358th Fighter Group
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358th Fighter Group
| 358th Fighter Group | |
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 Emblem of the 358th Fighter Group |
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| Active | 1943–1945 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Force |
| Type | Fighter |
The 358th Fighter Group is an inactive United States Army Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Second Air Force stationed at La Junta Army Air Field , Colorado. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945.
During World War II, the group was assigned to both Eighth and Ninth Air Forces in England, flying its first combat mission on 20 December 1943. It was one of the most honored Fighter Groups in the European Theater, earning three Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions in combat and also the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, for assisting in the liberation of France. It flew its last mission on 7 May 1945.
The 358th was redesignated as the 122d Fighter Group, and allotted to the Indiana Air National Guard on 24 May 1946.
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Contents
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History
Trained in the Mid-Atlantic United States with P-40 Warhawks, 1943. While in training also used for air defense of Philadelphia area. Moved to England during September–October 1943 Equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts. Began operations on 20 December 1943 and served in combat with Eighth and, later, Ninth Air Forces until V-E Day.
Attached to Eighth Air Force, engaged in escort work until April 1944 to cover the operations of bombers that the AAF sent against targets on the Continent. Dive-bombed marshalling yards and airfields during Apr to help prepare for the invasion of Normandy. Continued attacks on enemy communications and flew escort missions during May. Escorted troop carriers over the Cotentin Peninsula on 6 and 7 June, and attacked bridges, rail lines and trains, vehicles, and troop concentrations during the remainder of the month.
Moved to the Continent in Jul and took part in operations that resulted in the Allied breakthrough at St Lo. Continued to fly escort, interdictory, and close-support missions during the Allied drive across France and into Germany, earning four citations before the end of the war. Reassigned to Ninth Air Force in August.
Received first DUC for operations from 24 December 1944 to 2 January 1945 when the group not only supported Seventh Army by attacking rail lines and rolling stock, vehicles, buildings, and artillery, but also destroyed numerous fighter planes during a major assault by the German Air Force against Allied airfields. Received second DUC for 19-2o March 1945, a period in which the 358th destroyed and damaged large numbers of motor transports and thus hampered the evacuation of German forces that were withdrawing from the area west of the Rhine. Received third DUC for performance between 8 and 25 April 1945 when the group attacked enemy airfields in the region of Munich and Ingolstadt, engaged the enemy in aerial combat, and supported advancing ground forces by attacking such targets as motor transports, tanks, loco¬motives, guns, and buildings. Received fourth citation, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, for assisting in the liberation of France.
Reassigned to Second Air Force in July 1945 and programmed for deployment to Okinawa to take part in planned invasion of Japan. Equipped with long-range P-47N Thunderbolt and began training until Atomic Bomb attacks ended the Pacific War.
Inactivated on 7 November 1945.
Lineage
- Constituted as 358th Fighter Group on 20 December 1942
- Activated on 1 January 1943
- Inactivated on 7 November 1945
Assignments
- I Fighter Command, 1 January–September 1943
- Attached to: Philadelphia Fighter Wing, 28 April–September 1943
- Attached to: VIII Fighter Command, 20 October 1943
- Attached to: IX Tactical Air Command, 1 August 1944
- Attached to: IX Tactical Air Command, 1 October 1944
- XIX Tactical Air Command, 16 January–July 1945
- Second Air Force, 3 August – 7 November 1945
Stations
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Components
- 365th Fighter Squadron: 1 January 1943 – 7 November 1945
- 366th Fighter Squadron: 1 January 1943 – 7 November 1945
- 367th Fighter Squadron: 1 January 1943 – 7 November 1945
Aircraft
- P-40 Warhawk, 1943
- P-47D/N Thunderbolt, 1943–1945
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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