Air War WW2 Portal 
9th Air Force Europe in October 1944
SUNDAY, 1 OCTOBER 1944
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
In France, HQ 50th Troop Carrier Wing moves from Exeter, England to Le Mans;
the 99th and 301st Troop Carrier Squadrons, 441st Troop Carrier Group, move from Villeneuve/Vertus to St Marceau with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, HQ XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) locates advance HQ at Arlon; weather prevents bomber operations; a few fighters fly armed reconnaissance over E France and wide areas of W Germany and patrol the battle areas; night patrols are flown over E France and Luxembourg;
HQ 36th Fighter Group moves from Athis to Juvincourt;
HQ 371st Fighter Group and the 406th Fighter Squadron move from Perthes to Dole/Tavaux with P-47s;
the 553d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 386th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Great Dunmow, England to Beaumont-sur-Oise with B-26s;
the 573d, 574th and 575th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 391st Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Matching, England to Roye/Amy with B-26s.
In Belgium, HQ 84th Fighter Wing moves from Vermand, France to Arlon;
HQ 404th Fighter Group and the 506th, 507th and 508th Fighter Squadrons move from Juvincourt, France to St-Trond with P-47s;
HQ 474th Fighter Group moves from Peronne, France to Florennes;
the 125th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached to Ninth Army), moves from Rennes, France to Arlon with L-5s.
In Luxembourg, HQ 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group moves from Le Mans, France to Luxembourg City.
In Belgium, during Oct 44, HQ IX Fighter Command moves from Charleroi to Verviers.
MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 1944
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
In France, HQ 441st Troop Carrier Group and the 100th and 302d Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Villeneuve/Vetrus to St Marceau with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
HQ XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) goes into operation along with the US Ninth Army (this new Tactical Air Command is formed from elements of the IX and XIX Tactical Air Commands);
in Germany, the 9th Bombardment Division strikes the industrial area of Ubach and defended positions at Herbach; fighters fly armed reconnaissance (and later night patrol) over Belgium, E France, and W Germany and support the US First, Third, and Seventh Armies in E France and W Germany.
In Belgium, HQ IX Tactical Air Command moves advanced HQ from Janoulx to to Verviers maintaining the close association with the US First Army;
HQ 368th Fighter Group and the 395th, 396th and 397th Fighter Squadrons move from Laon, France to Chievres with P-47s;
the 428th, 429th and 430th Fighter Squadrons, 474th Fighter Group, move from Peronne, France to Florennes.
In France, HQ 386th Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 552d, 554th and 555th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Great Dunmow, England to Beaumont-sur-Oise with B-26s.
In Luxembourg, the 161st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Montrevil, France to Sandwieler with F-6s.
TUESDAY, 3 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
220+ B-26s and A-20s sent to bomb targets at Durena and Aldenhoven, Germany, and Arnhem, the Netherlands are recalled because of weather;
fighters fly armed reconnaissance over W Germany, hit railroads W of the Rhine River, and support the US Third Army in the Metz, France area.
The IX Air Defense Command continues night patrols.
In Belgium, HQ 70th Fighter Wing moves from Marchais, France to Liege;
HQ 303d Fighter Wing moves from Vermand, France to Arlon.
In France, HQ 98th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium) moves from Chartres to Laon/Athies;
the 23d Fighter Squadron, 36th Fighter Group, moves from Athis to Juvincourt with P-47s;
and the 405th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group, moves from Perthes to Dole/Tavaux with P-47s.
WEDNESDAY, 4 OCTOBER 1944
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
The 306th Troop Carrier Squadron, 442d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Weston Zoyland, England to Peray, France with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Bombers drop leaflets in the Metz and Saint-Die, France and Saarburg, Germany areas;
fighters support the US First and Third Armies in W Germany and E France, escort B-26s, and fly armed reconnaissance in forward areas, attacking rail and military targets.
In Belgium, HQ 365th Fighter Group and the 386th, 387th and 388th Fighter Squadrons move from Juvincourt, France to Chievres with P-47s.
THURSDAY, 5 OCTOBER 1944
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
HQ 442d Troop Carrier Group and the 303d and 304th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Weston Zoyland, England to Bonnetable and Peray, France respectfully, with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
330+ B-26s and A-20s dispatched against targets in Arnhem, the Netherlands and Aldenhoven and Duren, Germany are recalled;
fighters hit pillboxes along the Westwall, support ground forces of the XV Corps in France, fly armed reconnaissance in the Prum, Bonn, Koblenz, Trier and Landau, Germany areas, hit targets along the Rhine-Marne Canal, and during the night of 5/6 Oct fly patrol in Belgium, E France, and W Germany.
In Belgium, the 493d Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Group, moves from Cambrai/Niergnies, France to St Trond with P-47s.
In France, the 22d Fighter Squadron, 36th Fighter Group, moves from Athis to Juvincourt with P-47s.
FRIDAY, 6 OCTOBER 1944
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
The 305th Troop Carrier Squadron, 442d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Weston Zoyland, England to Peray, France with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
300+ B-26s and A-20s hit marshalling yards, barracks, and ammunition dump at Hengelo, the Netherlands and Duren, Germany and bridges at Arnhem, the Netherlands and Aldenhoven, Germany;
in Germany, fighters fly armed reconnaissance in the Dusseldorf, Aachen, Trier, Dieuze, and Koblenz areas, sweeps and patrols in forward areas, attack railroads in the Dorsel area, and support the First, Third, and Seventh Armies' forces in E France and W Germany.
In France, HQ 397th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Dreux to Peronne.
SATURDAY, 7 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
HQ Ninth AF cancels previous instructions against bombing bridges and opens to attack all bridges on the US front, except those over the Rhine River.
300+ B-26s and A-20s strike bridges at Arnhem, the Netherlands and in Germany, bridges at Bullay and Dillingen, a supply depot at Euskirchen, and marshalling yard and warehouse at Hengelo and Trier;
fighters fly bomber escort, sweeps and armed reconnaissance in the forward areas, hitting railroads, barges, and troop concentrations, and support ground forces in E France and W Germany.
In France, the 597th, 598th and 599th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 397th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Dreux to Peronne with B-26s.
SUNDAY, 8 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
A revision and elaboration (from 28 Sep-8 Oct) of the Ninth AF interdiction program against railroads connected with the Rhine River results in the issuance of a new interdiction program; it includes rail lines further to the E and requires attacks by all 4 Tactical Air Commands of the Ninth AF, plus aid from the British Second Tactical AF.
300+ B-26s and A-20s, with fighter escort, hit strongpoints and bridges over wide areas of E France and W Germany; fighters support ground forces of the US VII, XV, XIX, and XX Corps in E France and W Germany, and attack airfields, railroads, and numerous military targets in forward areas.
In France, HQ 394th Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 584th and 585th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Bricy to Cambrai/Niergnies with B-26s.
MONDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
HQ Ninth AF gives the Tactical Air Commands an initial attack list of 10 bridges on the US front; other lists follow.
30 9th Bombardment Division aircraft attack a rail bridge at Euskirchen, Germany; fighters provide escort and fly uneventful armed reconnaissance;
P-47s sent against airfields in Germany are recalled because of bad weather.
TUESDAY, 10 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather cancels daytime bomber and fighter operations.
IX Air Defense Command during the night of 10/11 Oct flies patrol over Belgium and W Germany.
WEDNESDAY, 11 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, 99 B-26s and A-20s, with fighter escort, sent to bomb the Camp-de-Bitche military camp are recalled when Pathfinder equipment malfunctions and weather prevents visual bombing.
In Germany, fighters fly armed reconnaissance, cut rail lines in the Aachen- Rhine area, and support the US VII and XIX Corps in the Aachen area, and US XII, XV, and XX Corps in the Metz-Saarlautern area.
In Luxembourg, the 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Montrevil, France to Sandweiler with F-6s.
THURSDAY, 12 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
HQ Ninth AF is delegated administrative (in addition to operational) control over HQ XII Tactical Air Command hitherto assumed by US Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSTAF).
Advanced HQ XIX Tactical Air Command arrives at Nancy, France, following the advance of the US Third Army.
Almost 250 B-26s and A-20s bomb Camp-de-Bitche, France military camp, rail bridges at Grevenbroich and Ahrweiler, Germany, city areas of Langerwehe and Aldenhoven, Germany, and Venraij, the Netherlands, and various targets of opportunity;
escorting fighters also fly armed reconnaissance and rail cutting in the Dusseldorf and Aachen, Germany and Belfort, France areas, and support the VIII, XII, XV, and XX Corps in E France and W Germany.
In France, the 14th Liaison Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command (attached to Third Army), moves from Gussainville to Nancy with L-5s;
the 365th, 366th and 367th Fighter Squadrons, 358th Fighter Group, based at Vitry-le-Francois, begins operating from St Dizier with P-47s;
the 586th and 587th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 394th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Bricy to Cambrai/Niergnies with B-26s.
FRIDAY, 13 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
9th Bombardment Division bombers hit bridges at Saarlouis, France, Roermond and Venlo, the Netherlands, and Euskirchen and Mayen, Germany, plus several targets of opportunity.
Escorting fighters also fly armed reconnaissance over the areas of Metz, France and extensively over W Germany, attacking railroads and other targets, and support the US First, Third, and Seventh Armies.
In France, HQ 323d Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 453d, 454th, 455th and 456th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Chartres to Laon/Athies with B-26s;
the 425th Night Fighter Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command, moves from Coulommiers to Prosnes with P-61s.
SATURDAY, 14 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Bad weather grounds the A-20s and B-26s; fighters escort a leaflet mission, fly sweeps and rail cutting operations, armed reconnaissance over E France and W Germany, and support the US Third Army.
SUNDAY, 15 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather prevents bomber operations; fighters fly rail cutting missions and support elements of the US First, Third, Seventh, and Ninth Armies in E France and W Germany.
MONDAY, 16 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Ninth AF advance HQ follows HQ Twelfth Army Group to Luxembourg. All operations are cancelled due to weather.
In France, HQ 358th Fighter Group and the 366th and 367th Fighter Squadrons move from Vitry-le-Francois to Mourmelon with P-47s.
TUESDAY, 17 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
All Rhine River rail and road bridges are cleared for attack; 2 days later Advance HQ prescribes bridges as having priority on the target list second only to rail lines.
In Germany, 35 B-26s hit rail bridge at Euskirchen; fighters escort the bombers, fly armed reconnaissance in the Strasbourg-Colmar-Mulhouse area, attack railroads in the Allendorf an der Lahn-Gemunden area, and marshalling yard at Dielkirchen.
In France, the 365th, 366th and 367th Fighter Squadrons, 358th Fighter Group, move from Vitry-le-Francois to Mourmelon with P-47s.
WEDNESDAY, 18 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather prevents operations of all commands (including the 9th Bombardment Division) except IX Tactical Air Command fighters which fly sweeps, rail cutting missions, and night patrols, and provide air cover for the US 1st Infantry Division in the Aachen, Germany area.
THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather prevents bomber operations; fighters attack a tank concentration E of Luneville, France, strafe targets NW of Kaiserslautern, Germany, fly reconnaissance in W Germany, and provide cover for US Third and Seventh Army forces in E France.
FRIDAY, 20 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In the Netherlands, the 9th Bombardment Division hits the Geertruidenberg/Parenboom and Moerdijk rail bridges; attacks on other targets are aborted because of bad weather.
Fighters fly armed reconnaissance over E France and widespread areas of W Germany, attack railroads and various military targets, and support US Third and Seventh Armies' elements in E France.
FRIDAY, 21 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Bad weather grounds the bombers.
Fighters fly armed reconnaissance and attack railroads in W Germany and support elements of the US Third and Seventh Armies in E France and W Germany.
In the Netherlands, the 125th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached to Ninth Army), moves from Arlon, Belgium to Maastricht with L-5s.
SUNDAY, 22 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Advance HQ XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) and HQ 84th and 303d Fighter Wings move from Arlon, Belgium to Maastricht, the Netherlands to maintain close association with the US Ninth Army.
Weather forbids bomber operations; fighter sweeps and armed reconnaissance support US Third and Seventh Army elements in E France and W Germany.
In Belgium, HQ 373d Fighter Group moves from Reims, France to Le Culot.
MONDAY, 23 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather prevents all commands, including the 9th Bombardment Division, from flight operations.
In Belgium, HQ 36th Fighter Group moves from Juvincourt, France to Le Culot.
In France, HQ 71st Fighter Wing moves from Versailles to Vittel.
TUESDAY, 24 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In France, bad weather cancels all operations except fighter patrols by the IX and XXIX Tactical Air Commands over W Germany; the fighters attack rail targets.
In Belgium, the 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to First Army), moves from Verviers to Spa with L-5s;
the 410th and 411th Fighter Squadrons, 373d Fighter Group, moves from Reims, France to Le Culot with P-47s.
WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
HQ First Tactical Air Force (Provisional) is established, but not yet organized, therefore HQ Ninth AF continues to administer, supply, and control all XII Tactical Air Command and assigned units until mid Nov when the First Tactical AF assumes full control.
9th Bombardment Division's missions are cancelled because of bad weather.
Fighters fly sweeps, hit rail and military targets in the Saarbrucken, Germany area, and support the US XIX Corps in W Germany.
THURSDAY, 26 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
No bomber operations as bad weather prevails; fighters sweep areas of E France and W Germany from Metz, France to Cologne, Germany, attacking rail and road traffic, rail bridges, and marshalling yards.
The 112th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached to SHAEF), based at Buc, France with UC-78s and L-5s, send a flight to operate from Namur, Belgium.
FRIDAY, 27 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Brigadier General William L Richardson reassumes command of the IX Air Defense Command.
Adverse weather prevents all operations except patrols by XIX Tactical Air Command and supply dropping missions (to VI Corps near Saint-Die, France) by the XII Tactical Air Command.
In Belgium, the 22d Fighter Squadron, 36th Fighter Group, moves from Juvincourt, France to Le Culot with P-47s; the 412th Fighter Squadron, 373d Fighter Group, moves from Reims, France to Le Culot.
In France, the 394th Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, moves from Clastres to Juvincourt with P-38s.
SATURDAY, 28 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
HQ 9th Bombardment Division moves from Chartres to Reims, France.
In Germany, 45 B-26s bomb rail bridges at Sinzig, Kempenich, and Ahrweiler, and airfield at Euskirchen; fighters escort the bombers, fly sweeps and armed reconnaissance over W Germany, attack 6 bridges and 1 tunnel, and support US XIX Corps in Belgium near the German border.
In Belgium, the 23d Fighter Squadron, 36th Fighter Group, moves from Juvincourt, France to Le Culot with P-47s.
In France, HQ 367th Fighter Group and the 392d and 393d Fighter Squadrons move from Clastres to Juvincourt with P-38s.
SUNDAY, 29 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
About 170 B-26s and A-20s bomb rail bridges at Mayen, Konz-Karthaus, and Euskirchen, Germany and Ellern and Moerdijk, the Netherlands; fighters fly escort to bombers, sweeps, defensive patrols, armed reconnaissance over wide areas of E France, the Netherlands, and Germany, bomb rail targets and bridges, and fly cover for the US XIX Corps in Belgium.
In Belgium, HQ 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group and the 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron move from Luxembourg, Luxembourg to Le Culot with F-6s.
MONDAY, 30 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
B-26s are recalled from a mission (mainly against bridges) because of bad weather; fighters fly patrols and armed reconnaissance over NE France and in W Germany around Aachen and the Rhine River;
XIX Tactical Air Command escorts B-26s and heavy bombers of the Eighth AF.
In France, HQ 387th Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Chateaudun to Clastres.
TUESDAY, 31 OCTOBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather forbids bomber operations and limits fighters; the XII and XIX Tactical Air Commands fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance over E France and W Germany; the XII Tactical Air Command also supports US Seventh Army elements in the Metz, France area.
In Belgium, the 161st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Sandwieler, Luxembourg to Le Culot with F-6 and P-51s.
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
