Constituted as 1st Air Commando Group on 25 Mar 1944 and
activated in
India on 29 Mar. The group, which began operations
immediately, was organized
to provide fighter cover, bombardment
striking power, and air transportation
services for Wingate's Raiders,
who were operating behind enemy lines in
Burma. The organization
consisted of a headquarters plus the following
sections: bomber
(equipped with B-25's); fighter (P-51's); light-plane
(L-1's, L-5's,
and helicopters) transport (C-47's); glider (CG-4A's and
TG-5's); and
light-cargo (UC-64's). The group supported operations in Burma
by
landing and dropping troops, food, and equipment; evacuating
casualties;
and attacking airfields and transportation facilities.
Received a DUC for
operations against the enemy, Mar-May 1944. Withdrew
from the front late in
May 1944 and, with the bomber section eliminated
and the P-51's replaced by
P-47's, began a training program.
Reorganized later, with the sections being
eliminated and with fighter,
liaison, and troop carrier squadrons being
assigned. Transported
Chinese troops and supplies from Burma to China in Dec
1944, and
carried out supply, evacuation, and liaison operations for
Allied
troops in Burma until the end of the war. Attacked bridges,
railroads,
barges, troop positions, oil wells, and airfields in Burma
and escorted
bombers to Rangoon and other targets during the early
months of 1945. Changed
from P-47's to P-51's in May 1945, the fighter
squadrons being engaged in
training from then until the end of the war.
Moved to the US in Oct 1945.
Inactivated on 3 Nov 1945. Disbanded on 8
Oct 1948.
Squadrons. 5th Fighter: 1944-1945. 6th Fighter: 1944-1945.
164th
Liaison: 1944-1945. 165th Liaison: 1944-1945. 166th Liaison:
1944-1945.
319th Troop Carrier: 1944-1945.
Stations. Hailakandi, India, 29 Mar 1944; Asansol, India, 20
May 1944-6
Oct 1945; Camp Kilmer, NJ, 1-3 Nov 1945.
Commanders. Col Philip G Cochran, 29 Mar 1944; Col Clinton B
Gaty, 20
May 1944; Col Robert W Hall, c. 7 Apr 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. India-Burma; Central Burma.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Burma and
India,
[Mar 1944]-20 May 1944. Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986 |
