493rd Bombardment Group: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Military Unit |
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|unit_name= 493d Bombardment Group |
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|image= [[Image:493bg.JPG|200px]] |
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|caption= 493d Bombardment Group Insignia |
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|dates= 1942 - 1946 |
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|country= [[United States]] |
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|allegiance= |
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|branch= [[United States Army Air Forces]] |
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|type= |
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|role= Bombardment |
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|size= |
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|command_structure= [[Eighth Air Force]] |
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|current_commander= |
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|garrison= [[European Theatre of World War II]] |
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|ceremonial_chief= |
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|colonel_of_the_regiment= |
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|nickname= |
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|patron= |
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|motto= |
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|colors= |
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|march= |
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|mascot= |
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|battles= |
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|anniversaries= |
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}} |
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The '''493d Bombardment Group''' was a [[World War II]] [[United States Army Air Forces]] combat organization. It served primarily in the [[European Theatre of World War II]]. |
The '''493d Bombardment Group''' was a [[World War II]] [[United States Army Air Forces]] combat organization. It served primarily in the [[European Theatre of World War II]]. |
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==History== |
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=== Operational Units === |
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* 860th Bomb Squadron (NG) |
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* 861st Bomb Squadron (G6) |
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* 862d Bomb Squadron (8M) |
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* 863d Bomb Squadron (Q4) |
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=== Aircraft Flown === |
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* [[B-17|Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress]] |
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* [[B-24|Consoldated B-24 Liberator]] |
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=== Stations Assigned === |
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* McCook AAFld, NE 1 Nov 1943 |
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* Elvedon Hall, England 1 Jan 1944 116 |
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* [[RAF Debach]], England Apr 1944-6 Aug 1945 152 |
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* Sioux Falls AAFld, SD 12-28 Aug 1945 |
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=== Operational History === |
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[[Image:B-24-493bg-debach.jpg|thumb|left|B-24s of the 862d Bomb Squadron getting ready for takeoff at Debach.]] |
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[[Image:493bg-b17.jpg|thumb|left|Boeing B-17G-85-BO Fortress Serial 43-38395 of the 493d Bomb Group.]] |
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Constituted as 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943. Activated on 1 Nov 1943. On 1 Jan 1944 transferred, less the air echelon and without personnel and equipment, to [[RAF Debach]] England where personnel were assigned. Joined by the air echelon in May 1944. Served in combat with the [[Eighth Air Forcee]]. The 493d was assigned to the 93d Combat Bombardment Wing, and the group tail code was a "Square-X". |
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The 493d BG used B-24's until they were replaced with B-17's in September 1944. The group operated chiefly against industrial and military installations in Germany, attacking an ordnance depot at [[Magdeburg]], marshalling yards at [[Cologne]], synthetic oil plants at [[Merseburg]], a railroad tunnel at [[Ahrweiler]], bridges at Irlich, factories at [[Frankfurt]], and other strategic objectives. |
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Additional operations included striking airfields, bridges, and gun batteries prior to and during the [[D-Day|invasion of Normandy]] in June 1944; hitting enemy positions to assist ground forces south of [[Caen]] and at [[St Lo]] in July 1944; bombing German fortifications to cover the [[Operation Market-Garden|airborne attack on Holland]] in September 1944; attacking enemy communications during the [[Battle of the Bulge]], Dec 1944-Jan 1945; and assisting the [[Operation Varsity|airborne assault across the Rhine]] in March 1945. |
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The 493d Bomb Group flew its last combat mission, an attack on marshalling yards at [[Nauen]], on [[20 April]] 1945. |
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The unit returned to [[Sioux Falls Regional Airport|Sioux Falls AAF]] [[South Dakota]] and was deactivated on [[28 August]] 1945. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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* Freeman, Roger A. (1978) Airfields of the Eighth: Then and Now. After the Battle ISBN 0900913096 |
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* Freeman, Roger A. (1991) The Mighty Eighth The Colour Record. Cassell & Co. ISBN 0-304-35708-1 |
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* Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129. |
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| ⚫ | |||
==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 12:23, 16 December 2007
| 493d Bombardment Group | |
|---|---|
| File:493bg.JPG 493d Bombardment Group Insignia | |
| Active | 1942 - 1946 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Forces |
| Role | Bombardment |
| Part of | Eighth Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | European Theatre of World War II |
The 493d Bombardment Group was a World War II United States Army Air Forces combat organization. It served primarily in the European Theatre of World War II.
History
Operational Units
- 860th Bomb Squadron (NG)
- 861st Bomb Squadron (G6)
- 862d Bomb Squadron (8M)
- 863d Bomb Squadron (Q4)
Aircraft Flown
Stations Assigned
- McCook AAFld, NE 1 Nov 1943
- Elvedon Hall, England 1 Jan 1944 116
- RAF Debach, England Apr 1944-6 Aug 1945 152
- Sioux Falls AAFld, SD 12-28 Aug 1945
Operational History
Constituted as 493d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943. Activated on 1 Nov 1943. On 1 Jan 1944 transferred, less the air echelon and without personnel and equipment, to RAF Debach England where personnel were assigned. Joined by the air echelon in May 1944. Served in combat with the Eighth Air Forcee. The 493d was assigned to the 93d Combat Bombardment Wing, and the group tail code was a "Square-X".
The 493d BG used B-24's until they were replaced with B-17's in September 1944. The group operated chiefly against industrial and military installations in Germany, attacking an ordnance depot at Magdeburg, marshalling yards at Cologne, synthetic oil plants at Merseburg, a railroad tunnel at Ahrweiler, bridges at Irlich, factories at Frankfurt, and other strategic objectives.
Additional operations included striking airfields, bridges, and gun batteries prior to and during the invasion of Normandy in June 1944; hitting enemy positions to assist ground forces south of Caen and at St Lo in July 1944; bombing German fortifications to cover the airborne attack on Holland in September 1944; attacking enemy communications during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945; and assisting the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945.
The 493d Bomb Group flew its last combat mission, an attack on marshalling yards at Nauen, on 20 April 1945.
The unit returned to Sioux Falls AAF South Dakota and was deactivated on 28 August 1945.
References
- Freeman, Roger A. (1978) Airfields of the Eighth: Then and Now. After the Battle ISBN 0900913096
- Freeman, Roger A. (1991) The Mighty Eighth The Colour Record. Cassell & Co. ISBN 0-304-35708-1
- Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.