324th Fighter Group
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324th Fighter Group
| 324th Fighter Group | |
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 324th Fighter Group Insignia |
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| Active | 1942–1945 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Forces |
| Role | Fighter |
| Part of | Twelfth Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Mediterranean theatre of World War II |
The 324th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with XII Air Support Command, stationed at Fliegerhorst Stuttgart-Echterdingen (R-50), Germany. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945.
During World War II, the group served in combat with Twelfth and Ninth Air Force, primarily in the Mediterranean, African, and The Middle East Theatres. It was a highly decorated organization, and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for supporting French forces during the campaigns for Italy and France, 1944–1945.
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Contents
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History
Constituted as 324th Fighter Group on 24 June 1942. Activated on 6 July 1942. Moved to the Middle East, October–December 1942, for operations with Ninth Air Force. Trained for several weeks with P-40 aircraft. While headquarters remained in Egypt, squadrons of the group began operating with other organizations against the enemy in Tunisia. Reunited in June 1943, the 324th group engaged primarily in escort and patrol missions between Tunisia and Sicily until July 1943. Received a DUC for action against the enemy from March 1943 to the invasion of Sicily.
Trained during July–October 1943 for operations with Twelfth Air Force. Resumed combat on 30 October 1943 and directed most of its attacks against roads, bridges, motor transports, supply areas, rolling stock, gun positions, troop concentrations, and rail facilities in Italy until August 1944. Patrolled the beach and protected convoys during the assault on Anzio in January 1944. Aided the Allied offensive in Italy during May 1944, receiving another DUC for action from 12 to 14 May when the group bombed an enemy position on Monastery Hill (Cassino), attacked troops massing on the hill for counterattack, and hit a nearby stronghold to force the surrender of an enemy garrison.
Continued to give close support to ground forces until the fall of Rome in June 1944. Converted to P-47's in July and supported the assault on southern France in August by dive-bombing gun position, bridges, and radar facilities, and by patrolling the combat zone. Attacked such targets as motor transports, rolling stock, rail lines, troops, bridges, gun emplacements, and supply depots after the invasion, giving tactical support to Allied forces advancing through France. Aided the reduction of the Colmar bridgehead January–February 1945, and supported Seventh Army's drive through the Siegfried defenses in March Received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for supporting French forces during the campaigns for Italy and France, 1944–1945.
Moved to the US, October–November 1945. Inactivated on November 1945.
Lineage
- Constituted as: 324th Fighter Group on 24 June 1942
- Activated on 6 July 1942
- Inactivated on 7 November 1945
Assignments
- I Fighter Command, 6 July 1942
- Attached to: Philadelphia Fighter Wing, 6 July – 8 October 1942
- Ninth Air Force, December 1942
- Attached to: Royal Air Force Middle East Command, December 1942-25 October 1943
- Twelfth Air Force, 25 October 1943 – 7 May 1945
- United States Air Forces in Europe
- Attached to:XII Air Support Command, 8 May – 20 October 1945
Operational Units
- 314th Fighter Squadron: 6 July 1942 – 7 November 1945
- 315th Fighter Squadron: 6 July 1942 – 7 November 1945
- 316th Fighter Squadron: 6 July 1942 – 7 November 1945
Aircraft flown
Stations
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References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
- Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
- Johnson, David C. (1988), U.S. Army Air Forces Continental Airfields (ETO), D-Day to V-E Day; Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
External links
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