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9th Air Force Europe in July 1944
SATURDAY, 1 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
IX Air Defense Command is activated in Hampstead Borouth, England by the Ninth Air Force to provide air defense behind the advancing Allied ground forces in N Europe; Commanding General is Brigadier General William L Richardson.
In France, weather prevents operations by IX Bomber Command; 47 fighters escort troop carriers and fly sweeps in the Vire area where about 20 fighters bomb tactical targets;
HQ 100th Fighter Wing moves from Lashenden, England to Criqueville;
and HQ 363d Fighter Group moves from Staplehurst, England to Maupertus; during Jul,
HQ IX Fighter Command from Middle Wallop, England to Les Obeaux;
and HQ XIX Tactical Air Command from Aldermaston Court, England to France.
SUNDAY, 2 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, all IX Bomber Command missions are cancelled due to bad weather; fighters of 7 groups of the IX Tactical Air Command fly interception missions in the Caen area and cover over the beach area, attack rail lines along the Loire, and hit a HQ and supply dumps and strongpoints near La Haye-du-Puits;
HQ IX Tactical Air Command moves from Au Gay to Les Obeaux;
and HQ 362d Fighter Group moves from Headcorn, England to Lignerolles.
MONDAY, 3 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, nearly 275 fighters strafe and bomb strongpoints, gun positions, a fuel dump, communication lines, bridges, and patrol the beach in the vicinity of Lessay and Periers, S of the US First Army's advance;
HQ 358th Fighter Group and 365th Fighter Squadron move from High Halden, England to Cretteville with P-47s;
the 30th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Middle Wallop, England to Le Molay with F-5s;
and the 382d Fighter Squadron, 363d Fighter Group, moves from Staplehurst, England to Maupertus with P-51s.
TUESDAY, 4 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France bad weather curtails bomber operations, but 95 B-26s and A-20s bomb a rail bridge at Oissel and strongly defended positions N of Anneville-sur-Mer, using the Pathfinder technique; 900+ fighters strafe and bomb numerous targets including troop concentrations, gun positions, rail lines, marshalling yards, a tunnel, a radio station, bridges, highways, and a command post; fighters also fly escort and cover the beach and assault areas;
units moving from England to France: 109th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, from Middle Wallop to Le Molay with F-6s;
366th and 367th Fighter Squadrons, 358th Fighter Group, from High Halden to Cretteville with P-47s;
381st Fighter Squadron, 363d Fighter Group, from Staplehurst to Maupertus with P-51s; and 494th Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Group, from Ibsley to Deux Jumeaux with P-47s.
WEDNESDAY, 5 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, about 180 B-26s and A-20s bomb bridges at Caen and also sidings, tracks, and rolling stock; in the afternoon 4 NOBALL (V-weapon) HQ are hit;
600+ fighters escort the bombers, carry out armed reconnaissance of communication and enemy movements, attack rail lines, rolling stock, marshalling yards, bridges, supply dumps, and cover the beach area;
HQ 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron move from Middle Wallop, England to Le Molay with F-6s;
the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) (attached to 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group), moves from Middle Wallop, England to Le Molay with F-6s;
and the 380th Fighter Squadron, 363d Fighter Group, moves from Staplehurst, England to Maupertus with P-51s.
THURSDAY, 6 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France during the morning around 500 B-26s and A-20s bomb bridges and rail lines at 8 locations; in the afternoon 5 targets are attacked, including bridges, fuel dumps, railroad tracks, and a V-weapon location;
15+ fighter groups escort bombers, fly armed reconnaissance of rail lines, roads, and marshalling yards, damaging or destroying tracks, trains, a tunnel, a building, and a supply dump;
fighters also cover the beach and bomb and strafe troop concentrations and gun positions;
HQ 404th Fighter Group and 506th, 507th and 508th Fighter Squadrons move from Winkton, England to Chapelle with P-47s;
the 14th Liaison Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command, moves from Ibsley, England to Nehou with L-5s;
and the 388th Fighter Squadron, 365th Fighter Group, moves from Beaulieu, England to Azeville with P-47s.
In England, HQ 367th Fighter Group and 393d and 394th Fighter Squadrons move from Stony Cross to Ibsley with P-38s.
FRIDAY, 7 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, 100+ A-20s and B-26s bomb rail bridge near Tours, and targets of opportunity in the Lisieux and Beuzeville areas;
500+ fighters fly escort and area cover, carry out armed reconnaissance of communication and troop activity, and bomb railroads, rolling stock, marshalling yards, ammunition dumps, and bridges in frontline areas and wide areas of W France;
HQ 36th Fighter Group moves from Kingsnorth, England to Brucheville;
and the 377th, 378th and 379th Fighter Squadrons, 362d Fighter Group, move from Headcorn, England to Lignerolles with P-47s.
In England, the 392d Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, moves from Stony Cross to Ibsley with P-38s.
SATURDAY, 8 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, about 280 A-20s and B-26s bomb V-weapon HQ at Chateau-de-Ribeaucourt, numerous strongpoints in the Caen battle area, rail bridges at Mantes-La-Jolie, Saumur, Nogent-le-Roi, and Caen and (late in evening) fuel dumps in Rennes and a bridge at Nantes;
fighters escort the bombers and fly armed reconnaissance throughout wide areas of France, concentrating on the frontline area; targets hit include marshalling yards, bridges, ammunition and supply dumps, troop concentrations and tanks.
SUNDAY, 9 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, of 250+B-26s and A-20s dispatched, about 60 bomb targets; bad weather prevents others from bombing; targets hit are a rail bridge, crossing, overpass and a highway bridge at Ablis, Orleans, Vendome, and Montfort-sur-Risle;
fighters escort IX Bomber Command bombers, provide area cover over the battle area, and bomb and strafe gun positions, vehicles, rail cars, bridges, and tanks.
In England, the 125th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached to HQ Command, ETO), moves from Chedworth to Erlestokes with L-5s.
MONDAY, 10 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, fighters bomb and strafe gun positions, bridges, a rail overpass, infantry concentrations, and highway junctions, and cover the battle area;
HQ 71st Fighter Wing arrives at Ecrammeville from England;
and HQ 100th Fighter Wing moves from Criqueville to St-Pierre-Eglise.
TUESDAY, 11 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, A-20s and B-26s strike fuel dumps at Foret d'Andaine, Chateau-de-Tertu, Flers, and Foret d'Ecouves; NOBALL (V-weapon) sites at Chateau d'Helicourt and Chateau d'Ansenne; and a rail bridge at Bourth;
fighters escort the bombers, patrol the battle area, and attack trains, gun positions, ammunition dumps, and other targets in the areas around Lessay, Periers, Saint-Lo, Lonrai, Tours and Folligny.
In England, the detachment of the 422d Night Fighter Squadron, 71st Fighter Wing, operating from Hurn with P-61s returns to base at Scorton.
WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, 300+ A-20s and B-26s fly morning and afternoon missions against fuel dumps at Foret d'Andaine and Foret d'Ecouves, military concentrations at Foret de Cinglais, rail bridges at Merey, Cinq Mars-la-Pile, Saumur, Nantes, and Nogent-le-Roi, and other rail and road targets;
fighters furnish escort, cover the battle area, and fly armed reconnaissance over wide areas, attacking rail lines S and W of Rambouillet, bridges and fuel dump in the Nantes vicinity, trains and military transport at Vitry-le-Francois, and grounded aircraft S of Chateaubriant, bridges at Craon, Le Mans, Pontorson, Mayenne, S of Rennes, N of Angers, and Tours, rail traffic S of Fougeres, and infantry and artillery positions near Periers.
THURSDAY, 13 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, bad weather prevents bomber operations and restricts the fighters; fighters fly armed reconnaissance in the Sens-Montargis area, hitting rail and highway traffic, warehouses, barracks, and armored cars and tanks; rail lines and bridges are hit in the Saint-Florentin-Dreux-Evreux-Chartres-Mamers-Gassicourt areas;
IX Tactical Air Command fighters furnish area cover, bomb troop concentrations, vehicles, and gun positions in the Lessay-Coutances area, and attack rail traffic W of Angers, a landing field W of Alencon, marshalling yard at Vendome, and a bridge at Tours.
FRIDAY, 14 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, weather again curtails operations; 62 B-26s and A-20s, using Oboe, bomb a railway embankment at Bourth and rail bridge at Merey; fighters provide escort and fly armed reconnaissance over widespread areas of NW France, attacking bridges, trains, rail lines, and military transport targets; 85 enemy fighters give battle near Brezolles and Alencon; 6 fighters are claimed by US fighters, against 5 missing from the IX Fighter Command;
the IX Tactical Air Command strafes and bombs defended positions ahead of the US First Army; and fighters cut rail lines in the L'Aigle-Alencon area, bomb troop concentrations near Periers, and marshalling yards at Chateaudun and Aube-sur-Rile.
SATURDAY, 15 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, weather cancels most operations but 4 B-26s (92 others abort) hit the L'Aigle rail bridge during the afternoon; 3 fighter-bombers fly an uneventful sweep;
fighters of the IX Tactical Air Command fly area cover and bomb infantry, artillery, a marshalling yard, railroad, and a bridge in the Saint-Lo, Argentan, and Falaise areas.
SUNDAY, 16 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Major General Paul L Williams, Commanding General IX Troop Carrier Command, arrives in Italy from the UK, and activates the Provisional Troop Carrier Division which will take part in the invasion of S France.
In France, about 375 B-26s and A-20s, during morning and evening operations, bomb strongpoints in the Saint-Lo area, bridges in the frontline area, and bridges and a fuel dump SE of Rennes; and fighters escort the bombers and fly armed reconnaissance over the frontlines in the Chateaudun- Orleans-Tours areas.
In England, a detachment of the 422d Night Fighter Squadron, 71st Fighter Wing, based at Scorton, begins operating from Ford with P-61s.
MONDAY, 17 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
With operations limited by weather in France, 69 B-26s hit fuel dumps at Rennes while 37 A-20s strike fuel dumps at Bruz and a marshalling yard at Dol-de-Bretagne;
fighters escort transports, fly area cover, attack fuel dumps and landing field at Angers, dive-bomb defenses at Coutances in support of the US First Army, attack Nevers marshalling yard, and hit troop concentrations in support of the First Army assault in the Saint-Lo area.
TUESDAY, 18 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, 400+ B-26s and A-20s hit various military targets in support of the ground forces in the Caen area, and later in the day bomb rail and highway bridges beyond the frontlines;
large number of fighters fly escort, dive-bomb gun positions at Rouen and Mantes-la-Jolie, hit military targets in the Chartres area (using rockets), attack gun positions, bridges, and other targets in the Benney-Alencon-Saint- Lo area, and fly armed reconnaissance and fighter sweeps over wide areas of N and W France.
In England, HQ 98th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium) moves from Earls Colne to Beaulieu;
and HQ 387th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Chipping Ongar to Stony Cross.
The following squadrons, based in England, begin operating from bases in Italy with C-47s:
- 91st, 92d and 94th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 439th Troop Carrier Group, based at Upottery operating from Orbetello Airfield.
- 95th, 96th and 97th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 440th Troop Carrier Group, based at Exeter operating from Ombrone Airfield.
- 99th, 100th and 302d Troop Carrier Squadrons, 441st Troop Carrier Group, based at Merryfield operating from Grosseto.
- 303d, 304th and 305th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 442d Troop Carrier Group, based at Weston Zoyland operating from Follonica.
WEDNESDAY, 19 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, during the afternoon 262 B-26s and A-20s bomb bridges on the Loire and Seine Rivers and a fuel dump at Bruz; fighters provide escort and, though limited by bad weather, hit rail lines and scattered enemy installations and movements in the Amiens-Tours- Chartres area and along the Ghent-Brussels, Belgium railroad;
HQ 373d Fighter Group arrives at Tour-en-Bassin from Woodchurch, England;
and the 513th Fighter Squadron, 406th Fighter Group, moves from Ashford, England to Tour- en-Bassin with P-47s.
The 83d, 84th, 85th and 86th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 437th Troop Carrier Group, based at Ramsbury, England begin operating from Montala Airfield, Italy with C-47s.
THURSDAY, 20 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, weather forbids morning operations; in the afternoon 62 A-20s and B-26s strike the Senonches fuel dump and Chaulnes marshalling yard; fighters escort the bombers and transports and fly armed reconnaissance against rail lines, bridges, and gun positions S of the frontlines.
The following units based in England begin operating from Italy with C-47s:
- 75th, 76th and 78th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 435th Troop Carrier Group, based at Welford Pard operating from Tarquinia.
- 79th, 80th, 81st and 82d Troop Carrier Squadrons, 436th Troop Carrier Group, based at Membury operating from Voltone Airfield.
- 87th, 88th and 89th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 438th Troop Carrier Group, based at Greenham Common operating from Canino Airfield.
FRIDAY, 21 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, weather prevents all combat operations except for 1 fighter group which is dispatched on armed reconnaissance but is recalled before reaching the Continent; Less than 15 reconnaissance and evacuation sorties are flown.
In England, HQ 323d Bombardment Group (Medium) and 453d, 454th, 455th and 456th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Earls Colne to Beaulieu with B-26s;
and the 556th, 557th, 558th and 559th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), move from Chipping Ongar to Stony Cross with B-26s.
SATURDAY, 22 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, 1 group of A-20s and 2 groups of B-26s attack a rail bridge at Bourth and fuel dumps at Foret de Conches and Flers;
4 groups of fighter-bombers fly armed reconnaissance and rail cutting missions during the late evening;
1 group escorts the bombers;
fighters of the IX Tactical Air Command escort 100+ C-47s on a supply- evacuation run to the Continent, and provide cover over the battle area;
and HQ 367th Fighter Group moves from Ibsley, England to Beuzeville.
SUNDAY, 23 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, 330+ A-20s and B-26s bomb rail bridges along the Argentan-Paris and Lisieux-Bernay-Evreux railroads, and hit fuel dumps at Foret de Conches; fighters escort bombers, attack rail lines, enemy installations, and movements in the Argentan-Alencon-Chartres- Evreux areas, and bomb bridges, strongpoints, and a supply dump in support of the US First Army.
MONDAY, 24 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, 11 groups of bombers scheduled to participate in Operation COBRA have missions cancelled due to weather;
5 groups of B-26s hit rail bridges and 5 groups of B-26s and A-20s strike 3 fuel and ammunition dumps;
fighters fly escort to the bombers, fly area cover, bomb installations in the Laval-Nantes-Le Mans-Chartres areas, and hit bridges and supply dumps in support of the US First Army;
and HQ 370th Fighter Group arrives at Cardonville from Andover, England.
In England, HQ 394th Bombardment Group (Medium) and 584th and 585th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Boreham to Holmsley with B-26s.
TUESDAY, 25 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France during the morning 11 B-26 and A-20 groups attack tactical targets in the vicinity of Saint-Lo in support of the US First Army; in the afternoon 4 groups bomb bridges on the Seine and Loire Rivers;
42 B-26s, repeating errors of the previous day, short- bomb behind US lines and casualties again are concentrated in the 30th Infantry Division;
fighters strafe and bomb military targets in the Saint-Lo area in support of Operation COBRA, fly area patrol and sweeps S of the battle area, and carry out armed reconnaissance against installations in the Laval-Ghent-Amiens areas;
and the 422d Night Fighter Squadron, 71st Fighter Wing, moves from Scorton, England to Maupertus with P-61s (a detachment is at Ford, England).
WEDNESDAY, 26 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, weather forces the recall of several groups of B-26s and A-20s, assigned to support the US First Army, but about 160 aircraft manage to bomb a fuel dump at Senonches with good results; fighters escort the bombers, fly cover over the assault area, carry out close support for ground troops in the Saint-Lo area, and fly armed reconnaissance in the Poix, Amiens, Chartres, Laval, and Angers areas;
and the detachment of the 422d Night Fighter Squadron, 71st Fighter Wing, operating from Ford, England with P-61s returns to base at Maupertus.
THURSDAY, 27 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, bad weather causes the recall of B-26s and A-20s sent to bomb Loire and Seine River bridges; fighters attack rail lines, enemy installations and movements NW and SW of Paris, and bomb gun positions and other military targets in the Coutances- Saint-Lo area in support of US ground forces which break through W of Saint- Lo;
the 393d and 394th Fighter Squadrons, 367th Fighter Group, move from Ibsley, England to Crettevile with P-38s;
and the 512th and 514th Fighter Squadrons, 406th Fighter Group, move from Ashford, England to Tour-en-Bassin with P-47s.
FRIDAY, 28 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, the IX Bomber Command operates in support of the US First Army, bombing rail bridges, supply dumps and ammunition dumps in the Foret de Conches, Dreux, and Le Mans areas;
fighters escort bombers, fly armed reconnaissance in the Le Mans, Laval, and Dreux areas and furnish cover over assault areas and armed columns;
and HQ IX Air Defense Command moves from Hampstead Borough, England to Ecrammeville and Brigadier General Ned Schramm assumes command.
In England, the 586th and 587th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 394th Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Boreham to Holmsley with B-26s.
SATURDAY, 29 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, bad weather cancels all IX Bomber Command missions; fighters fly armed reconnaissance in the Rouen, Amiens, Beaumont-en-Beine, Tours, Vendome, and Le Mans areas, furnish assault area cover, carry out armed reconnaissance of enemy installations and movement in the battle area, and provide cover in support of the US First Army.
SUNDAY, 30 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, 450+ A-20s and B-26s bomb defenses in the Chaumont area in support of the US First Army;
fighters fly escort, cover the assault area and armored columns, and carry out armed reconnaissance in the Orleans-Paris area;
200+ C-47s fly supply and evacuation missions to the Continent;
and the 410th, 411th and 412th Fighter Squadrons, 373d Fighter Group, arrive at Tour-en-Bassin from Woodchurch, England with P-47s.
MONDAY, 31 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, around 500 A-20s and B-26s attack bridges on the Seine, Loire, Mayenne, and Ruisseau la Forge Rivers and a fuel dump at Foret de la Guerche;
fighters fly armed reconnaissance of activities in the Dieppe-Rouen areas, escort bombers, provide armored column cover, dive-bomb military targets in support of the US First Army and fly a few night intruder missions over enemy territory;
HQ 303d Fighter Wing moves from Ashford, England to La Combe;
the 392d Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, moves from Ibsley, England to Carentan with P-38s;
and the 401st, 402d and 485th Fighter Squadrons, 370th Fighter Group, arrive at Cardonville from Andover, England with P-38s.
Source:
COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES
Jack McKillop
USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
1955-59
used sources by McKillop:
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
