Air War WW2 Portal 
9th Air Force Europe in February 1945
THURSDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 1945
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
During Feb 45, HQ 438th Troop Carrier Group and the 87th, 88th, 89th and 90th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Greenham Common, England to Prosnes, France with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
146 B-26s, A-26s, and A-20s bomb rail bridges and defended areas on the Rhine and Mosel Rivers and in W Germany near the battlefront.
The IX and XIX Tactical Air Commands escort the bombers, fly armed reconnaissance, and in Germany, attack the Euskirchen marshalling yard and the town of Arloff.
In France, HQ 98th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium) moves from Athies Airfield, Laon to Havrincourt and HQ 367th Fighter Group moves from Juvincourt to St-Dizier.
FRIDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
350+ B-26s, A-26s, and A-20s bomb road and rail bridges to block the E-W movement E of the Rhine River and defended localities E of the battlefront in W Germany;
fighters hit bridges and fly escort, armed reconnaissance and patrols, and support US Third Army elements along the Our River in Belgium and the Sauer River in Germany.
In France, HQ 406th Fighter Group and the 513th Fighter Squadron move from Mourmelon-le-Grand to Metz with P-47s;
the 393d Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, moves from Juvincourt to St Dizier with P-38s.
SATURDAY, 3 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, the 9th Bombardment Division attacks the Berg-Gladbach storage and repair depot, Dahlem communications center, rail bridges at Ahrweiler and Sinzig, and marshalling yard at Junkerath;
fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division, fly patrols, and carry out armed reconnaissance over W Germany.
In France, the 394th Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, moves from Juvincourt to St Dizier with P-38s.
SUNDAY, 4 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, the 9th Bombardment Division attacks a repair depot at Mechernich, the Arloff road and rail junction, and flies a leaflet mission.
The IX and XIX Tactical Air Commands patrol the battle area.
The 158th Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Twelfth Army Group) arrives at Somme-Suippe, France from England with L-5s.
MONDAY, 5 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather cancels all operations except IX Tactical Air Command fighter patrols over the US First Army area around Butgenbach, Belgium.
TUESDAY, 6 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 261 B-26s, A-20s and A-26s attack the Rheinbach ammunition dump, Sotenich communications center, Vlatten defended village, Berg-Gladbach motor transport center, and several casual targets;
fighters fly armed reconnaissance, alert flights and patrols, dive-bomb the Horrem bridge, cut rails, and escort the 9th Bombardment Division bombers.
The 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, ceases operating from Conflans, France with F-6s and returns to base at Le Culot, Belgium.
In France, the 392d Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group, moves from Juvincourt to St Dizier with P-38s.
Units moving from France to Belgium with P-47s:
the 509th and 510th Fighter Squadrons, 405th Fighter Group, from St Dizier to Ophoven;
the 513th and 514th Fighter Squadrons, 406th Fighter Group, from Metz to Asch.
WEDNESDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
16 B-26s strike the rail siding at Lipp, Germany; weather cancels other operations.
The 39th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Ninth AF, moves from Valenciennes to Amand, France with F-5s (first mission is 16 Mar).
THURSDAY, 8 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
320+ B-26s, A-20s, and A-26s strike a road junction, marshalling yard, 3 defended areas, and 10 casual targets in Germany.
Fighters fly armed reconnaissance, bomb numerous ground targets, and support the US XII Corps which has, on 7 Feb, crossed the Our and Sauer Rivers between Vianden and Echternach, Luxembourg and established bridgeheads.
HQ 406th Fighter Group and the 512th Fighter Squadron move from Metz, France to Assche, Belgium with P-47s.
The 39th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Ninth AF, based at St Amand, France with F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Le Culot, Belgium.
FRIDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 347 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s bomb communications centers at Viersen and Kempen, marshalling yards at Rheydt, Grevenbroich, and Viersen, and rail bridges at Neuwied-Irlich and Sinzig.
Fighters fly armed reconnaissance over the E and W of the Rhine River, attack rail bridges, and support US XII Corps bridgeheads across the Our and Sauer Rivers.
In France, HQ 323d Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 453d, 454th, 455th and 456th Bombardment Squadrons move from Athies Airfield, Laon to Prouvy Airfield, Denain and Valenciennes (454th) with B-26s;
HQ 410th Bombardment Group (Light) and the 644th, 645th, 646th and 647th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) move from Coulommiers to Juvincourt with A-20s;
and the 669th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 416th Bombardment Group (Light) moves from Melun to Athies Airfield, Laon with A-26s.
HQ 405th Fighter Group and the 511th Fighter Squadron move from St Dizier, France to Ophoven, Belgium with P-47s.
SATURDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 320+ bombers of the 9th Bombardment Division attack communications centers at Kempen, Horrem, and Euskirchen, vehicle center and depot at Munstereifeland at Berg-Gladbach, and several casual targets including rail bridge at Bullay;
fighters escort the bombers, fly patrols and armed reconnaissance, bomb bridges, attack railroad cars and other targets, and support the US VIII and XII Corps in the Prum area on the Prum River and in the bridgehead area E of the Sauer River NW of Echternach, Luxembourg.
In France, HQ 416th Bombardment Group (Light) and the 668th and 670th Bombardment Squadrons (Light) move from Melun to Athies Airfield, Laon with A-26s;
the 39th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Ninth AF, based at St Amand with F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Jarny (another flight is at Le Culot, Belgium).
SUNDAY, 11 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 97 B-26s and A-20s bomb the Bingen and Modrath marshalling yards; fighters fly armed reconnaissance and patrols, attack special targets and targets of opportunity, and attack in cooperation with the US XII Corps across the Sauer River NW of Echternach, Luxembourg.
The flight of the 112th Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to HQ Command, SHAFE), operating from Namur, Belgium with UC-78s and L-5s, returns to base at Buc, France.
MONDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 1945
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
HQ 434th Troop Carrier Group and the 71st, 72d, 73d and 74th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Aldermaston, England to Mourmelon-le-Grand, France with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
All combat operations cancelled because of bad weather.
In France, HQ 409th Bombardment Group (Light) and the 640th, 641st, 642d and 643d Bombardment Squadrons move from Bretigny to Couvron Airfield, Laon with A-26s.
TUESDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 1945
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
HQ 435th Troop Carrier Group moves from Welford Park, England to Bretigny, France.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 320+ B-26s, A-26s, and A-20s, attack rail bridges at Sinzig, Neuwied-Irlich, and Euskirchen, military transport depots at Schwelm and Iserlohn, defended points at Wittlich, and targets of opportunity;
fighters escort the A-20s, A-26 and B-26s, bomb the Neuss and Zieverich bridges and other targets, fly armed reconnaissance, and support Third Army elements from Prum to Saarlautern along the Our and Sauer Rivers, and Saar River bridgehead areas.
In France, HQ 97th Combat Bombardment Wing (Light) moves from Voisenon to Marchais;
the 39th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Ninth AF, based at Amand with F-5s, sends a flight to operate from Gosselies, Belgium (another flight is operating from Jarny);
and the 405th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group, moves from Tantonville to Metz with P-47s.
The 155th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves from St Dizier, France to Le Culot, Belgium with A-20s and F-3s.
WEDNESDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 600+ A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s attack rail bridges, a marshalling yard, communications centers, an ammunition dump, a prime mover depot, and several targets of opportunity in morning and afternoon missions aimed primarily at obstructing enemy movement and supply;
fighters fly armed reconnaissance over wide areas, escort the bombers bombers, attack river traffic, bridges, and other targets, and support US Third Army elements E of the Our and Sauer Rivers.
THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, around 90 B-26s bomb Sinzig and Mayen rail bridges and 4 targets of opportunity in the area;
fighters patrol points along the battlefront, attack railroads and other special targets, fly armed reconnaissance and support the US VII, VIII, XII, and XX Corps along the Roer and Prum Rivers and in the Saar River bridgehead area.
In France, HQ 371st Fighter Group and the 404th and 406th Fighter Squadrons move from Tantonville to Metz with P-47s;
and the 671st Bombardment Squadron (Light), 416th Bombardment Group (Light), moves from Melun to Athies Airfield, Laon with A-26s.
FRIDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 1945
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
The 77th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Welford Park, England to Bretigny, France with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 300+ B-26s and A-20s bomb the Mayen, rail bridge, Rees communications center, Solingen turbo-jet component works, Unna ordnance depot, and a target of opportunity;
fighters escort the bombers, fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance, attack bridge, railroads, and other special targets; the XIX Tactical Air Command also supports the US VIII, XII, and XX Corps W of the Prum River, E of the Sauer River, and in the Saarlautern area.
The 158th Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Twelfth Army Group), moves from Somme-Suippe, France to Celles, Belgium with L-1s, L-4s and L-5s.
SATURDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 31 B-26s strike the Mayen rail bridge and a target of opportunity at Reinfeld; fighters of the IX and XIX Tactical Air Commands fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance;
the XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) cancels operations due to bad weather.
SUNDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 60+ B-26s bomb the Dottesfeld rail bridge, a target of opportunity at Daun, and 5 other targets of opportunity as the 9th Bombardment Division starts a campaign to isolate the Ruhr;
the XIX Tactical Air Command escorts the B-26s and flies weather reconnaissance and armed reconnaissance; the IX and XXIX Tactical Air Commands are grounded because of weather.
MONDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 1945
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
The 76th and 78th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 435th Troop Carrier Group, move from Welford Park, England to Bretigny, France with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, B-26s, A-26s, and A-20s, strike the Mechernich prime mover depot, rail bridges at Pracht, Niederscheld, and Neuwied-Irlich, the Wiesbaden ordnance depot, and 4 targets of opportunity;
fighters escort the bombers, attack railroads and bridges, fly armed reconnaissance and alerts, and cooperate with the VIII, XII, and XX Corps E of the Our River, between the Westwall and the Prum River, and in the Saar-Mosel triangle.
The 167th Liaison Squadron, Ninth Air Force (attached to the Sixth Army Group), is activated at Vittel, France with L-4s and L-5s.
TUESDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 1945
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
HQ 53d Troop Carrier Wing moves from Greenham Common, England to Voisenon, France.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
The IX Engineer Command is relieved of its assignment to the Ninth AF and assigned to US Strategic Air Forces in Europe (USSTAF). (After V-E the command will revert to control of the Ninth.)
Weather grounds the 9th Bombardment Division; in Germany, fighters fly armed reconnaissance E and W of the Rhine River, attack a bridge and defended area, and support the US VIII, XII, and XX Corps in the Lichtenborn area, W of the Prum River, and in the Saar-Mosel triangle.
WEDNESDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1945
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
Units moving from England to France with C-47s: 75th Troop Carrier Squadron, 435th Troop Carrier Group, from Welford Park to Bretigny and 79th Troop Carrier Squadron, 436th Troop Carrier Group, from Membury to Melun.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
Units moving from Italy to France with P-47s: 522d, 523d and 524th Fighter Squadrons, 27th Fighter Group, from Pontedera to St Dizier;
526th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, from Pisa to Tantonville.
Ninth Air Force:
In Germany, the 9th Bombardment Division hits rail a overpass and bridges, an oil storage depot, marshalling yards, communications centers, and 13 targets of opportunity;
1,100+ fighter sorties are completed as the IX, XIX, and XXIX Tactical Air Commands escort the bomber, attack railroads, airfield, and other selected targets, fly armed reconnaissance over wide areas including the US First Army area between Duren and Losheim, and support the VIII, XII, and XX Corps along the Prum River, the West wall, and in the Saar-Mosel triangle.
THURSDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
HQ 27th Fighter Group moves from Tarquinia, Italy to St Dizier, France.
Ninth Air Force:
In Operation CLARION, 450+ A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s of the 9th Bombardment Division bomb SW German targets including 46 rail bridges, 12 marshalling yards, 11 stations, plus junctions, roundhouses, a viaduct, a crossing, a workshop; this marks the first low-level operations by B-26s since May 43;
1,000+ fighters of the IX, XIX, and XXIX Tactical Air Commands escort the bombers, attack several assigned ground targets, fly armed reconnaissance, and cooperate with the US VIII, XII, and XX Corps along the Prum River and in the Saar-Mosel Triangle.
FRIDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
The 527th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group moves from Pisa, Italy to Tantonville, France with P-47s.
Ninth Air Force:
The 9th Bombardment Division hits communications centers E of the Roer River as the US Ninth Army crosses the river and begins an assault (Operation GRENADE) toward the Rhine River;
fighters fly armed reconnaissance, patrols, and alerts and support the US 104th and 8th Infantry Divisions near Duren, Germany, the XIII and XIX Corps' attack across the Roer at Linnich and Rurdorf, Germany, and the VIII, XII, and XX Corps at the Prum River, E of the Our River, and E of the Saar River.
SATURDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, nearly 500 B-26s, A-20s and A-26s hit 5 communications centers, 2 marshalling yards, 3 rail bridges, 6 town areas, and a target of opportunity as part of interdiction operations against troops during the Rhineland campaign;
fighters support the 8th and 104th Infantry Divisions in the Duren area, the XIII and XIX Corps at the Roer River bridgehead area, and the VIII, XII, and XX Corps E of and along the Prum River and in the Saarlautern area.
SUNDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 1945
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
HQ 437th Troop Carrier Group and the 83d, 84th, 85th and 86th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Ramsbury, England to Voisins Airfield, Coulommiers, France with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, the 9th Bombardment Division strikes 4 rail bridges, 4 communications centers, a marshalling yard and 9 targets of opportunity as part of the interdiction campaign against Germany;
fighters escort the bombers, attack assigned ground targets, fly armed reconnaissance, and support the 8th and 104th Infantry Divisions in the Duren area, the XIII and XlX Corps E of the Roer River, and the VIII, XII, and XX Corps along the Prum and Saar Rivers.
MONDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 1945
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
HQ 436th Troop Carrier Group and the 80th, 81st and 82d Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Membury, England to Melun, France with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 235 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s attack the communications center at Wickrath, rail and road junctions at Zieverich and Gladbach, a supply and ammunition depot (casual target), the towns of Kapellen, Viersen, and Munstereifel, and targets of opportunity; weather limits fighter operations to armed reconnaissance flights in the Aschaffenburg-Wurzburg area by the XIX Tactical Air Command.
TUESDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 118 A-20s, A-26s and B-26s attack the Ahrweiler rail bridge, communications centers at Glessen, Munstereifel, and Monheim, and a target of opportunity; fighters fly leaflet missions, attack Frankfurt/Main oil storage tanks, fly alerts, and strafe from W of Duisburg to Worringen;
the XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) also flies support for the XIII and XIX Corps SW and S of Monchen-Gladbach.
WEDNESDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 1945
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
Units moving from England to France: HQ 313th Troop Carrier Group from Folkingham to Achiet; HQ 314th Troop Carrier Group and the 32d and 61st Troop Carrier Squadrons from Saltby to Poix with C-47s.
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 340+ A-20s, B-26s and A-26s bomb rail bridges at Mayen, Niederscheld, and Colbe, the Unna ordnance depot, Kamp road junction, Siegen and Sankt Wendel marshalling yards, the town of Rheinburg, and targets of opportunity;
fighters escort the bombers, fly sweeps, patrols and armed reconnaissance, attack special targets, and support the US 3d Armored Division at the Paffendorf bridgehead, US Ninth Army elements near Monchen-Gladbach and Neuss [the 2d Armored Division reaches a point within 6 miles (9.7 km) of the Rhine River], and the VIII, XII, and XX Corps between the Prum and Kyll Rivers and near Trier.
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
