25's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, NATBF light and medium bombers hit gun positions and an ammunition
dump on the British Eighth Army front, railroad facilities at Aquila, and the
coast road at Terracina; at night, light bombers hit Penna Point and Zara,
Yugoslavia; XII Air Support Command and RAF DAF fighters and fighter-bombers
attack gun positions and ammunition dumps along the British Eighth Army front,
hit gun positions S of Isernia, bomb Fondi, and attack several bridges and
junctions in advance of the US Fifth Army front; numerous trucks and a train
also are strafed.
HQ 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 434th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium) transfer from Gerbini, Sicily to Foggia, Italy with B-25's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
The 2 B-25 groups [310th and 321st Bombardment Group (Medium)] of the
Fifteenth Air Force are transferred back to the Twelfth Air Force.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Fifteenth Air Force P-38's escort B-25's on a raid against Araxos Airfield,
Greece. The target is well covered and several parked airplanes are destroyed.
In Italy, the NATBF hits a dump at Cupello, the railway station at Cesano, a
road junction at Alfedena, the town areas of Ceprano and Palmoli, and numerous
vehicles; XII Air Support Command and RAF DAF fighters and fighter-bombers
attack gun positions at Cupello, landing grounds near Pescara and Ancona, the
airfield at Cisterna di Latina, the Ceccano railroad yards, the town of
Pozzilli, roads in the Venafro-Cassino area, and several bridges and junctions.
Many of the day's missions are flown in direct support of the British Eighth
Army's advance.
The 82d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Gerbini, Sicily to Foggia, Italy with B-25's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-17's bomb railroads between Montalto di Castro and Orbetello,
between Orbetello and Talamone, and between San Vincenzo and Cecina;
bomb-carrying P-38's, escorted by others, hit a tunnel N of Terni and strafe
Montalto di Castro.
HQ 325th Fighter Group and it's 317th, 318th and 319th Fighter Squadron
transfer from Mateur to Soliman, Tunisia with P-47's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Brigadier General Donald A Davison takes command of the XII Air Force
Engineer Command (Provisional), following the command's assignment to the
Twelfth Air Force on 1 Nov. In Italy, XII Air Support Command and RAF fighters
and fighter-bombers hit trucks and trains in the Sora-Avezzano area, the
airfields of Furbara and Tarquinia, and small vessels off Pescara, Italy and
Solta, Yugoslavia.
The 522d and 524th Fighter-Bomber Squadrons, 27th Fighter-Bomber Group,
transfer from Capaccio to Paestum and Guado Airfield, Italy respectively with
A-36's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
3 B-24's on a low-level raid bomb the Falconara-Marittima railroad and
highway bridges in Italy.
The 432d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Djedeida, Tunisia to Villacidro, Sardinia with B-26's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
XII Air Support Command B-25's, escorted by Fifteenth Air Force P-38's, hit
the Berat-Kucove Airfield in Albania. In Italy, the NATBF bombs roads E of
Atina and N of Rome, and hits vehicles moving S from Pescara; XII Air Support
Command and RAF DAF fighters and fighter-bombers attack motor transport N of
Vasto, bridges and roads W of Isernia, Cassino, and Atena Lucana, the town of
Castrocielo, and vessels off Split, Yugoslavia.
HQ 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Djedeida, Tunisia to
Sardinia.
HQ 350th Fighter Group transfers from Rerhaiak Algeria to Sardinia.
The 81st and 83d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group
(Medium), transfer from Gerbini, Sicily to Foggia, Italy with B-25's.
The 415th Night Fighter Squadron, XII Air Support Command, transfers from
Cassibile to Cantania, Sicily with Beaufighters.
The 523d Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 27th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers from
Capaccio to Gaudo Airfield, Italy with A-36's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 4 B-17's attack the Fiora River bridge, 3 attack a bridge N of
Orbetello, and 11 P-38's attack a bridge S of Orvieto. P-38's escorted by
others, hit approaches to a bridge near Monte Molino, and the escorting
fighters afterwards strafe Tarquinia Airfield, a train N of Civitavecchia, and
vehicles between Montefiascone and Vetralla.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, XII Air Support Command fighter-bombers strike gun positions,
bridges, and roads around Mignano, vehicles N of Cassino, and a train N of
Aquino airfield. Other Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) fighters
attack numerous road and rail transport targets through-out Italy N of the
battleline and in Yugoslavia.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather cancels heavy bomber operations.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
NATBF bombers hit gun position along the British Eighth and US Fifth Army
fronts, shipping at Ancona, Italy harbor, and the town of Ulcinj, Yugoslavia;
Durazzo, Albania is bombed at night. XII Air Support Command and other fighters
of the NATAF hit the harbor and shipping at Split and a train near Metkovic,
Yugoslavia, and attack bridges, road junctions, town area, and trucks in the
Mignano-Cassino and Pontecorvo, Italy. areas.
The 10th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, transfer from
Gela to Gerbini, Sicily with C-47's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 81 B-17's bomb the Turin ball bearing works, marshalling yard, and
nearby motor and aircraft engine works; P-38's provide escort as far N as
Imperia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Weather cancels all XII Air Support Command missions except fighter patrols.
In Italy, NATBF bombers and RAF DAF fighters fly only 6 missions, hitting gun
positions along the battleline, vehicles W of the Sangro River, and trains at
Civitanova and Pescara.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's attack the Villarperosa ball-bearing works at Turin and
B-17's hit the Genoa-Ansaldo steel works. P-38's provide escort.
The 441st, 442d, 443d and 444th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 320th
Bombardment Group (Medium), transfer from El Bathan, Tunisia to Decimomannu,
Sardinia with B-26's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, the NATBF bombs Formia and Itri as a diversion to the naval
bombardment of Formia and Gaeta. XlI Air Support Command fighter-bombers attack
roads and bridges in the Mignano-Ceprano area while other NATAF fighter-bombers
hit shipping in the harbor at Split, Yugoslavia and rail targets in the Rome-La
Spezia area and vessels, radio stations, and gun emplacements off the coast of
Albania.
The 12th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
Gela to Gerbini, Sicly with C-47's. The squadron has been operating from Comiso
since 22 Oct.
The 379th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Menzel Temime, Tunisia to Philippeville, Algeria with B-25's.
The squadron is operating from El Adem, Libya.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-24's bomb the Villarperosa ball-bearing works at Turin, and
B-17's pound a bridge and marshalling yards at Bolzano. P-38's escort the
B-24's all the way and accompany the B-17's almost to the target.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
NATBF bombers hit shipping at Split, Yugoslavia and Durazzo, Albania. In
Italy, XII Air Support Command and RAF fighter-bombers hit Rocca and nearby gun
positions, and trains and troops S of Rome; fighters strafe trucks and trains
in the Rome-La Spezia and the Piombino-Leghorn areas.
HQ 310th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 380th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium) transfer from Menzel Temime, Tunisia to Philippeville, Algeria with
B-25's. A detachment of the 380th is operating from Oudna, Tunisia.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In France, 28 B-24's attack the Annecy ball bearing plant and the viaduct at
Antheor.
HQ 47th Bombardment Wing (Medium) transfers from Hammamet, Tunisia to
Manduria, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, US and RAF light bombers and fighter-bombers, in support of the US
Fifth and British Eighth Armies, hit troop and gun concentrations and
communications in the Rocca and Palena areas; other NATAF aircraft bomb the
town of Rocca, Bussi sul Tirino explosive works near Popoli, and docks at
Civitavecchia, and strafe strongpoints at Roccaraso and Atessa; fighters hit
motor transport in the coastal area between the Sangro and Pescara Rivers.
The 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 63d Fighter Wing, transfers from Rerhaia,
Algeria to Elmas, Sardinia with Beaufighters.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-26's attack railroad bridges and tracks in the Montalto di
Castro and Orbetello areas, but heavy cloud cover prevents effective hits on
the targets. P-38's fly an air-sea rescue patrol off the mouth of the Semeni
River in Albania.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, NATBF light bombers hit guns, troops, and railway facilities near
Palena, the town of Atina, and the road at Acquafondata. Medium bombers hit the
Berat/Kucove airfield and an oil refinery in Albania after failing to locate
targets near Athens, Greece. In Italy during the night of 12/13 Nov, light
bombers attack the Arezzo marshalling yard and Perugia airfield;
fighter-bombers of the XII Air Support Command and RAF DAF continue to provide
close support to the US Fifth and British Eighth Armies, blasting gun positions
and motor transport, and also attacking targets (aircraft, guns, rail yards,
bridge, and trains) around Bracciano Lake, Orbetello, Rieti, Sant'Elia
Fiumerapido, Opuzen, Ancona, and Iesi.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Weather limits operations to air-sea rescue patrols which are hampered by
overcast.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, NATBF light bombers hit Palena and Atina and later bomb
Civitavecchia harbor and a road W of Terracina; XII Air Support Command
fighter-bombers, along with RAF DAF airplanes, bomb Giulianova harbor and
shipping, roads leading to the battle zone, and landing grounds of Aquino,
Frosinone, and Marcigliana; fighters hit train and trucks in the Pescara-Rieti
area.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
NATBF B-25's, escorted by Fifteenth Air Force P-38's, bomb the Sofia,
Bulgaria marshalling yard; the P-38's claim 5 enemy aircraft destroyed. In
Italy, XII Air Support Command operations are curtailed by weather, and only
battle area patrols are flown; RAF DAF fighter-bombers hit trains on the E
coast of Italy near Avezzano, along the Dalmatian coast SE of Metkovic,
Yugoslavia, and at Sarajevo, Yugoslavia; fighters strafe the airfields at
Furbara and Tarquinia, Italy.
The 428th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
ceases operating from Oudna and returns to it's base at Menzel Temime, Tunisia
with B-25's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-24's bomb Eleusis airfield in Greece; P-38's provide escort.
HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) transfers from Ariana, Tunisia to Elmas,
Sardinia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
XII Air Support Command B-25's bomb Kalamaki airfield in Greece, and its
fighters patrol the battle area. Other NATAF fighters hit road traffic S of
Ancona, Italy.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In France, B-17's bomb the Istres-Le-Tube airfield, and B-26's hit
Salon-de-Provence airfield. P-38's escort the B-26's and also a NATAF B-25
attack on the airfield at Eleusis, Greece.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
B-25's bomb the airfields at Sibenik, Yugoslavia and Eleusis, Greece; the
latter mission is escorted by Fifteenth Air Force P-38's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-17's hit the airfield at Eleusis, Greece, destroying several parked
airplanes and scoring many hits on hangars, other buildings, and runways;
P-38's escort the B-17's as well as NATAF B-25's attacking the airfield at
Kalamaki, Greece.
HQ 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Enfidaville, Tunisia to
San Pancrazio, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
B-25's bomb the airfield at Kalamaki, Greece. In Italy, fighters hit trucks
N of Ancona at Macerata.
The 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, transfers from Salsola to
Madna Airfield, Italy with P-40's.
The 381st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
ceases operating from Oudna, Tunisia and returns to it's base at Menzel Temime,
Tunisia with B-25's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-17's, with P-38 escort, pound the airfield at Eleusis, Greece. P-38's also
escort an NATAF attack on the same target and escort a supply dropping mission
to Yugoslavia.
HQ 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and it's 343d, 344th, 345th and 415th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) transfer from Hergla, Tunisia to Brindisi, Italy
with B-24's.
The 514th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
transfers from Enfidaville, Tunisia to San Pancrazio, Italy with B-24's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Medium and light bombers of the XII Air Support Command and RAF attack the
airfield at Larissa, Greece, a billeting area at Rivisondoli, Italy and road,
railway and town area W of San Vito Chietino and at Lanciano, Italy. In
Yugoslavia, fighter-bombers hit a ship in the Krka River, trains at Knin
marshalling yard and between Knin and Kosovo, the landing ground at Sinj,
harbor and vessels at Sibenik, and defended points and gun positions along the
battleline in Italy.
HQ 33d Fighter Group transfers from Paestum to Santa Maria, Italy.
The 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic
Reconnaissance Group, based at La Marsa, Tunisia with F-5's, begins operating
from Foggia, Italy.
The 345th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, transfers from Rerhaia,
Algeria to Sardinia with P-39's.
The 347th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, transfers from Djidjelli to
Rerhaia, Algeria with P-39's.
The 381st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Menzel Temime, Tunisia to Philippeville, Algeria with B-25's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Weather causes the recall of all aircraft dispatched.
The 512th, 513th and 515th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 376th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), transfer from Enfidaville, Tunisia to San Pancrazio, Italy with
B-24's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, XII Air Support Command A-36's and P-40's bomb a bridge E of
Cassino and the bridge and village of Pontecorvo, and, along with RAF DAF
fighter-bombers, hit strongpoints around the village of Barrea while supporting
ground forces. Fighters (mostly RAF DAF) also strafe trucks and trains around
Rieti, Italy and Metkovic, Yugoslavia.
HQ 79th Fighter Group and it's 85th and 86th Fighter Squadrons transfer from
Foggia to Madna Airfield, Italy with P-40's.
HQ 86th Fighter-Bomber Group and it's 525th Fighter-Bomber Squadron transfer
from Serretella Airfield to Pomigliano, Italy with A-36's.
HQ 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 486th Bombardment Squadron
(Medium) transfer from San Pancrazio to Foggia, Italy with B-25's.
The 380th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
based at Philippeville, Algeria, ceases operating from Oudna, Tunisia with
B-25's and returns to base.
The 428th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Menzel Temime, Tunisia to Philippeville, Algeria with B-25's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Weather cancels all bomber operations. Operations are restricted to weather
reconnaissance from Decimomannu, Sardinia to Cape Linaro, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, XII Air Support Command and RAF DAF fighters carry out uneventful
armed reconnaissance; the NATBF hits the Porto Civitanova railway junction,
Pedaso, Giulianova, and Loreto.
HQ 321st Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 445th and 448th Bombardment
Squadrons (Medium) transfer from Grottaglie to Amendola, Italy with B-25's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-26's bomb the harbor at Civitavecchia, a bridge at Fano, and
marshalling yard at Chiusi; P-38's provide escort to the latter target.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, NATBF B-25's bomb gun emplacements at Gaeta; US and RAF
fighter-bombers of the RAF DAF hit strongpoints in the Santa Maria Imbaro and
Poggiofiorito areas; fighters carry out patrols and reconnaissance along the
battleline along the Corigliano and Sangro Rivers.
MTO;
President Franklin D Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston S Churchill and
Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek confer in Cairo, Egypt. Talks last until 26 Nov
and concern Operation OVERLORD (the overall plan for the invasion of W Europe),
the possibility of expanding operations in the Mediterranean Theater of
Operations, and future operations against Japan. It is decided to make an
amphibious landing and offensive in Burma (Operation CHAMPION) and to base
B-29's in the China-Burma-India Theater (Operation TWILIGHT).
The 90th Photographic Wing (Reconnaissance) is activated at La Marsa,
Tunisia. The group will provide photographic reconnaissance for both the
Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Forces until the wing's groups were reassigned on 1
Oct 44.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-26's, escorted by P-38's, hit the railroad center at Foligno,
scoring numerous hits; others attack a bridge at Ciciana.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, 100+ XII Air Support Command P-40's, B-25's, and RAF Baltimores,
attack strongpoints in the Lanciano-Fossacesia area, concentrating on gun
positions; P-40's also hit roads and railways at Fabriano, the towns of
Viticuso and Vallerotonda, and as far N as Urbino; A-36's hit chemical works,
harbor and railroad yards at Civitavecchia and bomb the village of San Vittore
del Lazio.
The 99th Fighter Squadron, XII Air Support Command, transfers from Foggia to
Madna, Italy with P-40's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Weather limits operations to fighter patrols of the battle area.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-17's, with P-38 escorts, strike the submarine base at Toulon, France and
the marshalling yard at Sofia, Bulgaria.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, NATBF bombers, along with RAF DAF fighter-bombers, in close
support of the British Eighth Army, hit gun positions and defended points in
the Fossacesia area; XII Air Support Command A-36's, in support of the US Fifth
Army, hit roads NW of battleline, and bomb the harbor at Civitavecchia.
ANTISUBMARINE OPERATIONS (First Air Force):
The 2d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 480th Antisubmarine Group, begins a
movement from Port Lyautey, French Morocco to the US with B-24's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather causes a recall of B-24's dispatched to the air depot at
Klagenfurt, Austria. P-38's on supply and air-sea rescue escort duty also abort
due to rain storms.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, light and medium bombers of the XII Air Support Command, along
with Allied airplanes, bomb gun positions and defended points in the
Lanciano-Fossacesia area; medium bombers also hit Sarajevo and Travnik,
Yugoslavia and Ancona, Italy; US and RAF fighters attack vehicles, gun
positions, and strongpoints in the Casoli- Castelfrentano-Lanciano-Fossacesia
area.
The 447th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 321st Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Grottaglie to Amendola, Italy with B-25's.
The 488th and 489th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group
(Medium), transfer from San Pancrazio to Foggia, Italy with B-25's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-17's of the 2d and 99th Bombardment Groups (Heavy) hit the
viaduct at Recco; 301st Bombardment Group (Heavy) B-17's bomb Rimini
marshalling yard and bridge; 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) B-26'a bomb
Cassino while B-24's of the 376th Bombardment Group (Heavy) attack bridges in
the Fano, Cesano, Senigallia, and Falconara areas, scoring hits or near misses
at Fano, Falconara and Senigallia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25's and A-20's along with RAF light bombers, attack the
marshalling yard and harbor at Ancona, defended positions near Fossacesia,
Lanciano, and Castelfrentano; US and RAF fighter-bombers hit these same
positions and also attack troop concentration near Palombaro and N of Casoli.
The detachment of the 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d
Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), at Ajaccio/Campo del Oro, Corsica with
F-4's and F-5's, returns to it's base at La Marsa, Tunisia.
The 379th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 310th Bombardment Group (Medium),
based at Philippeville, Libya ceases operating from El Adem, Libya and starts
operating from Gambit, Libya with B-25's.
The 487th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 340th Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from San Pancrazio to Foggia, Italy with B-25's.
ANTISUBMARINE OPERATIONS (First Air Force):
The 1st Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), 480th Antisubmarine Group, begins a
movement from Port Lyautey, French Morocco to the US with B-24's.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-17's, with P-38 escort, bomb the marshalling yard and bridges at
Rimini; other B-17's hit bridges and the marshalling yard at Grizzana and a
bridge approach on the Reno River 25 miles (40 km) SW of Bologna.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the day and night, Twelfth Air Force fighters, light and
medium bombers and aircraft of the associated RAF units of the NATAF attack
enemy positions, gun emplacements, roads, vehicles, railroad facilities, and
targets of opportunity in the Lanciano-Fossacesia-Castelfrentano-Casoli area.
B-25's also bomb Porto Civitanova, Italy and Sibenik, Yugoslavia.
The 5th Photographic Squadron (Light), Twelfth Air Force, transfers from La
Marsa, Tunisia to Pomigliano, Italy with F-5's. The 5th has been operating from
Pomigliano since 14 Oct.
The 446th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 321st Bombardment Group (Medium),
transfers from Grottaglie to Amendola, Italy with B-25's.
MTO:
The Tehran Conference begins and lasts until 30 Nov. President Franklin D
Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston S Churchill, and Marshall Josef V Stalin
discuss further action against Germany. Operations OVERLORD (the overall plan
for the invasion of W Europe) and ANVIL (the plan for the invasion of S France)
are given priority over all other operations. Stalin agrees to commit Soviet
forces against Japan after Germany's defeat.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
B-26's are recalled over S France due to bad weather; the medium bombers and
their fighter escort claim 5 fighters destroyed in combat over the French
coast; B-25's, with fighter escort, bomb the railroad viaduct at Dogna, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Yugoslavia, B-25's bomb warehouses, docks, marshalling yards, barracks,
shipping, and other targets at Sibenik, Zara, and Dubrovnik; RAF DAF fighters
strafe trains between Dubrovnik and Metkovic. In Italy, Twelfth Air Force
fighters hit vehicles and troops in the battle area; Allied fighter-bombers
bomb and strafe buildings, trucks, and roads in the Lanciano-Fossacesia-Caoli
areas.
MONDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 70 B-26's bomb the airfield and marshalling yards at Grosseto;
B-24's, with P-38 escort, bomb the Furbara area; many other medium and heavy
bombers are prevented from bombing targets by bad weather.
The 27th, 71st and 94th Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group, transfer from
Djedeida, Tunisia to Monserrato, Sardinia with P-38's.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
B-25's bomb Sarajevo, Yugoslavia and road and rail bridges at Giulianova,
Italy. US, South African Air Force (SAAF), and RAF light bombers hit enemy
strongpoints at San Vito Chietino and the Castelfrentano-Lanciano-Fossacesia
areas; Allied fighter-bombers bomb enemy forward positions around Fossacesia
and Lanciano of Italy.
The 37th Troop Carrier Squadron, 316th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from
El Aouina, Tunisia to Borizzo, Sicily with C-47's.
The 415th Night Fighter Squadron, XII Air Support Command, based at Catania,
Sicily with Beaufighters, sends a detachment to Montecorvino, Italy.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, B-26's attack the Monte Molino railroad bridge, Montalto di
Castro, and areas around Bastia and Torgiano; accuracy is severely hampered by
overcast; B-24's, with P-38 escort, bomb Fiume through the overcast.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, A-20's, operating in conjunction with light bombers of the SAAF
and RAF attack ground installations and defended areas around Lanciano,
Fossacesia, Orsogna, Castelfrentano, and Guardiagrele; fighter-bombers, [US,
RAAF, SAAF and RAF] hit pre-arranged targets in the battle area, and by hitting
targets of opportunity on roads between Lanciano to Mozzagrogna aid in
defeating a counterattack against the US 34th Infantry Division on Monte
Pantano.
The 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 5th Photographic
Reconnaissance Group, transfers from La Marsa, Tunisia to Foggia, Italy with
F-5's. The squadron has been operating from Foggia since 18 Nov.
COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF
THE US ARMY AIR FORCES
NOVEMBER 1944 - MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (MTO)
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Austria, 320+ B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escorts, bomb diesel and
ordnance works, and marshalling yard at Vienna; also hit are marshalling yards
at Graz, a tank factory at Kapfenberg, targets of opportunity including
marshalling yards at Gussing, Ljubljana and Cakove, Yugoslavia, and scattered
communications targets in S Germany, Hungary, Austria, and Yugoslavia; several
fighters strafe road and rail transport targets and troops in the Gyor,
Hungary-Parndorf and Neusiedler Lake areas.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, operations are again curtailed by bad weather; however, fighters
and fighter-bombers successfully attack bridges, rail lines, roads, vehicles,
and trains in the C Po Valley and hit scattered targets elsewhere in N Italy;
the 525th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, moves from Grosseto to Pisa
with P-47s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather curtails operations. In Austria, 5 B-17s bomb the Moosbierbaum
oil refinery, while 2 others hit an airfield N of the city and bomb Klagenfurt.
6 P-38s fly weather reconnaissance missions. All other operations are
cancelled.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, clouds over the Po Valley prevent medium bomber operations; XXII
Tactical Air Command aircraft are also grounded due to unserviceable fields and
bad weather over Italian battle areas.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Austria, 46 B-17s and B-24s, in an operation adapted to bad weather and
flying without escort, bomb Vienna S ordnance depot, Moosbierbaum oil refinery,
Munich W marshalling yard in Germany, Klagenfurt aircraft factory, the towns of
Innsbruck and Graz, and the rail line SE of Graz; the bombers attack
individually, depending on cloud cover for protection; 30+ other heavy bombers
abort due to clearing weather.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Heavy clouds over most of N Italy begin to disperse; medium bombers are
still grounded but fighter-bombers manage to fly 8 sorties against gun
positions in mountains S of Bologna, Italy.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
715 B-17s and B-24s with fighter escorts pound oil storage at Regensburg and
marshalling yards at Munich and Augsburg, Germany, the main marshalling yard
and a benzol plant at Linz, Austria, a troop concentration at Podgorica,
Yugoslavia, as well as attacking several alternate targets and scattered
targets of opportunity including marshalling yards at Wels and Kufstein,
Austria, Erding Airfield, Germany, railroad targets in and near Rosenheim,
Germany, and the towns of Strass and Muhldorf, Austria.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, 200o+ B-25s and B-26s of the 42d Bombardment Wing (Medium) hit
railway and road bridges in the Brenner Pass; 130+ B-25s of the 57th
Bombardment Wing strike communications in the W Po Valley, cutting at least 4
bridges; fighters and fighter-bombers of XXII Tactical Air Command concentrate
on communications targets and trains in the Po Valley and defenses in the
battle area S of Bologna; some XXII Tactical Air Command aircraft hit guns on
the N Italian coast, some hit a rocket launching site and communications N of
battle area, and 4 P-47s bomb a Milan hotel where Adolf Hitler is rumored to be
staying.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
500 B-24s and B-17s bomb the Floridsdorf oil refinery at Vienna, Austria in
the largest operation against a single target during World War II; 10 other
heavy bombers bomb about 20 scattered targets of opportunity and 1 alternate
target, the Kapfenberg, Austria tank works; 139 P-38s and 198 P-51s provide
escort; 16 of the fighters strafe targets of opportunity in the target area; 42
other B-24s, with fighter escort, bomb troop concentrations at Mitrovica and
Podgorica, Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers, flying 300+ sorties, bomb bridges in the Brenner
Pass and in the NE Po Valley to interdict the Germans' 2 main supply routes
from the N; fighters and fighter- bombers hit defenses and forces in the battle
areas in the N Apennines S of Bologna and attack communications targets to the
N as well as in battle zone.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Austria, 580+ fighter- escorted B-17s and B-24s bomb the Moosbierbaum oil
refinery and Vienna S ordnance depot, alternate targets of Maribor, Yugoslavia
marshalling yard, the Kapfenberg steel works and the Deutsch Wagram and Graz
marshalling yards, and the railroad power sub station at Bolzano, Italy.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers strike electric transformers and converters,
railway bridges and railway fills on the rail line through the Brenner Pass;
fighter-bombers and fighters again hit troops and gun positions in the
battlelines S of Bologna and communications targets N of the battle area.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
550+ B-17s and B-24s attack Maribor and Alipasin Most, Yugoslavia and
Brunico, Italy marshalling yards; the Floridsdorf oil refinery at Vienna,
Austria; the Brenner Pass railroad route; railroad bridges at Pinzano al
Tagliamento, Casarsa della Delizia, Mezzocorona, Ora, and Albes, Italy; and
troop concentrations at Novi Pazar, Sjenica, Prijepolje, and Mitrovica,
Yugoslavia; fighters escort all operations except the attacks on troop
concentrations; in Yugoslavia, 124 P-38s strafe troop concentrations at
Podgorica and roads and railroads near Raska, between
Visegrad-Prijepolje-Sjenica and from Sjenica to Novi Pazar.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
The Adjutant General officially orders the de facto action of 19 Oct
redesignating HQ XII Fighter Command to HQ XXII Tactical Air Command. In Italy,
medium bombers of the 42d Bombardment Wing (Medium) aid the Royal Air Force's
(RAF's) Desert Air Force (DAF) in supporting the British Eighth Army's attack
on Forli; the 57th Bombardment Wing continues an interdiction campaign against
railway supply lines in NE Italy; fighter-bombers closely support US Fifth Army
forces astride the Idice River in the mountains S of Bologna and bomb
communications N of the Apennines, scoring many hits on bridges between
Piacenza and Bologna.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Yugoslavia, 34 B-24s bomb troop concentrations at Mitrovica, Prijepolje,
and Sjenica. Heavy cloud over the targets forces 70+ others to abort.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers strike the rail line in the Brenner Pass and other
lines running into Italy from the NE and bomb bridges in the C and W Po Valley,
damaging several and destroying the bridge at Mantua; fighters and
fighter-bombers hit communications in the Bologna area, but concentrate most of
their operations against bridges and rail lines in the Parma area in an effort
to disrupt battle area supply lines.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather limits operations to 4 weather reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, bad weather hampers medium bombers operations in the Po Valley as
7 of 9 missions abort; in the 2 others, bridges in the Valley are hit; fighters
and fighter-bombers fly less than 100 sorties, but successfully strike road and
railroad bridges in the Bologna-Modena areas.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Continued bad weather limits operations to reconnaissance missions and
reconnaissance escorts by P-38s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
HQ and HQ Squadron, XII Tactical Air Command; HQ and HQ Squadron, 64th
Fighter Wing; 324th Fighter Group; 415th Night Fighter Squadron; 11th Tactical
Reconnaissance Squadron; and several signal, fighter control, and service units
are relieved from duty with the Twelfth AF and assigned to the European Theater
of Operations, US Army (ETOUSA) and the First Tactical Air Force (Provisional).
In Italy, medium bombers continue the interdiction campaign against railways
in NE Italy, principally the Brenner Pass, Brenta River and Po River bridges,
rail ferry at Ostiglia, and several dumps; fighter-bombers hit rail targets and
guns at several points in Po Valley.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
220+ heavy bombers attack marshalling yards in Rosenheim, Germany; Salzburg,
Villach, Linz, and Lienz, the railroad at Zell am See and highway bridge at
Sillian, and Wurzen Pass, Austria; railroad bridges at Pinzano al Tagliamento,
Latisana, and Casarsa della Delizia, and Aviano Airfield, Italy. Fighters
escort all missions except the bridge attacks. Bad weather grounds 100+ other
heavy bombers, and another 320+ are recalled before reaching their target
areas.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers strike at railroad bridges in NC and NE Italy,
damaging a bridge at Piazzola sul Brenta and knocking out 2 spans of a bridge
at Latisana; fighter-bombers continue support of ground forces S of Bologna,
attack vehicles, trains, and communications in the Genoa-Alessandria area, bomb
Villafranca di Verona Airfield and set most of the area aflame; during the
night of 10/11 Nov A-20s bomb Ghedi Airfield and targets of opportunity in the
Po Valley. The 17th and 18th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 64th Troop Carrier Group,
cease operating from Istres, France and return to base at Ciampino, Italy with
C-47s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Italy, 107 fighter-escorted B-24s strike at bridges at Ora, Albes, and
Mezzocorona, a viaduct at Avisio, plus the alternate target of Casarsa della
Delizia railroad bridges and targets of opportunity in NE Italy including the
Latisana railroad bridge and an airfield to the N.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, bad weather grounds medium bombers; fighter-bombers support ground
forces in the N Apennines and hit railway targets in the Po Valley, cut rail
lines in 18 places and destroy or seriously damage 8 bridges; during the night
of 11/12 Nov A-20s hit motor transport, Bergamo Airfield, and the Po River
crossing at San Benedetto Po.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
During the night of 12/13 Nov 14 B-17s and B-24s hit the oil refinery at
Blechhammer, Germany; 5 others hit alternate targets and targets of opportunity
at scattered locations including Gleiwitz, Germany, Karvina, Poland and
Ruzomberok and Vac, Czechoslovakia. Day operations are limited to
reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 12/13 Nov A-20s bomb ammunition dumps, pontoon
bridge, and targets of opportunity in the Po Valley; a thick overcast covering
N Italy the following morning vastly curtails medium bombers which attack only
a railway bridge at Padua; fighter-bombers continue to hit communications N of
the battle area and also the oil pipeline across the Po River at Ostiglia.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather limits operations to reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, bad weather restricts operations to fighter-bomber attacks by 17
P-47s on rail lines and road N of the battleline.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Austria, 80 B-17s and B-24s attack a benzol plant at Linz, marshalling
yard at Innsbruck, and troop concentration at Novi Pazar, Yugoslavia (all
primary targets), and make single bomber attacks on Wolfsburg, Salzburg,
Hieflau, the Kapfenberg steel works, Schwaz, Ybbs, and airfields near Linz, and
Passau, and Traunstein, Germany; fighters escort the Novi Pazar, Yugoslavia
raid.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Twelfth AF loses HQ 63d Fighter Wing; HQ 42d Bombardment Wing (Medium); HQ
17th and 320th Bombardment Groups (Medium), and 310th Service Group to European
Theater of Operations, USA Army (ETOUSA).
Bad weather cancels all operations except for reconnaissance by 4 P-47s and
attack by 2 on railroad bridge and rolling stock in the Po Valley.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
550+ B-17s and B-24s attack Munich, Germany W marshalling yard and troop
concentrations at Visegrad, Yugoslavia as well as an alternate target of
Innsbruck, Austria marshalling yard and scattered targets of opportunity; 250+
P-51s and P-38s support the attack on Munich; 26 other P-38s strafe transport
targets on roads between Sarajevo and Novi Pazar, Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, medium bombers fly 250+ sorties against rail lines in the Brenner
Pass and other parts of NE Italy destroying the railroad bridge at Sacile;
fighter-bombers in support of the British Eighth Army advance to the NW of
Forli, hit guns, ammunition supplies, and other military targets, attack
pipeline crossings of the Po River at Ostiglia and Ferrara, and pontoon stores
near Ficarola, as well as hitting communications targets N of the battle area;
the 346th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, moves from Tarquinia to Pisa
with P-47s.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
630+ B-17s and B-24s attack Blechhammer S oil refinery, Germany; Floridsdorf
oil refinery in Vienna, Austria; the industrial area in and near Vienna;
marshalling yards at Maribor, Yugoslavia; Gyor, Hungary; Graz, Salzburg,
Villach, and the town of Sankt Johann in Tirol, Austria; plus several scattered
targets of opportunity.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
For the first time in several months the Twelfth's medium bombers attack
targets in Yugoslavia, hitting bridges along the Brod-Zagreb-Maribor railroad;
in Italy, medium bombers also hit rail bridges and viaducts in the NE,
concentrating on the Brenner Pass where ground haze and smoke screen at the
Avisio viaduct hamper the attacks; fighter-bombers of the XXII Tactical Air
Command cut rail lines, hit larger concentrations of railroad cars, and blast
several ammunition and fuel dumps N of the battleline below Bologna;
fighter-bombers closely supporting ground forces also hit guns and other
military targets in battle area.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
680+ B-17s and B-24s bomb the Floridsdorf oil refinery at Vienna, Austria
and the Korneuburg, Austria oil refinery; airfields at Aviano, Villafranca di
Verona, Udine, and Vicenza, Italy; and troop concentrations at Visegrad,
Yugoslavia; 126 P-38s escort the Austrian missions while 12 others bomb the
troop concentrations at Visegrad, Yugoslavia; 186 P-51s provide cover for raids
on the Italian airfields and sweep target areas; 50+ other fighters fly
reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort. The 37th Photographic Reconnaissance
Squadron, 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, arrives at Naples, Italy from
the US with F-5s (first mission is 3 Feb 45).
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
Medium bombers bomb bridges at Pizzighettone, Romano di Lombardia,
Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Migazzone, Casarsa della Delizia, and Casale
Monferrato, Italy; and at Zidani Most, Yugoslavia and also pound the
Brod-Ljubljana, Yugoslavia railway, the principal German escape route in the
Balkans; fighter-bombers continue successful attacks on rail lines, dumps,
guns, and pipelines in the N Apennines and the Po Valley, XXII Tactical Air
Command claiming 100+ train cars, 8 locomotives, and nearly 75 vehicles
destroyed.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
500+ B-24s and B-17s bomb the Schwechat and Vosendorf oil refineries,
Winterhafen oil depot and Lobau oil plant in Vienna, Wiener-Neudorf aircraft
factory, Linz benzol plant, and Horsching Airfield, Austria; Gyor, Hungary and
Maribor, Yugoslavia marshalling yards, plus several scattered targets of
opportunity; 19 P-38s dive-bomb troop concentrations at Prijepolje and Novi
Pazar, Yugoslavia, while 126 P-51s strafe roads and railroads between Esztergom
and Veszprem, Hungary and Vienna, Austria, and also attack Veszprem and
Tapolcza Airfields in Hungary; other fighters cover heavy bomber and
reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, fog and low clouds force cancellation of missions against W Po
Valley targets and limit fighter- bombers to a midday attack on rail lines,
guns, troop concentrations, motor transport, and other military targets in and
near the battle area S of Bologna. During the night of 18/19 Nov A-20s on armed
reconnaissance bomb Ghedi Airfield and targets in the Bologna, Ferrara, Mantua,
Cremona, and Parma areas.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
192 B-24s and B-17s bomb the Blechhammer S oil refinery in Germany and the
town of Prerov, Czechoslovakia, a target of opportunity; 284 others encounter
bad weather and attack several alternate targets and targets of opportunity in
Czechoslovakia including the town of Zlin and marshalling yards at Brno,
Hodonin, and Breclav and other targets of opportunity in C and SE Europe. In
Yugoslavia, 92 B-24s attack the Sarajevo marshalling yard, and railroad bridges
at Doboj, Zenica, and Fojnica and 11 P-38s divebomb a marshalling yard at Brod,
while 43 others strafe communications between Esztergom and Veszprem, Hungary,
and Vienna, Austria; other fighters fly bomber escort, reconnaissance, and
reconnaissance escort.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 19/20 Nov 44 A-20s attack Po River crossings,
airfields and lights in the Po Valley. During the day bad weather prevents
medium bombers from successfully attacking targets; fighter-bombers able to
operate during the late morning destroy 2 factories E of Modena, and supply
dumps near Parma, and cause large explosions in a dump near San Felice del
Benaeo.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
25 B-24s bomb troop concentrations, railroad, and highways at Novi Pazar and
Cacak, Yugoslavia. 155 P-38s dive-bomb communications lines in S Yugoslavia,
destroying several vehicles, blasting roads at Vucitrn, Rogatica, Tvrdosevo,
and Duga Poljana, hitting bridges at Vrbasici, and Kukavica and causing a
landslide at Pavlica; 87 P-51s strafe communications over wide areas of S
Yugoslavia; other fighters fly reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s blast defenses and troop concentrations in the Faenza area
as the British Eighth Army's 5 Corps opens a general offensive N towards that
town; fighter-bombers hit targets in the US Fifth Army battle area S of
Bolonga, in the Po Valley, and in NE Italy; particularly good results are
achieved against supply dumps and a rail line in the Brenner Pass is cut in 3
places.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
205 B-17s and B-24s hit E and W marshalling yards at Munich, Germany; 214
others fail to reach primaries because of impenetrable weather and attack
alternates and targets of opportunity including marshalling yards at
Regensburg, Germany, Salzburg, Lienz, and Villach, Austria and several targets
of opportunity at scattered points; fighters provide escort to Munich, Germany.
In Italy, 88 B-24s attack a bridge at Ferrara and rail line at Carbola, while
39 P-38s bomb the Osoppo motor transport depot.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s again pound defenses in the Faenza area as British Eighth
Army forces push into that area from the SE; fighter-bombers and fighters fly
nearly 350 sorties against rail lines in the Po Valley and very successfully
hit guns, vehicles, troops and other targets in the US Fifth Army battle area S
of Bologna, and supply dumps and pipelines N of the battle area.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Yugoslavia, 81 B-24s attack road and railroad bridges at or near Zenica,
Brod, and Doboj; 30 P-38s bomb the Doboj marshalling yard, 13 hit Doboj road
and rail bridge, and 4 attack, but miss, a bridge at Maglaj; 13 B-24s and B-17s
drop supplies at points in Yugoslavia.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, bad weather restricts operations; medium bombers over the Faenza
area abort due to overcast, P-47s hampered by low clouds over the Apennines
Mountains, fly only 16 sorties, against rail lines S of Bologna, but succeed in
cutting the lines in 6 places.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
P-38s and P-51s fly photo and weather reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s, in support of the British Eighth Army, bomb defenses in the
Faenza area; bad weather restricts fighter-bombers to 2 missions which damage a
road bridge and cut rail line S of Modena.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
During the night of 24/25 Nov, 40+ B-17s and B-24s bomb the Linz benzol
plant, Klagenfurt, and Innsbruck, Austria, and Munich W W marshalling yards in
Germany, and 2 unidentified targets of opportunity; during the day P-38s fly
photo and weather reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, bad weather again hampers operations; 3 fighter groups fly only 53
sorties against railway targets and targets of opportunity N of the US Fifth
Army battle area, cutting lines at 14 places and destroying several vehicles.
The 414th Night Fighter Squadron, 62d Fighter Wing, moves from Pisa to
Pontedera, Italy with Beaufighters.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
39 P-38s fly an offensive sweep over Seregelyes Airfield, Hungary and strafe
nearby road and rail traffic; other fighters fly reconnaissance and escort.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, a slight improvement in the weather permits fighter-bombers to
increase operations; P-47s closely support ground forces in the US Fifth Army
battle area in the Apennines S of Bologna and cut rail lines in over 30 places
N of the immediate battle zone.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
P-51s and P-38s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions; bad
weather cancels other operations.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, weather grounds all missions except 5 weather reconnaissance
sorties.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Bad weather limits operations to reconnaissance flights.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s hit railroad bridges at Magenta, Torre Beretti, and Casale
Monferrato, and an abandoned ship in La Spezia harbor; fighters and
fighter-bombers support ground forces in the battle area in the Apennines S of
Bologna, hit communications targets N of the battle zone, and cut railroad
lines in 40+ places in the Brenner Pass and NC Po areas.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
Weather limits operations to photo and weather reconnaissance missions.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy during the night of 28/29 Nov A-20s fly armed reconnaissance over
the Po Valley, dropping incendiaries at several points including bridges at
Piacenza and Castel Maggiore and the airfields at Ghedi and Villafranca di
Verona; during the day weather grounds the medium bombers however, fighters and
fighter-bombers can operate, and blast enemy communications on the Brenner line
and in the NC Po Valley, cutting rail lines in numerous places and destroying a
large number of vehicles and railroad cars.
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force):
In Austria during the night of 29/30 Nov, 18 B-17s bomb a benzol plant at
Linz; 3 others hit marshalling yards at Villach, Klagenfurt, and Gmunden. B-24s
hit marshalling yards at Munich, Germany and Innsbruck, Austria. During the day
P-38s and P-51s fly reconnaissance over Yugoslavia, Italy, and Germany.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force):
In Italy, B-25s bomb bridges at Romano di Lombardia and Crema; fighters and
fighter-bombers attack communications in the Po Valley, cutting rail lines and
destroying a large number of railroad cars and motor transport; targets also
include bridges, guns, and buildings.
SOURCES:
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,
Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the
Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2
Jack McKillop
USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
1955-59
