Mediterranean Allied Air Forces

Erich Brown and I recently had this exchange in the Information Requests > United States Armed Forces > Top ETO Air Force fighter unit thread/topic:

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Military History Network:
9th, 12th, and 15th Air Forces sound more like MTO (Mediterranean Allied Air Force) than ETO.
Yes, I am aware they moved around and were at times based in the ETO, but I still think of them as Med forces.
For some detail on them, please take a look at:
http://www.milhist.net/usaaf/mto.shtml
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Erich Brown:
Yes you are quite correct, the 12th in regard had medium units that were I believe absorbed into the 15th ? Still not up enough on these 3 AF's. The 9th flew out of southern England and of course the Heavy 15th out of different bases in Italy. So yes in this respect we could call it a mixed batch of both ETO and MTO units. The 12th especially is almost unknown.
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HQ Ninth Air Force did not move from Egypt and Libya to England until October 1943.

I've pulled together some information from the webpage cited above to give readers some of the organizational history, rather than operational history, for the 9th, 12th, and 15th US Air Forces in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. This will appear in the next four posts to this thread/topic:

9th AF: Nov 42 - Oct 43
12th AF: Nov 42 - Dec 43
12th AF: Jan 44 - Aug 45
15th AF: Nov 43 - Aug 45

 

9th Air Force: Nov 42 - Oct 43

THURSDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 1942 (Ninth Air Force):
US Army Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF) is dissolved and replaced by HQ Ninth AF, commanded by Lieutenant General Lewis H Brereton; major components are: IX Bomber Command (Brigadier General Patrick W Timberlake) at Ismailia, Egypt, IX Fighter Command (Colonel John C Kilborn) enroute to Egypt, and IX Air Service Command (Brigadier General Elmer E Adler).

MONDAY, 31 JANUARY 1943 (Ninth Air Force):
Lieutenant General Lewis H Brereton, Commanding General Ninth Air Force assumes command of US Army Forces in the Middle East.

MONDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 1943 (Ninth Air Force):
The Desert Air Task Force (DATF) is established with Brigadier General Auby C Strickland as Commanding General. Whereas Desert Air Task Force HQ, organized on 22 Oct 42, controlled US Army Mid East Air Force (USAMEAF) tactical operations in the Western Desert, this new organization, with HQ at Tripoli, Libya, supervises, operationally and administratively, all Ninth Air Force units west of, and including, Marble Arch. In addition, General Strickland is commander of US troops in the area.

SUNDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1943 (Ninth Air Force):
The North African Tactical Air Force assumes operational control of the Western Desert Air Force; tactical groups remain administratively assigned to the Ninth Air Force.

SATURDAY, 13 MARCH 1943 (Ninth Air Force):
Lieutenant General Lewis H. Brereton, Commanding General Ninth Air Force, directs that Headquarters Desert Air Task Force be redesignated Advance Headquarters, Ninth Air Force, and that the USAAF tactical units with the HQ be designated Desert Air Task Force (DATF).

SUNDAY, 1 AUGUST 1943 (Ninth Air Force):
In Rumania, 177 B-24's, of the IX Bomber Command (including B-24's on loan from the Eighth Air Force) are dispatched to bomb oil refineries at Ploesti and nearby Campina. The operation (TIDALWAVE) is costly, 54 planes and 532 airmen are lost, but damage to the targets is severe. 5 Medal of Honors are awarded for this mission. [SEE FOORTNOTE BELOW]

SUNDAY, 22 AUGUST 1943 (Ninth Air Force):
All fighter and medium bomber groups of the Ninth Air Force are transferred to the Twelfth Air Force.

THURSDAY, 26 AUGUST 1943 (Ninth Air Force):
The 316th Troop Carrier Group with C-47's are transferred to the Twelfth Air Force.

TUESDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1943 (Ninth Air Force):
HQ Army Air Forces decides to transfer Lieutenant General Lewis H Brereton, Commanding General, and his HQ staff from Africa to the United Kingdom to reform the Ninth Air Force in the European Theater of Operations by absorbing the VIII Air Support Command.

MONDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 1943 (Ninth Air Force):
The IX Bomber Command makes its last raid on Italy.

WEDNESDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 1943 (Ninth Air Force):
The Ninth Air Force flies its final mission from Africa.
HQ IX Fighter Command begins a movement from Tripoli, Libya to Middle Wallop, England.

FRIDAY, 1 OCTOBER 1943 (Ninth Air Force):
In the first half of October, HQ Ninth Air Force and HQ IX Bomber Command begin a movement to England from Egypt and Libya.

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[FOOTNOTE: 1 August 1943 was NOT the first raid on the Ploesti refineries. Please take note of the following:

FRIDAY, 12 JUNE 1942 (Mediterranean Theater of Operations)::
13 B-24's of the HLPRO detachment (the bombing detachment for the China-Burma-India Theater) under command of Colonel Harry A Halverson enroute from US to China take off during the night of 11/12 Jun from Fayid, Egypt to bomb oilfields at Ploesti, Rumania. Only 12 attack at dawn; 4 of the 13 land at a base in Iraq which was designated for recovery of the flight, 3 land at other Iraq fields, 2 land in Syria, and 4 are interned in Turkey. Though damage to the target is negligible, the raid is significant because it is the first AAF combat mission in the European- African-Middle East (EAME) Theater in World War II, and the first strike at a target which later will be famous.

 

12th Air Force: Nov 42 - Dec 43

MONDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 1942 (Twelfth Air Force):
Major General James H Doolittle, Commanding General Twelfth AF, arrives in Algeria from Gibraltar by B-17, escorted by 12 Spitfires from the 52d Fighter Group; HQ Twelfth AF arrives in Algeria from the UK. In French Morocco, HQ XII Air Support Command arrives from the US.

TUESDAY, 5 JANUARY 1943 (Twelfth Air Force):
In an organizational change, Allied Air Force is activated to have operational control of Allied air units in Northwest Africa. The new unit includes the USAAF Twelfth Air Force, the RAF Eastern Air Command and such French air units as might be assigned or attached to it. The command serves under the direction of Lieutenant General Dwight Eisenhower, Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces.

WEDNESDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 1943 (Twelfth Air Force):
The Twelfth Air Force and other organizations of the Allied Air Force are transferred to the North African Air Force (NAAF) which supplants the Allied Air Force. NAAF, in turn, becomes part of the Mediterranean Air Command (MAC), a new air command which comes into existence on this date with RAF Air Chief Marshall Arthur Tedder as commander. MAC also includes the RAF Middle East Air Command (later RAF, Middle East) and the RAF Malta Air Command (later RAF, Malta). The Commanding General of NAAF is General Carl Spaatz, USAAF.

THURSDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 1943 (North African Air Force):
HQ North African Air Force (NAAF) is set up under General Carl Spaatz, USAAF, and the Twelfth Air Force becomes a paper outfit. Six principal subordinate commands are specified, i.e.:
North African Air Support Command (NAASC)
North African Coastal Air Force (NACAF)
North African Photographic Reconnaissance Wing (NAPRW)
North African Strategic Air Force (NASAF)
North African Training Command (NATC)

MONDAY, 1 MARCH 1943 (Northwest African Air Force):
General Carl Spaatz assumes command of the Twelfth Air Force in Algeria. Colonel Laurence P. Hickey becomes acting commander of the XII Fighter Command until the arrival of Brigadier General Elwood R. Quesada. Lieutenant General John K. Cannon takes command of the Northwest African Training Command (NATC).

SATURDAY, 24 APRIL 1943 (Northwest African Air Force):
The 99th Fighter Squadron, Twelfth Air Force with P-40's arrives at Casablanca, French Morocco from the U.S. The 99th is the first black USAAF unit to serve overseas.

SUNDAY, 22 AUGUST 1943 (Ninth Air Force):
All fighter and medium bomber groups of the Ninth Air Force are transferred to the Twelfth Air Force.

THURSDAY, 26 AUGUST 1943 (Ninth Air Force):
The 316th Troop Carrier Group with C-47's is transferred to the Twelfth Air Force.

THURSDAY, 26 AUGUST 1943 (Northwest African Air Force):
The Royal Air Force (RAF) Desert Air Force (DAF) is assigned to the Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF), along with US units of the Ninth Air Force which have been an operational part of DAF and Northwest African Tactical Bomber Force (NATBF).

WEDNESDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 1943 (Twelfth Air Force):
All ADMINISTRATIVE functions of the Army Air Forces elements of the Northwest African Air Force are transferred to the appropriate Twelfth Air Force organizations:
HQ Northwest African Air Force (NAAF) to HQ Twelfth Air Force,
Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) to XII Bomber Command,
Northwest African Tactical Air Force (NATAF) to XII Air Support Command,
Northwest African Coastal Air Force to XII Fighter Command,
Northwest African Air Service Command (NAASC) to XII Air Force Services Command,
Northwest African Air Force Troop Carrier Command to XII Troop Carrier Command (Provisional),
NW African Photographic Reconnaissance Wing to Photo Reconnaissance Wing (Provisional), and
Northwest African Training Command (NATC) to XII Training Command (Provisional).
OPERATIONAL control remains with the Northwest African Air Force.

FRIDAY, 1 OCTOBER 1943 (Twelfth Air Force):
Lieutenant General James H Doolittle assumes command of the Twelfth Air Force during the absence of General Carl Spaatz.

FRIDAY, 22 OCTOBER 1943 (Twelfth Air Force):
The Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) approve the plan, submitted by General Henry H "Hap" Arnold and the US Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), to create a new Air Force (the Fifteenth) in Italy from part of the Twelfth Air Force to be used in strategic bombing against Germany as well as in support of ground operations.

MONDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 1943 (Fifteenth Air Force):
The Fifteenth Air Force is activated, with HQ at Tunis, Tunisia and Lieutenant General James H. Doolittle as Commanding General, with Twelfth Air Force units.

FRIDAY, 3 DECEMBER 1943 (Twelfth Air Force):
The Twelfth Air Force transfers its entire II Air Service Area Command with all of its subordinate units to the Fifteenth Air Force, where it shortly becomes the XV Air Force Service Command. This is a major step toward making the Fifteenth a separate, self-sufficient air force.

SUNDAY, 5 DECEMBER 1943 (Twelfth Air Force):
HQ Twelfth Air Force transfers from Tunisia to Italy.

MONDAY, 20 DECEMBER 1943 (Mediterranean Allied Air Force):
The MAAF is established, retroactive to 10 Dec 43. Commanded by Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur Tedder (RAF), MAAF is comprised of all Allied air elements (RAF, USAAF, French, and other) which are operating in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO). US Army Air Forces, North African Theater of Operations (USAAFNATO) is established with General Carl Spaatz as commander, to facilitate administration of AAF units of the Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Forces.

 

12th Air Force: Jan 44 - Aug 45

SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY 1944 (Army Air Forces, Mediterranean Theater Of Operations):
A complete reorganization of USAAF units in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) takes place:
US Army Air Forces, North African Theater of Operations (USAAFNATO) is redesignated AAF Mediterranean Theater of Operations (AAFMTO);
XII Air Force Services Command becomes AAF Services Command Mediterranean Theater of Operations (AAFSCMTO);
III Air Services Area Command (Special) becomes XII Air Force Services Command; II Air Services Area Command becomes XV Air Force Services Command;
XII Air Force Engineer Command (Provisional) becomes AAF Engineer Command, Mediterranean Theather of Operations (Provisional); and
XII Air Force Training Command is changed to XII Air Force Training and Replacement Command.
The XII Bomber Command, Twelfth Air Force, is reorganized as an medium bomber organization, 3 B-25 groups and the 3 B-26 groups, under Brigadier General Robert D Knapp.

SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY 1944 (Fifteenth Air Force):
The 3 remaining B-26 groups of the Fifteenth Air Force are transferred to the Twelfth Air Force, leaving the Fifteenth with 6 heavy bomber and 4 fighter groups:, 4 B-17, 2 B-24, 1 P-47, and 3 P-38 groups.

MONDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 1944 (Twelfth Air Force):
The Twelfth Air Force loses several of its operational units, the 12th Bombardment Group (Medium) and 33d and 81st Fighter Groups being moved to India, and the 52d Troop Carrier Wing and its 4 groups being sent to England.

WEDNESDAY, 1 MARCH 1944 (Twelfth Air Force):
Twelfth Air Force undergoes a reorganization as a result of the loss of several operational units (see 14 Feb 44). XII Troop Carrier Command (Provisional), consisting of a single wing, is disbanded and its personnel absorbed into the 51st Troop Carrier Wing and other units, the 51st Troop Carrier Wing being placed under the administrative control of Twelfth Air Force. HQ XII Bomber Command is reduced to 1 officer and 1 enlisted man as other personnel are transferred to the 57th Bombardment Wing, which along with the 42d Bombardment Wing (Medium), is placed under the administrative control of Twelfth Air Force. HQ XII Bomber Command will exist as a retaining cadre until 10 Jun 44 when it is officially disbanded.

MONDAY, 22 MAY 1944 (Twelfth Air Force):
332d Fighter Group with P-47s is transferred to the Fifteenth Air Force; this move, following a series of reassignments of fighter groups to the Fifteenth Air Force and to India, leaves the XII Fighter Command with only 1 fighter group.

THURSDAY, 19 OCTOBER 1944 (Twelfth Air Force):
Twelfth AF redesignates HQ XII Fighter Command as HQ XXII Tactical Air Command following a reorganization period during which the XXII Tactical Air Command was temporarily referred to as "X" Tactical Air Command and "X-Ray" Tactical Air Command, to distinguish it from HQ XII Fighter Command around which it was formed.

MONDAY, 2 APRIL 1945 (Twelfth Air Force):
Major General Benjamin W Chidlaw takes command of the Twelfth AF and will
shortly take over command of the Mediterranean Allied Tactical Air Force
(MATAF) also.

SATURDAY, 12 MAY 1945 (Twelfth Air Force):
Large-scale redeployment of Twelfth AF units officially begins (although the first large movement to the ZI has earlier taken place on 12 Jan 45, followed by redeployment of various units to all the theaters).

SATURDAY, 26 MAY 1945 (Twelfth Air Force):
Brigadier General Charles T Myers assumes command of the Twelfth AF.

TUESDAY, 31 JULY (Twelfth Air Force):
The Twelfth practically ceases to be a flying AF as only 2 bombardment groups (medium), a night fighter squadron, and a reconnaissance group remain as flying units and the planes from these units are shortly transferred to Army Air Forces Services Command, MTO.

TUESDAY, 28 AUGUST 1945 (Twelfth Air Force):
With the discontinuance of the 6719th WAC HQ Platoon, the Detachment, 1054th MP Company, Aviation, remains the only unit still attached to Twelfth AF.

FRIDAY, 31 AUGUST 1945 (Twelfth Air Force):
HQ Twelfth AF is inactivated in Italy.

 

15th Air Force: Nov 43 - Aug 45

FRIDAY, 22 OCTOBER 1943 (Twelfth Air Force):
The Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) approve the plan, submitted by General Henry H "Hap" Arnold and the US Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), to create a new Air Force (the Fifteenth) in Italy from part of the Twelfth Air Force to be used in strategic bombing against Germany as well as in support of ground operations.

MONDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 1943 (Fifteenth Air Force):
The Fifteenth Air Force is activated, with HQ at Tunis, Tunisia and Lieutenant General James H. Doolittle as Commanding General, with Twelfth Air Force units.

FRIDAY, 3 DECEMBER 1943 (Twelfth Air Force):
The Twelfth Air Force transfers its entire II Air Service Area Command with all of its subordinate units to the Fifteenth Air Force, where it shortly becomes the XV Air Force Service Command. This is a major step toward making the Fifteenth a separate, self-sufficient air force.

MONDAY, 20 DECEMBER 1943 (Mediterranean Allied Air Force):
The MAAF is established, retroactive to 10 Dec 43. Commanded by Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur Tedder (RAF), MAAF is comprised of all Allied air elements (RAF, USAAF, French, and other) which are operating in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO). These elements previously were part of the Mediterranean Air Command (MAC) and Northwest African Air Force (NAAF), which are disbanded. US Army Air Forces, North African Theater of Operations (USAAFNATO) is established with General Carl Spaatz as commander, to facilitate administration of AAF units of the Twelfth and Fifteenth Air Forces.

SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY 1944 (Army Air Forces, Mediterranean Theater Of Operations):
A complete reorganization of USAAF units in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) takes place:
US Army Air Forces, North African Theater of Operations (USAAFNATO) is redesignated AAF Mediterranean Theater of Operations (AAFMTO);
XII Air Force Services Command becomes AAF Services Command Mediterranean Theater of Operations (AAFSCMTO);
III Air Services Area Command (Special) becomes XII Air Force Services Command; II Air Services Area Command becomes XV Air Force Services Command;
XII Air Force Engineer Command (Provisional) becomes AAF Engineer Command, Mediterranean Theather of Operations (Provisional); and
XII Air Force Training Command is changed to XII Air Force Training and Replacement Command.
The XII Bomber Command, Twelfth Air Force is reorganized as an medium bomber organization, 3 B-25 groups and the 3 B-26 groups, under Brigadier General Robert D Knapp.

SATURDAY, 1 JANUARY 1944 (Fifteenth Air Force):
The 3 remaining B-26 groups of the Fifteenth Air Force are transferred to the Twelfth Air Force, leaving the Fifteenth with 6 heavy bomber and 4 fighter groups:, 4 B-17, 2 B-24, 1 P-47, and 3 P-38 groups.

MONDAY, 3 JANUARY 1944 (Fifteenth Air Force):
Lieutenant General Nathan F Twining becomes Commanding General, Fifteenth Air Force.

THURSDAY, 6 JANUARY 1944 (Fifteenth Air Force):
Control of Fifteenth Air Force operations against targets of the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO) is placed under USSAFE.

SATURDAY, 15 APRIL 1944 (Fifteenth Air Force):
A special group, led by Lieutenant Colonel Louis A Neveleff, flies from HQ at Bari, Italy to Medeno Polji, Yugoslavia and from there the group proceeds to Marshall Tito's HQ at Drvar, where Colonel Neveleff confers with Tito and spends several days laying the groundwork for the evacuation of downed US airmen in Yugoslav hands. Also, much information is gathered regarding the military organization and political trend of the partisan movement. The mission returns to Italy on 2 May and 122 men, mostly Fifteenth Air Force airmen, are also evacuated.

WEDNESDAY, 7 JUNE 1944 (Fifteenth Air Force):
The Fifteenth Air Force reaches its planned operational strength of 21 heavy bomber groups and 7 fighter groups.

THURSDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 1944 (Fifteenth Air Force):
2 C-47s, with 8 P-51s escorting, evacuate Fifteenth AF personnel from Yugoslavia to Italy.

SATURDAY, 20 JANUARY 1945 (Fifteenth Air Force):
The tactical organization of the Fifteenth AF becomes fully developed when a supply-dropping group, the 15th Special Group (Provisional), organized on 18 Jan, is given control of the 859th (B-24) and 885th (B-17) Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) which drop supplies in France, Italy, and Yugoslavia. [In Mar, the 15th Group will be redesignated the the 2641st Special Group (Provisional) and with its units attached to the Twelfth AF for operational control, the Fifteenth retaining administrative control].

TUESDAY, 1 MAY 1945 (Fifteenth Air Force):
Despite bad weather 27 B-17s bomb the main station and marshalling yard at Salzburg, Austria; this is the final Fifteenth AF bombing mission of the war; P-38s and P-51s fly reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions.

TUESDAY, 8 MAY 1945 (Fifteenth Air Force):
All Fifteenth AF aircraft stand down on V-E Day and offensive operations end. Subsequent operations involve transport, supply, training, and movement flights.

SATURDAY, 26 MAY 1945 (Fifteenth Air Force):
Brigadier General James A Mollison assumes command of the Fifteenth AF.

FRIDAY, 3 AUGUST 1945 (Fifteenth Air Force):
Brigadier General William L Lee takes command of the Fifteenth AF.

FRIDAY, 31 AUGUST 1945 (Fifteenth Air Force):
Colonel Elmer J Rogers Jr assumes command of HQ Fifteenth AF until its inactivation on 15 Sep 45.

 

12th and 15th Photo Recon Squadrons research from http://paul.rutgers.edu/~mcgrew/wwii/usaf/html/, USAAF Chronology:

MONDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1942
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO, 8th Air Force): Units arriving
in England from the US: ... 15th Photographic Mapping Squadron, 3d
Photographic Group, at Membury with B-17s (first mission is Nov 42).

MONDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 1942
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO, 8th Air Force): After the
transfer of the combat unit to the Twelfth Air Force (see below), the
combat units assigned to the Eighth are: HQ 3d Photographic Group and
5th, 12th, 13th and 14th Photographic Squadrons and 15th Photographic
Mapping Squadron with F-4s, F-5s and B-17Fs; HQ 4th Fighter

TUESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 1942
EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO, Twelfth Air Force): The 15th
Photographic Mapping Squadron, 3d Photographic Group, moves from Membury
to Steeple Morden, England with B-17s and F-4s.

WEDNESDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 1942
NW AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force): "A" flight of the air echelon of the
15th Photographic Mapping Squadron, 3d Photographic Group, arrives at
Tafaraoui with B-17s and F-4s (ground echelon in England; "B" and "C"
Flights of air echelon remain in Colorado until Oct 43).

SATURDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 1942
NW AFRICA (Twelfth Air Force): In French Morocco, the 12th
Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group, arrives at
Casablanca from the US with F-4s.

SUNDAY, 6 DECEMBER 1942
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force): HQ, 15th Photographic
Mapping Squadron, 3d Photographic Group with B-17s and F-4s arrives at
La Senia, Algeria from England. "A" Flight has been operating from
Algeria since 18 Nov; "B" and "C" Flights remain in the US until Jan 44.

FRIDAY, 25 DECEMBER 1942 (CHRISTMAS DAY)
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Twelfth Air Force): HQ 12th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group with F-4s moves from
French Morocco to Algiers, Algeria.

SATURDAY, 5 JUNE 1943
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): "A" Flight of
the 15th Photographic Squadron (Heavy), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance
and Mapping Group transfers with B-17's and F-5's from Algiers, Algeria
to Le Kroub, Algeria. "B" and "C" Flights of the squadron are still in
the US.

SUNDAY, 13 JUNE 1943
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): HQ 3d
Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group and it's 12th Photographic
Squadron (Light) transfers with F-5's from Algiers, Algeria to La Marsa,
Tunisia.

SUNDAY, 20 JUNE 1943
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): The 12th
Photographic Squadron (Light), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance and
Mapping Group transfers with F-5's from La Marsa, Tunisia to Ariana,
Tunisia. The squadron has a detachment operating on Malta.

MONDAY, 28 JUNE 1943
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): "A" Flight of
the 15th Photographic Squadron (Heavy), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance
and Mapping Group transfers with F-5's from Le Kroub, Algeria to La
Marsa, Tunisia. "B" and "C" Flights are still in the US.

WEDNESDAY, 14 JULY 1943
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): The detachment
of the 15th Photographic Squadron (Heavy), 3d Photo- graphic
Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, operating from Le Kroub, Algeria with
B-17's and F-5's returns to it's base at La Marsa, Tunisia.

TUESDAY, 20 JULY 1943
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): The 12th
Photographic Squadron (Light), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance and
Mapping Group, based at Ariana, Tunisia begins operating from Gela and
Ponte Olivo, Sicily with F-4's.

THURSDAY, 19 AUGUST 1943
WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN (Northwest African Air Force): The 12th
Photographic Squadron (Light), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance and
Mapping Group, ceases operating from Gela/Ponte Olivo, Sicily with F-4's
and returns to it's base at Ariana, Tunisia.

MONDAY, 4 OCTOBER 1943
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): "A" Flight
of the 15th Photographic Squadron (Heavy), 3d Photographic
Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, based at La Marsa, Tunisia sends a
detachment to Grottaglie, Italy with B-17's and F-5's. "B" and "C"
Flights are still in the US.

WEDNESDAY, 13 OCTOBER 1943
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The 12th
Photographic Squadron (Light), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance and
Mapping Group, transfers from Ariana to La Marsa, Tunisia with F-4's and
F-5's.

MONDAY, 18 OCTOBER 1943
MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The 12th
Photographic Squadron (Light), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance and
Mapping Group, based at La Marsa, Tunisia with F-4's and F-5's, sends a
detachment to operate from Ajaccio/Camp del Oro, Corsica.

MONDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 1943
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): During Nov, the 15th
Photographic Squadron (Heavy), 3d Photographic Reconnaissance and
Mapping Group, transfers from La Marsa, Tunisia to Grottaglie, Italy
with B-17, B-25 and F-5.

WEDNESDAY, 8 DECEMBER 1943
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): HQ 3d Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance) and it's 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron
transfer from La Marsa, Tunisia to San Severo, Italy with F-4's and
F-5's.

TUESDAY, 28 DECEMBER 1943
STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Fifteenth Air Force): The 15th Photographic
Squadron (Heavy), 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) transfers from
Grottaglie to Bari, Italy with B-17's, B-25's and F-5's.

TUESDAY, 4 JANUARY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): HQ 3d Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance) and 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron from San
Severo to Pomigliano with F-4's and F-5's.

FRIDAY, 21 JANUARY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): "B" and "C" Flights of the
15th Combat Mapping Squadron, 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Group,
depart Colorado Springs, Colorado to join "A" Flight. The 15th, based at
Bari, Italy with F-5's and B-25's, has been in the MTO since Dec 42.

[There are no more references to the 15th PS(H) or 15th CMS.
Perhaps it has again been redesignated wihout notice here.]

THURSDAY, 27 APRIL 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): 12th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), based
at Pomigliano, Italy, sends a detachment to operate from Nettuno, Italy
with F-5s.

SATURDAY, 17 JUNE 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): 12th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves
from Pomigliano to Voltone with F-5s (detachment is operating from
Nettuno); and 415th Night Fighter Squadron, 64th Fighter Wing, moves
from La Banca to Valtone with Beaufighters.

THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The detachment of the 12th
Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance), at Nettuno returns to base at Voltone with F-5s.

SATURDAY, 1 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): A detachment of the 12th
Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance), begins operating from Follonica with F-5s.

FRIDAY, 14 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): HQ 3d Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance) and 23d Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron move from
Viterbo and Alghero, Sardinia respectively to Borgo, Corsica with F-5s;
and the detachment of the 12th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d
Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) moves from Follonica to Cecina with
F-5s.

SATURDAY, 15 JULY 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The 12th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves
from Voltone to Follonica with F-5s (a detachment is operating from
Cecina).

SUNDAY, 27 AUGUST 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The detachment of the 12th
Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance), moves from Cecina to Malignano with F-5s (the squadron
is based at Follonica).

THURSDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The 12th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), moves
from Follonica to Florence/Peretola with F-5s (a detachment is operating
from Malignano).

SUNDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 1944
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): HQ 3d Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance) and the 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron move
from Borgo, Corsica to Rosia and Malignano respectively with F-5s; HQ
57th Fighter Group and the 64th and 65th Fighter Squadrons move from
Ombrone Airfield to Grosseto with P-47s; the detachment of the 12th
Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group
(Reconnaissance), operating from Malignano with F-5s returns to base at
Florence/Peretola.

MONDAY, 30 APRIL 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The 12th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) moves
from Peretola Airfield, Florence to Villafranca with F-5s.

SATURDAY, 12 MAY 1945
TACTICAL OPERATIONS (Twelfth Air Force): The 12th Photographic
Reconnaissance Squadron, 3d Photographic Group (Reconnaissance) moves
from Villafranca to Peretola Airfield, Florence, Italy with F-5s.

 

a little added bonus. 1st fighter group equipped with the P-38....www.1stfighter.org/

82nd fighter group with P-38, 15th air force. Highest scoring MTO P-38 group with 548 aerial kills and 126 loco's, 9 ships. Reported as only beaten in aerial victories by P-51 group the 31st.

E

 

here's a little interesting tidbit from a former P-38 pilot of the 14th fighter group......this is an ongoing interview I am having with him.

Erich, I flew 50 combat missions with the 14th fighter group(that was a required tour). While on a strafing mission I destroyed 3 Ju 88's. While in aerial combat I damaged (could not confirm as both Fw 190's flew into the clouds), but my gun camera film showed pieces flying from both aircraft.
There was a person (name unknown) who was goin to write the history of the 14th, but don't think it was ever accomplished.
My a/c was a J model. When the Squadron received some of the L models in, I was asked by the maintenance Officer if I wanted one. I asked him if I could have my J crew chief and he said "No". I refused to give up my crew chief so finished my tour in my J although I did fly a couple of missions in the L. My J crew chief kept the airplane in great shape. I never had to return early or abort a mission because of poor maintenance on the a/c.
When Maintenance asked me what name I would like on my aircraft (31), I told them I would like my girl's name (High School sweetheart) on it. they painted ORESA on the left engine in big red letters. We were married in February of 45 and she is still my bride of 58 years !

I was in the 49th squadron out of Italy between June and December 1944. Upon returning to the states while stationed at Santa Rosa, California a request came out asking for pilots to volunteer for training in jet a/c or reassignmnet to the South Pacific. As the war was still on I volunteered and was transferred to Chico AAB, California. Upon arrival we started training in the P-59 (Bell Aircomet) and the P-51H. The plan at the 4th AF Hdqts was to move us into P-80's for combat in the Pacific. After a couple of months training at Chico they moved the a/c and the students to Ontario, CAlif.(My form 5 records carries my unit of assignment as 4th AF during this training period). We continued to fly the P-59 and the P-51H for an additional 2 months(no gunnery) mostly "rat racing". The war ended before getting the P-80's. The organization was disbanded and I returned to P-38's. By that time flying officers were being assigned ground jobs with flying secondary. I went to 10AF Hdqts where we had a variety of a/c to fly including P-51D's. I and two pilots in the headquarters flew the P-51's on administrative flights-no gunnery. I stayed with the HQ for approximately five years but only flew the 51's two or three times a month. I retired the end of 1964 and was flying the F-100C.
On being asked my preference between the P-38 and P-51, I feel that both a/c were good but I only flew the 38 in combat but the 51 also had a good combat record. I also flew the P-47 "Jug" but not in combat or did I have enough time in it to make a good evaluation. I flew a combat tour in the B-26(Douglas) in the Korean conflict and it handled much like the P-38 except you had to respect your crew.....

Ed Baquet

 

hot link ahead !

www.82ndfightergroup.com

take your time with it. One incredible P-38 group.

~E