870th Bombardment Squadron
| 870th Bombardment Squadron | |
|---|---|
Distinguished Unit Citation | |
| Insignia | |
| 870th Bombardment Squadron Emblem[b][1] |  |
The 870th Bombardment Squadron is a former
V-J Day, the squadron returned to the United States and briefly became part of Strategic Air Command
before inactivating.
History
Activation and training
The
cadre was drawn from the 491st Bombardment Group.[2]
In December the squadron moved on paper to
Orlando Army Air Base, Florida.[3]
In April 1944, the air and ground echelons united at Pratt Army Air Field. Here the 870th finally received newly manufactured Boeing B-29 Superfortresses the following month, although it continued to fly B-17s as well due to continuing engine problems with the B-29s. In May the United States Army Air Forces reorganized its very heavy bombardment units. The 872d Bombardment Squadron and support units of the 497th group were inactivated and their personnel absorbed into the 870th and the remaining squadrons of the group.[4]
Combat in the Pacific
The 870th deployed to the
Isely Field.[1]
The squadron began operations on 28 October 1944 with a night attack against the
Marianas.[7] On 24 November 1944 110 aircraft of the 73rd Bombardment Wing bombed Tokyo on this mission. The squadron suffered its first combat loss on this mission, when a B-29 was shot down over the target area. The 870th flew missions against strategic objectives in Japan, originally in daylight and from high altitude.[7] It was also tasked with "Weather Strike" missions which were single ship flights flown nightly to obtain weather information for target areas in Japan while also making incendiary attacks on various targets.[8]
The squadron received a
Japanese surrender in August 1945.[7]
Return to the United States and inactivation
After
MacDill Field, Florida. In March 1946 CAF became Strategic Air Command (SAC), and the squadron was one of SAC's first bombardment squadrons. Demobilization, however, was in full swing and the squadron turned in its aircraft and was inactivated on 31 March.[1]
Lineage
- Constituted as the 870th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 19 November 1943
- Activated on 20 November 1943
- Inactivated on 31 March 1946[1]
Assignments
- 497th Bombardment Group: 20 November 1943 – 31 March 1946[1]
Stations
|
|
Awards and campaigns
| Award streamer | Award | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Distinguished Unit Citation |
27 January 1945 | Japan 870th Bombardment Squadron[1] |
|
Distinguished Unit Citation |
26 July 1945 – 2 August 1945 | Japan 870th Bombardment Squadron[1] |
| Campaign Streamer | Campaign | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Air Offensive, Japan | 17 September 1944 – 2 September 1945 | 870th Bombardment Squadron[1] |
|
Eastern Mandates | 17 September 1944 – 14 April 1944 | 870th Bombardment Squadron[1] |
|
Western Pacific | 17 April 1945 – 2 September 1945 | 870th Bombardment Squadron[1] |
Aircraft
- Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, 1944
- Boeing B-29 Superfortress, 1944–1946[1]
References
Notes
- Explanatory notes
- Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on 1 November 1948. Baugher, Joe (10 June 2023). "1942 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- proper, standing on a yellow sphere marked with black lines of latitude and longitude, in base, and holding a large light red aerial bomb under the left arm, while hurling a like aerial bomb with an upraised right arm, all in front of a large white cloud formation.
- Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 791
- ^ a b Stewart & Power, p. 26
- ^ Stewart & Potter, pp. 27–30
- ^ Stewart & Potter, pp. 38–40
- ^ Stewart & Potter, pp. 46, 58
- ^ Stewart & Potter, pp. 68, 77
- ^ a b c d Maurer, Combat Units, p. 364
- ^ Stewart & Potter, p. 91
- ^ Stewart & Potter, p. 113
- ^ Stewart & Potter, pp. 132
Bibliography
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. LCCN 61060979.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. OCLC 72556.
- Stewart, Harry A.; Power, John E. (1947). Goforth, Pat E. (ed.). The Long Haul: The Story of the 497th Bomb Group (VH). Bangor Public Library World War Regimental Histories. San Angelo, TX: Newsfoto Publishing Co. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
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