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{{use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
{{use American English|date=April 2020}}
|unit_name= 572d Bombardment Squadron
{{Infobox military unit
|image=
|unit_name= 572nd Bombardment Squadron<br/>(Later 572d Tactical Air Support Squadron)
|caption=
|image=Match-391bg-b26-2.jpg
|dates= 1943-1945
|image_size=300
|country= [[United States]]
|caption=[[B-26 Marauder]]s of the 391st Bombardment Group<ref group=note>Aircraft in foreground is Martin B-26B-50-MA Marauder, serial 42-95835.</ref>
|allegiance=
|dates=1943-1945; 1956
|branch=[[United States Air Force]]
|country={{USA}}
|type= Bombardment
|branch={{air force|USA}}
|role=
|type=
|role=[[Light bomber]]
|size=
|size=
|command_structure=
|command_structure=
|current_commander=
|current_commander=
|garrison=
|garrison=
|ceremonial_chief=
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
|nickname=
|nickname=
|patron=
|motto=
|motto=
|colors=
|colors=
|march=
|march=
|mascot=
|mascot=
|battles=
|battles=[[European Theater of Operations]]
|notable_commanders=
|notable_commanders=
|anniversaries=
|anniversaries=
|decorations=
|decorations=[[Distinguished Unit Citation]]
|battle_honours=
|battle_honours=
<!-- Insignia -->
|identification_symbol=<big>'''P2'''</big>
|identification_symbol_label=<small>World War II fuselage code</small><ref>Watkins, pp.108-109</ref>
|identification_symbol_2=
|identification_symbol_2_label=
}}
}}
The '''572d Bombardment Squadron''' is an inactive [[United States Air Force]] unit. Its last was assigned to the [[391st Bombardment Group]], stationed at [[Camp Patrick Henry]], [[Virginia]]. It was inactivated on 29 October 1945.
The '''572nd Tactical Air Support Squadron''' is an inactive [[United States Air Force]] unit. It was formed through the consolidation of two earlier units bearing the number 572, but has not been active since the consolidation.

The first predecessor of the squadron is the '''572nd Bombardment Squadron''', a [[World War II]] unit assigned to the [[391st Bombardment Group]]. After training in the United States, the squadron moved to England, and participated in operations against Germany from there and the European Continent as part of [[IX Bomber Command]]. It earned a [[Distinguished Unit Citation]] for its combat actions. Following [[V-E Day]], the squadron returned to the United States and was inactivated at the port of embarkation.

The squadron's second predecessor is the '''572nd Fighter-Day Squadron''', which formed part of the [[342d Fighter-Day Wing|342nd Fighter-Day Wing]], when the Air Force reopened [[Myrtle Beach Air Force Base]]. A few months after it was activated, the squadron transferred its personnel and equipment to another squadron and was inactivated. The two squadrons were consolidated in 1985.


==History==
==History==
===World War II===
The first predecessor of the squadron, the '''572nd Bombardment Squadron''', was activated at [[MacDill Field]], Florida on 21 January 1943 as one of the four original squadrons of the [[391st Bombardment Group]]. After training with [[Martin B-26 Marauder]] in the United States, it departed for the [[European Theater of Operations]] in December 1943.<ref name=Maurer572BS>Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 667</ref><ref name=Maurer391BG>Maurer, ''Combat Units'', pp. 278-279</ref>


The squadron gathered at [[RAF Matching]], its first combat station in theater in late January 1944 and flew its first combat mission on 15 February. It initially concentrated on attacks to support [[Operation Overlord]], the invasion of Normandy, by attacking [[airfield]]s, bridges and [[marshalling yard]]s. It attacked [[V-1 flying bomb]] and [[V-2 rocket]] launch sites as part of [[Operation Crossbow]]. On [[D-Day]] and the next day it struck German [[coastal defence and fortification|coastal defenses]] near the invasion beaches.<ref name=Maurer391BG/>
=== Lineage===

Until September, the squadron continued attacks from its English base. It supported [[Operation Cobra]], the breakout at [[Saint Lo]] in late July by attacking fuel dumps and troop concentrations, then hit transportation and communications targets to slow the German retreat eastward. In late September it moved to [[Roye-Amy Airfield]], France to be closer to the advancing ground forces it was supporting and extending its targets into Germany. From its continental bases, it hit bridges, railroads, highways, [[ammunition dump]]s and other targets.<ref name=Maurer391BG/> The unit was also tasked on occasion to drop [[propaganda]] leaflets.<ref>Rust, p. 112</ref>

During the [[Battle of the Bulge]], it attacked heavily defended bridges and viaducts. Performing these attacks without fighter escort in the face of heavy [[flak]] and overwhelming attacks by enemy [[interceptor aircraft|fighters]] earned the squadron a [[Distinguished Unit Citation]] for the period between 23 December and 26 December 1944.<ref name=Maurer391BG/> On 23 December, it attacked a rail viaduct at [[Ahrweiler]]. Although its fighter escort failed to arrive due to adverse weather, the squadron continued its attack, despite the loss of both pathfinder planes leading the attack. More than 60 [[Luftwaffe]] fighters attacked the 391st Group's formations while it was on its bomb run. The 391st Group lost 16 of its Marauders on this attack. The following day, the squadron destroyed the railroad viaduct at [[Konz-Karthaus]].<ref>Rust, pp. 133-134</ref>

The squadron continued its attacks, concentrating on German transportation and communications systems. It converted to the [[Douglas A-26 Invader]] in April and flew its last combat mission on 3 May 1945. The squadron left Europe in September 1945 and was inactivated on arrival at the port of embarkation, [[Camp Patrick Henry]], Virginia, on 29 October 1945.<ref name=Maurer572BS/><ref name=Maurer391BG/>

===Training for tactical fighter operations===
[[File:342d Fighter-Day Group F-80C Shooting Stars on Mytle Beach AFB ramp.jpg|thumb|342nd Fighter-Day Group F-80s and T-33s on Myrtle Beach AFB ramp]]
The squadron's second predecessor is the '''572nd Fighter-Day Squadron''', which was activated in July 1956 as part of the [[342d Fighter-Day Group|342nd Fighter-Day Group]] when the Air Force re-opened [[Myrtle Beach Air Force Base]], South Carolina. The squadron began training with [[Lockheed T-33 T-Bird]] advanced jet trainers in preparation for equipping with the [[North American F-100 Super Sabre]]. However, before the squadron could reach operational status, it was inactivated and its personnel and equipment were transferred to the [[355th Fighter-Day Squadron]].<ref name=Ravenstein342FDW>''See'', Ravenstein, p. 181</ref>

The '''572nd Fighter-Day Squadron''' and '''572nd Bombardment Squadron''' were consolidated as the '''572nd Tactical Air Support Squadron''' on 19 September 1985, but the consolidated unit has not been active.<ref name=DAFMPM662q>Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 662q, 19 September 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Tactical Squadrons</ref>

==Lineage==
; 572nd Bombardment Squadron
* Constituted '''572nd Bombardment Squadron''' (Medium) on 15 January 1943
: Activated on 21 Jan 1943
: Redesignated '''572nd Bombardment Squadron''', Medium c. 9 October 1944
: Redesignated '''572nd Bombardment Squadron''', Light on 23 June 1945
: Inactivated on 29 Oct 1945<ref name=Maurer572BS/>
: Consolidated with '''572nd Fighter-Day Squadron''' as the '''572nd Tactical Air Support Squadron''' on 19 September 1985<ref name=DAFMPM662q/>

; 572nd Tactical Air Support Squadron
* Constituted as the '''572nd Fighter-Day Squadron''' on 7 May 1956
: Activated on 25 July 1956
: Inactivated on 19 November 1956<ref name=342WgGp>''See'', Ravenstein, p. 181 (342d Wing), Maurer, ''Combat Units'', pp. 220-221 (342d Group).</ref>
: Consolidated with '''572nd Bombardment Squadron''' as the '''572nd Tactical Air Support Squadron''' on 19 September 1985<ref name=DAFMPM662q/>


===Assignments===
===Assignments===
* 391st Bombardment Group, 21 January 1943 – 25 October 1945<ref name=Maurer572BS/>
* 342nd Fighter-Day Group, 25 July–19 November 1956<ref name=342WgGp/>


===Stations===
===Stations===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break|width=50%}}
{{col-break|width=50%}}
* MacDill Field, Florida, 21 January 1943

* Myrtle Beach Bombing and Gunnery Range, South Carolina, 24 May 1943
* [[Godman Field]], Kentucky, 4 September–31 December 1943
* RAF Matching (AAF-166),<ref>Station number in Anderson, p. 22.</ref> England 27 January 1944
* Roye-Amy Airfield (A-73),<ref>Station number in Johnson, p.21.</ref> France c. 24 September 1944
{{col-break|width=50%}}
* [[Asch Airfield]] (Y-29),<ref>Station number in Johnson, p.28.</ref> Belgium c. 16 April 1945
* [[Vitry-En-Artois Airfield]],<ref name=Johnson>Station number in Johnson, p.20.</ref> France, c. 5 June 1945
* [[Laon-Athies Airfield]] (A-69),<ref name=Johnson/> France, c. 31 July–13 September 1945
* Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, 29 October 1945<ref>Station information through 1945 in Maurer, ''Combat Squadrons'', p. 667, except as noted.</ref>
* Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina, 25 July–19 November 1956<ref name=342WgGp/>
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}

===Aircraft===
===Aircraft===
* Martin B-26 Marauder, 1943-1945
* Douglas A-26 Invader, 1945<ref name=Maurer572BS/>
* Lockheed T-33 T-Bird, 1956<ref name=Ravenstein342FDW/>

===Awards and campaigns===
{{unit awards table
|award_image1=AF PUC
|award_name1=[[Distinguished Unit Citation]]
|award_date1=23-26 December 1944
|award_notes1=572d Bombardment Squadron<ref name=Maurer572BS/>
}}

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#efefef;"
! Campaign Streamer
! Campaign
! Dates
! Notes
|-
|[[Image:Streamer EAMEC.PNG|200px]]||Air Offensive, Europe||27 January 1944 – 5 June 1944||572nd Bombardment Squadron<ref name=Maurer572BS/>
|-
|[[Image:Streamer EAMEC.PNG|200px]]||Air Combat, EAME Theater||26 July 1943 – 11 May 1945||572nd Bombardment Squadron<ref name=Maurer572BS/>
|-
|[[Image:Streamer EAMEC.PNG|200px]]||Normandy||6 June 1944 – 24 July 1944||572nd Bombardment Squadron<ref name=Maurer572BS/>
|-
|[[Image:Streamer EAMEC.PNG|200px]]||Northern France||25 July 1944 – 14 September 1944||572nd Bombardment Squadron<ref name=Maurer572BS/>
|-
|[[Image:Streamer EAMEC.PNG|200px]]||Rhineland||15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945||572nd Bombardment Squadron<ref name=Maurer572BS/>
|-
|[[Image:Streamer EAMEC.PNG|200px]]||Ardennes-Alsace||16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945||572nd Bombardment Squadron<ref name=Maurer572BS/>
|-
|[[Image:Streamer EAMEC.PNG|200px]]||Central Europe||22 March 1944 – 21 May 1945||572nd Bombardment Squadron<ref name=Maurer572BS/>
|-
|}

==References==


===Notes===
; Explanatory notes
{{reflist|group=note}}


; Citations
{{reflist|40em}}


== References==
===Bibliography===
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{Portal box|United States Air Force|Military of the United States|World War II}}
* {{cite book|last=Anderson|first=Capt. Barry|title= Army Air Forces Stations: A Guide to the Stations Where U.S. Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II|url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081010-027.pdf |year=1985|publisher=Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center|location=Maxwell AFB, AL|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160123155923/http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081010-027.pdf |archive-date=January 23, 2016|access-date=June 28, 2017}}
{{AFHRA}}
* {{cite book|last=Johnson|first=1st Lt. David C.|title=U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO) D-Day to V-E Day|url= http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081010-026.pdf |year=1988| publisher=Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center| location=Maxwell AFB, AL|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150929064443/http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-081010-026.pdf |archive-date=September 29, 2015|access-date=June 26, 2017}}
{{reflist}}
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|orig-year= 1961|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf|access-date= December 17, 2016|edition=reprint|year=1983|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-02-1|lccn=61060979}}
* Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN: 0892010975
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-year=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf |edition= reprint|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}
* {{cite book|last=Ravenstein|first=Charles A.|title=Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330257/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-047.pdf|access-date= December 17, 2016|year=1984|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-12-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Rust|first=Kenn C.|title=The 9th Air Force in World War II|year=1967|publisher=Aero Publishers, Inc.|location=Fallbrook, CA|lccn= 67-16454}}
* {{cite book|last=Watkins|first=Robert|title=Battle Colors |volume=III Insignia and Tactical Markings of the Ninth Air Force In World War II|year=2008|publisher=Shiffer Publishing Ltd.|location=Atglen, PA|isbn=978-0-7643-2938-8}}


[[Category:Bombardment squadrons of the United States Army Air Forces]]
==External links==
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1943]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the United States in World War II]]

Latest revision as of 21:12, 23 March 2024

572nd Bombardment Squadron
(Later 572d Tactical Air Support Squadron)
B-26 Marauders of the 391st Bombardment Group[note 1]
Active1943-1945; 1956
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleLight bomber
EngagementsEuropean Theater of Operations
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Insignia
World War II fuselage code[1]P2

The 572nd Tactical Air Support Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was formed through the consolidation of two earlier units bearing the number 572, but has not been active since the consolidation.

The first predecessor of the squadron is the 572nd Bombardment Squadron, a World War II unit assigned to the 391st Bombardment Group. After training in the United States, the squadron moved to England, and participated in operations against Germany from there and the European Continent as part of IX Bomber Command. It earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its combat actions. Following V-E Day, the squadron returned to the United States and was inactivated at the port of embarkation.

The squadron's second predecessor is the 572nd Fighter-Day Squadron, which formed part of the 342nd Fighter-Day Wing, when the Air Force reopened Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. A few months after it was activated, the squadron transferred its personnel and equipment to another squadron and was inactivated. The two squadrons were consolidated in 1985.

History

[edit]

World War II

[edit]

The first predecessor of the squadron, the 572nd Bombardment Squadron, was activated at MacDill Field, Florida on 21 January 1943 as one of the four original squadrons of the 391st Bombardment Group. After training with Martin B-26 Marauder in the United States, it departed for the European Theater of Operations in December 1943.[2][3]

The squadron gathered at RAF Matching, its first combat station in theater in late January 1944 and flew its first combat mission on 15 February. It initially concentrated on attacks to support Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy, by attacking airfields, bridges and marshalling yards. It attacked V-1 flying bomb and V-2 rocket launch sites as part of Operation Crossbow. On D-Day and the next day it struck German coastal defenses near the invasion beaches.[3]

Until September, the squadron continued attacks from its English base. It supported Operation Cobra, the breakout at Saint Lo in late July by attacking fuel dumps and troop concentrations, then hit transportation and communications targets to slow the German retreat eastward. In late September it moved to Roye-Amy Airfield, France to be closer to the advancing ground forces it was supporting and extending its targets into Germany. From its continental bases, it hit bridges, railroads, highways, ammunition dumps and other targets.[3] The unit was also tasked on occasion to drop propaganda leaflets.[4]

During the Battle of the Bulge, it attacked heavily defended bridges and viaducts. Performing these attacks without fighter escort in the face of heavy flak and overwhelming attacks by enemy fighters earned the squadron a Distinguished Unit Citation for the period between 23 December and 26 December 1944.[3] On 23 December, it attacked a rail viaduct at Ahrweiler. Although its fighter escort failed to arrive due to adverse weather, the squadron continued its attack, despite the loss of both pathfinder planes leading the attack. More than 60 Luftwaffe fighters attacked the 391st Group's formations while it was on its bomb run. The 391st Group lost 16 of its Marauders on this attack. The following day, the squadron destroyed the railroad viaduct at Konz-Karthaus.[5]

The squadron continued its attacks, concentrating on German transportation and communications systems. It converted to the Douglas A-26 Invader in April and flew its last combat mission on 3 May 1945. The squadron left Europe in September 1945 and was inactivated on arrival at the port of embarkation, Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, on 29 October 1945.[2][3]

Training for tactical fighter operations

[edit]
342nd Fighter-Day Group F-80s and T-33s on Myrtle Beach AFB ramp

The squadron's second predecessor is the 572nd Fighter-Day Squadron, which was activated in July 1956 as part of the 342nd Fighter-Day Group when the Air Force re-opened Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina. The squadron began training with Lockheed T-33 T-Bird advanced jet trainers in preparation for equipping with the North American F-100 Super Sabre. However, before the squadron could reach operational status, it was inactivated and its personnel and equipment were transferred to the 355th Fighter-Day Squadron.[6]

The 572nd Fighter-Day Squadron and 572nd Bombardment Squadron were consolidated as the 572nd Tactical Air Support Squadron on 19 September 1985, but the consolidated unit has not been active.[7]

Lineage

[edit]
572nd Bombardment Squadron
  • Constituted 572nd Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 15 January 1943
Activated on 21 Jan 1943
Redesignated 572nd Bombardment Squadron, Medium c. 9 October 1944
Redesignated 572nd Bombardment Squadron, Light on 23 June 1945
Inactivated on 29 Oct 1945[2]
Consolidated with 572nd Fighter-Day Squadron as the 572nd Tactical Air Support Squadron on 19 September 1985[7]
572nd Tactical Air Support Squadron
  • Constituted as the 572nd Fighter-Day Squadron on 7 May 1956
Activated on 25 July 1956
Inactivated on 19 November 1956[8]
Consolidated with 572nd Bombardment Squadron as the 572nd Tactical Air Support Squadron on 19 September 1985[7]

Assignments

[edit]
  • 391st Bombardment Group, 21 January 1943 – 25 October 1945[2]
  • 342nd Fighter-Day Group, 25 July–19 November 1956[8]

Stations

[edit]

Aircraft

[edit]
  • Martin B-26 Marauder, 1943-1945
  • Douglas A-26 Invader, 1945[2]
  • Lockheed T-33 T-Bird, 1956[6]

Awards and campaigns

[edit]
Award streamer Award Dates Notes
Distinguished Unit Citation 23-26 December 1944 572d Bombardment Squadron[2]
Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes
Air Offensive, Europe 27 January 1944 – 5 June 1944 572nd Bombardment Squadron[2]
Air Combat, EAME Theater 26 July 1943 – 11 May 1945 572nd Bombardment Squadron[2]
Normandy 6 June 1944 – 24 July 1944 572nd Bombardment Squadron[2]
Northern France 25 July 1944 – 14 September 1944 572nd Bombardment Squadron[2]
Rhineland 15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945 572nd Bombardment Squadron[2]
Ardennes-Alsace 16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945 572nd Bombardment Squadron[2]
Central Europe 22 March 1944 – 21 May 1945 572nd Bombardment Squadron[2]

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
Explanatory notes
  1. ^ Aircraft in foreground is Martin B-26B-50-MA Marauder, serial 42-95835.
Citations
  1. ^ Watkins, pp.108-109
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 667
  3. ^ a b c d e Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 278-279
  4. ^ Rust, p. 112
  5. ^ Rust, pp. 133-134
  6. ^ a b See, Ravenstein, p. 181
  7. ^ a b c Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 662q, 19 September 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Tactical Squadrons
  8. ^ a b c See, Ravenstein, p. 181 (342d Wing), Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 220-221 (342d Group).
  9. ^ Station number in Anderson, p. 22.
  10. ^ Station number in Johnson, p.21.
  11. ^ Station number in Johnson, p.28.
  12. ^ a b Station number in Johnson, p.20.
  13. ^ Station information through 1945 in Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 667, except as noted.

Bibliography

[edit]

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  • Anderson, Capt. Barry (1985). Army Air Forces Stations: A Guide to the Stations Where U.S. Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  • Johnson, 1st Lt. David C. (1988). U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO) D-Day to V-E Day (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2017.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  • Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
  • Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  • Rust, Kenn C. (1967). The 9th Air Force in World War II. Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, Inc. LCCN 67-16454.
  • Watkins, Robert (2008). Battle Colors. Vol. III Insignia and Tactical Markings of the Ninth Air Force In World War II. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-2938-8.