History 743d_Bombardment_Squadron

1 history

1.1 lineage
1.2 assignments
1.3 stations
1.4 aircraft

history

established b-24 liberator heavy bombardment unit in mid-1943; assigned ii bomber command training. trained in new mexico , utah received deployment orders mediterranean theater of operations (mto) in november 1943. moved virginia group flew long-range convoy escort missions on mid-atlantic, october–november 1943 while station in italy being constructed.

deployed southern italy in january 1944; entered combat in january 1944, being assigned fifteenth air force. engaged in long range strategic bombing missions enemy military, industrial , transportation targets in italy, france, germany, austria, hungary, romania, , yugoslavia, bombing railroad marshalling yards, oil refineries, airdrome installations, heavy industry, , other strategic objectives.

in addition strategic missions in balkans, group bombed troop concentrations, bridges, marshalling yards, , airdromes during fall of 1944 hamper enemy’s withdrawal region. group supported ground forces @ anzio , cassino in march 1944; knocked out gun positions in preparation invasion of southern france in august 1944; , assisted final allied drive through italy in april 1945 hitting such targets bridges, gun positions, , troop concentrations.

remained in italy after german capitulation in may, although unit personnel demobilized throughout summer of 1945. group inactivated in italy on 9 september 1945.

reactivated in air force reserve in 1947 b-29 superfortresses. trained @ sheppard-kell municipal airport, texas. inactivated in 1949 due budget restrictions.

lineage

constituted 743d bombardment squadron (heavy) on 14 may 1943


activated on 1 jun 1943
inactivated on 9 sep 1945


redesignated 743d bombardment squadron (very heavy) on 27 dec 1946


activated in reserve on 10 jan 1947
inactivated on 27 jun 1949

assignments

455th bombardment group, 1 jun 1943-9 sep 1945
tenth air force, 10 jan 1947
455th bombardment group, 25 mar 1947-27 jun 1949

stations

alamogordo army airfield, new mexico, 1 jun 1943
kearns army air base, utah, 9 sep 1943
langley field, virginia, 5 oct-13 dec 1943
san giovanni airfield, italy, 15 jan 1944
bari airfield, italy, c. jul-9 sep 1945
sheppard-kell municipal airport, texas, 10 jan 1947-27 jun 1949

aircraft

b-24 liberator, 1943-1945
b-29 superfortress, 1947-1949