79th Fighter Group

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 79th Fighter Group


caption= 79th Fighter Group Insignia
dates= 1942 - 1947
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Army Air Forces
type=
role= Fighter
size=
command_structure= Twelfth Air Force
current_commander=
garrison= Mediterranean theatre of World War II
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
anniversaries=The 79th Fighter Group was a World War II United States Army Air Forces combat organization. It served primarily in the Mediterranean, African, and The Middle East Theatres of World War II.

History

Operational units

* 85th Fighter Squadron 1942-1947
* 86th Fighter Squadron 1942-1947
* 87th Fighter Squadron 1942-1947

Aircraft flown

* Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
* Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

Stations assigned

* Dale Mabry Field, FL 9 Feb 1942
* Morris Field, NC c. 1 May 1942
* Hillsgrove, RI c. 22 Jun 1942
* Bedford, MA 2 Jul-28 Sep 1942
* Egypt 18 Nov 1942
* Libya c. 25 Jan 1943
* Tunisia c. 12 Mar 1943
* Sicily 16 Jul 1943
* Southern Italy c. 15 Sep 1943
* Foggia, Italy c. 9 Oct 1943
* Madna Airfield, Italy 19 Nov 1943
* Capodichino, Italy Jan 1944
* Pomigliano, Italy 1 May 1944
* Corsica Jun 1944
* Southern France c. 25 Aug 1944
* Iesi, Italy Oct 1944
* Fano, Italy c. 5 Dec 1944
* Cesenatico, Italy c. 20 Mar 1945
* Horsching, Austria Jul 1945-25 Jun 1947

Operational history

Constituted as 79th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 13 Jan 1942. Activated on 9 Feb 1942. Redesignated 79th Fighter Group in May 1942. Moved to the Middle East, Oct-Nov 1942, and became part of Ninth AF.

Trained with P-40's while moving westward in the wake of the British drive across Egypt and Libya to Tunisia. Although many of the group's pilots flew combat missions with other organizations, the 79th group itself did not begin operations until Mar 1943. By escorting bombers, attacking enemy shipping, and supporting ground forces, the 79th took part in the Allied operations that defeated Axis forces in North Africa, captured Pantelleria, and conquered Sicily, the group being awarded a DUC for its support of British Eighth Army during that period, Mar-Aug 1943.

Assigned to Twelfth AF in Aug 1943 and continued to support British Eighth Army by attacking troop concentrations, gun positions, bridges, roads, and rail lines in southern Italy. Operated in the area of the Anzio beachhead, Jan-Mar 1944. Participated in the drive on Rome, Mar-Jun 1944, and converted to P-47's during that time. Flew escort and strafing missions in southern France during Aug and Sep 1944, and afterward engaged in interdictory and close support operations in northern Italy. Received second DUC for numerous missions flown at minimum altitude in intense flak to help pierce the enemy line at the Santerno River in Italy, 16-20 Apr 1945.

Remained overseas as part of United States Air Forces in Europe after the war. Transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US in Jun 1947. Inactivated on 15 Jul 1947.

See also

* Ninth Air Force
* Twelfth Air Force

References

* Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.

External links