Air War WW2 Portal 
9th Air Force Europe in January 1945
MONDAY, 1 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
The Luftwaffe launches an attack of 700-800 aircraft against Ninth AF and Allied airfields, mainly in the Brussels, Belgium and Eindhoven, the Netherlands areas, and to a lesser degree in the Metz, France area; 127 operational Allied aircraft are destroyed; Allied fighters claim 160 air victories while AA claims 300.
190 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s hit rail bridges, communications centers, a road junction, a command post, and HQ, all in Belgium and Germany; fighters escort 9th Bombardment Division and Eighth AF bombers, fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance (claiming 39 air victories and numerous ground targets destroyed) and support the US III, VII, and XII Corps between Saint-Hubert, Belgium and the Mosel River, Germany.
In France, the detachment of the 72d Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Sixth Army Group), ceases operating from Steinbourg with L-5s and returns to base at Buhl.
During Jan 45, HQ XIX Tactical Air Command moves from France to Luxembourg.
TUESDAY, 2 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): The 314th, 315th and 316th Fighter Squadrons, 324th Fighter Group, move from Tavaux to Luneville, France with P-47s.
Ninth Air Force: 135 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s hit rail bridges and communications centers in Belgium and Germany; fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division, fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance and support the US III and VIII Corps in the Bastogne, Belgium area and the XII Corps S of the Clerf River, Luxembourg, and W of the Sauer River in Germany.
The 72d Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Sixth Army Group), moves from Buhl to Epinal, France with L-5s.
WEDNESDAY, 3 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
All combat operations are cancelled because of weather.
THURSDAY, 4 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): HQ 324th Fighter Group moves from Tavaux to Luneville, France.
Ninth Air Force: All combat operations, except a defensive patrol by 4 fighters, are cancelled because of bad weather.
The 161st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, ceases operating from Conflans, France and returns to base at Le Culot, Belgium with F-6s.
FRIDAY, 5 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
The 9th Bombardment Division attacks rail bridges at Ahrweiler, Simmern, and Bullay, Germany and communications centers at Gouvy, Houffalize, and near Durler, Belgium, and Massen, Luxembourg.
Fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division and VIII Bomber Command, fly armed reconnaissance, attack airfields, communications centers, traffic concentrations, and other targets, and support the US III and VIII Corps W and E of Bastogne and the 2d and 3d Armored Divisions near Manhay, Belgium.
HQ 368th Fighter Group and the 395th, 396th and 397th Fighter Squadrons move from Juvincourt to Metz, France with P-47s.
SATURDAY, 6 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS: (Ninth Air Force):
26 bombers of the 9th Bombardment Division strike Prum, Germany. Bad weather prevents all fighter operations.
SUNDAY, 7 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) fighters escort VIII Bomber Command bombers.
All other commands and the 9th Bombardment Division cancel operations as the weather is bad.
MONDAY, 8 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather prevents operations.
The 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group), moves from Tongres to Rutten, Belgium with L-5s.
TUESDAY, 9 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 15 B-26s bomb the Rinnthal rail bridge with the aim of isolating 3 enemy armored divisions in the Landau area;
XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) fighters escort the B-26s. Weather prevents other operations.
WEDNESDAY, 10 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
30+ B-26s sent against communications center and road bridge abort due to weather;
the XIX Tactical Air Command escorts the B-26s, flies patrols, attacks bridges and other targets and supports the US III, VIII, XII, and XX Corps in the Saint-Hubert, Belgium-Bastogne, Belgium-Wiltz, Luxembourg area, in the Diekirch and Echternach area of Luxembourg and points to the SE.
THURSDAY, 11 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
About 120 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s attack communications centers and rail bridges in Belgium and Germany; fighters escort the bombers, hit an ammunition dump at Mayen, Germany, and patrol areas around Malmedy, Belgium and NE of Trier, Germany.
FRIDAY, 12 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
All combat operations are cancelled because of weather.
SATURDAY, 13 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 95 9th Bombardment Division bombers strike road and rail bridges at Dasburg, Steinebruck, and Simmern to disrupt enemy movements; fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division, Eighth AF, and RAF bombers, fly armed reconnaissance and patrols, and bomb and strafe numerous ground targets.
The IX Tactical Air Command supports the US VII Corps near Houffalize, Belgium, the XIX Tactical Air Command supports the US III, VIII, XII, and XX Corps elements in the Saint- Hubert, Belgium-Bastogne, Belgium-Wiltz, Luxembourg areas and points E and S near the Clerf River, Luxembourg and the Mosel River, Germany.
SUNDAY, 14 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
280+ A-20s and B-26s strike bridges and communications centers in the base area of the Ardennes salient and in other areas of W Germany.
Fighters escort 9th Bombardment Division and Eighth AF bombers, fly armed reconnaissance and patrols, attack numerous ground targets, and support the US First Army in the Vielsalm, Belgium area and the US Third Army around Diekirch, Luxembourg.
MONDAY, 15 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): HQ 64th Fighter Wing moves from Ludres to Nancy, France.
Ninth Air Force: In Germany, 16 B-26s hit the Simmern bridge to help thwart movement in the Trier area;
the XIX Tactical Air Command escorts the B-26s, flies armed reconnaissance and patrols, and supports the US III and VIII Corps in the Houffalize, Belgium-Bastogne, Belgium-Wiltz, Luxembourg areas.
TUESDAY, 16 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
311 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s hit road and rail bridges, communications centers, motor transport repair center, and other targets in Germany;
fighters escort 9th Bombardment Division and Eighth AF bombers, fly armed reconnaissance and defensive patrols, and support US First Army elements along the battleline NE of Houffalize, Belgium, and the III Corps along the battleline SE of Houffalize.
WEDNESDAY, 17 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather cancels all bomber operations and limits the fighters;
the XIX Tactical Air Command flies a night patrol while the IX Tactical Air Command flies a leaflet mission and patrols the XIX Corps area around the Hurtgen Forest, Germany.
THURSDAY, 18 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
HQ IX Tactical Air Command returns to operational control of the Ninth AF (from the RAF Second Tactical AF) as the US First Army returns from the Twenty First Army Group to the Twelfth Army Group.
In Belgium, HQ IX Tactical Air Command (Rear) returns to Verviers from Charleroi.
Weather prevents all Ninth AF operations except for alert flights by 11 fighters of the IX and XXIX Tactical Air Commands.
The 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group), moves from Rutten to Spa, Belgium with L-5s.
FRIDAY, 19 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Bad weather cancels bomber operations;
fighters fly patrols and armed reconnaissance;
the XIX Tactical Air Command also supports elements of the US III and VIII Corps NE of Houffalize, Belgium and around Clervaux, Luxembourg, and the 5th Infantry Division around Bettendorf, Germany.
SATURDAY, 20 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Bomber operations are cancelled due to weather;
fighters fly armed reconnaissance, alerts, and night patrol;
the IX Tactical Air Command also supports the 7th Armored Division on the Dutch-German boundary.
SUNDAY, 21 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 166 A-26s, A-20s, and B-26s hit a rail junction and bridge at Euskirchen and marshalling yard and defended positions at Mayen;
fighters fly armed reconnaissance, escort bombers, bomb bridges, and support the US 7th Armored Division.
MONDAY, 22 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
304 B-26s, A-26s, and A-20s bomb a marshalling yard, railhead, and road and rail bridges in Germany with the aim of obstructing troop movement;
fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division, fly armed reconnaissance and sweeps and airfield cover, and support the US 7th Armored Division near Montfort, the Netherlands;
the III, VIII, and XII Corps from S of Saint-Vith, Belgium along the battlefront to NW of Echternach, Luxembourg; and the 4th, 5th, 94th, and 95th Infantry Divisions from Echternach, Luxembourg S to just W of Saarlautern, Germany.
In Belgium, HQ 70th Fighter Wing moves from Liege to Verviers.
In France, the 514th Fighter Squadron, 406th Fighter Group, based at Mourmelon with P-47s, begins operating from Prosnes.
TUESDAY, 23 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, a small B-26 force hits troop concentrations, a road bridge, and military transport targets at Blankenheim, Dasburg, and Arzfeld. Fighters fly armed reconnaissance, alert flights, and patrols, and support the US III, VIII, and XII Corps and 4th, 94th, and 95th Infantry Divisions from S of Saint-Vith, Belgium, S and E along the battleline to just W of Saarlautern, Germany.
WEDNESDAY, 24 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
25 9th Bombardment Division bombers hit communications centers at Schleiden, Stadtkyll, and Pronsfeld, Germany;
fighters fly armed reconnaissance, sweeps, airfield cover, and bomb 1 bridge;
the XIX Tactical Air Command supports US III, VIII, XII, and XX Corps elements along the battlefront at several points from SW of Saint-Vith, Belgium to the Saarlautern, Germany area.
The 39th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Ninth AF, arrives at Valenciennes, France from the US with F-5s.
THURSDAY, 25 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
170 A-20s and B-26s hit communications centers and railroad bridges, overpasses, and lines in W Germany with the aim of harassing and obstructing troop movement; fighters of the 3 Tactical Air Commands fly armed reconnaissance, alerts and night patrols, escort bombers, and attack numerous ground targets;
the XIX Tactical Air Command supports the US 5th Infantry Division in the Echternach, Luxembourg area.
FRIDAY, 26 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 27 B-26s bomb the Euskirchen rail bridge to interdict rail traffic SW from Euskirchen, much of which comes from Cologne and Bonn.
The 3 Tactical Air Commands fly armed reconnaissance, alert flights, and patrols; the XIX Tactical Air Command supports US Third Army elements from S of Saint-Vith, Belgium to W of Saarlautern, Germany.
SATURDAY, 27 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather grounds the 9th Bombardment Division and the XIX Tactical Air Command;
the IX and XXIX Tactical Air Commands fly armed reconnaissance over the battle area and parts of W Germany, along with alert flights and a leaflet mission.
In Belgium, HQ 370th Fighter Group and the 401st, 402d and 485th Fighter Squadrons move from Juzaine Airfield, Florennes to Zwartberg with P-38s.
The 388th Fighter Squadron, 365th Fighter Group, moves from Metz, France to Juzaine Airfield, Florennes, Belgium.
SUNDAY, 28 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 95 9th Bombardment Division B-26s hit a communications center at Mayen, rail bridges and an overpass at Eller, Sinzig, Remagen, and Kaiserslautern, targets of opportunity in W Germany, and fly cover for US First Army forces on the frontline in the Monschau-Butgenbach area.
MONDAY, 29 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
Brigadier General Glenn O Barcus becomes Commanding General XII Tactical Air Command.
Ninth Air Force: 364 A-20s, B-26s, and A-26s bomb rail bridges, supply and communications centers, and defended areas in W Germany; fighters escort the bombers, fly armed reconnaissance and patrols and support US Third Army units at points along the frontlines from S of Saint-Vith, Belgium to the bridgehead area around Saarlautern, Germany.
TUESDAY, 30 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather cancels bomber operations.
Fighters fly nightfighter and intruder reconnaissance missions; fighter cover for the US 5th Armored Division W of Gemund, Germany is recalled during the day.
HQ 365th Fighter Group and the 386th Fighter Squadron move from Metz, France to Juzaine Airfield, Florennes, Belgium with P-47s.
WEDNESDAY, 31 JANUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
All operations are cancelled due to weather.
The 387th Fighter Squadron, 365th Fighter Group, moves from Metz, France to Juzaine Airfield, Florennes, Belgium with P-47s.
In France, the 512th and 514th Fighter Squadrons, 406th Fighter Group, move from Mourmelon- le-Grand to Metz with P-47s (the 514th has been operating from Prosnes since 22 Jan).
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
