441st Troop Carrier Group

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 441st Troop Carrier Group


caption= 441st Troop Carrier Group Insignia
dates= 1943 - 1946
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Army Air Forces
type=
role= Troop Carrier
size=
command_structure= Ninth Air Force
current_commander=
garrison= European Theatre of World War II
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
anniversaries=The 441st Troop Carrier Group was a World War II United States Army Air Forces combat organization. It served primarily in the European Theatre of World War II.

History

Operational Units

* 99th Troop Carrier Squadron (3J)
* 100th Troop Carrier Squadron (8C)
* 301st Troop Carrier Squadron (Z4)
* 302d Troop Carrier Squadron (2L)

Aircraft Flown

* Douglas C-47 Skytrain
* Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando

Stations Assigned

* Sedalia AAFld, MO 1 Aug 1943
* Camp Mackall, NC 18 Jan 1944
* Baer Field, IN 22-29 Feb 1944
* RAF Langar, England 17 Mar 1944 490
* RAF Merryfield, England 25 Apr 1944 464
* Villeneuve/Vetrus, France 8 Sep 1944
* St Marceau, France 2 Oct 1944
* Dreux, France 3 Nov 1944
* Frankfurt, Germany c. 12 Aug 1945-30 Sep 1946
* Chicago-Orchard Aprt, IL 27 Jun 1949-14 Mar 1951

Operational History

World War II

Constituted as 441st Troop Carrier Group on 25 May 1943. Activated on 1 Aug 1943. Used C-47's to train for overseas duty. Moved to RAF Langar England, Feb-Mar 1944, and assigned to Ninth Air Force. The group was assigned to the 50th Troop Carrier Wing, IX Troop Carrier Command. It was scheduled to be assigned to Langar, however it only remained until 25 April until being moved to RAF Merryfield.

From Merryfield, the group participated in the D-Day operation, dropping 101st Airborne Division paratroops near Cherbourg, then carried out re-supply and glider delivery missions the following day. For its efficiency and achievements during these two days it was, like other troop carrier groups, awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation. During these missions, three C-47s and two CG-4A gliders were missing in action.

The group's aircraft flew supplies into Normandy as soon as suitable landing strips were available and evacuated casualties to Merryfield. On 17 July the air echelons of the 99th, 100th and 302nd Troop Carrier Squadrons new to Grosseto airbase in Italy to prepare for operations connected with the invasion of southern France returning to Merryfield on 24 August.

Meanwhile, the 301st TCS remained active on the Normandy shuttle while supplies were urgently needed for the advancing Allied armies, although operating from RAF Ramsbury from 7 August until the other squadrons returned.

Soon afterwards word was received that the 50th Troop Carrier Wing would move to France, the 441st being one of the first two groups, with headquarters leaving Merryfield on 6 September for its Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) at Villeneuve (ALG A-63).

From France the group dropped paratroops of 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions near Nijmegen on 17 September during the air attack on Holland, and towed gliders with reinforcements on 18 and 23 Sep.

In December, the group transported ammunition, rations, medicine, and other supplies to troops of 101st Airborne Division surrounded by the enemy at Bastogne. Released gliders carrying troops of 17th Airborne Division near Wesel on 24 March 1945 when the Allies launched the airborne assault across the Rhine. Hauled gasoline to armored columns in Germany after the Allies crossed the Rhine.

Continually transported freight and personnel in the theater when not participating in airborne operations. Evacuated casualties and prisoners who had been liberated.

The 441st remained overseas after the war as part of United States Air Forces in Europe, performing occupation duty from Frankfurt Germany. It continued to transport personnel and equipment, using C-46, C-47, and C-109 aircraft.

The 441st Troop Carrier Group was inactivated at Frankfurt Germany on 30 September 1946.

Cold War

The 441st Troop Carrier Wing (Medium) was reactivated as a reserve unit in May 1949. Assigned C-46 Commando aircraft, the wing was inactivated in March 1951.

ee also

* Ninth Air Force

References

* Freeman, Roger A. (1994) UK Airfields of the Ninth: Then and Now 1994. After the Battle ISBN 0900913800
* Freeman, Roger A. (1996) The Ninth Air Force in Colour: UK and the Continent-World War Two. After the Battle ISBN 1854092723
* Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924
* Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.

External links