368th Fighter Group
Encyclopedia
The 368th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the XII Tactical Air Command
stationed at Fliegerhorst Straubing (R-68), Germany. It was deactivated on 20 August 1946.
During World War II
the unit was assigned to Ninth Air Force
in England, flying its first combat mission on 14 March 1944. Comprising the 395th FS “Panzer Dusters”, the 396th “Thunder Bums,” and the 397th “Jabo Angels,”
the Group distinguished itself during six campaigns in Europe and was the recipient of the Distinguished Unit Citation. Before the D-Day
invasion, the Group operated fighter sweeps and attacks on marshalling yards, locomotives and rolling stock, road and rail bridges, key roads, submarine pens, and rocket sites. After the invasion, they provided air cover for the First and Third Army sweeps across France, Belgium, Austria
, and Germany. It flew its last combat mission on 7 May 1945.
The 368th was redesignated as the 136th Fighter Group, and allotted to the Texas Air National Guard
on 27 August 1946.
Moved to England, arriving in January 1944. Began operations with Ninth Air Force on 14 March when the group flew a fighter sweep over the coast of France. Made strafing and bombing attacks on airfields, rail and highway bridges, trains, vehicles, flak positions, and V-weapon sites to help prepare for the invasion of France.
Supported the landings in Normandy early in June 1944 and began operations from the Continent later the same month. Aided in the taking of Cherbourg, participated in the air operations that prepared the way for the Allied breakthrough at St Lo on 25 July, and supported ground forces during their drive across France.
Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for support operations in the vicinity of Mons on 3 September 1944 when the group, dispatching seven missions against the enemy on that day, not only destroyed large numbers of motor transports, horse-drawn vehicle
s, and troops, but also attacked enemy positions that obstructed the progress of ground forces. Continued to support ground forces, participated in the assault against the Siegfried Line, and took part in the Battle of the Bulge (December 1944 – January 1945) by attacking rail lines and trains, marshalling yards, roads and vehicles, armored columns, and gun positions. Operated with the Allied forces that pushed across the Rhine and into Germany.
After V-E Day, served with the army of occupation, being assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. Inactivated in Germany on 20 August 1946
XII Tactical Air Command
The XII Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe, based at Bad Kissingen, Germany...
stationed at Fliegerhorst Straubing (R-68), Germany. It was deactivated on 20 August 1946.
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 unit was assigned 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 England, flying its first combat mission on 14 March 1944. Comprising the 395th FS “Panzer Dusters”, the 396th “Thunder Bums,” and the 397th “Jabo Angels,”
the Group distinguished itself during six campaigns in Europe and was the recipient of the Distinguished Unit Citation. Before the 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...
invasion, the Group operated fighter sweeps and attacks on marshalling yards, locomotives and rolling stock, road and rail bridges, key roads, submarine pens, and rocket sites. After the invasion, they provided air cover for the First and Third Army sweeps across France, Belgium, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, and Germany. It flew its last combat mission on 7 May 1945.
The 368th was redesignated as the 136th Fighter Group, and allotted to the Texas 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 27 August 1946.
Lineage
- Constituted as 368th Fighter Group on 24 May 1943
- Activated on 1 June 1943
- Inactivated in Germany on 20 August 1946, aircraft, personnel and equipment being redesignated as 78th Fighter Group.
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...
, 1 June 1943
- Attached to: New York Fighter WingNew York Fighter WingThe New York Fighter Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the I Fighter Command, stationed at Mitchel Field, New York It was inactivated on 10 April 1944....
, 23 August – 20 December 1943- IX Fighter CommandIX Fighter CommandThe IX Fighter Command is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Ninth Air Force, based at Erlangen, Germany. It was inactivated on 16 November 1945....
, 13 January 1944 - 71st Fighter Wing71st Fighter Wing (World War II)The 71st Fighter Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Missouri Air National Guard. It was inactivated on 31 October 1950.-Lineage:* Organized as 71st Fighter Wing on 11 Ocg 1943-Assignments:...
- IX Fighter Command
- Attached to: IX Tactical Air CommandIX Tactical Air CommandThe IX Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Ninth Air Force, based at Camp Shanks, New York...
, 1 August 1944- 70th Fighter Wing70th Fighter Wing (World War II)The 70th Fighter Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with thr United States Air Forces in Europe, based at Neubiberg Air Base, Germany...
- 70th Fighter Wing
- Attached to: IX Tactical Air CommandIX Tactical Air CommandThe IX Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Ninth Air Force, based at Camp Shanks, New York...
, 1 October 1944- XIX Tactical Air CommandXIX Tactical Air CommandThe XIX Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. The unit's last assignment was with the Ninth Air Force based at Biggs Field, Texas...
, 16 January 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...
- XIX Tactical Air Command
- Attached to: XII Tactical Air CommandXII Tactical Air CommandThe XII Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe, based at Bad Kissingen, Germany...
, 16 November 1945 – 20 August 1946
Stations
- Westover Field, MassachusettsMassachusettsThe Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, 1 June 1943 - Farmingdale Army Airfield, New York, 23 August – 20 December 1943
- RAF Greenham CommonRAF Greenham CommonRAF Station Greenham Common is a former military airfield in Berkshire, England. The airfield is located approximately south-southwest of Thatcham; about west of London....
(AAF-486), England, 13 January 1944 - RAF ChilboltonRAF ChilboltonRAF Station Chilbolton is a former World War II airfield in Hampshire, England. The airfield is located approximately south-southeast of Andover; about southwest of London...
(AAF-404), England, 15 March 1944 - Cardonville AirfieldCardonville AirfieldCardonville Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield located near the commune of Cardonville in the Basse-Normandie region of northern France....
(A-3), France, 20 June 1944 - Chartres Airfield (A-40), France, 23 August 1944
- Laon/Athies Airfield (A-69), France, II September 1944
- Chievres Airfield (A-84), 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...
, 2 October 1944 - Juvincourt AirfieldJuvincourt AirfieldJuvincourt Airfield is an abandoned military airfield, which is located near the commune of Juvincourt-et-Damary in the Aisne department of northern France....
(A-68), France, 27 December 1944 - Metz Airfield (Y-34), France, 5 January 1945
- Frankfurt/Rhine-Main Airfield (Y-73), Germany, 15 April 1945
- AAF Station Buchschwabach, Germany, 13 May 1945
- AAF Station Straubing, Germany, 13 August 1945 – 20 August 1946.
Components
- 395th Fighter Squadron (A7): 1 June 1943 – 20 August 1946
- 396th Fighter Squadron (C2): 1 June 1943 – 20 August 1946
- 397th Fighter Squadron (D3): 1 June 1943 – 20 August 1946
Operations
Supported the landings in Normandy early in June 1944 and began operations from the Continent later the same month. Aided in the taking of Cherbourg, participated in the air operations that prepared the way for the Allied breakthrough at St Lo on 25 July, and supported ground forces during their drive across France.
Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for support operations in the vicinity of Mons on 3 September 1944 when the group, dispatching seven missions against the enemy on that day, not only destroyed large numbers of motor transports, horse-drawn vehicle
Horse-drawn vehicle
A horse-drawn vehicle is a mechanized piece of equipment pulled by one horse or by a team of horses. These vehicles typically had two or four wheels and were used to carry passengers and/or a load...
s, and troops, but also attacked enemy positions that obstructed the progress of ground forces. Continued to support ground forces, participated in the assault against the Siegfried Line, and took part in the Battle of the Bulge (December 1944 – January 1945) by attacking rail lines and trains, marshalling yards, roads and vehicles, armored columns, and gun positions. Operated with the Allied forces that pushed across the Rhine and into Germany.
After V-E Day, served with the army of occupation, being assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. Inactivated in Germany on 20 August 1946