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9th Air Force Europe in September 1944
FRIDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
HQ IX Troop Carrier Command comes under administrative control of HQ US Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSTAF) and under operational control of HQ First Allied Airborne Army, to increase efficiency, especially for planning, training, and preparation of airborne operations. Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) now can deal directly with all elements of an airborne force through a single unified command instead of through various army groups and air forces [i.e. 12th and 21st Army Groups, Ninth AF, and Royal Air Force (RAF) components].
In France, B-26s attack fortifications in the Brest area which artillery fire had been unable to reduce;
escorting fighters fly sweeps and armed reconnaissance in N and E France, and fly cover for 6 divisions in the Amiens, Saint-Quentin, Cambrai, Reims, and Verdun areas and the Brussels, Belgium area;
the 125th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached to Ninth Army) moves from Erlestokes, England to St Sauveur-Lendelin with L-5s;
the 425th Night Fighter Squadron, IX Air Defense Command, moves from Vannes to Le Moustoiris with P-61s;
and the 556th, 557th, 558th and 559th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 387th Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Stony Cross, England to Maupertuis with B-26s.
During Sep, HQ IX Fighter Command moves from Canisy, France to Charleroi, Belgium.
SATURDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, weather grounds the bombers;
fighters fly armed reconnaissance and area support to ground forces in Belgium and NW, NE, and E France;
HQ IX Tactical Air Command, moving with HQ US First Army, moves from Haleine to Versailles;
the 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command, moves from Maillebois to Sy Cyr with L-5s;
the 428th, 429th and 430th Fighter Squadrons, 474th Fighter Group, move from Neuilly to St Marceau with P-38s;
and the 508th Fighter Squadron, 404th Fighter Group, moves from Chapelle to Bretigny with P-47s.
SUNDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, B-26s and A-20s supporting ground troops pound strongpoints and bridges in the Brest area;
fighters fly armed reconnaissance, ground support, and sweeps in N and E France, Belgium, and W Germany;
HQ 365th Fighter Group and the 386th, 387th and 388th Fighter Squadrons move from Lignerolles to Bretigny with P-47s;
and the 125th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached to Ninth Army), moves from St Sauveur-Lendelin to Rennes with L-5s.
MONDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Belgium, the British complete the liberation of Brussels and clear most of the resistance from Antwerp. In France, weather prevents bomber activity; fighters fly armed reconnaissance over Belgium, E France, Luxembourg, and E and C Germany, and defensive night patrols over W and NW France;
HQ 50th Fighter Group moves from Meautis to Orly;
HQ 367th Fighter Group and the 393d Fighter Squadron move from Criqueville to Peray with P-38s;
HQ 406th Fighter Group and the 512th and 513th Fighter Squadrons move from Cretteville to Le Mans with P-47s;
and the 14th Liaison Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command (attached to Third Army), moves from St Maurice-aux-Riches-Hommes to Marson with L-5s.
TUESDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, 300+ B-26s and A-20s bomb strongpoints in the Brest area and a coastal battery at Pointe du Grand Gouin, fighters hit gun positions and other military targets in the Brest area and fly cover for 6 armored and infantry divisions; the 10th and 81st Fighter Squadrons, 50th Fighter Group, move from Meautis to Orly with P-47s;
the 22d Fighter Squadron, 36th Fighter Group, moves from Brucheville to Le Mans with P-47s;
and the 394th Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, moves from Cricqueville to Peray with P-38s.
WEDNESDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, B-26s and A-20s hit Brest area strongpoints, a coastal battery at Pointe du Grand Gouin, defenses at Saint-Pierre-Quilbignon, and a Brest area bridge;
fighters hit Brest area gun positions and ammunition dump and fly cover for several armored and infantry divisions;
HQ 370th Fighter Group and the 401st, 402d and 485th Fighter Squadrons move from La Vielle to Lonray with P-38s;
HQ 474th Fighter Group moves from St Marceau to Peronne;
and the 23d Fighter Squadron, 36th Fighter Group, moves from Brucheville to Le Mans with P-47s.
THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, bad weather grounds the bombers;
fighters provide air cover for the US 8th and 29th Infantry Divisions;
the 391st Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Group, moves from Dreux to Laon/Couvron with P-47s;
and the 392d Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, moves from Cricqueville to Peray with P-38s.
FRIDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, weather prevents bomber missions; fighters fly cover for troops in the Brest area and for the US 2d, 5th, 8th, and 29th Infantry Divisions, and the XX Corps area, escort troop movements and fly defensive patrols;
several hundred C-47s fly supply and evacuation missions;
HQ IX Air Defense Command moves from Rennes to Versailles;
HQ 366th Fighter Group and the 390th Fighter Squadron move from Dreux/Vermouillet to Laon/Couvron with P-47s;
HQ 367th Fighter Group moves from Peray to Clastres;
HQ 439th Troop Carrier Group and the 91st, 92d, 93d and 94th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Upottery, England to Juvincourt with C-47s;
HQ 441st Troop Carrier Group and the 99th, 100th, 301st and 302d Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Merryfield, England to Villeneuve/Vetrus with C-47s.
SATURDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
B-26s fly a leaflet mission to coastal France and Belgium.
In France, fighters fly escort, furnish ground force cover for the US VIII Corps in the Brest area, the 2d, 5th, and 8th Infantry Divisions of the US Third Army's XX Corps area W of Metz, and fly armed reconnaissance in areas around Nancy, and Aachen, Cologne, Koblenz, Bonn, and Saarbrucken, Germany;
fighters also hit bridges at Custines and Pompey;
700+ C-47s fly missions;
HQ 71st Fighter Wing moves from Rennes to Versailles;
the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from Chateaudun to St Dizier with F-6s;
the 96th Troop Carrier Squadron, 440th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Bottesford, England to Reims with C-47s;
the detachment of the 112th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force, operating from Valognes with L-5s, returns to base at Jullouville;
and the 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Azeville to Montrevil with F-6s.
SUNDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Advance HQ, Ninth AF, assigns rail lines approaching the Rhine River from the W, N of Karlsruhe, to be attacked by IX and XIX Tactical Air Command fighters in the first of a series of orders setting up rail interdiction programs to cut lines W and E of the Rhine River in Sep and early Oct;
changes and additions to targets appear on 12 and 14 Sep when a list of all lines to be cut is published.
In France, about 340 B-26s and A-20s hit strongpoints and ammunition stores in the Foret de Haye, Custines rail bridge, and a road bridge over the Mosel River;
escorting fighters provide general air cover in the Metz-Nancy area, and support US Third Army ground forces in stemming a counterattack there;
800+ C-47s complete supply and evacuation missions; the southern invading forces and those of the Normandy invasion meet;
the City of Luxembourg is liberated;
HQ 70th Fighter Wing moves from Versailles to Marchais;
and the 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to First Army), moves from St Cyr to Vuel, Belgium with L-5s.
MONDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 1944
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
HQ 440th Troop Carrier Group moves from Exeter, England to Reims.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, 358 B-26s and A-20s, escorted by fighters, in support of the US Third Army, hit gun positions and strongpoints in the Metz area;
in Germany, fighters fly armed reconnaissance over the Lissendorf and Duren areas, and support Third Army ground forces in the Metz area;
armored reconnaissance elements of this Army cross into Germany, the first Allied unit to do so;
fighters also support ground forces in the Brest, France area;
HQ IX Tactical Air Command moves from Versailles to Janoulx, Belgium;
HQ 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group and the 161st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron move from Azeville to Le Mans and Montrevil respectively with F-6s;
HQ 368th Fighter Group and the 395th, 396th and 397th Fighter Squadrons move from Chartres to Laon/Athies with P-47s;
HQ 370th Fighter Group and the 402d and 485th Fighter Squadrons move from Lonray to Roye/Amy with P-38s;
HQ 397th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Gorges to Dreux;
the 386th and 388th Fighter Squadrons, 365th Fighter Group, move from Bretigny to Juvincourt with P-47s;
the 394th Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, moves from Pera to Clastres with P-38s;
the 425th Night Fighter Squadron, IX Air Defense Command, moves from Le Moustoiris to Coulommiers with P-61s;
the 506th Fighter Squadron, 404th Fighter Group, moves from Bretigny to Juvincourt with P-47s;
and the 510th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group, moves from Picauville to St Dizier with P-47s.
TUESDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 1944
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
400+ C-47s complete supply and evacuation missions. TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, B-26s and A-20s hit Westwall fortifications, Sankt Wendel station, where an armored division and important technicians are to entrain, and fortifications around Nancy, France;
fighters continue ground support in the French/German border area. In France, HQ 84th Fighter Wing moves from Aillieres to St Quentin;
HQ 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) and the 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and the 31st, 34th and 155th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadrons move from Chateaudun to St-Dizier/Robinson with A-20s, F-3s F-6s and F-5s;
the 389th Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Group, moves from Dreux to Laon/ Couvron with P-47s;
the 393d Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group moves from Peray to Clastres with P-38s;
and the 401st Fighter Squadron, 370th Fighter Group, moves from Lonray to Roye/Amy with P-38s;
the 405th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group moves from Beuzeville to Perthes with P-47s;
the 428th, 429th and 430th Fighter Squadrons, 474th Fighter Squadron, move from St Marceau to Peronne with P-38s.
In Belgium, the 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to First Army) moves from Vuel to Ham with L-5s.
WEDNESDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 1944
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
In France, C-47s fly numerous supply and evacuation missions;
and the 95th, 97th and 98th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 440th Troop Carrier Group, move from Exeter, England to Reims with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, HQ XIX Tactical Air Command accompanies HQ US Third Army HQ to ChaIons-sur-Marne;
B-26s fly a leaflet mission to coastal N France and Belgium;
fighters support ground forces in the Brest and Nancy-Metz areas (air-ground coordination being especially effective between XIX Tactical Air Command and French 2d Armored Division in defeating the enemy move on Vittel), and in Germany, fly armed reconnaissance over the Cologne, Aachen, Koblenz, Linz/Rhine, and Wahn areas; the XIX Tactical Air Command inaugurates a rail cutting campaign;
HQ 97th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium) moves from Little Walden, England to Voisenon;
HQ 404th Fighter Group and the 508th and 509th Fighter Squadrons move from Bretigny to Juvincourt with P-47s;
the 162d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Azeville to Montrevil with F-6s;
and the 392d Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, moves from Pera to Clastres with P-38s.
THURSDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 1944
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
C-47s continue large-scale supply and evacuation missions in France.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, HQ XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) is activated at Vermand, in anticipation of operating with the US Ninth Army, shortly to join the Twelfth Army Group;
Brigadier General Richard E Nugent is Commanding General;
about 140 B-26s and A-20s bomb gun emplacements and strongpoints in the Brest area;
fighters fly armed reconnaissance in various battle areas;
HQ 358th Fighter Group moves from Pontorson to Vitry-le-Francois;
HQ 405th Fighter Group and the 511th Fighter Squadron move from Picauville to St-Dizier with P-47s;
the 14th Liaison Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command (attached to Third Army), moves from Marson to Gussainville with L-5s;
the 387th Fighter Squadron, 365th Fighter Group, moves from Bretigny to Juvincourt with P-47s.
FRIDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, bad weather prevents bomber operations;
the IX Tactical Air Command supports US First Army troops and in Germany, flies armed reconnaissance around Cologne and from Trier to the Rhine River area;
the XIX Tactical Air Command supports the US Third Army and flies armed reconnaissance in the Nancy-Strasbourg area;
HQ Ninth AF moves from Sunninghill Park, England to Chantilly;
HQ 48th Fighter Group and the 492d and 494th Fighter Squadrons move from Villacoublay to Cambrai/Niergnies with P-47s;
HQ 50th Fighter Group and the 10th, 81st and 313th Fighter Squadrons move from Orly to Laon with P-47s;
HQ 365th Fighter Group moves from Bretigny to Juvincourt;
the 365th, 366th and 367th Fighter Squadrons, 358th Fighter Group, move from Pontorson to Vitry-le-Francois with P-47s;
and the 597th and 598th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 397th Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Gorges to Dreux with B-26s.
SATURDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In the Netherlands, 150+ B-26s and A-20s, escorted by fighters, attack the Bath dike and Arnemuiden road and rail embankment.
In France, fighters fly sweeps, and armed reconnaissance over Rastatt, Germany and Haguenau, and support the US Third Army's XII and XV Corps in repelling counterattacks in NE France;
HQ IX Bomber Command is redesignated 9th Bombardment Division (Medium);
the 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, moves from Gael to Orconte with P-47s;
the 404th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group, moves from Beuzeville to Perthes with P-47s;
the 493d Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Group, moves from Villacoublay to Cambrai/Niergnies with P-47s;
and the 596th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 397th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Gorges to Dreux with B-26s.
In Belgium, HQ 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and the 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron move from Toussus le Noble, France to Gosselies with F-6s;
the 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to First Army), moves from Ham to Stree with L-5s;
and the 422d Night Fighter Squadron, IX Air Defense Command, moves from Chateaudun, France to Florennes with P-61s;
SUNDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 1944
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
Between 17-26 Sep, the IX Troop Carrier Command supports Operation MARKET-GARDEN as follows:
- Aircraft dispatched: 3,996 of which 3,634 are successful
- Gliders dispatched: 1,899 of which 1,635 are successful
- Losses: 98 aircraft and 137 gliders
- Troops dropped or landed: 30,481
- Vehicles dropped or landed: 1,001
- Artillery weapons dropped or landed: 463
- Tons of equipment, including fuel, dropped or landed: 3,559
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
No combat bomber missions are flown; weather permits 1 leaflet mission.
XIX Tactical Air Command supports US VIII Corps in the Brest, France area and in Germany, flies armed reconnaissance over the Trier and Saarbrucken areas and IX Tactical Air Command flies armed reconnaissance in the Dusseldorf, Duren, Cologne, and Linz/Rhine areas, supports the US 2d and 5th Armored Divisions and 4th Infantry Division in the Netherlands, and participates in Operation MARKET-GARDEN.
In France, HQ 84th and 303d Fighter Wings move from St Quentin and Rennes, respectively, to Vermand;
the 507th Fighter Squadron, 404th Fighter Group, moves from Bretigny to Juvincourt with P-47s.
MONDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather cancels all bomber activity;
100 fighters support US VII Corps in W Germany and fly cover in the area of Brest, France, where organized resistance comes to an end.
In France, HQ 9th Bombardment Division (Medium) moves from Marks Hall, England to Chartres;
HQ 371st Fighter Group moves from Beuzeville to Perthes;
HQ 387th Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 556th, 557th, 558th and 559th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Maupertuis to Chateaudun with B-26s;
HQ 394th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Tour-en-Bassin to Bricy;
and HQ 409th Bombardment Group (Light) and the 640th, 641st, 642d and 643d Bombardment Squadrons (Light) move from Little Walden, England to Bretigny with A-20s.
TUESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, B-26s hit marshalling yards in the Duren area to prevent reinforcements from reaching the Aachen area by rail;
IX Tactical Air Command supports the US V Corps in repelling a counterattack at the Wallendorf bridgehead, supports Operation MARKET- GARDEN and flies armed reconnaissance in W Germany.
XIX Tactical Air Command escorts A-20s and B-26s, flies cover both for MARKET-GARDEN and in the Brest and Nancy, France areas, and armed reconnaissance over Metz, Germany area;
HQ 100th Fighter Wing moves from Le Mans to St-Dizier;
HQ 362d Fighter Group and the 379th Fighter Squadron move from Rennes to Prosnes with P-47s;
HQ 373d Fighter Group moves from St-James to Reims;
and HQ 391st Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Matching, England to Roye/Amy, France.
WEDNESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 1944
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
HQ IX Troop Carrier Command moves from Grantham to Ascot, England.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, about 40 B-26s hit the marshalling yard at Trier and defensive positions at Herbach to complicate rail transportation and aid in the Allied ground attack on Aachen;
fighters fly air cover for the US V and VII Corps in W Germany near the Dutch boundary and the US XV and XX Corps in the Nancy, France area, and fly armed reconnaissance over the Bonn, Mannheim, Hamburg, Koblenz, and Ruhr Valley areas.
In Belgium, the 109th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Buc to Gosselies with F-6s;
and the 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to First Army), moves from Stree to Verviers with L-5s.
In France, the 406th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group, moves from Beuzeville to Perthes with P-47s;
and the 512th Fighter Squadron, 406th Fighter Group, moves from St Leonard to Mourmelon-le-Grand with P-47s.
THURSDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 79 B-26s and A-20s bomb marshalling yards at Gerolstein, Pronsfeld, and Ebrang; fighters escort the bombers, fly armed reconnaissance over the Bonn, Koblenz, Karlsruhe, Cologne, and the Strasbourg area, and support the US First and Third Armies in W Germany and E France;
the IX Tactical Air Command is exceptionally effective in aiding the V Corps withdrawal from the Wallendorf bridgehead;
during the evening IX Air Defense Command fighters patrol the Luxembourg-Chaumont, France area.
In Belgium, the 33d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Toussus le Noble, France to Gosselies with F-5s.
In France, HQ 323d Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 453d, 454th, 455th and 456th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Lessay to Chartres with B-26s;
HQ 354th Fighter Group moves from Gael to Orconte;
the 355th and 356th Fighter Squadrons, 354th Fighter Group, move from Gael to Orconte with P-47s;
the 410th Fighter Squadron, 373d Fighter Group, moves from St-James to Reims with P-47s;
the 584th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 394th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Tour-en- Bassin to Bricy with B-26s;
and the 670th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 416th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Wethersfield, England to Melun with A-20s.
FRIDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
No bomber missions are flown.
In Germany, fighters attack railroads, supply and ordnance depots, and strongpoints, and fly sweeps and armed reconnaissance over the Cologne, Dusseldorf, Aachen, Koblenz, Trier, Bonn, Mannheim, and Strasbourg areas.
In France, HQ 406th Fighter Group and the 513th Fighter Squadron move from Le Mans to Mourmelon-le-Grand with P-47s;
the 377th Fighter Squadron, 362d Fighter Group, moves from Rennes to Prosnes with P-47s.
SATURDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
B-26s and A-20s sent against targets in W Germany are recalled due to weather;
fighters support the US First Army in W Germany, US Third Army in the Chateau-Salins, France area, escort bombers (recalled), and fly armed reconnaissance over wide areas of W Germany.
In France, HQ 36th Fighter Group and the 22d Fighter Squadron move from Le Mans to Athis with P-47s;
HQ 322d Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 450th and 451st Bombardment Squadron (Medium) move from Rougham, England to Beauvais/Tille with B-26s;
HQ 416th Bombardment Group (Light) and the 669th and 671st Bombardment Squadron (Light) move from Wethersfield, England to Melun with A-20s;
the 412th Fighter Squadron, 373d Fighter Group, moves from St-James to Reims with P-47s.
SUNDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather grounds the bombers.
XIX Tactical Air Command supports the 7th Armored Division of the US Third Army in E France and flies armed reconnaissance over E France and W Germany.
IX Air Defense Command flies night patrols from Paris to Aachen, Germany.
In France, HQ 98th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium) moves from Lessay to Chartres;
the 112th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force, moves from Jullouville to Buc with L-5s;
the 162d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Montrevil to Dijon with F-6s;
the 514th Fighter Squadron, 406th Fighter Group, moves from St Leonard to Mourmelon with P-47s;
the 572d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 391st Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Matching, England to Roye/Amy with B-26s.
MONDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
No bomber missions are flown.
IX Tactical Air Command flies cover for US First Army units in W Germany, dive- bombs rail lines, and flies armed reconnaissance over the Trier-Koblenz-Aachen, Germany area.
IX Air Defense Command flies night patrols from Paris E to Luxembourg and the German border.
In France, HQ 99th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium) moves from Great Dunmow, England to Beaumont;
the 378th Fighter Squadron, 362d Fighter Group, moves from Rennes to Prosnes with P-47s;
the 449th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 322d Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Great Saling, England to Beauvais/Tille with B-26s;
the 585th and 587th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 394th Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Tour-en-Bassin to Bricy with B-26s;
the 668th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 416th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Wethersfield, England to Melun with A-20s.
TUESDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
No bomber missions are flown.
In Germany, IX Tactical Air Command supports the US First Army in the Bonn area and cuts rail lines W of the Rhine River;
XIX Tactical Air Command hits fortifications near Metz.
In Belgium, HQ 370th Fighter Group and the 402d and 485th Fighter Squadrons move from Roye/Amy, France to Florennes/Juxaine with P-38s.
In France, the 23d Fighter Squadron, 36th Fighter Group, moves from Le Mans to Athis with P-47s;
the 404th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group, moves from Perthes to Dole/Tavaux with P-47s;
the 646th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 410th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Gosfield, England to Coulommiers with A-20s.
WEDNESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Fighters fly armed reconnaissance, cover US First and Third Army forces in W Germany and E France and later fly night patrols in Belgium, Luxembourg, and W German areas.
In France, nearly 300 B-26s and A-20s abort missions due to weather; 8 manage to bomb a target at Foret de Parroy.
In Belgium, the 401st Fighter Squadron, 370th Fighter Group, moves from Roye/Amy, France to Florennes/Juxaine with P-38s.
In France, the 586th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 394th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Tour-en-Bassin to Bricy with B-26s;
the 644th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 410th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Gosfield, England to Coulommiers with A-20s.
THURSDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 1944
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
In France, HQ 439th Troop Carrier Group and the 91st, 92d and 94th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Juvincourt to Lonray with C-47s;
the 95th, 96th and 97th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 440th Troop Carrier Group, move from Reims to Le Mans with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, bombers hit the defended area of Foret de Parroy; fighters escort bombers, attack railroads W of the Rhine River, fly sweeps and armed reconnaissance in Arnhem, the Netherlands (from which British airborne troops have relinquished their hold because of strong German opposition), the Koblenz, Strasbourg, Karlsruhe, and Mannheim, Germany areas, and support US First and Third Armies in E France and W Germany.
Night patrols continue over Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany.
In France, HQ 50th Fighter Group moves from Laon to Lyons/Bron;
HQ 410th Bombardment Group (Light) moves from Gosfield, England to Coulommiers;
the 645th and 647th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 410th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Gosfield, England to Coulommiers with A-20s.
FRIDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 400+ B-26s and A-20s hit marshalling yards and rail sidings at Prum, Euskirchen, and Bingen, dragon's teeth antitank defenses near Webenheim, and marshalling yards, rail sidings, warehouses and barracks at Julich and Bitburg;
1,500+ fighters escort the bombers, hit railroads, fly sweeps and armed reconnaissance over wide areas of the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium, E France, and in W Germany as far E as Frankfurt/Main.
In France, the 10th, 81st and 313th Fighter Squadrons, 50th Fighter Group move from Laon to Lyon/Bron with P-47s;
the 411th Fighter Squadron, 373d Fighter Group, moves from St-James to Reims with P-47s;
the 452d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 322d Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Great Saling, England to Beauvais/Tille with B-26s.
SATURDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 1944
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
In France, HQ 440th Troop Carrier Group and the 98th Troop Carrier Squadron move from Reims to Le Mans with C-47s;
the 93d Troop Carrier Squadron, 439th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Juvincourt to Lonray with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
14 B-26s bomb the Arnhem, the Netherlands road bridge with poor results;
fighters fly sweeps over Belgium, E France, and W Germany and attack rail targets.
In Belgium, HQ 48th Fighter Group and the 492d and 494th Fighter Squadrons move from Cambrai/Niergnies, France to St Trond with P-47s.
In France, HQ 344th Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 494th, 495th, 496th and 497th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Stansted, England to Cormeilles-en-Vexin with B-26s.
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
