World War II
366th Fighter Group 1943-1946 |
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Citations and Awards |
The U.S. Army Air Force activated the 366 th Fighter Group at Richmond Army Air Base, Virginia, on June 10, 1943. At Richmond, and later at Bluethenthal Air Field, North Carolina, the group trained its pilots for combat in the P-47 Thunderbolt . By December 1943, with basic training complete, the group left for the war.
In January 1944, the Group arrived in England. For the next several weeks, the Group’s pilots learned combat techniques from experienced veterans of the air war with Nazi Germany. The group moved to Thruxton, England, on March 1, 1944, and flew its first combat mission as a group on March 14 with a fighter sweep along the French coast. They then took part in operations designed to prepare the way for the invasion of the Continent. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the group flew fighter sweeps over Normandy attacking such targets as motor convoys and gun emplacements. Three days later, the 366th served as the lead air unit attacking German positions near St. Lo, France. The invasion established an Allied foothold in Europe and soon the 366th Fighter Group moved to a base on French soil becoming the first Army Air Force unit to do so.
The group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for action on July 11, 1944: approaching the assigned target – pillboxes in the vicinity of St. Lo – group pilots discovered and enemy tank column unknown to Allied infantry; despite driving rain and intense anti-aircraft fire, the group not only attacked the assigned objectives but also severely damaged the enemy’s armored force.
The group then followed Allied ground advances engaging primarily in dive-bombing missions against enemy communications and fortifications, periodically, moving to new bases in freshly conquered territory, to remain close to the action. Among other operations, the group:
The 366th frequently attacked such targets as railroads, highways, bridges, motor transports, gun emplacements, supply depots, and troops; often escorted bombers that hit airfields, factories, and marshalling yards; sometimes flew area patrols; and on occasion dropped leaflets. The group flew its last mission, attacking the harbors at Kiel and Flensberg, on May 3, 1945.
After Victory in Europe Day in May 1945, the group remained in Germany as part of the occupation forces, staying at three different bases until its inactivation on August 20, 1946. During its fourteen months of fighting in the European Theater, the 366th Fighter Group earned confirmed kills on 78 enemy aircraft. The 366th Wing flag carries the six campaign streamers and distinguished unit citation earned by the 366th Fighter Group in World War II. The officially approved wing emblem worn today reflects these honors as well. It displays a small escutcheon, a small inner shield that contains six crosses.
Text source: The 366 Wing History Office ; Air Force Historical Research Agency
For additional detail see: Army Air Corps Library and Museum
In January 1944, the Group arrived in England. For the next several weeks, the Group’s pilots learned combat techniques from experienced veterans of the air war with Nazi Germany. The group moved to Thruxton, England, on March 1, 1944, and flew its first combat mission as a group on March 14 with a fighter sweep along the French coast. They then took part in operations designed to prepare the way for the invasion of the Continent. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the group flew fighter sweeps over Normandy attacking such targets as motor convoys and gun emplacements. Three days later, the 366th served as the lead air unit attacking German positions near St. Lo, France. The invasion established an Allied foothold in Europe and soon the 366th Fighter Group moved to a base on French soil becoming the first Army Air Force unit to do so.
The group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for action on July 11, 1944: approaching the assigned target – pillboxes in the vicinity of St. Lo – group pilots discovered and enemy tank column unknown to Allied infantry; despite driving rain and intense anti-aircraft fire, the group not only attacked the assigned objectives but also severely damaged the enemy’s armored force.
The group then followed Allied ground advances engaging primarily in dive-bombing missions against enemy communications and fortifications, periodically, moving to new bases in freshly conquered territory, to remain close to the action. Among other operations, the group:
- supported Allied armored columns during the breakthrough at St Lo in July 1944;
- attacked flak positions near Eindhoven, Holland during Operation Market Garden, the airborne landing in Holland in September 1944;
- flew armed reconnaissance missions over the the battle area during the Battle of the Bulge in Dec 1944 – Jan 1945;
- and escorted bombers during the airborne assault across the Rhine River in March 1945.
The 366th frequently attacked such targets as railroads, highways, bridges, motor transports, gun emplacements, supply depots, and troops; often escorted bombers that hit airfields, factories, and marshalling yards; sometimes flew area patrols; and on occasion dropped leaflets. The group flew its last mission, attacking the harbors at Kiel and Flensberg, on May 3, 1945.
After Victory in Europe Day in May 1945, the group remained in Germany as part of the occupation forces, staying at three different bases until its inactivation on August 20, 1946. During its fourteen months of fighting in the European Theater, the 366th Fighter Group earned confirmed kills on 78 enemy aircraft. The 366th Wing flag carries the six campaign streamers and distinguished unit citation earned by the 366th Fighter Group in World War II. The officially approved wing emblem worn today reflects these honors as well. It displays a small escutcheon, a small inner shield that contains six crosses.
Text source: The 366 Wing History Office ; Air Force Historical Research Agency
For additional detail see: Army Air Corps Library and Museum