Air Force Combat Units of WWII

292 AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR I1406th FIGHTER GROUPI.Constituted as 406th BombardmentGroup (Dive) on 4 Feb 1943. Activatedon I Mar 1943. Redesignated 406thFighter-Bomber Group in Aug 1943, and406th Fighter Group in May 1944.Trained with A-q, A-35, A-39, P-47, andother aircraft. Joined Ninth AF in Englandin Apr 1944 and entered combat withP-47’s in May when the Allies were pre.paring for the invasion of the Continent.Provided area cover during the landingsin Jun, and afterwards flew armed-reconnaissanceand dive-bombing missionsagainst the enemy, attacking such targetsas motor transports, gun emplacements,ammunition dumps, rail lines, marshallingyards, and bridges during the campaignin Normandy. Helped prepare theway for the Allied breakthrough at St Loon 25 Jul. Moved to the Continent earlyin Aug and continued to provide tacticalair support for ground forces. Participatedin the reduction of St Malo and Brest.Aided the Allied drive across France, receivinga DUC for operations on 7 Sep1944 when the group destroyed a largecolumn of armored vehicles and militarytransports that were attempting to escapefrom southeastern France through theBelfort Gap. Operated closely withground forces and flew interdictory missionsduring the drive to the Moselle-Saarregion. Shifted qperations from the Saarbasin to the Ardennes and assisted the beleagueredgarrison at Bastogne after theGermans had launched the counteroffensivethat precipitated the Battle of theBulge. Operated almost exclusivelywithin a ten-mile radius of Bastogne from23-27 Dec 1944, a period for which thegroup received a second DUC for its attackson tanks, vehicles, defended buildings,and gun positions. Flew escort,interdictory, and close-support missions inthe Ruhr Valley early in 1945 and thus assistedAllied ground forces in their driveto and across the Rhine. Remained inEurope after V-E Day, being assigned toUnited States Air Forces in Europe forduty in Germany with the army of occupation.Inactivated on 20 Aug 1946.Redesignated 406th Fighter-BomberGroup. Activated in England on 10 Jul1952. Assigned to United States AirForces in Europe. Equipped with F-84’~;converted to F-86‘~ late in 1953. Redesignated406th Fighter-Interceptor Group inAPr 1954.