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9th Air Force Europe in April 1945
SUNDAY, 1 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
Unit moves: HQ 64th Fighter Wing from Nancy, France to Edenkoben, Germany;
HQ 320th Bombardment Group (Medium), from Longvic Airfield, Dijon to Tavaux Airfield, Dole, France.
Ninth Air Force:
No bomber operations due to weather.
In Germany, fighters fly patrols, armed reconnaissance, and support the US 3d and 9th Armored Divisions in the Paderborn-Lippstadt and Warburg areas, the XX Corps astride and E of the Fulda River, and the XII Corps which reaches the Werra River W of Meiningen.
The 72d Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Sixth Army Group), moves from Kaiserlautern to Darmstadt, Germany with L-5s.
During Apr 45, the following units move:
- HQ IX Fighter Command from Bruhl to Weimar, Germany;
- HQ 9th Bombardment Division (Medium) from Reims, France to Namur, Belgium;
- and HQ 99th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium) from Beaumont, France to Tirlemont, Belgium.
MONDAY, 2 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
Unit moves: - HQ 358th Fighter Group from Toul, France to Sandhofen, Germany;
- HQ 69th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and 22d and 111th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons from Nancy and Azelot, France respectively to Haguenau, France with F-6s;
- 441st, 442d, 443d and 444th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 320th Bombardment Group (Medium), from Longvic Airfield, Dijon to Tavaux Airfield, Dole, France with B-26s.
Ninth Air Force:
Weather prevents operations by the 9th Bombardment Division and XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional).
In Germany, the IX and XIX Tactical Air Commands fly patrols and armed reconnaissance over wide expanses of Germany claiming 17 airplanes downed and the IX Tactical Air Command supports the US 9th Armored Division at the Diemel River bridgehead near Warburg.
Unit moves:
- 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) (attached to 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group) from Euren to Ober Olm, Germany with F-6s;
- 30th Photographic Reconnaissance and 109th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, from Vogelsang to Limburg, Germany with F-5s and F-6s respectively;
- 39th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Ninth AF [attached to 9th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (Provisional)] from Jarny, France to Maastricht, the Netherlands with F-5s.
TUESDAY, 3 APRIL 1945
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
The 23d, 313th and 314th Troop Carrier Squadrons, 349th Troop Carrier Group, arrive at Barkston, England from the US with C-47s.
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
Unit moves in France:
- 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 69th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, from Nancy to Haguenau with F-6s (first mission is 17 Apr);
- 34th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, XII Tactical Air Command (attached to Provisional Reconnaissance Group), form Azelot to Haguenau with F-5s.
Ninth Air Force:
In Germany, about 230 B-26s, A-20s and A-26s attack Holzminden and Hameln marshalling yards, the town of Gottingen, 2 targets of opportunity, and fly a leaflet mission;
fighters fly escort, fly patrols and armed reconnaissance, support the US 9th Armored Division in the Warburg area, the XX Corps E of the Werra River toward Muhlhausen and in the Kassel area, the XII Corps in the Gotha and Suhl areas, and the 2d and 8th Armored Divisions in the Teutoburger Forest and Neuhaus;
Unit moves:
- HQ XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) to Haltern;
- HQ 84th and 303d Fighter Wings from Munchen-Gladbach to Haltern;
- 14th Liaison Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group), from Oberstein to Berkersheim with L-5s;
- 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), from Trier to Ober Olm with F-6s;
- 507th and 508th Fighter Squadrons, 404th Fighter Group, from St Trond, Belgium to Keltz with P-47s.
WEDNESDAY, 4 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
The 405th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group, moves from Metz, France to Eschborn Airfield, Frankfurt, Germany with P-47s.
Ninth Air Force:
HQ XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) returns to the operational control of HQ Ninth AF (from the RAF Second Tactical AF) as the US Ninth Army reverts to control of the Twelfth Army Group (from the Twenty First Army Group); the British ground and air HQ have operationally controlled the XXIX Tactical Air Command and Ninth Army since shortly after the Ardennes breakthrough and the Battle of the Bulge.
In Germany, 330+ B-26s, A-20s and A-26s hit the Ebrach oil depot, Crailsheim marshalling yard and barracks area, Grossaspach supply depot, the town of Ellswangen, Backnang rail and road junction, and 2 targets of opportunity;
fighters escort the bombers, fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance, attack special targets, and support the US 104th Infantry Division at Scherfede and Hardehausen, the 9th Armored Division in the Warburg area, the XX Corps in the Muhlhausen-Kassel areas, the 2d and 5th Armored Divisions in the Hameln and Minden areas on the Weser River, and the 8th Armored Division as it assaults the Ruhr pocket in the Lippstadt area.
Units moving:
- the 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, from Vogelsang to Limburg, Germany with F-6s;
- the 125th Liaison Squadron, IX Fighter Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group), from Munchen-Gladen to Haltern, Germany with L-5s;
- the 155th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, from Le Culot, Belgium to Maastricht, the Netherlands with F-3s;
- the 355th Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, from Rosieres-en-Haye, France to Ober Olm, Germany with P-51s;
- and the 494th, 495th and 496th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 344th Bombardment Group (Medium), from Cormeilles-en-Vexin, France to Juzaine Airfield, Florennes, Belgium with B-26s.
THURSDAY, 5 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
Unit moves:
- HQ 27th Fighter Group and 522d and 524th Fighter Squadrons from Ochey, France to Biblis, Germany with P-47s;
- 406th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group from Metz, France to Eschborn Airfield, Frankfurt, Germany with P-47s;
- 417th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing [attached to First Tactical AF (Provisional)] from La Vallon to St Dizier, France with Beaufighters.
Ninth Air Force:
Weather prevents operations by the 9th Bombardment Division. In Germany, fighters fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance, and support the US 7th Armored Division's attack on the Ruhr pocket SW of Brilon, the XX Corps' drive E in the Muhlhausen area, the XII Corps' advance in the Meiningen area, the 2d Armored Division bridgehead astride the Weser River S of Hameln, the 8th Armored Division (preparing for an assault on Soest), and the 5th Armored Division near Minden.
Units moving:
- HQ 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) and the 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron from Evren Airfield, Trier to Ober Olm, Germany with F-5s;
- HQ 344th Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 497th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) from Cormeilles-en-Vexin, France to Juzaine Airfield, Florennes, Belgium with B-26s;
- the 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group) from Bad Godesberg to Marburg, Germany with L-5s;
- the 167th Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Sixth Army Group) from Vittel, France to Kaiserslautern, Germany with L-5s;
- the 450th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 322d Bombardment Group (Medium), from Tille Airfield, Beauvais, France to Le Culot, Belgium with B-26s.
FRIDAY, 6 APRIL 1945
AIRBORNE OPERATIONS (IX Troop Carrier Command):
HQ 315th Troop Carrier Group and the 34th, 309th and 310th Troop Carrier Squadrons move from Stanhoe, England to Amiens, France with C-47s.
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
The 523d Fighter Squadron, 27th Fighter Group, moves form Ochey Airfield, Toul, France to Biblis, Germany with P-47s.
Ninth Air Force:
In Germany, 99 B-26s, A-20s and A-26s hit marshalling yards at Gottingen and Northeim and the city area of Herzberg, and drop leaflets over 3 city areas;
fighters fly escort, alerts, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance, and support the US VIII Corps in the Eisenach area, and the XX Corps E of the Werra River near Muhlhausen.
Unit moves:
- 422d Night Fighter Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command, from Florennes, Belgium to Strassfeld, Germany with P-61s;
- 451st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 322d Bombardment Group (Medium), from Beauvais Airfield, Tille, France to Le Culot, Belgium with B-26s.
SATURDAY, 7 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
Unit moves from France to Germany:
- HQ 63d Fighter Wing from Vittel to Heidelberg;
- HQ 371st Fighter Group and 404th Fighter Squadron from Metz to Eschborn Airfield, Frankfurt with P-47s;
- 365th Fighter Squadron, 358th Fighter Group from Toul to Sandhofen with P-47s.
Ninth Air Force:
In Germany, 268 A-20s, A-26s and B-26s strike marshalling yards at Northeim and Gottingen, plus 2 town areas;
fighters fly escort, patrols, and armed reconnaissance, and support the US 7th Armored Division at Schmallenberg, the 3d and 9th Armored Divisions along the Weser River E of Warburg, the VIII, XII, and XX Corps in the Muhlhausen, Eisenach, and Meiningen areas (including strong air support against a counterattack on the XII and XX Corps at Struth), the 2d Armored Division along the Sarstedt-Hildesheim road, and the XVI Corps between the Lippe and Ruhr Rivers in the Essen area.
The 353d Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, moves from Rosieres-en-Haye, France to Ober Olm, Germany with P-51s;
SUNDAY, 8 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
The 367th Fighter Squadron, 358th Fighter Group, moves form Toul, France to Sandhofen, Germany with P-47s.
Ninth Air Force:
In Germany, around 620 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s bomb the Munchenbernsdorf oil storage depot, the Sonderhausen communications center, Nienhagen oil refinery, Celle marshalling yard, and 8 city areas;
fighters escort the bombers, attack an airfield, fly patrols and armed reconnaissance, and operate in conjunction with the US VIII, XII, and XX Corps in the Thuringer Forest and Erfurt areas.
Unit moves in Germany:
- HQ IX Tactical Air Command from Bruhl to Lahn Airfield, Marburg;
- HQ 36th Fighter Group and the 22d and 23d Fighter Squadrons from Aachen to Niedermennig with P-47s;
- HQ 354th Fighter Group and 356th Fighter Squadron from Rosieres-en-Haye, France to Ober Olm with P-51s;
- HQ 362d Fighter Group and 379th Fighter Squadron from Rouvres, France to Frankfurt with P-47s..
MONDAY, 9 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
The 366th Fighter Squadron, 358th Fighter Group, moves from Toul, France to Sandhofen, Germany with P-47s.
Ninth Air Force:
In Germany, 700+ A-20s, A-26s and B-26s strike marshalling yards at Jena and Saalfeld, oil targets at Bad Berka and Dedenhausen, ordnance depots at Naumburg and Amberg-Kummersbruck, and several targets of opportunity;
fighters escort the bombers, attack several airfields and a fuel storage facility, fly area patrols and armed reconnaissance, and support the III Corps along the Lenne River, the 3d Armored Division E of the Weser River toward Nordhausen, the VIII Corps in the Arnstadt area and the XII and XX Corps in the Thuringer Forest and around Erfurt.
Unit moves:
- HQ 386th Bombardment Group (Medium) and 553d and 555th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) from Beaumont-sur-Oise, France to St Trond, Belgium with B-26s;
- 107th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, from Limburg to Eschwege, Germany with F-6s.
TUESDAY, 10 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 423 A-20s, A-26s, and B-26s strike oil storage and ordnance depots, rail bridge and viaduct (all primary targets) and several other targets including a marshalling yard and an industrial area;
fighters escort the bombers, fly patrols, rail cutting operations, and armed reconnaissance, and support the US 13th Armored Division crossing the Sieg River near Siegburg, the 3d Armored Division approaching Nordhausen, the 9th Armored Division in the Hain area, the XII Corps near Coburg, the XX Corps W of Weimar and the Saale River, the 2d and 5th Armored Divisions crossing the Oker River in the Ahnsen and Schladen areas, and the XVI Corps along the Ruhr River in the Essen area.
Unit moves:
- HQ 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group and 30th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron from Limburg an der Lahn to Eschwege, Germany with F-5s;
- HQ 367th Fighter Group and 393d Fighter Squadron from Conflans, France to Eschborn Airfield, Frankfurt, Germany with P-47s;
- 388th Fighter Squadron, 365th Fighter Group, from Aachen to Fritzlar, Germany with P-47s;
- and 552d and 554th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 386th Bombardment Group (Medium), from Beaumont-sur-Oise, France to St Trond, Belgium with B-26s.
WEDNESDAY, 11 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 689 A-20s, A-26s and B-26s strike marshalling yards at Bernburg, Oschersleben, Zwickau, and Kothen, the Naumburg ordnance depot, Bamberg motor transport plant, and several other targets;
fighters escort the bombers, fly patrols, sweeps, a leaflet mission, and armed reconnaissance (claiming 43 aircraft shot down), and support the US 3d and 9th Armored Divisions in the Nordhausen and Ringleben-Sachsenburg-Rothenberga areas, the 2d Armored Division as it reaches the Elbe River S of Magdeburg in a record drive of 57 miles (92 km), the XVI Corps along the Ruhr River at Witten, the XX Corps as it crosses the Saale River at Weimar and overruns the Buchenwald concentration camp and Allied prisoner camp nearby, the XII Corps in the Coburg-Rottenbach area, and the VIII Corps as it approaches the Saale River S of Weimar.
Unit moves in Germany:
- HQ 366th Fighter Group from Assche, Belgium to Handorf Airfield, Munster;
- the 14th Liaison Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group), from Berkersheim to Hersfeld with L-5s;
- and the 392d and 394th Fighter Squadrons, 367th Fighter Group, from Conflans, France to Eschborn Airfield, Frankfurt with P-47s.
THURSDAY, 12 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 167 A-20s, A-26s and B-26s attack the Hof rail bridge, Kempten ordnance depot, and Goppingen marshalling yard, plus a town area and a casual target of opportunity; 275+ planes abort because of weather;
fighters escort the bombers, attack the town of Kothen, fly armed reconnaissance and sweeps over wide areas and support ground forces; fighters also support the US III, XVI, and XVIII Corps as they continue to reduce the Ruhr pocket, the 9th Armored Division on the Saale River near Werben and Bad Lauchstadt, the XX Corps from the Saale River N and S of Jena E across the Weisse Elster River, the VIII Corps along the Saale further S of Jena, the XII Corp SE of Coburg on the Hasslach River, the 2d Armored Division across the Elbe River near Randau S of Magdeburg, the 5th Armored Division on the W bank of the Elbe at Wittenberge, and the XVI Corps as it continues fighting in the Duisburg and Dortmund areas.
Unit moves in Germany:
- HQ 404th Fighter Group and 506th Fighter Squadron from Keltz to Fritzlar with P-47s;
- the 109th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, from Limburg to Eschwege with F-6s;
- the 125th Liaison Squadron, IX Fighter Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group), from Haltern to Gutersloh with L-5s;
- the 386th Fighter Squadron, 365th Fighter Group, from Aachen to Fritzlar with P-47s;
- the 425th Night Fighter Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command, from Etain, France to Frankfurt with P-61s.
FRIDAY, 13 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, a special mission is flown by IX Tactical Air Command fighter-bombers against the HQ of Field Marshall Walter Model's Army Group B at Haus Waldesruh in the Ruhr pocket; the air attack is followed by an artillery barrage; as a result the HQ is moved to Haan;
IX Tactical Air Command pilots sight Soviet fighters in the air for the first time;
weather grounds the 9th Bombardment Division;
fighters fly patrols and armed reconnaissance, and support the US XVIII Corps in the Huckeswagen and Hagen areas, the III Corps between the Ruhr and Honne Rivers, the 3d Armored Division on the Saale River in the Alsleben, Nelben and Friedeburg area, the XX Corps astride and between the Weisse Eister and Zwickauer Mulde Rivers N of Gera, the XVI Corps NW of Hagen, the 2d Armored Division in the Elbenau-Grunwalde area, and the 5th Armored Division along the Elbe River in the Tangermunde area.
P-47 units moving to Fritzlar Germany:
- HQ 365th Fighter Group and 387th Fighter Squadron from Aachen;
- the 507th Fighter Squadron, 404th Fighter Group, from Keltz.
SATURDAY, 14 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 18 B-26s fly a leaflet mission in the Ruhr area; fighters fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance, and support the US 3d Armored Division SW of the Elbe/Mulde River junction near Dessau, the 9th Armored Division in the Borna and Lobstadt area, XX Corps elements which continue to arrive at the Zwickauer Mulde River, the VIII Corps along the Weisse Elster River S of Gera, XII Corps elements in the Bayreuth area, the 2d and 5th Armored Divisions along the Elbe River in the Barby-Magdeburg and Tangermunde areas.
Units moving in Germany:
- HQ XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) to Gutersloh;
- HQ 84th and HQ 303d Fighter Wings from Haltern to Gutersloh;
- HQ 100th Fighter Wing from Metz, France to Konigstein;
- 167th Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Sixth Army Group) from Kaiserslautern to Pfaffengrund with L-5s;
- the 377th and 378th Fighter Squadrons, 362d Fighter Group from Rouvres, France to Frankfurt with P-47s;
- the 389th and 390th Fighter Squadrons, 366th Fighter Group, from Asch, Belgium to Handorf Airfield, Munster with P-47s.
SUNDAY, 15 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 258 B-26s and A-26s bomb marshalling yards at Gunzburg and Ulm (primary targets) and several other targets including 3 marshalling yards; fighters escort the bombers, fly patrols and armed reconnaissance, and support the US 3d Armored Division near Dessau and across the Mulde River near Torten, the 9th Armored Division along the Mulde NW of Borna, the VIII Corps along Weisse Elster River between Gera and Plauen, the XX Corps astride the Mulde NE of Chemnitz (where the 6th Armored Division awaits Red Army forces), and the 2d Armored Division on the Elbe River near Magdeburg.
Unit moves in Germany:
- HQ 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group from Venlo, the Netherlands to Gutersloh;
- HQ 368th Fighter Group and 395th and 396th Fighter Squadrons from Metz, France to Frankfurt-am-Main with P-47s;
- HQ 406th Fighter Group and 512th, 513th and 514th Fighter Squadrons from Assche, Belgium to Handorf with P-47s;
- 72d Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Sixth Army Group) from Darmstadt to Kitzingen with L-5s;
- 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group) from Marburg to Bad Wildungen with L-5s.
MONDAY, 16 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
The 526th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, moves from Tantonville, France to Braunschardt, Germany with P-47s.
Ninth Air Force:
In Germany, about 450 A-20s, A-26s and B-26s bomb the Zerbst communications center, Gunzenhausen marshalling yard, Kempten ordnance depot, and Wittenberg marshalling yard and gun positions;
the IX Tactical Air Command's fighters claim 25 air victories during the day as they escort the bombers, fly patrols, area cover, and armed reconnaissance, attack airfields and other targets, and support the US 3rd Armored Division SW of Dessau, the 9th Armored Division in the Bennewitz-Colditz area along the Mulde River, the XX Corps which remains at the Zwickauer Mulde River bridgehead NE of Chemnitz, the VIII Corps crossing the Weisse Elster River between Gera and Plauen, the 2d Armored Division on the Elbe River near Magdeburg, the XIX Corps E of Barby, and the V Corps near Leipzig; the 354th Fighter Group (the pioneer P-51 group of the Ninth AF) claims its 900th air victory.
Unit moves:
- HQ 391st Bombardment Group (Medium) and 572d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) from Amy Airfield, Roye, France to Assche, Belgium with B-26s;
- 33d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, from Venlo, the Netherlands to Gutersloh, Germany with F-5s;
- the 160th and 161st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, from Venlo, the Netherlands to Gutersloh, Germany with F-6s;
- the 397th Fighter Squadron, 368th Fighter Group, form Metz, France to Frankfurt-am- Main, Germany with P-47s.
TUESDAY, 17 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
Unit moves in Germany:
- the 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing, from St Dizier, France to Braunstadt with Beaufighters;
- the 527th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group, from Tantonville, France to Braunschardt with P-47s.
Ninth Air Force:
In Germany, the 9th Bombardment Division attacks the defended city of Magdeburg (including numerous gun positions in the area), marshalling yard and ordnance depot at Aalen, marshalling yard and ordnance depot at Tubingen, and ordnance depot at Ravensburg;
fighters fly escort to the bombers, fly patrols, area cover, and armed reconnaissance, hit airfields at Marianske Lazne and Michalovy Hory, and support the US 3d Armored Division mopping up S of the Elbe River and W of the Mulde River near Dessau, the 9th Armored Division along the Mulde E of Leipzig, the VIII Corps in the Greiz-Zwickau area, the XX Corps SW of Chemnitz, the 5th Armored Division at the Knesebeck Forest, S of Wittingen, and the 2d Armored Division opening an assault on Magdeburg.
Unit moves in Germany:
- HQ 48th Fighter Group and 493d and 494th Fighter Squadrons from Kelz to Kassel with P-47s;
- the 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, from Ober Olm to Erfurt with F-6s;
- the 158th Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Twelfth Army Group), from Celles, Belgium to Ahrweiler with L-5s.
WEDNESDAY, 18 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
HQ 86th Fighter Group and 525th Fighter Squadron move from Tantonville, France to Braunschardt, Germany with P-47s.
Ninth Air Force:
In Germany, about 590 B-26s, A-26s, and A-20s attack oil storage at Neuburg an der Donau, marshalling yards at Juterbog and Nordlingen, and rail junctions at Falkenburg and Juterbog;
fighters escort the bombers, fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance, attack assigned targets, and support ground forces including the US V Corps assaulting Leipzig, the VII Corps in the Dessau-Halle areas, the 5th Armored Division near Steimke, and the 2d Armored Division at Magdeburg and other XIX Corps elements astride the Elbe River S of Barby; organized German resistance in the Ruhr pocket ceases.
The 492d Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Group, moves from Kelz to Kassel, Germany with P-47s.
THURSDAY, 19 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, the 9th Bombardment Division hits marshalling yards at Ulm, Neu Ulm, and Gunzburg (primary targets), the city of Donauworth and a target of opportunity at Schelklingen;
weather prevents 70+ of the 450+ dispatched aircraft from bombing targets;
fighters fly escort to the bombers, carry out patrols and armed reconnaissance, bomb a radio station, and cooperate with the US VII Corps in the Halle-Dessau area, the XII Corps attacking SE from S of Bayreuth, the XX Corps in the Bamberg-Nurnberg area, preparing to drive toward Austria, and the XIX Corps along the Elbe River in the Magdeburg area.
The 31st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Ninth AF [attached to 9th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (Provisional)], moves from Maastricht, the Netherlands to Wiesbaden, Germany with F-6s.
FRIDAY, 20 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
HQ 50th Fighter Group and the 10th, 81st and 313th Fighter Squadrons move from Ochey Airfield, Toul, France to Giebelstadt, Germany with P-47s.
Ninth Air Force:
In Germany, 564 A-20s, A-26s and B-26s strike oil storage at Deggendorf and Annaburg, marshalling yards at Memmingen and Wittenberg, ordnance depots at Nordlingen and Straubing, and other targets including flak positions;
fighters escort the bombers, fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance, attack special targets, and cooperate with US ground forces including the VII Corps W of Dessau, the VIII Corps between Plauen and Chemnitz, the XII Corps in the Grafenwohr area, the XX Corps attacking toward the Danube River and Regensburg, and the XIX Corps in the Magdeburg-Barby area.
Unit moves in Germany:
- HQ 370th Fighter Group and 401st Fighter Squadron from Zwartberg, Belgium to Gutershoh with P-51s;
- HQ 373d Fighter Group and 410th Fighter Squadron from Venlo, the Netherlands to Lippstadt with P-47s;
- 39th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Ninth AF [attached to 9th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (Provisional)], from Maastricht, the Netherlands to Wiesbaden, Germany with F-5s;
- 573d and 575th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 391st Bombardment Group (Medium), from Amy Airfield, Roye, France to Assche, Belgium with B-26s.
SATURDAY, 21 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Brigadier General Ralph F Stearley takes over as Commanding General, IX Fighter Command, and also takes command of the IX Tactical Air Command.
In Germany, 121 bombers hit the Attnang-Puchheim marshalling yard; fighters fly escort, patrols, armed reconnaissance and cooperate with the US VIII Corps as elements of the 6th Cavalry Group cross the Czechoslovakian border to reach Hranice and Trojmezi, the XII Corps in the Grafenwohr-Weiden area, and the XX Corps E of Nurnberg.
Unit moves in Germany:
- HQ 36th Fighter Group and 22d and 23d Fighter Squadrons from Niedermennig to Rothwesen Airfield, Kassel with P-47s;
- 162d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command [attached to 9th Reconnaissance Group (Provisional)] from Haguenau, France to Wiesbaden with F-6s;
- 391st Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Group, from Asch, Belgium to Handorf Airfield, Munster with P-47s.
SUNDAY, 22 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather prevents combat operations by the 9th Bombardment Division and IX Tactical Air Command.
The XIX Tactical Air Command flies armed reconnaissance over E Germany and W Czechoslovakia, flies area cover over the Wurzburg-Bayreuth areas, patrols the Third Army front (the Bayreuth-Nurnberg areas), and the XII Corps in the German-Czech border area near Weiden.
Unit moves in Germany:
- HQ XIX Tactical Air Command from Luxembourg; operational HQ of the XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) to Brunswick;
- HQ 84th and HQ 303d Fighter Wings from Haltern to Gutersloh;
- HQ 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group from Gutersloh to Brunswick;
- HQ 474th Fighter Group and 428th, 429th and 430th Fighter Squadrons from Strassfeld to Langensalza with P-38s;
- 14th Liaison Squadron, XIX Tactical Air Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group) from Hersfeld to Erlangen with L-5s;
- 402d and 485th Fighter Squadrons, 370th Fighter Group, from Zwartberg, Belgium to Gutersloh with P-51s.
MONDAY, 23 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
HQ 71st Fighter Wing moves from Vittel, France to Heidelberg, Germany.
Ninth Air Force:
Weather cancels combat operations by the 9th Bombardment Division.
In Germany, fighters patrol the Magdeburg area and the US Third Army front (E of the Bayreuth-Nurnberg area), fly armed reconnaissance over E Germany and W Czechoslovakia, and operate in conjunction with the XII Corps as it presses forward N of Regensburg between the Danube River and Czech Border.
P-47 unit moves in Germany:
- 411th and 412th Fighter Squadrons, 373d Fighter Group, from Venlo, the Netherlands to Lippstadt;
- 509th, 510th and 511th Fighter Squadrons, 405th Fighter Group, from Ophoven, Belgium to Kitzingen.
TUESDAY, 24 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
417th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing [attached to First Tactical AF (P)], moves from St Dizier, France to Giebelstadt, Germany with Beaufighters.
Ninth Air Force:
In Germany, the 9th Bombardment Division hits the airfield at Landau an der Isar and an oil depot at Schrobenhausen;
fighters fly airfield cover, escort the bombers, fly armed reconnaissance, and operate in conjunction with the XII Corps as it continues SE between the Danube River and the Czech border, and with the XX Corps as it reaches the Danube SW and E of Regensburg.
Unit moves in Germany:
- 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), from Erfurt to Furth with F-6s;
- 125th Liaison Squadron, IX Fighter Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group), from Gutersloh to Brunswick with L-5s;
- 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group), from Bad Wildungen to Weimar with L-5s;
- 422d Night Fighter Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command, from Strassfeld to Langensalza with P-61s.
WEDNESDAY, 25 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 296 A-20s, A-26s and B-26s strike Erding Airfield and Freilassing ordnance depot;
fighters fly airfield cover and escort missions, and operate in conjunction with the US XII Corps as it pushes along the N bank of the Danube River SE of Passau and support the XX Corps on the Danube at Regensburg and surrounding areas; US and Soviet forces establish contact near Torgau.
Unit moves:
- HQ 97th Combat Bombardment Wing (Light) from Marchais to Arrancy, France;
- HQ 397th Bombardment Group (Medium) and 597th, 598th and 599th Bombardment Squadrons from Peronne, France to Venlo, the Netherlands with B-26s;
- 33d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, from Gutersloh to Brunswick, Germany with F-5s;
- 492d Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Group, from Kassel to Illesheim, Germany with P-47s.
THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
In Germany, 125 bombers hit Plattling Airfield;
fighters escort the bombers, fly airfield cover, carry out armed reconnaissance in Germany and Czechoslovakia, drop leaflets, and cooperate with the US XII Corps as its forces cross into Austria SE of Passau, and the XX Corps as it begins a full-scale assault across the Danube River at Regensburg; fighters claim 19 combat victories.
Unit moves in Germany:
- HQ IX Tactical Air Command from Lahn Airfield, Marburg to Weimar;
- 160th and 161st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadrons, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, from Gutersloh to Brunswick with F-6s;
- 162d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), from Wiesbaden to Furth with F-6s.
FRIDAY, 27 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather grounds the 9th Bombardment Division.
In Germany, fighters fly sweeps, airfield cover, and armed reconnaissance, and attack airfields; other fighters fly air cover for the US XII Corps as the 11th Armored Division reaches the Czech border N of Bischofsreuth and other elements move further into Austria toward Linz, and support the XX Corps as it receives the surrender of Regensburg and expands its Danube River bridgehead;
- the 72d Liaison Squadron, Ninth AF (attached to Sixth Army Group), moves from Kitzingen to Gmund with L-5s.
SATURDAY, 28 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather prevents all Ninth AF combat operations.
Unit moves in Germany:
- HQ 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) and 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron from Ober Olm to Furth with F-6s;
- 493d Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Group, from Kassel to Illesheim with P-47s.
SUNDAY, 29 APRIL 1945
First Tactical Air Force (Provisional):
HQ 64th Fighter Wing moves from Edenkoben to Schwabisch-Hall, Germany
Ninth Air Force:
Weather cancels operations by the 9th Bombardment Division.
Fighters fly patrols and airfield cover, hit special targets, fly armed reconnaissance over E Germany and W Czechoslovakia, and cooperate with the XII Corps moving SE between the Danube River and the Czech border N of Linz, Austria, and with the XX Corps as some of its units establish bridgeheads and begin crossing the Isar River in the Plattling-Landau an der Isar-Landshut-Passau, Germany areas.
Unit moves:
HQ 48th Fighter Group and 494th Fighter Squadron from Kassel to Illesheim, Germany with P-47s;
- HQ 387th Bombardment Group (Medium) from Clastres, France to Beek, the Netherlands.
MONDAY, 30 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Ninth Air Force):
Weather cancels 9th Bombardment Division and XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) operations.
In Germany, the IX Tactical Air Command flies airfield cover, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance; the XIX Tactical Air Command flies patrols and armed reconnaissance, and cooperates with the XII Corps moving SE between the Danube River and the Czech border N of Linz, Austria and with the XX Corps crossing the Isar River at several points in the Landau an der Isar-Landshut area.
Unit moves in Germany:
- HQ 354th Fighter Group and 356th Fighter Squadron from Ober Olm to Ansbach with P-47s;
- HQ 362d Fighter Group and 379th Fighter Squadron from Frankfurt to Furth with P-47s;
- HQ 405th Fighter Group from Ophoven, Belgium to Kitzingen;
- 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 10th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) from Ober Olm to Furth with F-5s.
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
