572d Bombardment Squadron: Difference between revisions
Lineagegeek (talk | contribs) edited and expanded fighter training and consolidateion, added citations |
Lineagegeek (talk | contribs) Edited and expanded WW II narrative, added citations |
||
| Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
==History== |
==History== |
||
===World War II=== |
===World War II=== |
||
The '''572d Bombardment Squadron''' was |
The first predecessor of the squadron, the '''572d 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/> |
|||
Engaged in combat beginning in early 1944, attacked tactical targets in [[France]], [[Low Countries]] and [[Germany]] supporting Allied ground forces advancing after [[D-Day]] in Northern France Campaign and the Western Allied invasion of Germany, 1945. Received [[A-26 Invader]]s in April 1945, however did not use in combat. After [[V-E Day]], demobilized personnel while stationed in France during the summer of 1945, inactivated as a paper unit in Virginia, October 1945. |
|||
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. 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/> |
|||
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=== |
===Training for tactical fighter operations=== |
||
| Line 48: | Line 52: | ||
The '''572d Fighter-Day Squadron''' and '''572d Bombardment Squadron''' were consolidated as the '''572d 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> |
The '''572d Fighter-Day Squadron''' and '''572d Bombardment Squadron''' were consolidated as the '''572d 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== |
==Lineage== |
||
| Line 76: | Line 79: | ||
* Myrtle Beach Bombing and Gunnery Range, South Carolina, 24 May 1943 |
* Myrtle Beach Bombing and Gunnery Range, South Carolina, 24 May 1943 |
||
* [[Godman Field]], Kentucky, 4 September–31 December 1943 |
* [[Godman Field]], Kentucky, 4 September–31 December 1943 |
||
* |
* RAF Matching (AAF-166),<ref>Station number in Anderson.</ref> England 27 January 1944 |
||
* |
* Roye-Amy Airfield (A-73),<ref name=Johnson>Station number in Johnson.</ref> France c. 24 September 1944 |
||
{{col-break|width=50%}} |
{{col-break|width=50%}} |
||
* [[Asch Airfield]] (Y-29),<ref name=Johnson/> Belgium c. 16 April 1945 |
* [[Asch Airfield]] (Y-29),<ref name=Johnson/> Belgium c. 16 April 1945 |
||
* [[Vitry-En-Artois Airfield]],<ref name=Johnson/> France, c. 5 June 1945 |
* [[Vitry-En-Artois Airfield]],<ref name=Johnson/> France, c. 5 June 1945 |
||
* [[Laon-Athies Airfield]] (A-69),<ref name=Johnson/> France, c. 31 July–13 September 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/> |
* Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina, 25 July–19 November 1956<ref name=342WgGp/> |
||
{{col-end}} |
{{col-end}} |
||
Revision as of 23:35, 25 April 2020
| 572d Bombardment Squadron (Later 572d Tactical Air Support Squadron) | |
|---|---|
 B-26 Marauders of the 391st Bombardment Group[note 1] | |
| Active | 1943-1945; 1956 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Light bomber |
| Engagements | European Theater of Operations |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation |
| Insignia | |
| World War II fuselage code[1] | P2 |
The 572d Tactical Air Support Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was formed by 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 572d 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 572d Fighter-Day Squadron, which formed part of the 342d 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
World War II
The first predecessor of the squadron, the 572d 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. 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]
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
The squadron's second predecessor is the 572d Fighter-Day Squadron, which was activated in July 1956 as part of the 342d 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 353d Fighter Squadron.[4]
The 572d Fighter-Day Squadron and 572d Bombardment Squadron were consolidated as the 572d Tactical Air Support Squadron on 19 September 1985, but the consolidated unit has not been active.[5]
Lineage
- 572d Bombardment Squadron
- Constituted 572d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 15 January 1943
- Activated on 21 Jan 1943
- Redesignated 572d Bombardment Squadron, Medium c. 9 October 1944
- Redesignated 572d Bombardment Squadron, Light on 23 June 1945
- Inactivated on 29 Oct 1945[2]
- Consolidated with 572d Fighter-Day Squadron as the 572d Tactical Air Support Squadron on 19 September 1985[5]
- 572d Tactical Air Support Squadron
- Constituted as the 572d Fighter-Day Squadron on 7 May 1956
- Activated on 25 July 1956
- Inactivated on 19 November 1956[6]
- Consolidated with 572d Bombardment Squadron as the 572d Tactical Air Support Squadron on 19 September 1985[5]
Assignments
- 391st Bombardment Group, 21 January 1943 – 25 October 1945[2]
- 342d Fighter-Day Group, 25 July–19 November 1956[6]
Stations
|
|
Aircraft
References
Notes
- Explanatory notes
- ^ Aircraft in foreground is Martin B-26B-50-MA Marauder, serial 42-95835.
- Citations
- ^ Watkins, pp.108-109
- ^ a b c d e Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 667
- ^ a b c d Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 278-279
- ^ a b See, Ravenstein, p. 181
- ^ 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
- ^ a b c See, Ravenstein, p. 181 (342d Wing), Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 220-221 (342d Group).
- ^ Station number in Anderson.
- ^ a b c d Station number in Johnson.
- ^ Station information through 1945 in Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 667, except as noted.
Bibliography
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}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help)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.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help)