859th Bombardment Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 859th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. Its last assignment was with the United States Strategic Air Forces
, based at Bari Airfield, Italy. It was inactivated on 4 October 1945.
was organized for Army reserve officers of that city, most of whom were former Aero Service pilots that were in World War I
. This club eventually became part of the Maryland National Guard as the 104th Observation Squadron.
At the outset of World War II the 104th became part of the Anti-submarine Patrol used along the East Coast, operating out of the Atlantic City Municipal Airport. On 17 October 1942, the unit's planes and personnel were transferred to the newly formed 517th Bombardment Squadron, which a month later became the Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command
12th Antisubmarine Squadron. Flew aerial antisubmarine missions over the New Jersey/New York/Delaware coast. This squadron did not have assigned crews but made up its crews on a daily basis. A side benefit of this practice allowed the men within the squadron to know each other better. Reassigned to Langley Field, Virginia
in January 1943 and flew antisubmarine patrols over the mid-Atlantic coast. Operated until 18 September 1943 when the antisubmarine mission was taken over by the United States Navy
.
In September the 12th AS was sent to Blythe Army Air Base, California, for B-24 Combat Training and was reassigned as a component of the 492d Bombardment Group. Reassigned to II Bomber Command
at Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico and received new B-24s from Consolidated and trained for deployment to England
.
Was deployed to the European Theater of Operations
(ETO), being assigned to VIII Bomber Command
, being stationed at RAF North Pickenham
. Entered combat on 11 May 1944, and throughout the month operated primarily against industrial targets in central Germany. Attacked airfields and V-weapon launching sites in France during the first week in June. Bombed coastal defenses in Normandy on 6 June 1944 and attacked bridges, railroads, and other interdiction targets in France until the middle of the month. Resumed bombardment of strategic targets in Germany and, except for support of the infantry during the St Lo breakthrough on 25 July 1944, continued such operations until August 1944 when after only 89 days of combat, the squadron was withdrawn from combat due to heavy personnel and equipment losses. Remaining personnel and equipment were reassigned to other units in theater.
The squadron was transferred without personnel or equipment, to RAF Harrington
on 1 August 1944 and assumed personnel, equipment, and the CARPETBAGGER mission of the 788th Bombardment Squadron. Operated chiefly over southern France with B-24's and C-47's, engaging in special operations, transporting agents, supplies, and propaganda leaflets to patriots. Ceased these missions on 16 September 1944 to haul gasoline to advancing mechanized forces in France and Belgium. Intermittently attacked airfields, oil refineries, seaports, and other targets in France, the Low Countries, and Germany until December 1944
On 11 December 1944, the 859th was detached from the Eighth Air Force
and sent to the Fifteenth Air Force
in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
(MTO) arriving at Brindisi Airfield, Italy
on 17 December. This move came as the need for special operations in western Europe declined in the wake of Normandy invasion and breakout. With this, additional attention and resources were redirected toward supporting the resistance in Italy and the Balkans.
The 859th's first sortie out of Brindisi was flown on 29 December 1944. A total of six successful sorties were flown that day into Yugoslavia followed the next day by six sortie attempts to targets in Italy. Weather, a mechanical failure, and a reception failure caused all but two of these to fail.
It was at Brindisi that the 859th joined with the 885th on 20 January 1945 to form the 15th Special Group (Provisonal). As noted, both squadrons had been operating at Brindisi prior to organization of the Special Group and these operations continued unabated even as the Special Group was being organized.
On 20 May 1945, thirteen days after V-E Day, the 859th was reassigned to Gioia del Colle Airfield and from there to Bari Airfield Italy in July 1945 where it remained until October 1945 when it was inactivated.
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 United States Strategic Air Forces
United States Strategic Air Forces
The US Eighth Air Force in World War II, later designated the United States Strategic and Tactical Air Forces was the first and became the overall command and control authority of the United States Army Air Forces against the European Axis members during World War II, where it'd started as a...
, based at Bari Airfield, Italy. It was inactivated on 4 October 1945.
History
The 859th Bombardment Squadron can trace its origins to 1920 when the Flying Club of BaltimoreBaltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
was organized for Army reserve officers of that city, most of whom were former Aero Service pilots that were in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. This club eventually became part of the Maryland National Guard as the 104th Observation Squadron.
At the outset of World War II the 104th became part of the Anti-submarine Patrol used along the East Coast, operating out of the Atlantic City Municipal Airport. On 17 October 1942, the unit's planes and personnel were transferred to the newly formed 517th Bombardment Squadron, which a month later became the 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:...
12th Antisubmarine Squadron. Flew aerial antisubmarine missions over the New Jersey/New York/Delaware coast. This squadron did not have assigned crews but made up its crews on a daily basis. A side benefit of this practice allowed the men within the squadron to know each other better. 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...
in January 1943 and flew antisubmarine patrols over the mid-Atlantic coast. Operated until 18 September 1943 when the antisubmarine mission was taken over by the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
In September the 12th AS was sent to Blythe Army Air Base, California, for B-24 Combat Training and was reassigned as a component of the 492d Bombardment Group. Reassigned to II Bomber Command
II Bomber Command
The II Bomber Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Second Air Force, based at Fort George Wright, Washington. It was inactivated on 6 October 1943....
at Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico and received new B-24s from Consolidated and trained for deployment 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...
.
Was deployed to the European Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
(ETO), being assigned to VIII Bomber Command
VIII Bomber Command
The VIII Bomber Command is an inactive United States Army Air Forces unit that is better known as the later appellation Eighth Air Force, as was popularized in post-World War II filmsand is frequently called the First Eighth Air Force by its veterans and successors in the services.The command was...
, being stationed at RAF North Pickenham
RAF North Pickenham
RAF North Pickenham is a former Royal Air Force base near North Pickenham, in Norfolk. It was originally opened in 1944 and finally closed in 1965.-USAAF use:...
. Entered combat on 11 May 1944, and throughout the month operated primarily against industrial targets in central Germany. Attacked airfields and V-weapon launching sites in France during the first week in June. Bombed coastal defenses in Normandy on 6 June 1944 and attacked bridges, railroads, and other interdiction targets in France until the middle of the month. Resumed bombardment of strategic targets in Germany and, except for support of the infantry during the St Lo breakthrough on 25 July 1944, continued such operations until August 1944 when after only 89 days of combat, the squadron was withdrawn from combat due to heavy personnel and equipment losses. Remaining personnel and equipment were reassigned to other units in theater.
The squadron was transferred without personnel or equipment, to RAF Harrington
RAF Harrington
RAF Harrington is a former World War II airfield in England. The field is located west of Kettering in Northamptonshire south of the village of Harrington across the B576 road, now the A14.-USAAF use:...
on 1 August 1944 and assumed personnel, equipment, and the CARPETBAGGER mission of the 788th Bombardment Squadron. Operated chiefly over southern France with B-24's and C-47's, engaging in special operations, transporting agents, supplies, and propaganda leaflets to patriots. Ceased these missions on 16 September 1944 to haul gasoline to advancing mechanized forces in France and Belgium. Intermittently attacked airfields, oil refineries, seaports, and other targets in France, the Low Countries, and Germany until December 1944
On 11 December 1944, the 859th was detached from the 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....
and sent to the Fifteenth Air Force
Fifteenth Air Force
The Fifteenth Expeditionary Mobility Task Force is one of two EMTFs assigned to the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command . It is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California....
in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
Mediterranean Theater of Operations
The Mediterranean Theater of Operations, United States Army was originally called North African Theater of Operations and is an American term for the conflict that took place between the Allies and Axis Powers in North Africa and Italy during World War II...
(MTO) arriving at Brindisi Airfield, 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...
on 17 December. This move came as the need for special operations in western Europe declined in the wake of Normandy invasion and breakout. With this, additional attention and resources were redirected toward supporting the resistance in Italy and the Balkans.
The 859th's first sortie out of Brindisi was flown on 29 December 1944. A total of six successful sorties were flown that day into Yugoslavia followed the next day by six sortie attempts to targets in Italy. Weather, a mechanical failure, and a reception failure caused all but two of these to fail.
It was at Brindisi that the 859th joined with the 885th on 20 January 1945 to form the 15th Special Group (Provisonal). As noted, both squadrons had been operating at Brindisi prior to organization of the Special Group and these operations continued unabated even as the Special Group was being organized.
On 20 May 1945, thirteen days after V-E Day, the 859th was reassigned to Gioia del Colle Airfield and from there to Bari Airfield Italy in July 1945 where it remained until October 1945 when it was inactivated.
Lineage
- Constituted 517th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 13 October 1943
- Activated on 18 October 1942 by redesignation of Maryland National Guard 104th Observation Squadron
- Redesignated: 12th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy) on 29 November 1942
- Redesignated: 859th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 24 September 1943
- Consolidated with: 788th Bombardment Squadron (Provisional) on 1 August 1944
- Inactivated on 4 October 1945.
Assignments
- 377th Bombardment Group377th Air Base WingThe 377th Air Base Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force based at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.-Mission:Provide world-class nuclear surety, expeditionary forces, and support to base operations.-Units:...
, 18 October 1942 - 25th Antisubmarine Wing25th Antisubmarine WingThe 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:...
, c. 9 December 1942 - 492d Bombardment Group492d Bombardment GroupThe 492d Bombardment Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Second Air Force, stationed at Kirtland Field, New Mexico. It was inactivated on 17 October 1945....
, 1 October 1943-14 August 1945
- Detached on 17 December 1944 and sent to Mediterranean Theater of OperationsMediterranean Theater of OperationsThe Mediterranean Theater of Operations, United States Army was originally called North African Theater of Operations and is an American term for the conflict that took place between the Allies and Axis Powers in North Africa and Italy during World War II...
, where the squadron operated with the 15th Special Group (Provisional) (Redesignated: 2641st Special Group (Provisional))2641st Special GroupThe 2641st Special Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Fifteenth Air Force, based at Rosignano Airfield, Italy...
until 20 May 1945- United States Strategic Air ForcesEighth Air ForceThe 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....
, 14 August-4 October 1945
- United States Strategic Air Forces
Stations
- Atlantic City Airport, New JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, 18 October 1942 - Langley Field, VirginiaVirginiaThe 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...
, 12 January-18 September 1943 - Blythe AAFBlythe Airport-References:* Maurer, Maurer . Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4....
, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 24 September 1943 - Alamogordo Army Air Field, New MexicoNew MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, 9 December 1943-1 January 1944 - RAF North PickenhamRAF North PickenhamRAF North Pickenham is a former Royal Air Force base near North Pickenham, in Norfolk. It was originally opened in 1944 and finally closed in 1965.-USAAF use:...
(AAF-143), England, 1 January 1944 - RAF HarringtonRAF HarringtonRAF Harrington is a former World War II airfield in England. The field is located west of Kettering in Northamptonshire south of the village of Harrington across the B576 road, now the A14.-USAAF use:...
(AAF-179), England, 1 August-17 December 1944 - Brindisi Airfield, Italy, 20 December 1944
- Rosignano AirfieldRosignano AirfieldRosignano Airfield is an abandoned World War II military airfield in Italy, located near the comune of Rosignano Marittimo in the Province of Livorno in Tuscany....
, Italy, 24 March 1945 - Gioia del Colle Airfield, Italy, 20 May 1945
- Bari Airfield, Italy, 20 July-4 October 1945.
Aircraft
- Stinson VigilantStinson Vigilant|-See also:-Bibliography:* Donald, David . American Warplanes of World War II. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1995. ISBN 1-874023-72-7.* Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng . The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1* Merriam, Ray . World War II Journal #15: U.S....
, 1942–1943 - Douglas O-46, 1942–1943
- North American O-47North American O-47|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1.* Fahey, James C. U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946. New York: Ships and Aircraft, 1946....
, 1942–1943 - 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....
, 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...
, 1943–1945 - C-47 SkytrainC-47 SkytrainThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
, 1944–1945