324th Fighter Group
Encyclopedia
The 324th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with XII Air Support Command, stationed at Fliegerhorst Stuttgart-Echterdingen (R-50), Germany. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945.
During World War II
, the group served in combat with Twelfth and Ninth Air Force
, primarily in the Mediterranean, African, and The Middle East Theatres
. It was a highly decorated organization, and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for supporting French forces during the campaigns for Italy
and France, 1944–1945.
. Trained for several weeks with P-40 aircraft. While headquarters remained in Egypt
, squadrons of the group began operating with other organizations against the enemy in Tunisia
. Reunited in June 1943, the 324th group engaged primarily in escort and patrol missions between Tunisia and Sicily
until July 1943. Received a DUC for action against the enemy from March 1943 to the invasion of Sicily.
Trained during July–October 1943 for operations with Twelfth Air Force. Resumed combat on 30 October 1943 and directed most of its attacks against roads, bridges, motor transports, supply areas, rolling stock, gun positions, troop concentrations, and rail facilities in Italy
until August 1944. Patrolled the beach and protected convoys during the assault on Anzio
in January 1944. Aided the Allied offensive in Italy during May 1944, receiving another DUC for action from 12 to 14 May when the group bombed an enemy position on Monastery Hill (Cassino), attacked troops massing on the hill for counterattack, and hit a nearby stronghold to force the surrender of an enemy garrison.
Continued to give close support to ground forces until the fall of Rome in June 1944. Converted to P-47's in Jul and supported the assault on southern France in Aug by dive-bombing gun position, bridges, and radar facilities, and by patrolling the combat zone. Attacked such targets as motor transports, rolling stock, rail lines, troops, bridges, gun emplacements, and supply depots after the invasion, giving tactical support to Allied forces advancing through France. Aided the reduction of the Colmar bridgehead January–February 1945, and supported Seventh Army's drive through the Siegfried defenses in Mar. Received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for supporting French forces during the campaigns for Italy and France, 1944–1945.
Moved to the US, October–November 1945. Inactivated on November 1945.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the group served in combat with Twelfth and Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
, primarily in the Mediterranean, African, and The Middle East Theatres
Mediterranean Theatre of World War II
The African, Mediterranean and Middle East theatres encompassed the naval, land, and air campaigns fought between the Allied and Axis forces in the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and Africa...
. It was a highly decorated organization, and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for supporting French forces during the campaigns for Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and France, 1944–1945.
History
Constituted as 324th Fighter Group on 24 June 1942. Activated on 6 July 1942. Moved to the Middle East, October–December 1942, for operations with Ninth Air ForceNinth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
. Trained for several weeks with P-40 aircraft. While headquarters remained in Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
, squadrons of the group began operating with other organizations against the enemy in Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
. Reunited in June 1943, the 324th group engaged primarily in escort and patrol missions between Tunisia and Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
until July 1943. Received a DUC for action against the enemy from March 1943 to the invasion of Sicily.
Trained during July–October 1943 for operations with Twelfth Air Force. Resumed combat on 30 October 1943 and directed most of its attacks against roads, bridges, motor transports, supply areas, rolling stock, gun positions, troop concentrations, and rail facilities in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
until August 1944. Patrolled the beach and protected convoys during the assault on Anzio
Anzio
Anzio is a city and comune on the coast of the Lazio region of Italy, about south of Rome.Well known for its seaside harbour setting, it is a fishing port and a departure point for ferries and hydroplanes to the Pontine Islands of Ponza, Palmarola and Ventotene...
in January 1944. Aided the Allied offensive in Italy during May 1944, receiving another DUC for action from 12 to 14 May when the group bombed an enemy position on Monastery Hill (Cassino), attacked troops massing on the hill for counterattack, and hit a nearby stronghold to force the surrender of an enemy garrison.
Continued to give close support to ground forces until the fall of Rome in June 1944. Converted to P-47's in Jul and supported the assault on southern France in Aug by dive-bombing gun position, bridges, and radar facilities, and by patrolling the combat zone. Attacked such targets as motor transports, rolling stock, rail lines, troops, bridges, gun emplacements, and supply depots after the invasion, giving tactical support to Allied forces advancing through France. Aided the reduction of the Colmar bridgehead January–February 1945, and supported Seventh Army's drive through the Siegfried defenses in Mar. Received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for supporting French forces during the campaigns for Italy and France, 1944–1945.
Moved to the US, October–November 1945. Inactivated on November 1945.
Lineage
- Constituted as: 324th Fighter Group on 24 June 1942
- Activated on 6 July 1942
- Inactivated on 7 November 1945
Assignments
- I Fighter CommandI Fighter CommandThe I Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the First Air Force, based at Mitchel Army Airfield, New York...
, 6 July 1942
- Attached to: Philadelphia Fighter WingPhiladelphia Fighter WingThe Philadelphia Fighter Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the I Fighter Command, stationed at Philadelphia Airport, Pennsylvania It was inactivated on 3 April 1946....
, 6 July – 8 October 1942- Ninth Air ForceNinth Air ForceThe Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....
, December 1942
- Ninth Air Force
- Attached to: Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Middle East Command, December 1942-25 October 1943- Twelfth Air Force, 25 October 1943 – 7 May 1945
- United States Air Forces in EuropeUnited States Air Forces in EuropeThe United States Air Forces in Europe is the United States Air Force component of U.S. European Command, a Department of Defense unified command, and is one of two Air Force Major Commands outside of the continental United States, the other being the Pacific Air Forces...
- Attached to:XII Air Support Command, 8 May – 20 October 1945
Operational Units
- 314th Fighter Squadron314th Fighter SquadronThe 314th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 58th Operations Group. stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It was inactivated on 1 April 1994.-World War II:...
: 6 July 1942 – 7 November 1945 - 315th Fighter Squadron: 6 July 1942 – 7 November 1945
- 316th Fighter Squadron: 6 July 1942 – 7 November 1945
Stations
- Mitchel Field, New York 6 July 1942
- Baltimore MAP, MD 6 July – 8 October 1942
- RAF El AmiriyaRAF El AmiriyaRAF El Amiriya is a former Royal Air Force military airfield in Egypt, located approximately 16 km south-southwest of Alexandria; 180 km northwest of Cairo...
EgyptEgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
December 1942 - RAF KabritRAF KabritKibrit Air Base is a closed Egyptian Air Force base located in Egypt, approximately 20 miles north of Suez; 125 km east of Cairo. The name of the station came from a nearby village, and in Egyptian means "sulphur كبريت".-History:...
, Egypt 2 February 1943 - Kairouan AirfieldKairouan AirfieldKairouan Airfield is an abandoned military airfield in Tunisia, which is located approximately 11 km south-southeast of Kairouan, 126 km south of Tunis. It was a major Troop Carrier unit base of the United States Army Air Force Twelfth Air Force during the North African Campaign...
, Tunisia 2 June 1943 - El Haouaria AirfieldEl Haouaria AirfieldEl Haouaria Airfield is an abandoned military airfield in Tunisia, located approximately 44 km northeast of Tāklisah; about 40 km east of Tunis...
, Tunisia c. 18 June 1943 - Menzel Heurr AirfieldMenzel Heurr AirfieldMenzel Heurr Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Tunisia, which is located approximately 22 km north-northeast of Korba and 60 km east-southeast of Tunis...
, Tunisia 3 October 1943 - Cercola AirfieldCercola AirfieldCercola Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Italy, located approximately 2 km north of Cercola in the Province of Naples in the Italian region Campania....
, Italy 25 October 1943 - Pignataro Maggiore AirfieldPignataro Maggiore AirfieldPignataro Maggiore Airfield is a grass airfield just north of Pignataro Maggiore, in the Province of Caserta in the Italian region of Campania, located about 40 km north of Naples...
, Italy, 6 May 1944
- Le Banca AirfieldLe Banca AirfieldCercola Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Italy, located approximately 14 km northeast of Caiazzo, in the province of Caserta , 30 km north-northeast of Naples....
, Italy 6 June 1944 - Montalto Di Castro AirfieldMontalto Di Castro AirfieldMontalto Di Castro Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Italy, located approximately 16 km southwest of Canino, in the province of Viterbo in the internal part of Maremma Laziale, 90 km north-northwest of Rome.It was an all-weather temporary field built by the...
, Italy 14 June 1944 - Ghisonaccia Airfield, Corsica, 19 July 1944
- Le Luc Airfield, France 25 August 1944
- Istres Airfield (Y-17), France 2 September 1944
- Amberieu Airfield (Y-5), France 6 September 1944
- Dôle-Tavaux Airfield (Y-7), France 20 September 1944
- Luneville Airfield (Y-2), France 4 January 1945
- AAF Station Stuttgart/Echterdingen, Germany 8 May – 20 October 1945