COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES DECEMBER 1941 SATURDAY, 6 DECEMBER 1941 The combat organization of the US Army Air Forces at 2400 hours Eastern Standard Time, 6 December 1941 (0500 GMT, 7 December 1941) is listed below. An asterisk (*) indicates an attached unit. This listing is divided into five sections, i.e.: I. Units assigned to the Air Force Combat Command II. Units assigned to the Office, Chief of the Air Corps III. Units assigned to the Barrage Balloon Training Center, US Army IV. Units based overseas V. Units sorted by their station I. AIR FORCE COMBAT COMMAND, Bolling Field, DC ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 1st Air Force, Mitchel Fld, NY I Air Support Command, Mitchel Fld, NY 26th Observation Gp, Providence, RI 101st Observation Sqd, Otis Fld, Mass (O-46, O-47, O-49, O-59) 152d Observation Sqd, Ft Devens AAFld, Mass (BC-1, O-47, O-49, O-52, O-58) 45th Bombardment Gp (Light), Grenier Fld, NH 78th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20, DB-7) 79th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20, DB-7) 80th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20, DB-7) 92d Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20) 59th Observation Gp, Pope Fld, NC 103d Observation Sqd, Harrisburg MAP, Pa (O-46, O-47, O-49, O-57) 104th Observation Sqd, Detrick Fld, Md (O-46, O-47, O-49, O-59) *119th Observation Sqd, Newark MAP, NJ (O-47, O-49, O-52) 126th Observation Sqd, Ft Dix AAFld, NJ (BC-1, O-46, O-49, O-59) 65th Observation Gp, Owens Fld, SC 105th Observation Sqd (O-38, O-47, O-49, O-52) 112th Observation Sqd, Pope Fld, NC (O-47, O-49, O-57) 121st Observation Sqd (AT-6, O-38, O-46, O-47, O-58) 2d Balloon Sqdn, Pope Fld, NC (various balloons) 3d Observation Sqdn, Langley Fld, Va (O-43, O-47, O-49, O-52) I Bomber Command, Langley Fld, Va 2d Bombardment Gp (Heavy), Langley Fld, Va 20th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) *41st Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy), Newfoundland Arpt, Nfld (B-17) 49th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy), ground echelon enroute to Newfoundland, air echelon at Mitchel Fld, NY (B-17) 96th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 22d Bombardment Gp (Medium), Langley Fld, Va 2d Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-26) *18th Reconnaissance Sq (Medium) (B-26) 19th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-26) 33d Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-26) 34th Bombardment Gp, (Heavy), Westover Fld, Mass *1st Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 4th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 7th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 18th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 43d Bombardment Gp (Heavy), Dow Fld, Maine *13th Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy) (B-18) 63d Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (LB-30) 64th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-18) 65th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) I Interceptor Command, Mitchel Fld, NY 1st Pursuit Gp (Fighter), Selfridge Fld, Mich 27th Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-38) 71st Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-38) 94th Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-38) 8th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Mitchel Fld, NY 35th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39) 36th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39) 31st Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Baer Fld, Ind 39th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39) 40th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39) 41st Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39) 33d Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Mitchel Fld, NY 58th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 59th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 60th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 52d Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Selfridge Fld, Mich 2d Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 4th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 5th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 57th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Bradley Fld, Conn 64th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 65th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) Brainard Fld, Conn (P-40) 66th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) Brainard Fld, Conn (P-40) 2d Air Force, Ft Geo Wright, Wash II Air Support Command, Will Rogers Fld, Okla 12th Bombardment Gp (Light), McChord Fld, Wash 81st Bombardment Sqd (Light) (B-18) 82d Bombardment Sqd (Light) (B-18, PT-17) 83d Bombardment Sqd (Light) (B-18, B-23) 94th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (B-18, B-23) 48th Bombardment Gp (Light), Will Rogers Fld, Okla 55th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20) 56th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20) 57th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20) 88th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20) 72d Observation Gp, Adams Fld, Ark 1st Observation Sqd, Marshall Fld, Kans (O-47, O-49) 108th Observation Sqd, Chicago MAP, Ill (O-31, O-47, O-49, O-52) 124th Observation Sqd, Sherman Fld, Kans (BC-1, O-38, O-47) 30th Observation Sqd, Atlanta AAB, Ga (O-38, O-49) II Bomber Command, Ft Geo Wright, Wash 17th Bombardment Gp (Medium), Pendleton AAB, Ore 34th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-25) 37th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-25) *89th Reconnaissance Sqd (Medium) (B-25) 95th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-25) 39th Bombardment Gp (Heavy), Geiger Fld, Wash *12th Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 60th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 61st Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 62d Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 42d Bombardment Gp (Medium), Gowen Fld, Idaho *16th Reconnaissance Sqd (Medium) (B-18, B-26) 75th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-18) 76th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-26) 77th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-26) II Interceptor Command, Ft Lawton, Wash 54th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Paine Fld, Wash 42d Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39) 56th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39) 57th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39) 55th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Portland AAB, Ore 37th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-43) 38th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-43) 54th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-36, P-40, P-43) 3d Air Force, Tampa, Fla III Air Support Command, Savannah AB, Ga 3d Bombardment Gp (Light), Savannah AB, Ga 8th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20, A-24) 13th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20) 89th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20) 90th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20) 66th Observation Gp, Jacksonville AAB, Fla 97th Observation Sqd, Lawson Fld, Ga (O-47, O-49, O-52, O-57) 106th Observation Sqd, Birmingham AAB, Ala (O-47, O-49) 118th Observation Sqd (C-45, O-46, O-47, O-49, O-57, O-58, O-59) 67th Observation Gp, Esler Fld, La 107th Observation Sqd (C-45, O-47, O-49) 109th Observation Sqd (O-47, O-49, O-58) 113th Observation Sqd, Key Fld, Miss (O-47, O-49, O-52) 153d Observation Sqd, Key Fld, Miss (O-47, O-49, O-52, O-58) 68th Observation Gp, Brownwood Afld, Tex 122d Observation Sqd, Esler Fld, La (BC-1, O-38, O-46, O-47) 125th Observation Sqd, Post Fld, Okla (BC-1, O-38, O-47) 127th Observation Sqd, Sherman Fld, Kans (BC-1, O-38, O-46) 154th Observation Sqd, Post Fld, Okla (O-38, O-47, O-49, O-57) 71st Observation Gp, Birmingham AAB, Ala 102d Observation Sqd, Reilly Fld, Ala (C-45, O-46, O-47, O-49, O-57) 110th Observation Sqd, Adams Fld, Ark (O-47, O-49) 128th Observation Sqd, Lawson Fld, Ga (BC-1, O-38, O-46) 15th Observation Sqd, Post Fld, Okla (O-43, O-47, O-49, O-52) 111th Observation Sqd, Brownwood Afld, Tex (O-43, O-47, O-49, O-52, O-59) 120th Observation Sqd, Biggs Fld, Tex (O-47, O-49) III Bomber Command, MacDill Fld, Fla 13th Bombardment Gp (Medium), Orlando AAB, Fla * 3d Reconnaissance Sqd (Medium) (B-18, B-25) 39th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-18, B-25) 40th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-18) 41st Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-25) 29th Bombardment Gp (Heavy), MacDill Fld, Fla 6th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) *21st Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy) (A-29, B-17) 43d Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 52d Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 30th Bombardment Gp (Heavy), New Orleans AAB, La * 2d Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 21st Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (A-29) 27th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (A-29) 38th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-18) 38th Bombardment Gp (Medium), Jackson AAB, Miss *15th Reconnaissance Sqd (Medium) (B-26) 69th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-26) 70th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-26) 71st Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-26) 44th Bombardment Gp (Heavy), MacDill Fld, Fla *14th Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy) (B-24) 66th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-18) 67th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (unknown aircraft) 68th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (unknown aircraft) III Interceptor Command, Drew Fld, Fla 49th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Morrison Fld, Fla 7th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-35) 8th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-35) 9th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 50th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Key Fld, Miss 10th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (BT-13, P-35) 11th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-36, P-40) 12th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (unknown aircraft) 53d Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Dale Mabry Fld, Fla 13th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39) 14th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39) 15th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39) 56th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Douglas Fld, NC 61st Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39, P-40) 62d Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39, P-40) 63d Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-39, P-40) 58th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Harding Fld, La 67th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-36) 68th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 69th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-35, P-36, P-39) 4th Air Force, Hamilton Fld, Calif IV Air Support Command, Hamilton Fld, Calif 47th Bombardment Gp (Light), Fresno AAB, Calif 84th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (B-18) 85th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20, B-18) 86th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (B-18) 97th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (LB-30) 69th Observation Gp, Salinas AAB, Calif 82d Observation Sqd (O-46, O-47, O-49, O-52) 115th Observation Sqd, Sherwood Fld, Calif (BC-1, O-38, O-47, O-49) 70th Observation Gp, Gray Fld, Wash 116th Observation Sqd (O-47, O-49) 123d Observation Sqd (BC-1, O-46) 31st Observation Sqd, Salinas AAB, Calif (O-49, O-52) IV Bomber Command, Tucson, Arizona 1st Bombardment Wing, Tucson, Arizona 7th Bombardment Gp (Heavy), air echelon at Hamilton Fld, Calif; ground echelon enroute US to Philippine Is 9th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 11th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 14th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy), Clark Fld, Philippine Is (B-17) 22d Bombardment Sqd (Heavy), ground echelon enroute to Philippine Is; air echelon at Hamilton Fld, Calif (B-17) *88th Reconnaissance Sq (Heavy), ground echelon enroute US to Philippine Is; air echelon enroute US to Hawaii (B-17) 41st Bombardment Gp (Medium), Davis-Monthan Fld, Ariz * 6th Reconnaissance Sqd (Medium) (A-29, B-18, LB-30) 46th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-18) 47th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (A-29) 48th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (A-29, B-18) *38th Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy), air echelon enroute US to Hawaii; ground echelon enroute US to Philippine Is (B-17) IV Interceptor Command, Riverside, Calif 14th Pursuit Gp (Fighter), March Fld, Calif 48th Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-38) 49th Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-38) 50th Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-40) 20th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Hamilton Fld, Calif 55th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 77th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 79th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 35th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), enroute US to Philippine Is 21st Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor), Nichols Fld, Philippine Is (P-40) 34th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor), Del Carmen, Philippine Is (P-35) 70th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor), Hamilton Fld, Calif (P-36) 51st Pursuit Gp (Fighter), March Fld, Calif 16th Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-40) 25th Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-40) 26th Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-40) V Air Support Command, Bowman Fld, Ky 46th Bombardment Gp (Light), Bowman Fld, Ky 50th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20) 51st Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20) 53d Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20) 87th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (A-20) 73d Observation Gp, Godman Fld, Ky 12th Observation Sqd (O-38, O-47, O-49, O-52, YO-54, O-57, O-59) 16th Observation Sqd, Lawson Fld, Ga (O-47, O-49) 22d Observation Sqd, Brooks Fld, Tex (O-46, O-49, O-52) 91st Observation Sqd, Wheeler-Sack Fld, NY (O-46, O-47, O-49, O-52) 15th Bombardment Sqd (Light), Lawson Fld, Ga (A-20) II. OFFICE CHIEF OF AIR CORPS, Washington, DC ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Air Corps Proving Ground, Eglin Fld, Fla 1st Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor), Eglin Fld, Fla (various acft) 24th Bombardment Sqd (Light), Eglin Fld, Fla (various acft) 54th Bombardment Sqd (Medium), Eglin Fld, Fla (various acft) 50th Transport Wing, Wright Fld, Ohio 10th Transport Gp, Patterson Fld, Ohio 1st Transport Sqd (C-39, C-47) 2d Transport Sqd, Olmsted Fld, Pa (C-39, C-47) 5th Transport Sqd (C-39, C-47) 60th Transport Gp, Westover Fld, Mass 10th Transport Sqd (unknown aircraft) 11th Transport Sqd, Selfridge Fld, Mich (unknown aircraft) 12th Transport Sqd, Mitchel Fld, NY (unknown aircraft) 61st Transport Gp, Daniel Fld, Ga 6th Transport Sqd, Olmsted Fld, Pa (C-39, C-53) 13th Transport Sqd, Drew Fld, Fla (C-47) 14th Transport Sqd (C-39) 15th Transport Sqd (C-39) 62d Transport Gp, McClellan Fld, Calif 4th Transport Sqd (C-39) 7th Transport Sqd (C-39) 8th Transport Sqd, Hill Fld, Utah (C-39) 63d Transport Gp, Brookley Fld, Ala 3d Transport Sqd, Duncan Fld, Tex (C-39) 9th Transport Sqd (C-39) 64th Transport Gp, March Fld, Calif 16th Transport Sqd, Portland AAB, Ore (C-47) 17th Transport Sqd, Hamilton Fld, Calif (C-47) 18th Transport Sqd (C-47) 1st Photographic Gp, Bolling Fld, DC 1st Photographic Sqd, Bradley Fld, Conn (A-29) 2d Photographic Sqd, Gray Fld, Wash (F-2) 3d Photographic Sqd, Maxwell Fld, Ala (?) 4th Photographic Sqd, Moffett Fld, Calif (F-2) III. BARRAGE BALLOON TRAINING CENTER, US ARMY ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 3d Barrage Balloon Sqd, Camp Davis, NC (various balloons) IV. OVERSEAS UNITS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ALASKA DEFENSE COMMAND, US ARMY ------------------------------- Air Force, Alaska Defense Command 28th Composite Gp, Elmendorf Fld, Territory of Alaska 18th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (20 P-36s) 36th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (6 B-18As) 73d Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (6 B-18As) CARIBBEAN DEFENSE COMMAND, US ARMY ---------------------------------- Caribbean Air Force, Albrook Fld, CZ VI Bomber Command, Albrook Fld, CZ 6th Bombardment Gp (Heavy), France Fld, CZ 3d Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-18) * 7th Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy), Howard Fld, CZ (B-17, B-18) 25th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-18) 74th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy), Aguadulce, Panama (B-18) 9th Bombardment Gp (Heavy), Waller Fld, Trinidad 1st Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-18) 5th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy), Beane Fld, St Lucia (B-18) 44th Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy), Atkinson Fld, British Guiana (B-17) *59th Bombardment Sqd (Light), Howard Fld, CZ (A-20) 99th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy), Zandery Fld, Surinam (B-18) 25th Bombardment Gp (Heavy), Borinquen Fld, Puerto Rico 10th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-18) 12th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy), Benedict Fld, St Croix (B-18) *27th Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy) (B-18) 35th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy), Coolidge Fld, Antigua (B-18) 40th Bombardment Gp (Medium), Borinquen Fld, Puerto Rico * 5th Reconnaissance Sqd (Medium) (B-18) 29th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-18) 44th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-18) 45th Bombardment Sqd (Medium) (B-18) VI Interceptor Command, Borinquen Fld, Puerto Rico 12th Pursuit Wing, Albrook Fld, CZ 16th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Albrook Fld, CZ 24th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-36) 29th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 43d Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 32d Pursuit Gp (Fighter), Rio Hato, Panama 51st Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-36) 52d Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-36) 53d Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-36) 37th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Albrook Fld, CZ 28th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40) 30th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor), Chorrera, Panama (P-40) 31st Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-26, P-40) 36th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Losey Fld, Puerto Rico 22d Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-36) 23d Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-36) 32d Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-36) 20th Transport Sqd, France Fld (detachment at Howard Fld), CZ (C-39, C-47, C-49) 39th Observation Sqd, France Fld, CZ (O-47, O-49) HAWAIIAN DEPARTMENT, US ARMY ---------------------------- Hawaiian Air Force, Hickam Fld, Territory of Hawaii 14th Pursuit Wg, Wheeler Fld, Territory of Hawaii 15th Pursuit Gp (Fighter), Wheeler Fld 45th Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-36A) 46th Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-36A, P-40B) 47th Pursuit Sqd (Fighter) (P-40B, P-36A) 72d Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (none) 18th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Wheeler Fld 6th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40B) 19th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40B, P-40C) 44th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor), Bellows Fld (P-40B, P-40C) 73d Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40B) 78th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40B) 18th Bombardment Wg, Hickam Fld, Territory of Hawaii 5th Bombardment Gp (Heavy), Hickam Fld * 4th Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy) (B-17, B-18) 23d Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17, B-18) 31st Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17, B-18) 72d Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17, B-18)) 11th Bombardment Gp (Heavy), Hickam Fld 26th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17, B-18) 42d Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17, B-18) *50th Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy) (B-17, B-18) 19th Transport Sqd, Hickam Fld (C-33) 58th Bombardment Sqd (Light), Hickam Fld (A-20) 86th Observation Sqd, Bellows Fld (B-12, O-47, O-49) ICELAND BASE COMMAND, US ARMY ----------------------------- 33d Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor), Reykjavik Aerodrome (P-40) NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND, US ARMY ---------------------------------- *41st Reconnaissance Sqd (Heavy), Newfoundland Airport (B-17) PUERTO RICAN DEPARTMENT, US ARMY -------------------------------- 4th Observation Sqd, Losey Fld, Puerto Rico (O-47, O-52) US ARMY FORCES IN THE FAR EAST ------------------------------ Far East Air Force, Nichols Fld, Philippine Islands V Bomber Command, Clark Fld, Philippine Islands 19th Bombardment Gp (Heavy), Clark Fld *14th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 28th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 30th Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 32d Bombardment Sqd (Heavy), ground echelon enroute US to Philippine Is; air echelon at Hamilton Fld, Calif (B-17) 38th Reconnaissance Sqdn (Heavy), ground echelon enroute US to Philippine Is; air echelon enroute US to Hawaii 93d Bombardment Sqd (Heavy) (B-17) 27th Bombardment Gp (Light), Ft William McKinley 16th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (none) 17th Bombardment Sqd (Light) (none) 91st Bombardment Sqd (Light) (none) 5th Interceptor Command (Provisional), Nielson Fld 24th Pursuit Gp (Interceptor), Clark Fld 3d Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor), Iba Afld (P-40E) 17th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor), Nichols Fld (P-40E) 20th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor) (P-40B) *21st Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor), Nichols Fld (P-40E) *34th Pursuit Sqd (Interceptor), Del Carmen Fld (P-35) 2d Observation Sqd, Nichols Fld (O-46, O-52) V. UNITS SORTED BY STATION ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ AIR ECHELONS ENROUTE FROM U.S. TO HAWAII ---------------------------------------- 38th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) ALABAMA ------- Birmingham Army Air Base (Birmingham Municipal Airport) 71st Observation Group 106th Observation Squadron (O-47, O-49) Brookley Field, Mobile 63d Transport Group 9th Transport Squadron (C-39) Maxwell Field, Montgomery 3d Photographic Squadron (?) Reilly Field, Fort McClellan, Anniston 102d Observation Squadron (C-45, O-46, O-47, O-49, O-57) ARIZONA ------- Davis-Monthan Field (Tucson Municipal Airport) 41st Bombardment Group (Medium) 6th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium) (A-29, B-18, LB-30) 46th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-18) 47th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (A-29) 48th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (A-29, B-18) Tucson IV Bomber Command, Tucson 1st Bombardment Wing, Tucson ARKANSAS, Adams Field, Little Rock ---------------------------------- 72d Observation Group 110th Observation Squadron (O-47, O-49) BRITISH GUINEA, Atkinson Field ------------------------------ 44th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) BRITISH WEST INDIES ------------------- Antigua, Coolidge Field 35th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) St. Lucia, Beane Field 5th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) Trinidad, Waller Field 9th Bombardment Group (Heavy) 1st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) CALIFORNIA ---------- Fresno Army Air Base, Fresno 47th Bombardment Group (Light) 84th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (B-18) 85th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20, B-18) 86th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (B-18) 97th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (LB-30) Hamilton Field, San Rafael 4th Air Force IV Air Support Command 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy) air echelon only 20th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), Hamilton Fld, Calif 9th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), air echelon only (B-17) 11th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), air echelon only (B-17) 17th Transport Squadron (C-47) 22d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), air echelon only (B-17) 55th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) 70th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-36) 77th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) 79th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) March Field, Riverside 14th Pursuit Group (Fighter) 51st Pursuit Group (Fighter) 64th Transport Group 16th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-40) 18th Transport Squadron (C-47) 25th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-40) 26th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-40) 48th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-38) 49th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-38) 50th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-40) McClellan Field, Sacramento 62d Transport Group 4th Transport Squadron (C-39) 7th Transport Squadron (C-39) Moffett Field, Mountain View 4th Photographic Squadron (F-2) Riverside (US Post Office), Riverside IV Interceptor Command Salinas Army Air Base (Salinas Airport), Salinas 69th Observation Group 31st Observation Squadron (O-49, O-52) 82d Observation Squadron (O-46, O-47, O-49, O-52) Sherwood Field, Paso Robles 115th Observation Squadron (BC-1, O-38, O-47, O-49) CANAL ZONE ---------- Albrook Field Caribbean Air Force VI Bomber Command 12th Pursuit Wing 37th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 16th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 24th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-36) 28th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) 29th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) 31st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-26, P-40) 43d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) France Field 6th Bombardment Group (Heavy), France Fld, CZ 3d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) 20th Transport Squadron (C-39, C-47, C-49) 25th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) 39th Observation Squadron (O-47, O-49) Howard Field 7th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (B-17, B-18) 59th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) Detachment, 20th Transport Squadron (C-39, C-47, C-49) CONNECTICUT ----------- Bradley Field, Windsor Locks 1st Photographic Squadron (A-29) 57th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), 64th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) Brainard Field, Hartford 65th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) 66th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Bolling Field ----------------------------------- Air Force Combat Command Office Chief of Air Corps 1st Photographic Group FLORIDA ------- Dale Mabry Field, Tallahassee 53d Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 13th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39) 14th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39) 15th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39) Drew Field, Tampa III Interceptor Command 13th Transport Squadron (C-47) Eglin Field, Valpariso Air Corps Proving Ground 1st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (various acft) 24th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (various acft) 54th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (various acft) Jacksonville Army Air Base (Municipal Airport), Jacksonville 66th Observation Group 118th Observation Squadron (C-45, O-46, O-47, O-49, O-57, O-58, O-59) MacDill Field, Tampa III Bomber Command 29th Bombardment Group (Heavy) 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) 6th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 14th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (B-24) 21st Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (A-29, B-17) 43d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 52d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 66th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) 67th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (?) 68th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (?) Morrison Field, Palm Beach 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 7th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-35) 8th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-35) 9th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) Orlando Army Air Base (Municipal Airport), Orlando 13th Bombardment Group (Medium) 3d Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium) (B-18, B-25) 39th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-18, B-25) 40th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-18) 41st Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-25) National Guard Armory, Tampa 3d Air Force GEORGIA ------- Atlanta Army Air Base (Atlanta Airport), Atlanta 30th Observation Squadron (O-38, O-49) Daniel Field, Augusta 61st Transport Group 14th Transport Squadron (C-39) 15th Transport Squadron (C-39) Lawson Field, Fort Benning, Columbus 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) 16th Observation Squadron (O-47, O-49) 97th Observation Squadron (O-47, O-49, O-52, O-57) 128th Observation Squadron (BC-1, O-38, O-46) Savannah Air Base, Savannah III Air Support Command 3d Bombardment Group (Light) 8th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20, A-24) 13th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) 89th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) 90th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) GROUND ECHELONS ENROUTE FROM U.S. TO OVERSEAS --------------------------------------------- Enroute to Newfoundland 49th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) Enroute to Philippine Islands 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy) 35th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 22d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) 38th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) ICELAND, Reykjavik Airport, Reykjavik ------------------------------------- 33d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) IDAHO ----- Gowen Field, Boise 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) 16th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium) (B-18, B-26) 75th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-18) 76th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-26) 77th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-26) ILLINOIS, Chicago Municipal Airport, Chicago -------------------------------------------- 108th Observation Squadron (O-31, O-47, O-49, O-52) INDIANA, Baer Field, Fort Wayne ------------------------------- 31st Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 39th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39) 40th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39) 41st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39) KANSAS ------ Marshall Field, Fort Riley, Junction City 1st Observation Squadron (O-47, O-49) Sherman Field, Fort Leavenworth, Leavenworth 124th Observation Squadron (BC-1, O-38, O-47) 127th Observation Squadron (BC-1, O-38, O-46) KENTUCKY -------- Bowman Field, Louisville V Air Support Command 46th Bombardment Group (Light) 50th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) 51st Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) 53d Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) 87th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) Godman Field, Fort Knox, Louisville 73d Observation Group 12th Observation Squadron (O-38, O-47, O-49, O-52, YO-54, O-57, O-59) LOUISIANA --------- Esler Field, Camp Beauregard, Alexandria 67th Observation Group 107th Observation Squadron (C-45, O-47, O-49) 109th Observation Squadron (O-47, O-49, O-58) 122d Observation Squadron (BC-1, O-38, O-46, O-47) Harding Field, Baton Rouge 58th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 67th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-36) 68th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) 69th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-35, P-36, P-39) New Orleans Army Air Base (New Orleans Airport), New Orleans 30th Bombardment Group (Heavy) 2d Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 21st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (A-29) 27th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (A-29) 38th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) MAINE, Dow Field, Bangor ------------------------ 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) 13th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) 63d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (LB-30) 64th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) MARYLAND, Detrick Field, Frederick ---------------------------------- 104th Observation Squadron (O-46, O-47, O-49, O-59) MASSACHUSETTS ------------- Fort Devens Army Airfield, Fort Devens, Ayer 152d Observation Squadron (BC-1, O-47, O-49, O-52, O-58) Otis Field, Camp Edwards, Falmouth 101st Observation Squadron (O-46, O-47, O-49, O-59) Westover Field, Chicopee Falls 34th Bombardment Group, (Heavy) 60th Transport Group 1st Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 4th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 7th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 10th Transport Squadron (?) 18th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) MICHIGAN, Selfridge Field, Mount Clemens ---------------------------------------- 1st Pursuit Group (Fighter) 52d Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 2d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) 4th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) 5th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) 11th Transport Squadron (?) 27th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-38) 71st Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-38) 94th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-38) MISSISSIPPI ----------- Jackson Army Air Base (Municipal Airport), Jackson 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) 15th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium) (B-26) 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-26) 70th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-26) 71st Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-26) Key Field, Meridian 50th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 10th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (BT-13, P-35) 11th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-36, P-40) 12th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (?) 113th Observation Squadron (O-47, O-49, O-52) 153d Observation Squadron (O-47, O-49, O-52, O-58) NEW HAMPSHIRE, Grenier Field (Manchester Airport), Manchester ------------------------------------------------------------- 45th Bombardment Group (Light) 78th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20, DB-7) 79th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20, DB-7) 80th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20, DB-7) 92d Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) NEW JERSEY ---------- Fort Dix Army Airfield, Fort Dix, Wrightstown 126th Observation Squadron (BC-1, O-46, O-49, O-59) Newark Municipal Airport, Newark 119th Observation Squadron (O-47, O-49, O-52) NEW YORK -------- Mitchel Field, Hempstead, Long Island 1st Air Force I Air Support Command I Interceptor Command 8th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 33d Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 12th Transport Squadron (unknown aircraft) 35th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39) 36th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39) 49th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) air echelon only (B-17) 58th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) 59th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) 60th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) Wheeler-Sack Field, Pine Camp, Great Bend 91st Observation Squadron (O-46, O-47, O-49, O-52) NEWFOUNDLAND, Newfoundland Airport, Gander Lake ----------------------------------------------- 41st Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (B-17B) NORTH CAROLINA -------------- Camp Davis, Wilmington 3d Barrage Balloon Squadron (various balloons) Douglas Field, Charlotte 56th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 61st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39, P-40) 62d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39, P-40) 63d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39, P-40) Pope Field, Fort Bragg, Fayetteville 2d Balloon Squadron (various balloons) 59th Observation Group 112th Observation Squadron (O-47, O-49, O-57) OHIO ---- Patterson Field, Dayton 10th Transport Group 1st Transport Squadron (C-39, C-47) Wright Field, Dayton 50th Transport Wing 5th Transport Squadron (C-39, C-47) OKLAHOMA -------- Post Field, Fort Sill, Lawton 15th Observation Squadron (O-43, O-47, O-49, O-52) 125th Observation Squadron (BC-1, O-38, O-47) 154th Observation Squadron (O-38, O-47, O-49, O-57) Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma City II Air Support Command 48th Bombardment Group (Light) 55th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) 56th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) 57th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) 88th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) OREGON ------ Pendleton Army Air Base (Municipal Airport), Pendleton 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) 34th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-25) 37th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-25) 89th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium) (B-25) 95th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-25) Portland Army Air Base (Portland-Columbia Airport), Portland 55th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 16th Transport Squadron (C-47) 37th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-43) 38th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-43) 54th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-36, P-40, P-43) PANAMA ------ Aguadulce 74th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) Chorrera 30th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40) Rio Hato 32d Pursuit Group (Fighter) 51st Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-36) 52d Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-36) 53d Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-36) PENNSYLVANIA ------------ Harrisburg Municipal Airport, Harrisburg 103d Observation Squadron (O-46, O-47, O-49, O-57) Olmsted Field, Middletown 2d Transport Squadron (C-39, C-47) 6th Transport Squadron (C-39, C-53) PHILIPPINE ISLANDS ------------------ Clark Field, Fort Stotsenberg, Luzon V Bomber Command 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy) 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 14th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 20th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40B) 28th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 93d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) Del Carmen Field, Luzon 34th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-35) Fort William McKinley, Luzon 27th Bombardment Group (Light) 16th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (none) 17th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (none) 91st Bombardment Squadron (Light) (none) Iba Airfield, Luzon 3d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40E) Nichols Field, Luzon Far East Air Force 2d Observation Squadron (O-46, O-52) 17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40E) 21st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40E) Nielson Field, Luzon 5th Interceptor Command (Provisional) PUERTO RICO ----------- Borinquen Field, Punta Borinquen VI Interceptor Command 25th Bombardment Group (Heavy) 40th Bombardment Group (Medium) 10th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) 5th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium) (B-18) 27th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) 29th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-18) 44th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-18) 45th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-18) Losey Field, Ponce 36th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 4th Observation Squadron (O-47, O-52) 22d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-36) 23d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-36) 32d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-36) RHODE ISLAND, Providence ------------------------ 26th Observation Group SOUTH CAROLINA, Owens Field, Columbia ------------------------------------- 65th Observation Group 105th Observation Squadron (O-38, O-47, O-49, O-52) 121st Observation Squadron (AT-6, O-38, O-46, O-47, O-58) SURINAM, Zandery Field ---------------------- 99th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) TERRITORY OF ALASKA, Elmendorf Field, Fort Richardson, Anchorage ---------------------------------------------------------------- 28th Composite Group 18th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (20 P-36s) 36th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (6 B-18As) 73d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (6 B-18As) TERRITORY OF HAWAII ------------------- Bellows Field, Waimanlo Military Reservation, Oahu 44th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40B, P-40C) 86th Observation Squadron (B-12, O-47, O-49) Hickam Field, Honolulu Hawaiian Air Force 18th Bombardment Wg 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy) 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy) 4th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (B-17, B-18) 19th Transport Squadron (C-33) 23d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17, B-18) 26th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17, B-18) 31st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17, B-18) 42d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17, B-18) 50th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (B-17, B-18) 58th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (A-20) 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17, B-18)) Wheeler Field, Schofield Barracks, Oahu 14th Pursuit Wg 15th Pursuit Group (Fighter) 18th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 6th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40B) 19th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40B, P-40C) 45th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-36A) 46th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-36A, P-40B) 47th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (P-40B, P-36A) 72d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (none) 73d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40B) 78th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-40B) TEXAS ----- Biggs Field, Fort Bliss, El Paso 120th Observation Squadron (O-47, O-49) Brooks Field, San Antonio 22d Observation Squadron (O-46, O-49, O-52) Brownwood Airfield, Brownwood 68th Observation Group 111th Observation Squadron (O-43, O-47, O-49, O-52, O-59) Duncan Field, San Antonio 3d Transport Squadron (C-39) U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, Benedict Field, St Croix --------------------------------------------- 12th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-18) UTAH, Hill Field, Ogden ----------------------- 8th Transport Squadron (C-39) VIRGINIA, Langley Field, Hampton -------------------------------- I Bomber Command 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy) 22d Bombardment Group (Medium) 2d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-26) 3d Observation Squadron (O-43, O-47, O-49, O-52) 18th Reconnaissance Sq (Medium) (B-26) 19th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-26) 20th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 33d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (B-26) 41st Reconnaissance Sq (Heavy) (B-17) 96th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) WASHINGTON ---------- Fort George Wright, Spokane 2d Air Force II Bomber Command Fort Lawton, Seattle II Interceptor Command Geiger Field, Spokane 39th Bombardment Group (Heavy) 12th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 60th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 61st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) 62d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (B-17) Gray Field, Fort Lewis, Tacoma 2d Photographic Squadron (F-2) 70th Observation Group 116th Observation Squadron (O-47, O-49) 123d Observation Squadron (BC-1, O-46) McChord Field, Tacoma 12th Bombardment Group (Light) 81st Bombardment Squadron (Light) (B-18) 82d Bombardment Squadron (Light) (B-18, PT-17) 83d Bombardment Squadron (Light) (B-18, B-23) 94th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (B-18, B-23) Paine Field, Everett 54th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) 42d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39) 56th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39) 57th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (P-39) SUNDAY, 7 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-18, Douglas Bolo O-47, North American O-49, Stinson Vigilant O-52, Curtiss Owl P-36, Curtiss Hawk P-40, Curtiss AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Air Force, Alaska Defense Command): Upon learning of the Pearl Harbor attack, the Command's 6 B-l8's and 12 P-36's take to the air to avoid being caught on their fields. ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): The 119th Observation Squadron, I Air Support Command, begins flying ASW patrols from Newark Municipal Airport, New Jersey with O-47's, O-49's and O-52's. CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Hawaiian Air Force): The first wave of Japanese carrier-based airplanes (almost 200) hit Hickam Field and the US Naval base at Pearl Harbor at 0755 local (1325 Eastern Standard Time, 1825 GMT). Attacks follow quickly against Wheeler and Bellows Fields. A second wave of Japanese airplanes strikes other naval and military facilities. The Hawaiian Air Force loses 163 men, with about 390 others wounded or missing; has 64 of its 231 assigned aircraft destroyed. Only 79 of the remaining aircraft are deemed usable, and much of the Air Force's ground facilities are destroyed. These losses are light in comparison with the US Navy's: more than 2,000 killed or missing, and more than 900 wounded; 4 battleships sunk; 3 battleships, 3 cruisers, and 3 destroyers damaged; and over half of the Navy's 169 airplanes in the area destroyed. The Japanese lose 20 aircraft over Hawaii, including 4 claimed destroyed by Second Lieutenant George S Welch of the 47th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter), 15th Pursuit Group (Fighter) piloting a P-40, one of the few US fighters to successfully attack airplanes during the day. About 20 other aircraft are lost by the Japanese during carrier landings. Altogether the Japanese pay a small price for the damage done to the Americans on Oahu. For the remainder of the day, following the attacks, the Army Air Forces carries out fruitless searches for the carriers. The air echelons of the 38th and 88th Reconnaissance Squadrons (Heavy), 1st Bombardment Wing, begin operating from Hickam Field where they arrived during the Japanese attack. The crews of the 38th are dissolved and personnel are assigned to other units; the 88th will operate from Hickam Field until Feb 42. INTERNATIONAL Japan attacks Hawaii and other US and British possessions in the Pacific without warning. Japan already is at war with China, and Great Britain is at war with the Axis powers, Germany and Italy, which control most of Western Europe. The Royal Air Force (RAF) is conducting an aerial offensive against Germany, and the Luftwaffe is engaged in a campaign against Britain. Russians are fighting German forces that have invaded the USSR. British troops are battling Italians and Germans in Africa. MONDAY, 8 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: A-20, Douglas Havoc A-29, Lockheed Hudson B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-18, Douglas Bolo B-25, North American Mitchell LB-30, Consolidated Liberator O-46, Douglas O-47, North American O-49, Stinson Vigilant O-52, Curtiss Owl O-59, Piper Grasshopper/Cub P-38, Lockheed Lightning P-40, Curtiss AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Air Force, Alaska Defense Command): Starting today, B-18's fly armored reconnaissance each morning from Elmendorf Field, Anchorage to Kodiak Island in the Aleutian Islands. CARIBBEAN (Caribbean Air Force): All Army Air Force units in the Caribbean begin flying ASW patrols. ZONE OF INTERIOR: The 1st and 4th Air Forces are made responsible for the air defense on the E and W coasts, respectively. The Commanding General 1st Air Force orders the I Bomber Command to begin overwater reconnaissance with all available aircraft to locate and attack any hostile surface forces which might approach the E coast. Similar reconnaissance is ordered off the W coast. P-38's of the lst Pursuit Group (Fighter) from Selfridge Field, Mount Clemens, Michigan begin to arrive at NAS San Diego, California being the first reinforcements of air strength on the W coast. Effective this month, the following units begin flying ASW patrols: 1st Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy), I Bomber Command, from Westover Field, Massachusetts with B-17's until Oct 42. 3d Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium), 2d Bombardment Wing from Orlando AAB, Florida with B-18's and B-25's until Aug 43. 4th, 7th and 18th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 34th Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Westover Field, Massachusetts with B-17's until Oct 42. 6th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium), IV Bomber Command, from Muroc AAB, California with B-18's and LB-30's until Aug 42. 8th, 13th, 89th and 90th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 3d Bombardment Group (Light) from Savannah AAB, Georgia with A-20's until Jan 42. 9th, 11th and 22d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Muroc AAB, California with B-17's, until 12 Dec. 12th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy), II Bomber Command, from Geiger Field, Washington with B-17's until Jan 42. 13th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy), I Bomber Command, from Dow Field, Maine with A-29's and B-18's until Jan 42. 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), V Air Support Command, from Ft Dix AAFld, New Jersey with A-20's until Jan 42. 20th and 96th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy), from Mitchel Field, New York and Langley Field, Virginia with B-17's until Oct 42. 37th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) from Pendleton AAB, Oregon with B-25's until Mar 42. 40th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 13th Bombardment Group (Medium) from Orlando AAB, Florida with B-18's until Jun 43. 43d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 29th Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Pope Filed, North Carolina and MacDill Field, Florida with B-17's until Jun 42. 49th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy) with B-17's from Geiger Field, Washington in Dec and from Langley Field, Virginia Jul-Oct 42. 63d (LB-30), 64th (B-18) and 65th (B-17) Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) from Dow Field, Maine until Feb 42. 79th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 20th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) with P-40's from Oakland MAP, California until Feb 42. 82d Observation Squadron, 69th Observation Group, with O-46's, O-47's, O-49's and O-52's from Salinas AAB, California until Aug 42. 84th, 85th, 86th and 97th Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 47th Bombardment Group (Light), with A-20's and B-18's from Hammer Field, California until Jan 42. 101st Observation Squadron, 26th Observation Group, from Otis Field, Massachusetts with O-46's and O-47's until Aug 42. 116th and 123d Observation Squadrons, 70th Observation Group, from Gray Field, Washington with O-46's, O-47's and O-49's until Aug 42. 126th Observation Squadron, 59th Observation Group, from Ft Dix AAFld, New Jersey with O-47's, O-49's, and O-59's until Oct 42. INTERNATIONAL: The US, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Canada, the Union of South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Free France, and 8 Latin American republics declare war against Japan. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): The first word of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is received on Luzon, Philip- pine Islands by commercial radio between 0300-0330 hours local. Within 30 minutes radar at Iba Field, Luzon plots a formation of airplanes 75-miles (120-km) offshore, heading for Corregidor Island. P-40's are sent out to intercept but make no contact. Shortly before 0930 hours, after Japanese aircraft are detected over Lingayen Gulf heading toward Manila, B-17's at Clark Field, Luzon are ordered airborne to prevent being caught on the ground. Fighters from Clark and Nichols Fields are sent to intercept the enemy but do not make contact. The Japanese airplanes swing E and bomb military installations at Baguio, Tarlac, Tuguegarao, and airfields at Cabantuan are also attacked. By 1130 hours, the B-17's and fighters sent into the air earlier have landed at Clark and Iba Fields for refueling, and radar has disclosed another flight of Japanese aircraft 70-miles (112-km) W of Lingayen Gulf, headed S. Fighters from Iba Field make a fruitless search over the S China Sea. Fighters from Nichols Field are dispatched to patrol over Bataan and Manila. Around 1145 hours a formation is reported headed S over Lingayen Gulf. Fighters are ordered from Del Carmen Field to cover Clark Field but fail to arrive before the Japanese hit Clark shortly after 1200 hours. B-17's and many fighters at Clark Field are caught on the ground, but a few P-4O's manage to get airborne. 2d Lieutenant Randall B Keator of the 20th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), shoots down the first Japanese aircraft over the Philip- pines. The P-40's earlier sent on patrol of the S China Sea return to Iba Field with fuel running low at the beginning of a Japanese attack on that airfield. The P-40's fail to prevent bombing but manage to prevent low-level strafing of the sort which proved so destructive at Clark Field. At the end of the day's action it is apparent that the Japanese have won a major victory. The effective striking power of Far East Air Force has been destroyed, the fighter strength has been seriously reduced, most B-17 maintenance facilities have been demolished, and about 90 men have been killed. TUESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: B-10, Douglas B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-18, Douglas Bolo B-26, Martin Marauder P-26, Boeing Peashooter P-35, Seversky P-38, Lockheed Lightning P-40, Curtiss AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS CARIBBEAN (Caribbean Air Force): HQ 6th Bombardment Group (Heavy) trans- fers from France Field, Canal Zone to Rio Hato, Panama. HQ 32d Pursuit Group (Interceptor) transfers from Rio Hato, Panama to France Field, Canal Zone. The 28th and 31st Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor), 37th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfer with P-26's P-40's from Albrook Field, Canal Zone to Patilla Point and Chorrera, Panama respectively. ZONE OF INTERIOR 1ST AIR FORCE: Fighters at Mitchel Field, New York are dispatched to intercept a hostile airplane reported (falsely) to be approaching the E coast. The 70th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medi- um), based at Jackson AAB, Mississippi begins flying ASW patrols from Savannah AAB, Georgia with B-26's until 12 Dec. 4TH AIR FORCE: The 2d, 19th and 33d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 22d Bombardment Group (Medium) transfer from Langley Field, Virginia to Muroc AAB, California with B-26's and begin flying ASW patrols until Jan 42. The 18th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium), IV Bomber Command, transfers from Langley Field, Virginia to Muroc AAB, California with B-26's and begins flying ASW patrols until Jan 42. The 94th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter), 1st Pursuit Group (Fighter), begins flying ASW patrols from NAS San Diego, California with P-38's until Mar 42. CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Hawaiian Air Force): The 78th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 18th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfers with P-40's from Wheeler Field to Kaneohe, Territory of Hawaii. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): Shortly after 0300 hours, Japanese aircraft attack Nichols Field. This attack, added to the previous day's raids on Clark and Iba Fields, leaves the Far East Air Force strength reduced by half. Only 17 of 35 B-17's remain in commission; about 55 P-40's, 3 P-35's, and close to 30 other aircraft (B-10's, B-18's, and observation airplanes) have been lost in aerial combat or destroyed on the ground. During the morning and afternoon, B-17's from Mindanao Island fly reconnaissance missions and land on Clark and San Marcelino Fields on Luzon. Several more B-17's are flown from Mindanao Island to these Luzon bases for resistance against a possible invasion attempt. The 3d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfers from Iba Airfield to Nichols Field, Luzon with P-40's. The 17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Intercep- tor), based at Nichols Field begins operating from Clark Field, Luzon with P-40's. WEDNESDAY, 10 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: A-29, Lockheed Hudson B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-18, Douglas Bolo P-35, Seversky P-40, Curtiss AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): The air echelons of the 11th and 22d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy) cease flying ASW patrols from Muroc AAB, California with B-17's. The 48th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group (Medium), transfers from Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona to Muroc AAB, California and begins flying ASW patrols with A-29's and B-18's until Sep 42. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): B-17's, P-40's, and P-35's attack a convoy landing troops and equipment at Vigan and at Aparri in N.Luzon. 1 transport at Vigan is destroyed. The strikes include the much publicized attack of Captain Colin P Kelly Jr of the 14th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on a warship off Aparri. Captain Kelly, who is killed when his B-17 is shot down by fighters as he is returning to Clark Field, is later posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for destroying a battleship. However, later information reveals that he attacked the heavy cruiser ASHIGARA, probably scoring near misses. THURSDAY, 11 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: A-20, Douglas Havoc B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-18, Douglas Bolo P-36, Curtiss Hawk AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS CARIBBEAN (Caribbean Air Force): The 7th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy), VI Bomber Command, transfers from Howard Field, Canal Zone to David, Panama with B-17's and B-18's. The 32d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 36th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), based at Losey Field, Puerto Rico sends a detachment to Arecibo, Puerto Rico with P-36's. The 74th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 6th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Aguadulce, Panama to Rio Hato, Panama with B-18's. ZONE OF INTERIOR: The 2d and 4th Air Forces are assigned to the US Army's Western Defense Command. CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Hawaiian Air Force): 6 B-18's fly a sea-search mission from the Hawaiian Islands. Similar missions by B-17's, B-18's, and A-20's are flown each day for the remainder of the year; several submarines are sighted and some are attacked but without positive evidence of hits. The 58th Bombardment Squadron (Light), Hawaiian Air Force, and 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfer from Hickam Field to Bellows Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii with A-20's and B-18's respectively. INTERNATIONAL: Germany and Italy declare war on the US. The Congress declares war on Germany and Italy. FRIDAY, 12 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-25, North American Mitchell P-38, Lockheed Lightning P-40, Curtiss AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): he 89th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medi- um), II Bomber Command, begins flying ASW patrols from Pendleton AAB, Oregon with B-25's; patrols continue until Mar 42. The 9th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), ceases flying ASW patrols from Muroc AAB, California with B-17's. The 27th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter), 1st Pursuit Group (Fighter), begins flying ASW patrols from NAS San Diego, California with P-38's; patrols continue until 29 Dec. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): 100+ Japanese aircraft hit targets at Clark Field, Batangas, and Olongapo on Luzon Island. No hits are scored by the single B-17 that is sent against Japanese transports at Vigan. The 3d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfers from Nichols Field to Ternate, Luzon and operating from Del Carmon, Luzon with P-40's. SATURDAY, 13 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-25, North American Mitchell O-38, Douglas O-47, North American O-49, Stinson Vigilant P-36, Curtiss Hawk P-38, Lockheed Lightning P-40, Curtiss AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS CARIBBEAN (Caribbean Air Force): The 22d and 23d Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor), 36th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfer from Losey Field to Vega Baja, Puerto Rico with P-36's. ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): The 115th Observation Squadron, 69th Observation Group, transfers from Sherwood Field to San Bernardino AAFld, California with O-38's, O-47's and O-49's and continues flying ASW patrols. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): 1st Lieuten- ant Boyd D Wagner of the 17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), shoots down 4 Japanese airplanes near Aparri while on a reconnaissance mission over N Luzon. In another action, Captain Jesus Villamor of the Philippine Air Force leads 6 P-26's in an interception of 54 Japanese bombers attacking Batangas Field, Luzon; their harassing tactics minimized the damage to the field. SUNDAY, 14 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-26, Martin Marauder O-47, North American O-49, Stinson Vigilant P-39, Bell Airacobra AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR 1ST AIR FORCE: The 70th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), ceases flying ASW patrols from Savannah AAB, Georgia with B-26's. The 106th Observation Squadron, 66th Observation Group, transfers from Birmingham, Alabama to Miami MAP, Florida with O-47's and O-49's and begins flying ASW patrols which continue until Mar 42. The 107th Observation Squadron, 67th Observation Group, transfers from Camp Beauregard, Louisiana to Charleston AAFld, South Carolina with O-47's and O-49's and begins ASW patrols which continue until Jan 42. 4TH AIR FORCE: The 41st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 31st Pursuit Group (Interceptor), begins flying ASW patrols from Paine Field, Washington with P-39's. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): B-17's are sent against the Japanese beachhead at Legaspi, Luzon. 1st Lieutenant Hewitt T Wheless is later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for bringing his bullet-riddled B-17 back from the mission to an emergency crashlanding at Cagayan, Mindanao Island. MONDAY, 15 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: A-20, Douglas Havoc P-38, Lockheed Lightning P-39, Bell Airacobra AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR 1ST AIR FORCE: The 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light), V Air Support Command, ceases operating from Mitchel Field, New York and returns to it's base at Ft Dix AAFld, New Jersey with A-20's. ASW patrols continue into Jan 42. 4TH AIR FORCE: The 39th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 31st Pursuit Group (Interceptor), begins flying ASW patrols from Bellingham AAFld, Washington with P-39's; patrols continue until Jan 42. The 71st Pursuit Squadron (Fighter), 1st Pursuit Group (Fighter), begins flying ASW patrols from NAS San Diego, California with P-38's; patrols continue until 30 Dec. TUESDAY, 16 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: A-20, Douglas Havoc O-43, Douglas O-47, North American O-49, Stinson Vigilant O-52, Curtiss Owl P-38, Lockheed Lightning P-39, Bell Airacobra AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): The 15th Observation Squadron, III Air Support Command, transfers from Post Field, Oklahoma to Ellington Field, Texas with O-43's, O-47's, O-49's and O-52's and begins flying ASW patrols which continue to Mar 42. The 113th Observation Squadron, 67th Observation Group, transfers from Key Field, Mississippi to MacDill Field, Florida with O-47's, O-49's and O-52's and begins flying ASW patrols until Jan 42. The 153d Observation Squadron, 67th Observation Group, transfers from Key Field, Mississippi to Bluethenthal Field, North Carolina with O-47's, O-49's and O-52's and begins flying ASW patrols until Jan 42. CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Hawaiian Air Force): The 98th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) is activated at Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii and assigned to the 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy). B-18's will be assigned in 1942. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): 1st Lieuten- ant Boyd D Wagner of the 17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), leads a dive-bombing raid on the airfield at Vigan and shoots down his fifth aircraft, thereby becoming the first Army Air Forces "Ace" in World War II. WEDNESDAY, 17 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): The ground echelon of the 32d Bombard- ment Squadron (Heavy), Sierra Bombardment Group establishes HQ at Minter Field, California. They had departed San Francisco aboard ship for the Philippine Islands on 6 Dec and returned on 9 Dec. The air echelon is flying ASW patrols from Muroc AAB, California. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): B-17's, evacuating Luzon, begin arriving at Batchelor Field near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Captain Floyd J Pell arrives in Australia to begin arrangements for the use of Australian facilities by the Far East Air Force. UNITED KINGDOM: Major General James E Chaney, Chief Special Observer Group, US Army (SPOBS), writes to the Adjutant General, US Army on the "Construc- tion Program of US Forces in UK," which indicates a shortage of accommoda- tions for proposed US forces in Scotland, N Ireland, and England. THURSDAY, 18 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress O-38, Douglas O-47, North American O-49, Stinson Vigilant O-52, Curtiss Owl O-57, Taylorcraft Grasshopper AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): The 97th Observation Squadron, 66th Observation Group, begins flying ASW patrols from Miami MAP, Florida with O-47's, O-49's, O-52's and O-57's. A flight remains at Lawson Field, Georgia; patrols continue until Sep 42. The 109th Observation Squadron, 67th Observation Group, transfers from Camp Beauregard, Louisiana to Savannah AAB, Georgia with O-38's, O-47's, O-49's and O-52's. The squadron begins flying ASW patrols which continue until Jan 42. CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Hawaiian Air Force): Brigadier General Clarence L Tinker succeeds Major General Frederick L Martin as Commanding General, Hawaiian Air Force. The air echelon of the 22d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at Hickam Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii from the US with B-17's. FRIDAY, 19 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: A-20, Douglas Havoc B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): The 1st Air Force is assigned to the Eastern Theater of Operations, US Army which is subsequently redesignated the Eastern Defense Command. CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Hawaiian Air Force): The 58th Bombardment Squadron (Light), Hawaiian Air Force, transfers from Bellows Field to Wheeler Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii with A-20's. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): The air echelon of the 93d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from Clark Field, Luzon to Batchelor Field near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with B-17's. The ground echelon is attached to the 5th Interceptor Command (Provisional) and will fight as infantry on Luzon and Mindanao Islands in the Philippines. SATURDAY, 20 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-18, Douglas Bolo B-25, North American Mitchell AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): The 95th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium), begins flying ASW patrols from Pendleton AAB, Oregon with B-25's. CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Hawaiian Air Force): The 26th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Hickam Field to Wheeler Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii with B-17's and B-18's and begins flying search missions which continue until Jul 42. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): The air echelon of the 30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Clark Field, Luzon to Batchelor Field near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with B-17's. The ground echelon is reassigned to the 5th Interceptor Command (Provisional) and will fight as infantry in the Philippines. SUNDAY, 21 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: O-47, North American O-49, Stinson Vigilant O-52, Curtiss Owl O-58, Aeronca Grasshopper O-59, Piper Grasshopper/Cub AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): The 152d Observation Squadron, 26th Observation Group, begins flying ASW patrols from Ft Devens AAFld, Massa- chusetts with O-47's, O-49's, O-52's, O-58's and O-59's. The patrols continue until Aug 42. MONDAY, 22 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-25, North American Mitchell C-39, Douglas C-47, Douglas Skytrain C-49, Douglas O-46, Douglas O-47, North American O-49, Stinson Vigilant AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS CARIBBEAN (Caribbean Air Force): The 20th Transport Squadron, Panama Air Depot, transfers from France Field, Canal Zone to Waller Field, Trinidad with C-39's, C-47's and C-49's. A detachment of the squadron remains at Howard Field, Canal Zone. ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): The 34th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium), begins flying ASW patrols from Pendleton AAB, Oregon with B-25's. The 102d Observation Squadron, 71st Observation Group, transfers from Ft McClellan, Alabama to San Bernardino AAFld, California with O-46's, O-47's and O-49's and flies ASW patrols until Oct 42. INTERNATIONAL: The Anglo-American conference (ARCADIA) opens in Washington, DC to deal with war strategy. President Franklin D Roosevelt, Prime Minis- ter Winston S Churchill, Harry Hopkins, Lord Beaverbrook, and American and British Chief of Staffs participate. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): 9 B-17's from Batchelor Field near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, attack shipping in Davao Bay, Mindanao Island and land at Del Monte on Mindanao Island. HQ 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the ground echelon of it's 9th, 11th and 22d Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) and attached 88th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) arrive at Brisbane, Australia from the US. The air eche- lons of the 9th and 11th are enroute from the US to Australia with B-17's; the air echelons of the 22d and 88th are operating from Hickam Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii until 5 Jan 42 and 10 Feb 42 respectively with B-17's. The 16th, 17th and 91st Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 27th Bombardment Group (Light) transfer from Ft William McKinley to Lipa Airfield, San Fernando and San Marceleno, Luzon respectively without aircraft. TUESDAY, 23 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-18, Douglas Bolo B-26, Martin Marauder O-46, Douglas O-47, North American P-26, Boeing Peashooter P-35, Seversky P-40, Curtiss AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS CARIBBEAN (Caribbean Air Force): The 31st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 37th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfers from Chorrera, Panama to Albrook Field, Canal Zone with P-26's and P-40's. ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): The air echelon of the 16th Reconnais- sance Squadron (Medium) attached to the 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), begins flying ASW patrols from Paine Field, Washington with B-18's and B-26's; patrols continue until May 42. The 110th Observation Squadron, 71st Observation Group, begins flying ASW patrols from Salinas AAB, California with O-46's and O-47's; patrols continue until Aug 42. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): 4 B-17's take off from Del Monte on Mindanao Island after midnight during the night of 22/23 Dec and bomb shipping in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon. 12 P-4O's and 6 P-35's strafe forces landing in San Miguel Bay on Luzon. The Far East Air Force comes under control of the newly-created US Forces in Australia (USFIA). Major General Lewis H Brereton, Commanding General Far East Air Force, receives orders establishing HQ Far East Air Force at Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. WEDNESDAY, 24 DECEMBER 1941 (Christmas Eve) AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: A-24, Douglas Dauntless B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-25, North American Mitchell P-40, Curtiss AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): A B-25 crew of the 95th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 17th Bombardment Group (Medium), at Pendleton Field, Pendleton, Oregon, claims a submarine sunk off the mouth of the Columbia River, but this claim is not confirmed by the committees of the US Navy and British Admiralty which later assesses damage to enemy submarines during World War II. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): 3 B-17's fly from Del Monte, Mindanao Island during the night of 24/25 Dec, bomb the airfield and shipping at Davao on Mindanao Island and land at Batchelor Field near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. 2 airplanes leave Manila, Luzon for Darwin with personnel of HQ Far East Air Force. Army Air Force units on Luzon, as well as ground forces, begin moving to Bataan Peninsula. HQ 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the air echelon of the 28th Bom- bardment Squadron (Heavy) transfer from Clark Field, Luzon to Batchelor Field with B-17's. The ground echelon of the 28th will fight as infantry on Luzon and Mindanao. The air echelon of the 14th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy) begins operating from Batchelor Field with B-17's. The ground echelon is still at Clark Field, Luzon. The air echelons of the 16th, 17th and 91st Bombardment Squadrons (Light), 27th Bombardment Group (Light) begin operating from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia with A-24's. The ground echelons will fight as infantry on Luzon. The 17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) ceases operating from Clark Field, Luzon with P-40's. THURSDAY, 25 DECEMBER 1941 (Christmas Day) AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: A-24, Douglas Dauntless B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress B-25, North American Mitchell O-38, Douglas O-46, Douglas O-47, North American O-49, Stinson Valiant P-35, Seversky P-40, Curtiss AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): The 122d Observation Squadron, 68th Observation Group, begins flying ASW patrols from New Orleans AAB, Louisi- ana with O-38's, O-46's, O-47's and O-49's; patrols continue until Feb 42. The 154th Observation Squadron, 68th Observation Group, begins flying ASW patrols from Eglin Field, Florida with O-47's and O-49's; patrols continue until Feb 42. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): Lieutenant Colonel Charles H Caldwell sets up HQ Far East Air Force on the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airfield at Darwin, Northern Territory, Austra- lia. HQ V Bomber Command is also established at Darwin. The 3d, 17th, 20th, 21st and 34th Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfer from Ternate, Nichols Field, Clark Field, Nichols Field and Del Carmen respectively to Bataan, Luzon with P-35's and P-40's. The 17th and 20th begin operating from Lubao, Luzon with P-40's HQ 27th Bombardment Group (Light) and the ground echelon of it's 16th, 17th and 91st Bombardment Squadrons (Light) transfer from Lipa Airfield, San Fernando and San Marceleno respectively to Cabcaben, Luzon. The air echelons are operating from Brisbane, Australia; the ground echelons will fight as infantry on Luzon. FRIDAY, 26 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: O-47, North American O-52, Curtiss Owl AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): The 105th and 121st Observation Squad- rons, 65th Observation Group, transfer from Owens Field, South Carolina to Langley Field, Virginia with O-47's and O-52's and begin ASW patrols which continue until Oct 42. SATURDAY, 27 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: O-46, Douglas O-47, North American AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): The 103d Observation Squadron, 59th Observation Group, begins flying ASW patrols from Hillsgrove AAFld, Rhode Island with O-46's and O-47's; patrols continue until Aug 42. SUNDAY, 28 DECEMBER 1941 SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): The ground echelon of the 17th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 27th Bombardment Group (Light) transfers from Cabcaben to Limay, Luzon. The air echelon is operat- ing from Brisbane, Australia. MONDAY, 29 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: B-26, Martin Marauder P-38, Lockheed Lightning AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Air Force, Alaska Defense Command): In response to repeated requests by this Command to the War Department for additional aircraft to defend Alaska, the 77th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), arrives at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage with 13 B-26's. ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): The 27th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter), 1st Pursuit Group (Fighter) ceases flying ASW patrols from NAS San Diego, California with P-38's. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): Major General Lewis H Brereton, Commanding General Far East Air Force, arrives at his new HQ at Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Colonel Harold H George remains at Manila in command of the air elements left in the Philippines, the chief center of Army Air Force activity in the S Philippines being Del Monte on Mindanao Island where air personnel are under the command of Major Ray T Ellsmore. (Brigadier General George is killed in an aircraft accident near Darwin on 29 Apr 42. Victorville AFB, California is renamed George AFB on 2 Jun 50 in his memory.) The ground echelon of the 16th Bombardment Squadron (Light), 27th Bom- bardment Group (Light), transfers from Cabcaben to Bataan, Luzon. The air echelon is operating from Brisbane, Australia. TUESDAY, 30 DECEMBER 1941 AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress P-38, Lockheed Lightning AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Air Force, Alaska Defense Command): The 11th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), Western Theater of Operations, US Army, arrives at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage with 25 P-40's. ZONE OF INTERIOR (4th Air Force): The 71st Pursuit Squadron (Fighter), 1st Fighter Group (Fighter), ceases flying ASW patrols from NAS San Diego, California with P-38's. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): HQ 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the air echelon of it's 28th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) transfer from Batchelor Field near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia to Singosari, Java, Netherlands East Indies with B-17's. The ground echelon of the 28th is on Luzon and Mindanao Islands. The air echelon of the 14th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Batchelor Field to Singosari, Java with B-17's. The ground echelon is on Luzon Island. WEDNESDAY, 31 DECEMBER 1941 (New Year's Eve) AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT: B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress O-46, Douglas O-47, North American O-49, Stinson Vigilant O-59, Piper Grasshopper/Cub P-40, Curtiss AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ZONE OF INTERIOR (1st Air Force): The 104th Observation Squadron, 59th Observation Group, based at Detrick Field, Maryland begins flying ASW patrols from Ft Dix AAFld, New Jersey with O-46's, O-47's, O-49's and O-59's. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): The 17th and 20th Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), cease operating from Lubao with P-40's and return to their base on Bataan, Luzon. The air echelon of the 30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombard- ment Group (Heavy) transfers from Batchelor Field near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia to Singosari, Java, Netherlands East Indies with B-17's. The ground echelon is on Luzon and Mindanao Islands in the Philip- pines. SOURCES: AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1 COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF 1982 THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973 THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2 Jack McKillop USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service) 1955-59