344th Bombardment Group
Encyclopedia
The 344th Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the XII Fighter Command stationed at Schleissheim Palace
, Germany. It was inactivated on 15 February 1946.
The unit was deployed to Ninth Air Force
in Western Europe during World War II
as a B-26 Marauder
medium bomber group. The 344th Bombardment Group was selected to lead the IX Bomber Command formations on D-Day
, with the first aircraft taking off at 04:12 hours to attack coastal batteries in Cherbourg. It received a Distinguished Unit Citation for three-day action against the enemy, 24–26 July 1944, when the group struck troop concentrations, supply dumps, a bridge, and a railroad viaduct to assist advancing ground forces at Saint-Lô
.
The 371st was redesignated as the 126th Bombardment Group, and allotted to the Illinois
Air National Guard
on 24 May 1946.
s and served as a replacement training unit for III Bomber Command
in the southeastern United States.
Moved to England
, January–February 1944. Began operations with Ninth Air Force
in March, attacking airfields, missile sites, marshalling yards, submarine shelters, coastal defenses, and other targets in France
, Belgium
, and Holland. Beginning in May, helped prepare for the Normandy invasion by striking vital bridges in France. On D-Day 1944 attacked coastal batteries at Cherbourg; during the remainder of Jun, supported the drive that resulted in the seizure of the Cotentin Peninsula
. Bombed defended positions to assist British forces in the area of Caen
.
Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for three-day action against the enemy, 24–26 July 1944, when the group struck troop concentrations, supply dumps, a bridge, and a railroad viaduct to assist advancing ground forces at St Lo. Knocked out bridges to hinder the enemy's withdrawal through the Falaise gap, and bombed vessels and strong points at Brest
, August–September 1944.
Attacked bridges, rail lines, fortified areas, supply dumps and ordnance depots in Germany
, October–November 1944. Supported Allied forces during the Battle of the Bulge
, December 1944 – January 1945, and continued to strike such targets as supply points, communications centers, bridges, marshalling yards, roads, and oil storage tanks until April 1945. Began training on the A-26 Invader
but continued to use B-26 Marauders. Made training flights and participated in air demonstrations after the war.
Moved to Germany in September 1945 and, as part of United States Air Forces in Europe
, served with the army of occupation. Redesignated 344th Bombardment Group (Light) in December 1945. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US on 15 February 1946. Inactivated on 31 March 1946.
Schleissheim Palace
The Schleissheim Palace actually comprises three palaces in a grand baroque park in the village of Oberschleißheim near Munich, Bavaria, Germany. The palace was the summer residence of the rulers of Bavaria.-Old Schleissheim Palace:...
, Germany. It was inactivated on 15 February 1946.
The unit was deployed to 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....
in Western Europe 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...
as a B-26 Marauder
B-26 Marauder
The Martin B-26 Marauder was a World War II twin-engine medium bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. First used in the Pacific Theater in early 1942, it was also used in the Mediterranean Theater and in Western Europe....
medium bomber group. The 344th Bombardment Group was selected to lead the IX Bomber Command formations on D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
, with the first aircraft taking off at 04:12 hours to attack coastal batteries in Cherbourg. It received a Distinguished Unit Citation for three-day action against the enemy, 24–26 July 1944, when the group struck troop concentrations, supply dumps, a bridge, and a railroad viaduct to assist advancing ground forces at Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô is a commune in north-western France, the capital of the Manche department in Normandy.-History:Originally called Briovère , the town is built on and around ramparts. Originally it was a Gaul fortified settlement...
.
The 371st was redesignated as the 126th Bombardment Group, and allotted to the Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
on 24 May 1946.
History
Equipped with B-26 MarauderB-26 Marauder
The Martin B-26 Marauder was a World War II twin-engine medium bomber built by the Glenn L. Martin Company. First used in the Pacific Theater in early 1942, it was also used in the Mediterranean Theater and in Western Europe....
s and served as a replacement training unit for III Bomber Command
III Bomber Command
The III Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Third Air Force stationed at MacDill Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 8 April 1946.-Lineage:...
in the southeastern United States.
Moved to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, January–February 1944. Began operations with 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....
in March, attacking airfields, missile sites, marshalling yards, submarine shelters, coastal defenses, and other targets in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, and Holland. Beginning in May, helped prepare for the Normandy invasion by striking vital bridges in France. On D-Day 1944 attacked coastal batteries at Cherbourg; during the remainder of Jun, supported the drive that resulted in the seizure of the Cotentin Peninsula
Cotentin Peninsula
The Cotentin Peninsula, also known as the Cherbourg Peninsula, is a peninsula in Normandy, forming part of the north-western coast of France. It juts out north-westwards into the English Channel, towards Great Britain...
. Bombed defended positions to assist British forces in the area of Caen
Caen
Caen is a commune in northwestern France. It is the prefecture of the Calvados department and the capital of the Basse-Normandie region. It is located inland from the English Channel....
.
Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for three-day action against the enemy, 24–26 July 1944, when the group struck troop concentrations, supply dumps, a bridge, and a railroad viaduct to assist advancing ground forces at St Lo. Knocked out bridges to hinder the enemy's withdrawal through the Falaise gap, and bombed vessels and strong points at Brest
Brest
-Places:* Brest, Belarus ** Brest Fortress** Brest Railway Museum, the first outdoor railway museum in Belarus* Brest, France...
, August–September 1944.
Attacked bridges, rail lines, fortified areas, supply dumps and ordnance depots in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, October–November 1944. Supported Allied forces during the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
, December 1944 – January 1945, and continued to strike such targets as supply points, communications centers, bridges, marshalling yards, roads, and oil storage tanks until April 1945. Began training on the A-26 Invader
A-26 Invader
The Douglas A-26 Invader was a United States twin-engined light attack bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. during World War II that also saw service during several of the Cold War's major conflicts...
but continued to use B-26 Marauders. Made training flights and participated in air demonstrations after the war.
Moved to Germany in September 1945 and, as part of United States Air Forces in Europe
United States Air Forces in Europe
The 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...
, served with the army of occupation. Redesignated 344th Bombardment Group (Light) in December 1945. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US on 15 February 1946. Inactivated on 31 March 1946.
Lineage
- Constituted as 344th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 31 August 1942
- Activated on 8 September 1942
- Inactivated on 31 March 1946
Assignments
- III Air Support CommandIII Air Support CommandThe III Air Support Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Third Air Force stationed at Drew Field, Florida. It was inactivated on 16 March 1942.-Lineage:...
, 8 September 1942 – 26 January 1944 - 99th Bombardment Wing99th Bombardment Wing (World War II)The 97th Bombardment Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Force Reserve, based at Bedford Field, Massachusetts...
, 9 February 1944 - 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 Fighter Command, 15 September 1945 – 15 February 1946
Stations
- MacDill Field, Florida, 8 September 1942
- Drane Field, Florida, 28 December 1942
- Hunter Field, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, 19 December 1943 – 26 January 1944 - RAF Stansted Mountfitchet (AAF-169), England, 9 February 1944
- Cormeilles-en-Vexin Airfield (A-59), France, 30 September 1944
- Florennes/Juzaine Airfield (A-78), BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, 5 April 1945 - Schleissheim PalaceSchleissheim PalaceThe Schleissheim Palace actually comprises three palaces in a grand baroque park in the village of Oberschleißheim near Munich, Bavaria, Germany. The palace was the summer residence of the rulers of Bavaria.-Old Schleissheim Palace:...
, Germany, 15 September 1945 – 15 February 1946 (Ground Echelon)
Components
- 494th Bombardment Squadron494th Bombardment SquadronThe 494th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 344th Bombardment Group, stationed at Schleissheim Palace, Germany. It was inactivated on 15 February 1946-History:...
(K9), 8 September 1942 – 31 March 1946 - 495th Bombardment Squadron495th Bombardment SquadronThe 495th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 344th Bombardment Group, stationed at Schleissheim Palace, Germany. It was inactivated on 15 February 1946-History:...
(Y5), 8 September 1942 – 31 March 1946 - 496th Bombardment Squadron496th Bombardment SquadronThe 496th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 344th Bombardment Group, stationed at Schleissheim Palace, Germany. It was inactivated on 15 February 1946-History:...
(N3), 8 September 1942 – 31 March 1946 - 497th Bombardment Squadron497th Bombardment SquadronThe 497th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 344th Bombardment Group, stationed at Schleissheim Palace, Germany. It was inactivated on 15 February 1946-History:...
(7I), 8 September 1942 – 30 December 1945