835th Bombardment Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 835th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. Its last assignment was with the 486th Bombardment Group
, based at Drew Field, Florida
. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945.
as a light bombardment squadron equipped with A-20 Havocs. The unit was assigned to the 45th Bombardment Group
at Savannah AAB
, Georgia
, then moving to Grenier Field, New Hampshire
.
After the United States entered World War II
the group was equipped with B-18 Bolo
medium bombers and ordered to search for German U-Boat
s and to fly aerial coverage of friendly convoys off the northeast coast, then being reassigned to Langley Field, Virginia
, then to Miami Airport, Florida
flying missions along the mid-Atlantic and southeast coastline. In November 1942, the squadron was redesignated as the 9th Antisubmarine Squadron and deployed to Trinidad
, flying antisubmarine patrols over the Caribbean
as part of the Antilles Task Force
from November 1942 until March 1943. It was reassigned from First Air Force to the 25th Antisubmarine Wing
, Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command
in December 1942.
In the spring of 1943, the squadron was taken off antisubmarine patrols and assigned to the 486th Bombardment Group which was training in Arizona
under Second Air Force
before deploying to England
. In Arizona, the squadron was re-equipped with B-24 Liberator
s and transitioned from the 2-engine medium to the 4-engine heavy bomber.
In March 1944, after several months of training at Davis-Monthan, the squadron was deployed to the European Theater of Operations (ETO), being assigned to Eighth Air Force
in England
. From its base at Sudbury, the squadron began flying long-range strategic bombing missions over Nazi Germany and Occupied Europe, attacking enemy military and industrial targets primarily in Germany. In November 1944 unit re-equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses and reassigned from 2d to 4th Bombardment Division. Continued strategic bombardment attacks on enemy targets until German capitation in May 1945.
Personnel largely demobilized during the summer of 1945; small cadre of squadron returned to the United States assigned to Drew Field, Florida. Scheduled for re-equipping and re-manning as B-29 Superfortress
very heavy bomb squadron and deployment to Western Pacific. However, Japanese capitulation in August 1945 led to squadron's inactivation in November 1945.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit. Its last assignment was with the 486th Bombardment Group
486th Air Expeditionary Wing
The 486th Air Expeditionary Wing is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command. As a provisional unit, it may be activated or inactivated at any time....
, based at Drew Field, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945.
History
The squadron was organized in early 1941 as the 80th Bombardment Squadron assigned to First Air ForceFirst Air Force
The First Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida....
as a light bombardment squadron equipped with A-20 Havocs. The unit was assigned to the 45th Bombardment Group
45th Bombardment Group
The 45th Operations Group is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 45th Space Wing, stationed at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.-Overview:...
at Savannah AAB
Hunter Army Airfield
Hunter Army Airfield , located in Savannah, Georgia, United States, is a military airfield and subordinate installation to Fort Stewart.Hunter features a runway that is 11,375 feet long and an aircraft parking area that is more than 350 acres...
, Georgia
Georgia (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...
, then moving to Grenier Field, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
.
After the United States entered 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 was equipped with B-18 Bolo
B-18 Bolo
The Douglas B-18 Bolo was a United States Army Air Corps and Royal Canadian Air Force bomber of the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Bolo was built by Douglas Aircraft Company and based on its DC-2 and was developed to replace the Martin B-10....
medium bombers and ordered to search for German U-Boat
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
s and to fly aerial coverage of friendly convoys off the northeast coast, then being reassigned to Langley Field, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, then to Miami Airport, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
flying missions along the mid-Atlantic and southeast coastline. In November 1942, the squadron was redesignated as the 9th Antisubmarine Squadron and deployed to Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
, flying antisubmarine patrols over the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
as part of the Antilles Task Force
Antilles Air Command
The Antilles Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Sixth Air Force, based at Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico...
from November 1942 until March 1943. It was reassigned from First Air Force to the 25th Antisubmarine Wing
25th Antisubmarine Wing
The 25th Anti-Submarine Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command, based in New York City, New York. It was inactivated on 15 October 1943-History:...
, Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command
Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command
The Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command was a direct reporting agency of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Its mission was to deal with the German Navy U-boat threat.-Lineage:...
in December 1942.
In the spring of 1943, the squadron was taken off antisubmarine patrols and assigned to the 486th Bombardment Group which was training in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
under Second Air Force
Second Air Force
The Second Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command . It is headquartered at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi....
before deploying 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...
. In Arizona, the squadron was re-equipped with B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
s and transitioned from the 2-engine medium to the 4-engine heavy bomber.
In March 1944, after several months of training at Davis-Monthan, the squadron was deployed to the European Theater of Operations (ETO), being assigned to Eighth Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
in 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...
. From its base at Sudbury, the squadron began flying long-range strategic bombing missions over Nazi Germany and Occupied Europe, attacking enemy military and industrial targets primarily in Germany. In November 1944 unit re-equipped with B-17 Flying Fortresses and reassigned from 2d to 4th Bombardment Division. Continued strategic bombardment attacks on enemy targets until German capitation in May 1945.
Personnel largely demobilized during the summer of 1945; small cadre of squadron returned to the United States assigned to Drew Field, Florida. Scheduled for re-equipping and re-manning as B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
The B-29 Superfortress is a four-engine propeller-driven heavy bomber designed by Boeing that was flown primarily by the United States Air Forces in late-World War II and through the Korean War. The B-29 was one of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II...
very heavy bomb squadron and deployment to Western Pacific. However, Japanese capitulation in August 1945 led to squadron's inactivation in November 1945.
Lineage
- Constituted 80th Bombardment Squadron (Light) on 20 November 1940
- Activated on 15 January 1941
- Redesignated: 80th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 30 December 1941
- Redesignated: 9th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy) on 29 November 1942
- Redesignated: 835th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 23 September 1943
- Inactivated 7 November 1945.
Assignments
- 45th Bombardment Group45th Bombardment GroupThe 45th Operations Group is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 45th Space Wing, stationed at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.-Overview:...
, 15 January 1941 - 26th Antisubmarine Wing26th Antisubmarine WingThe 26th Anti-Submarine Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command, based at Miami Airport, Florida. It was deactivated on 15 October 1943-History:...
, 8 December 1942
- Attached to: 25th Bombardment Group25th Tactical Reconnaissance WingThe 25th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing is an inactive United States Air Force wing. Its last duty assignment was at Chambley-Bussieres Air Base, France.-History:...
, November 1942— March 1943- 486th Bombardment Group486th Air Expeditionary WingThe 486th Air Expeditionary Wing is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command. As a provisional unit, it may be activated or inactivated at any time....
, 23 September 1943-7 November 1945
- 486th Bombardment Group
Stations
- Savannah AABHunter Army AirfieldHunter Army Airfield , located in Savannah, Georgia, United States, is a military airfield and subordinate installation to Fort Stewart.Hunter features a runway that is 11,375 feet long and an aircraft parking area that is more than 350 acres...
, 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...
, 15 January 1941 - Grenier Field, New HampshireNew HampshireNew Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, 18 June 1941 - Dover AAF, DelawareDelawareDelaware is a U.S. state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It is bordered to the south and west by Maryland, and to the north by Pennsylvania...
, 29 April 1942 - Miami AAFMiami International AirportMiami International Airport , also known as MIA and historically Wilcox Field, is the primary airport serving the South Florida area...
, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, 25 July 1942
- Operated from Edinburgh FieldCarlsen Air Force BaseCarlsen Air Force Base is a former United States Army Air Forces World War II airbase on Trinidad, consisting of two landing strips, "Edinburgh" and "Xeres"...
, TrinidadTrinidadTrinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
, November 1942-March 1943- Davis-Monthan Field, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, 23 September 1943-9 March 1944 - RAF SudburyRAF SudburyRAF Sudbury is a former World War II airfield in England. The field is located between the villages Acton, Great Waldingfield and Chilton, around 2 miles east of Sudbury in Suffolk.-USAAF use:...
, EnglandEnglandEngland 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...
, 5 April 1944-August 1945 - Drew Field, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, 3 September-7 November 1945.
- Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona
Aircraft
- A-20, DB-7 Havoc, 1941–1942
- B-18 BoloB-18 BoloThe Douglas B-18 Bolo was a United States Army Air Corps and Royal Canadian Air Force bomber of the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Bolo was built by Douglas Aircraft Company and based on its DC-2 and was developed to replace the Martin B-10....
, 1942–1943 - B-25 MitchellB-25 MitchellThe North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...
, 1943 - B-24 LiberatorB-24 LiberatorThe Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
, 1943–1944 - B-17 Flying Fortress, 1944-1945.