Training in the United States edit

The 750th Bombardment Squadron was activated at Geiger Field, Washington on 1 July 1943 as one of the four squadrons of the 457th Bombardment Group.^[2][3] It moved a week later to Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, where it began training with the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber and engaged in the first two phases of its training there. It completed its training at Ephrata Army Air Base, Washington, then moved to Wendover Field, Utah for final preparation for overseas movement.^[4] It departed for the European Theater of Operations on New Years Day, 1944.^[2]

Combat in Europe edit

The squadron assembled at its combat station, RAF Glatton by the end of the month.^[2] The air echelon had begun arriving at Glatton on 21 January.^[4] The squadron flew its first mission during Big Week on 21 February 1944. It engaged primarily in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany, attacking ball bearing plants, oil refineries and aircraft factories until June 1944. In July 1944, the squadron returned to strategic targets, which remained its primary objectives through April 1945.^[3] On 2 November 1944, a two group formation including the squadron strayed from the main bomber stream and its fighter cover. Luftwaffe fighter controllers directed a geschwader of interceptors against the formation. Nine of the 457th Group's Flying Fortresses were lost to this attack.^[5]

In June 1944, the squadron was diverted from its strategic mission to prepare for Operation Overlord, the invasion of France. On D Day, it attacked coastal defenses on the Cherbourg Peninsula. For the remainder of the month it was engaged in air interdiction, striking airfields, rail systems and roads and depots behind enemy lines. The squadron was also diverted to tactical targets for shorter periods. In July 1944, it supported Operation Cobra, the breakout of ground forces at Saint Lo. During Operation Market Garden, the attempt to secure bridgeheads across the Rhine River in the Netherlands, it supported the British 1st Airborne Division. It provided similar support during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945, and Operation Varsity, the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945.^[3]

The squadron flew its last combat mission on 20 April 1945. Following V-E Day, it transported prisoners of war from Austria to France.^[3] The air echelon departed Glatton between 19 and 23 May, while the ground echelon sailed on the RMS Queen Elizabeth on 24 June, arriving at the New York Port of Emarkation five days later.^[4] It assembled at Sioux Falls Army Air Field, South Dakota in late July. It was inactivated there the following month.^[2][3]

• Constituted as the 750th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 19 May 1943

Activated on 1 July 1943

Redesignated 750th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy in 1944

Inactivated on 28 August 1945^[2]

Assignments edit

• 457th Bombardment Group, 1 July 1943 – 28 August 1945^[2]

Stations edit

• Geiger Field, Washington, 1 July 1943
• Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, 9 July 1943
• Ephrata Army Air Base, Washington, 28 October 1943
• Wendover Field, Utah, 6 December 1943 – 1 January 1944
• RAF Glatton, (Station 130)^[6] England, 28 January 1944 – c. 1 June 1945^[3]
• Sioux Falls Army Air Field, South Dakota, c. 20 July – 28 August 1945^[3][7]

Aircraft edit

• Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, 1943–1945^[2]

Campaigns edit

• B-17 Flying Fortress units of the United States Army Air Forces

Notes edit

Explanatory notes

Citations

Bibliography edit

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• Anderson, Capt. Barry (1985). Army Air Forces Stations: A Guide to the Stations Where U.S. Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
• Freeman, Roger A. (1970). The Mighty Eighth: Units, Men and Machines (A History of the US 8th Army Air Force). London, England, UK: Macdonald and Company. ISBN 978-0-87938-638-2.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
• Watkins, Robert (2008). Battle Colors: Insignia and Markings of the Eighth Air Force In World War II. Vol. I (VIII) Bomber Command. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-1987-7.