TheII Bomber Commandis a disbandedUnited States Air Forceunit. It was established in September 1941, shortly before theattack on Pearl Harborto command heavy bomber units assigned toSecond Air Force.Following the entry of the United States intoWorld War II,it flew patrols off the northwest Pacific coast. However, its main efforts soon began organizing and trainingheavy bomberunits and aircrews. By 1943, the command had become the only command under Second Air Force conducting operational training, and on 6 October 1943 it was disbanded as redundant and its functions absorbed by Second Air Force or transferred to the bomber commands of the other continental air forces.
| II Bomber Command | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1941-1943 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army United States Air Force |
| Role | Command and training of bomber units |
History
editInitial operations
editGHQ Air Force(GHQ, AF) had been established with two major combat functions, to maintain a striking force against long range targets, and theair defenseof the United States.[1]In the spring of 1941, GHQ, AF reorganized its Northwest Air District as2nd Air Force.To carry out its mission of training and maintaining a strike force, 2nd Air Force organized2nd Bomber CommandatFort George Wright,Washington in September 1941, shortly before theattack on Pearl Harbor.[2]
Following theattack on Pearl Harbor,the command began to performantisubmarineandair defensepatrols along the Pacific coast. Although off shore patrols continued to some degree until May 1943, by early 1942, it had become apparent that having two commands responsible for air defense in theWestern Theater of Operationswas impractical, and4th Air Forceassumed responsibility for air defense of the entire Pacific coast.[3]Later in 1942, theNavywas able to assume the air antisubmarine mission entirely.[4]
Unit and crew training
edit
As the United States enteredWorld War IIit found that its traditional system of splitting offcadresfrom existing groups, with the groups performing "self training" to become combat ready was inadequate for the huge expansion of theArmy Air Forces(AAF) taking place. Old groups needed to be kept at or near full strength so that they could deploy overseas or perform air defense duties in the US and it was hard to spare experienced aircrew to act as instructors. Instead, planners began to look at theOperational Training Unit(OTU) system of theRoyal Air Forceas a model. This system provided additional training on unit tactics, rather than concentrating on individual proficiency. In January 1942, the commander of3d Bomber Command,Follett Bradley, urged the adoption of the OTU system.[5]
In early February 1942, the OTU program was adopted for 2nd and3rd Air Forces,and it was expected that these two air forces would be able to manage the AAF's unit training program. Units designated as OTUs, referred to as "parent" units, would be brought up to full strength, and then a "satellite" unit would be added and also brought up to full strength.[6]DuringWorld War II,the unit trained mostheavy bomber(Boeing B-17 Flying FortressandB-24 Liberator) bombardment groups.[7]The command's wings specialized in a single phase of training: Phase I (individual training); Phase II (crew training) and Phase III (unit training).[8]
At about the same time, the command began to implement theReplacement Training Unitsystem. to train replacement aircrews for overseas deployment. This replaced the system by which experienced personnel were withdrawn from units in the United States for overseas assignment with one in which oversized units were formed expressly to train aircrews for deployment. This training became the most important training for heavy bomber units by 1943.[9]
Disbanding the command
editHowever, by 1943, the command had become redundant.2nd Fighter Commandhad transferred its air defense mission to4th Fighter Commandand in the fall of 1942, had transferred to theSouthwest Pacific Theateras V Fighter Command.[10]2nd Air Support Commandtransferred toThird Air Forcewhen the AAF decided to concentrate alllight bomber,medium bomber,andreconnaissanceunder Third's control at the beginning of 1943.[11]As the only remaining operational command in Second Air Force, II Bomber Command became an extra layer of command. Even earlier, during 1942, it had functioned more like a staff agency than as an independent command. It was disbanded in October 1943.[2][12]At about the same time, some heavy bomber training was transferred to the other three continental air forces to make possible additional combined training between fighter and bomber units.[13]
Lineage
edit- Constituted as the2nd Bomber Commandon 4 September 1941[note 2]
- Activated on 5 September 1941
- RedesignatedII Bomber Commandc. 18 September 1942
- Disbanded on 6 October 1943[2]
Assignments
edit- Second Air Force,5 September 1941 – 6 October 1943[2][14]
Components
editWings
- 15th Bombardment Operational Training Wing:15 May – 6 October 1943[15]
- 16th Bombardment Operational Training Wing:15 May – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
- 17th Bombardment Operational Training Wing,15 May – 6 October 1943[16]
- 46th Bombardment Operational Training Wing,21 February – 15 May 1943[17]
- 58th Bombardment Wing,15 May – 8 June 1943[18]
Groups
- 7th Bombardment Group,5 September – c. 22 December 1941[19]
- 17th Bombardment Group,25 May 1941 – 9 February 1942[citation needed]
- 39th Bombardment Group,5 September 1941 – 4 September 1943[20]
- 42nd Bombardment Group,5 September 1941 – 25 January 1942[21]
- 46th Bombardment Group,21 February – 15 May 1943[22]
- 88th Bombardment Group:15 July 1942 – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
- 91st Bombardment Group:c 28 June – c. 12 September 1942[23]
- 94th Bombardment Group:29 June 1942 – 12 May 1943[24]
- 95th Bombardment Group:26 June 1942 – 11 May 1943[25]
- 100th Bombardment Group:26 June – 30 November 1942[26]
- 304th Bombardment Group:28 January – 29 October 1942[citation needed]
- 305th Bombardment Group:1 March – c. July 1942[27]
- 331st Bombardment Group,6 July 1942 – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
- 351st Bombardment Group,1 October 1942 – 12 Ap ril 1943[citation needed]
- 379th Bombardment Group,3 November 1942 – April 1943[citation needed]
- 381st Bombardment Group,3 November 1942 – 9 May 1943[citation needed]
- 382d Bombardment Group,3 November 1942 – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
- 384th Bombardment Group,1 December 1942 – c. 9 May 1943[28]
- 385th Bombardment Group,1 February – c. 6 July 1943[29]
- 388th Bombardment Group,24 December 1942 – c. 6 July 1943[30]
- 389th Bombardment Group,24 December 1942 – June 1943[31]
- 390th Bombardment Group,26 January – c. 4 July 1943[32]
- 392d Bombardment Group,26 January – c. 1 August 1943[33]
- 396th Bombardment Group,16 February – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
- 398th Bombardment Group,1 March 1943 – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
- 399th Bombardment Group,1 March – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
- 401st Bombardment Group,1 April – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
- 445th Bombardment Group,1 April – 6 October 1943[34]
- 446th Bombardment Group,April – 6 October 1943[35]
- 447th Bombardment Group,1 May – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
- 448th Bombardment Group,1 May – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
- 451st Bombardment Group,1 May – 6 October 1943[36]
- 452d Bombardment Group,1 June – 6 October 1943[37]
- 455th Bombardment Group,1 June – 4 October 1943[38]
- 457th Bombardment Group,4 July 1943 – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
- 460th Bombardment Group,1 July – 6 October 1943[39]
- 467th Bombardment Group,1 August – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
- 470th Bombardment Group,1 May – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
- 487th Bombardment Group,20 September 1943 – 6 October 1943[citation needed]
Stations
edit- Fort George Wright, Washington, 5 September 1941 – 6 October 1943[2]
Campaigns
edit| Campaign Streamer | Campaign | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
American Theater without inscription | 7 December 1941 – 6 October 1943 | 2nd (later II) Bomber Command[2] |
See also
editReferences
editNotes
edit- Explanatory notes
- ^Aircraft is Consolidated B-24 Liberator, serial 42-52161 fromAlamogordo Army Air Field,New Mexico, one of the command's training bases.
- ^Maurer indicated the unit was constituted as the "II" Bomber Command. However, the unit originally held anarabic numberin its designation. Only in September 1942, did the Army establish that commands would be identifified withroman numerals."Air Force Historical Research Agency Organizational Reconds: Types of USAF Organizations".Air Force History Index. 9 January 2008.Retrieved19 September2016.
- Citations
- ^Cate & Williams, p. 152
- ^abcdefMaurer, p.439
- ^Goss, pp. 294-295
- ^Ferguson, pp. 82–83
- ^White, pp. 9-10
- ^White, pp. 11-13
- ^White, p. 27
- ^White, pp. 27-28
- ^White, pp. 16-17
- ^Robertson, Patsy (26 August 2009)."Factsheet Fifth Air Force (PACAF)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved14 December2021.
- ^Haulman, Daniel L. (4 April 2019)."Factsheet Third Air Force (USAFE)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved9 December2021.
- ^White, p. 21
- ^White, p. 28
- ^Ream, Margaret (9 September 2020)."Factsheet Second Air Force (AETC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved12 December2021.
- ^"Abstract, History II Bomber Command Dec 1941-Oct 1943".Air Force History Index.Retrieved9 January2022.
- ^"Factsheet 17 Air Division".Air Force Historical Research Agency. 4 October 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 30 October 2012.Retrieved9 April2014.
- ^Robertson, Patsy (4 September 2008)."Factsheet 46 Operations Group (AFMC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived fromthe originalon 7 May 2011.Retrieved31 January2022.
- ^"Factsheet 58 Air Division (Defense)".Air Force Historical Research Agency. 5 October 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 14 October 2012.Retrieved2 April2014.
- ^Haulman, Daniel (27 June 2017)."Factsheet 7 Operations Group (ACC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved27 December2021.
- ^Haulman, Daniel (8 June 2017)."Factsheet 39 Air Base Wing (USAFE)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved30 December2021.
- ^Haulman, Daniel (13 June 2018)."Factsheet 42 Air Base Wing (AETC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved30 December2021.
- ^Robertson, Patsy (4 September 2008)."Factsheet 46 Operations Group (AFMC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved11 January2022.
- ^Robertson, Patsy (28 May 2010)."Factsheet 91 Operations Group (AFSPC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved10 January2022.
- ^Robertson, Patsy (11 July 2017)."Factsheet 94 Operations Group (AFRC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved11 January2022.
- ^Robertson, Patsy (30 June 2010)."Factsheet 95 Air Base Wing (AFMC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved11 January2022.
- ^Stephens, Maj Tonia (9 January 2019)."Factsheet 100 Air Refueling Wing (USAFE)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved10 January2022.
- ^Kane, Robert B. (28 October 2010)."Factsheet 305 Operations Group (AMC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved11 January2022.
- ^Haulman, Daniel L, Lineage & Honors History of the 384th Air Expeditionary Group, 4 December 2001, Air Force Historical Research Agency
- ^Haulman, Daniel L."Lineage and Honors History of the 385 Air Expeditionary Group (AMC)"(PDF).Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 4 November 2013.Retrieved20 December2016.
- ^Robertson, Patsy (28 December 2011)."Factsheet 388 Operations Group (ACC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved19 January2022.
- ^Lineage & Honors, 389 Strategic Missile Wing, through 1965, USAF Historical Research Center
- ^Lineage & Honors, 390 Strategic Missile Wing (ICBM - Titan), 31 January 1084 [sic], USAF Historical Research Center
- ^Haulman, Daniel L. Lineage & Honors History, 392 Air Expeditionary Group (ACC), 27 April 2004, USAF Historical Research Center
- ^Kane, Robert B. (30 October 2012)."Factsheet 445 Operations Group (AFRC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved16 January2022.
- ^Robertson, Patsy (19 November 2012)."Factsheet 446th Operations Group (AFRC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved2 September2012.
- ^Lacomia, John M. (3 May 2018)."Factsheet 451 Air Expeditionary Group (ACC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved16 January2022.
- ^Robertson, Patsy (20 November 2012)."Factsheet 452 Operations Group (AFRC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved17 January2022.
- ^Lacomia, John M. (14 November 2017)."Factsheet 455 Air Expeditionary Wing (ACC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved17 January2022.
- ^Bailey, Carl E. (23 May 2018)."Factsheet 460 Space Wing (AFSPC)".Air Force Historical Research Agency.Retrieved14 June2019.
Bibliography
edit
This article incorporatespublic domain materialfrom theAir Force Historical Research Agency
- Cate, James L.; Williams, E. Kathleen (1948). "Prelude to War, Chapter 4, The Air Corps Prepares for War, 1939-41". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.).The Army Air Forces in World War II(PDF).Vol. I, Plans and Early Operations. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.LCCN48003657.OCLC704158.Retrieved17 December2016.
- Ferguson, Arthur B. (April 1945)."The Antisubmarine Command, USAF Historical Study No. 107"(PDF).Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Intelligence Historical Division.Retrieved12 September2016.
- Goss, William A. (1955). "Tactical Demands, Chapter 8, Air Defense of the Western Hemisphere". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.).The Army Air Forces in World War II(PDF).Vol. I, Plans and Early Operations. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.LCCN48003657.Retrieved17 December2016.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961].Air Force Combat Units of World War II(PDF)(reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History.ISBN0-912799-02-1.LCCN61060979.Retrieved17 December2016.
- White, Jerry (August 1949)."Combat Crew and Unit Training in the AAF 1939-1945, USAF Historical Study No. 61"(PDF).Air Historical Office, United States Air Force.Retrieved30 January2022.