World War II 912th Air Refueling Squadron

unofficial 412th bombardment squadron emblem


training in united states

the squadron constituted in 1942 22d reconnaissance squadron. however, renamed 412th bombardment squadron before activating @ barksdale field, louisiana in june 1 of 4 original squadrons of 95th bombardment group. squadron began training in august @ geiger field, washington, equipped boeing b-17 flying fortresses. unit trained combat operations until moving overseas starting in march.

the air echelon processed @ kearney army air field, nebraska , flew forts via southern route, flying florida, trinidad, northern coast of brazil, dakar, senegal, , marrakesh, morocco raf alconbury in united kingdom. ground echelon moved camp kilmer, sailed on rms queen elizabeth scotland, arriving in may. squadron reunited @ raf framlingham.

combat eighth air force

95th bombardment group b-17 on germany showing square b tail marking

the squadron arrived in england equipped late model b-17f aircraft equipped tokyo tanks , additional fuel cells located outboard in wings gave model additional range. flew first combat mission on 13 may 1943 against airfield near saint-omer, france. next 2 months squadron focused on attacking airfields , v-1 flying bomb launch sites in france.

eighth air force s experience martin b-26 marauders convinced marauders stationed far continent of europe reach selection of targets. determined move them closer target areas, , exchange of bases began. entire 95th group moved raf horham in june, replaced 323d bombardment group, departed previous day. few days later place @ framlingham taken newly arrived 390th bombardment group.

the 412th began strategic bombing operations in july , continued until flying last operation on 20 april 1945. targets included harbors, marshalling yards , other industrial targets along attacks on cities. squadron received first distinguished unit citation (duc) during attack on aircraft factory @ regensburg, germany on 17 august 1943 when maintained defensive formation despite severe attacks enemy interceptor aircraft.

on 10 october, during attack on marshalling yards @ münster, germany, squadron subjected concentrated fighter attacks on approach target , intense flak on objective. despite these obstacles, group s bombs clustered close target. awarded second duc withstanding these attacks bomb objective. 20 25 february 1944 group participated in big week offensive against german aircraft manufacturing industry. few days later, on 4 march, squadron attacked berlin despite adverse weather led other units either abandon operation or attack secondary targets. despite snowstorms , heavy cloud cover, unit struck target while under attack enemy fighters, although cloud cover required group rely on pathfinder 482d bombardment group determine release point. received third duc operation. mission first time unit eighth air force had bombed berlin.

the squadron diverted bombing priority tactical targets during preparation , execution of operation overlord, invasion of normandy in june 1944, attacking communications , coastal defenses. hit enemy troop concentrations facilitate allied breakout @ saint-lô. 412th attacked enemy troop concentrations during battle of bulge december 1944 january 1945 , bombed airfields support operation varsity, airborne assault across rhine in march.

one of unit s more unusual missions flown on 18 september 1944, when led 13th combat bombardment wing warsaw drop ammunition, food , medical supplies polish resistance forces fighting against german occupation forces. squadron had participated in shuttle missions soviet union.

the unit flew last mission on 20 april 1945, when attacked marshalling yards near oranienburg. in first week of may, airdropped food dutch citizens in operation chow hound. v-e day until departing theater in june, transported liberated prisoners of war , displaced persons. air echelon flew planes bradley field, connecticut, while ground echelon sailed once more on queen elizabeth. squadron reunited @ sioux falls army airfield, south dakota, inactivated on 28 august 1945.