331st Bombardment Group
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| 331st Bombardment Group | |
|---|---|
 331st Bombardment Group Insignia |
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| Active | 1942 - 1946 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Forces |
| Role | Bombardment |
| Part of | Twentieth Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Pacific Ocean Theater of World War II |
The 331st Bombardment Group was a World War II United States Army Air Forces combat organization. It served primarily in the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II, after service as an operational training unit (OTU) for Second Air Force early in the war.
The group tail code was a "Diamond L"
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Operational Units
- 355th Bombardment Squadron 1944-1946
- 356th Bombardment Squadron 1944-1946
- 357th Bombardment Squadron 1944-1946
- 461st Bombardment Squadron 1942-1944
- 462d Bombardment Squadron 1942-1944
- 463d Bombardment Squadron 1942-1944
- 464th Bombardment Squadron 1942-1944
[edit] Aircraft Flown
The 331st, as well as the entire 315th Bomb Wing, was assigned the B-29B model. This model was built at Bell-Atlanta. This lightened version of the B-29 was equipped with the AN/APQ-7 "Eagle" radar and its 18 foot airfoil shaped antenna was located between the two bomb bays. Unlike other 20th Air Force B-29's, the B-29B's only defensive armament was located in the tail turret. The turret's twin .50 caliber machine guns utilized the AN/APG-15 gun laying radar.
[edit] Stations assigned
- Salt Lake City AAB, UT 6 Jul 1942
- Casper AAFld, WY 15 Sep 1942-1 Apr 1944
- Dalhart AAFld, TX 12 Jul 1944
- McCook AAFld, NE 14 Nov 1944-6 Apr 1945
- Northwest Field, Guam 12 May 1945-15 Apr 1946
[edit] Operational history
Constituted as 331st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 1 Jul 1942 and activated on 6 Jul. Assigned to Second AF. Equipped with B-17's and B-24's for duty as a replacement training unit. Inactivated on 1 Apr 1944.
Redesignated 331st Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Activated on 12 Jul 1944. Assigned to Second AF. Trained for combat with B-29's. Moved to Northwest Field, Guam, Apr-Jun 1945, and assigned to the 315th Bomb Wing, Twentieth AF. Bombed Japanese-held Truk late in Jun 1945. Flew first mission against the Japanese home islands on 9 Jul 1945 and afterward operated principally against the enemy's petroleum industry on Honshu. Despite the hazards of bad weather, fighter attacks, and heavy flak, the 331st bombed the coal liquefaction plant at Ube, the Mitsubishi-Hayama petroleum complex at Kawasaki, and the oil refinery and storage facilities at Shimotsu, in July and August 1945, and received a DUC for the missions.
After the war the group dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners of war in Japan. Inactivated on Guam on 15 Apr 1946.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
