Ninth Air Force

Description

The Ninth Air Force, activated in 1942, fought with valor against the Germans during World War II as they flew the skies of North Africa and Sicily. Discover their significant role in the Battle of the Bulge and throughout the war in this commemorative history. Perfect for military and Air Force buffs and anyone serving in the Air Force, as well as their family members.

Sujets

• Histoire
• WW2
• Segunda Guerra Mundial
• Ninth Air Force
• Military history of the United States
• Military
• World War II
• History
• 9th USAAF
• Seconde Guerre mondiale

Informations

• Publié par: Turner Publishing Company
• Date de parution: 01 août 2004
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781618584960
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Commemorative History
Publisher s of America s History
www.turnerpublishing.com
Copyright 2004 Turner Publishing Company
All rights reserved.
Turner Publishing Staff:
Editor: Eddie Sheridan
Designer: Ina F. Morse
This book or any part thereof may not be reproduced without the express written consent of the publisher. This publication was complied using available and submitted materials. The publisher regrets it cannot assume liability for errors or omissions.
The 9th Air Force/United States Central Command Air Forces (USCENTAF) emblem appears with permission from the Department of Air Force/United States Central Command Air Forces. The 9th Air Force Association and its activities are not officially endorsed or supported by the 9th AF/USCENTAF.
Library of Congress Catalog No. 2003117132
ISBN: 978-1-59652-009-7
A LL G AVE S OME - S OME G AVE A LL
Marauder Mission by Robert Taylor. B-26 Marauders of the 386th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force, returning from a strike against the V.I. rocket sites in the Pas de Calais, January 1944. (Courtesy of Lloyd Johnson)
T ABLE OF C ONTENTS
Foreword
Preface
History
Airfields in Europe on which Ninth Air Force Units were based
The Engineer Aviation Regiments and Battalions
Special Stories
Biographies
Photo Album
Index
F OREWORD

Colonel Raymond P. Lowman
The Ninth Air Force Association, in conjunction with Turner Publishing Company, is privileged to bring you this Ninth Air Force History Book. There have been some challenges and delays, but these have been overcome, resulting in a proud record of the monumental accomplishments of those assigned to the Ninth Air Force. Two of the purposes for the which The Ninth Air Force Association exists is: (1) To preserve and publicize the history of the Ninth Air Force from its beginning in World War II to the present and (2) To honor and memorialize the sacrifices of our comrades and families. I think you will agree that these pages do just that.
The Ninth Air Force became operational in November 1942. Its air support of the British and United States armies in Africa against the Nazis Rommel was critical. By June 6, 1944, D-Day, it had become the largest Air Force ever assembled under one command. It consisted of Fighter, Bomber, Troop Carrier, Air Defense, Engineer, and Service Commands. Since World War II, the Ninth Air Force has continued its role of providing combat-ready, proficient air power. For all Ninth Air Force veterans, it is more than reasonable to reflect back and realize that the Ninth has been a foremost determining factor in all major U.S. military actions during the past 60-plus years.
A word about The Ninth Air Force Association: The Association began on July 20, 1990, when representatives from nine World War II units gathered in St. Louis, Missouri. Talks focused on the meager public knowledge of the illustrious history of the Ninth AF, and it was agreed this Association should be established to perform this service. Those founding members should be recognized, and they are: Leonard Bennett, Harold Crocker, Martin Engler, Fred Fehsenfeld, Laurence C. Gaughran, George Johnson, Lloyd Johnson, Edward F. MacLean, Charles F. Mann, Fred Munder, John Peterson, Marvin J. Rosvold, George Wagasky Jr., and John B. Yarger. We are indebted to them for the many accomplishments of The Ninth Air Force Association, including this book. Your Association serves as an umbrella organization for all units ever assigned to The Ninth Air Force. All are invited and encouraged to participate (individually or by unit) in our annual conventions and other special activities.
I sincerely hope you enjoy reading and take pride in ownership of this document reflecting the sacrifices and accomplishments of many heroes.

Colonel Raymond P. Lowman
USAF (Ret.)
Chairman, Board of Directors
The Ninth Air Force Association
P REFACE

Lt. Colonel Stanley E. Stepnitz
In June of 1942, General Rommel was having a lot of success against the English. Under the command of General Brereton, air power in the form of B-17s he had brought from India and B-24 aircraft Colonel Halverson had been ferrying toward China proved very useful for the British armies. In addition to the bombers, Colonel Mears launched a group of P-40 fighter aircraft from the aircraft carrier Ranger and joined the bombers in the fight against the German army.
This successful use of air power by what was at that time the Middle East Air Force proved the value of such a combination of aircraft. On 12 November 1942, the MEAF was redesignated the Ninth Air Force with General Brereton as Commander. Under his command, the force began to expand in numbers and strength. More fighters and bombers were acquired, as well as the addition of troop carrier aircraft. With this added muscle, the Ninth moved into battle in Italy and then in Sicily.
Next, it was time to move into position for the invasion of France. The Ninth was then moved to England in October 1943. As attacks on Nazi positions throughout Europe increased in intensity, the size of the Ninth continued to grow in value and strength to become the largest tactical Air Force ever assembled. When D-Day came, the Ninth was ready with fighters, bombers, and troop carriers to lead the way to victory.
After World War II, the Ninth Air Force came home to the United States and remained ready and capable to perform duty wherever needed. The Headquarters is now located at Shaw AFB, South Carolina. Elements of this remarkable organization are located at several locations in the eastern United States. Always a force to be reckoned with, by gaining air superiority over any foe, by destroying the capability of any enemy to replenish supplies and to provide close support to ground forces.
All past and present members of the Ninth Air Force can hold their heads high. They have a heritage for which they can be proud.

Stanley E. Stepnitz
Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.)
President
N INTH A IR F ORCE H ISTORY


90th Troop Carrier SQ./438th Troop Carrier Group. C-47 towing CG-4A Glider .

389th Fighter SQ./366th Fighter Group. P-47 .

Nine Battle Stars: Men of the Ninth Air Force
Prepared by Michael N. Ingrisano, Jr .
Background:
At its maximum in World War II, the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) numbered more than 2,400,000 men and women. There were power and glider pilots, navigators, bombardiers, gunners, crew chiefs (flight engineers), radio operators, clerks and typists, artists, teachers, aircraft, glider and vehicle mechanics, and vehicle drivers, statisticians, and mechanical engineers. All skills necessary to conduct and support the air war. From privates to generals, they all had to be molded into organizations capable of supplying direction and coordination of these diverse activities.
In the organizational scale for combat, these entities were formed upward into numbered squadrons, groups, wings, commands, and into 16 air forces in the USAAF. The Ninth Air Force was among the latter designations.
In January 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked the Congress to strengthen America s then inadequate air power. In September 1939, when Adolph Hitler of Nazi Germany attacked Poland, the second World War began. As the Axis (Germany and Italy) forces gained victory after victory, the United States Army s air arm grew so that by the end of 1940, it had 30 groups, up from its 1939 level of 15. By the time that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, and the United States entered the war, the number of active groups had increased to 67. Many were still being organized and few had suitable combat aircraft.
By the end of 1943, there were 269 groups. Through mission refinements and reorganizations, the number dropped to 218 combat groups. By February 1945, the number of combat groups had risen to 243. With the invasion of Europe in June 1944, and the continuing campaigns in Italy, the United States had 148 combat groups in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater (EAMET). The Ninth, along with the Eighth, Twelfth, and Fifteenth Air Forces operated in this theater.
The Ninth Air Force:
The Ninth Air Force was initially constituted as the V Air Support Command on 21 August 1941. Under the command of Brigadier General Junius W. Jones, it was activated in Bowman Field, Kentucky, on 1 September 1941. In January 1942, under the command of Colonel Rosenham Beam, it was moved to the New Orleans, Louisiana, Army Air Force Base, where in April 1942 it was redesignated Ninth Air Force. In July 1942, it was moved to Bolling Field in Washington, D.C., and remained there until October 1942.

442nd Night Fighter SQ. P-61 Black Widow .
In the Middle East and Africa: Under the command of Lt. General Lewis H. Brereton, the Ninth left the United States for Egypt and began operations on 12 November 1942. There, the Ninth Air Force, with the support of its newly designated IX Fighter Command, and the 316th Troop Carrier Groups (later to be incorporated into the IX Troop Carrier Command) participated in the Allied drive across Egypt and Libya, and in the campaign in Tunisia. The Ninth completed its missions in the Africa-Middle East Theater when, with the support of the growing IX Troop Carrier Command, it dropped the 82nd Airborne Division into Sicily on July 9-12, 1943, in Operations Husky 1 and 2, and into Italy in September 1943, for the Giant Operations.
England and the European Theater: On 16 October 1943, the Ninth, still under the command of General Brereton, moved its headquarters to Sunninghill Park, England, in preparation for the aerial assault on Normandy, France. It was during this period that the Ninth Air Force rounded out its organization to include the following components: IX Fighter Command (1942-1945); IX Tactical Air Command (1943-1944); IX Bomber Command (formerly 9th Air Division - 1942-1944); the IX Troop Carrier Command (1943-1944); and support units, the IX Air Defense Comm