Constituted as 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 Sep 1943. Activated
on 1 Oct 1943. Trained for combat with B-24's. Moved to England in Apr
1944 and assigned to Eighth AF. Entered combat on 11 May 1944, and
throughout the month operated primarily against industrial targets in
central Germany. Attacked airfields and V-weapon launching sites in France
during the first week in Jun. Bombed coastal defenses in Normandy on 6 Jun
1944 and attacked bridges, railroads, and other interdiction targets in
France until the middle of the month. Resumed bombardment of strategic
targets in Germany and, except for support of the infantry during the St
Lo breakthrough on 25 Jul 1944, continued such operations until Aug 1944.
Transferred, less personnel and equipment, to another station in England
on 5 Aug 1944 and assumed personnel, equipment, and the Carpetbagger
mission of a provisional group that was discontinued. Operated chiefly
over southern France with B-24's and C-47's, engaging in Carpetbagger
operations, that is, transporting agents, supplies, and propaganda
leaflets to patriots. Ceased these missions on 16 Sep 1944 to haul
gasoline to advancing mechanized forces in France and Belgium.
Intermittently attacked airfields, oil refineries, seaports, and other
targets in France, the Low Countries, and Germany until Feb 1945.
Meanwhile, in Oct 1944, began training for night bombardment operations;
concentrated on night bombing of marshalling yards and goods depots in
Germany, Feb-Mar 1945. Ceased these missions on 18 Mar 1945 to engage in
Carpetbagger operations over Germany and German-occupied territory, using
B-24, A-26, and British Mosquito aircraft to drop leaflets, demolition
equipment, and agents. Received a DUC for these operations, performed at
night despite adverse weather and vigorous opposition from enemy ground
forces, 20 Mar-25 Apr 1945. Also cited by the French government for
similar operations over France in 1944. Flew its last Carpetbagger mission
in Apr 1945 and then ferried personnel and equipment to and from the
Continent until Jul. Returned to the US, Jul-Aug 1945. Redesignated 492d
Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Inactivated on 17 Oct
1945.
Squadrons. 406th: 1945. 856th: 1943-1945. 857th: 1943-1945. 858th:
1943-1944, 1944-1945. 859th: 1943-1945.
Stations. Alamogordo AAFld, NM, 1 Oct 1943-1 Apr 1944; North Pickenham,
England, 18 Apr 1944; Harrington, England, 5 Aug 1944-8 Jul 1945; Sioux
Falls AAFld, SD, 14 Aug 1945; Kirtland Field, NM, 17 Aug-17 Oct 1945.
Commanders. Col Arthur Pierce, 19 Oct 1943; Maj Louis C Adams, 17 Dec
1943; Col Eugene H Snavely, 16 Jan 1944; Col Clifford Heflin, 13 Aug 1944;
Lt Col Robert W Fish, 16 Aug 1944; Col Hudson H Upham, 17 Dec 1944; Lt Col
Jack M Dickerson, c. 7 Jun 1945; Lt Col Dalson E Crawford, 30 Aug-Oct
1945.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Southern
France; Rhineland; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Germany and German-occupied
territory, 20 Mar-25 Apr 1945. French Croix de Guerre with Palm. Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986 |
