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855th Bombardment Squadron
Formation of 491st Group B-24 Liberators
Active	1942-1945
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Heavy bomber
Engagements	European Theater of Operations
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation
Insignia
855th Bombardment Squadron emblem
European Theater fuselage code	V2

The 855th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. The squadron was first activated as the 522d Bombardment Squadron at Lantana Airport, Florida, in October 1942, when it assumed the personnel and equipment of a National Guard unit engaged in antisubmarine warfare over the Atlantic. The squadron continued antisubmarine patrols as the 17th Antisubmarine Squadron until the summer of 1943, when its mission was transferred to the Navy.

The squadron moved to Alamogordo Army Air Field, Arizona, where, as the 855th Bombardment Squadron, it formed the cadre for the 491st Bombardment Group, although many of its personnel were subsequently assigned to new Boeing B-29 Superfortress units. After training as a heavy bomber unit in the United States, the air echelon squadron deployed to the European Theater of Operations, where it joined a new ground echelon and participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation in an attack against Misburg. Following V-E Day, the squadron returned to the United States and was inactivated at McChord Field, Washington on 8 September 1945.

History

Organization and antisubmarine warfare

The squadron was first activated at Lantana Airport, Florida in October 1942 as the 522nd Bombardment Squadron, where it took over the antisubmarine warfare mission, personnel and equipment of the 112th Observation Squadron, a federalized Ohio National Guard unit that had been mobilized in 1940, and which was simultaneously inactivated. It was briefly assigned directly to Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command, but soon became part of the 378th Bombardment Group, whose headquarters were located at Langley Field, Virginia, but had squadrons dispersed along the southern Atlantic coast. The squadron was equipped with a mix of Douglas B-18 Bolos, Lockheed B-34s and North American B-25 Mitchells. The squadron mission was to search for German U-boats off the southeast Atlantic coast. Although the Navy was responsible for long range antisubmarine patrolling, it lacked the aircraft to perform the mission and the Army Air Forces (AAF) performed the mission, even though its crews lacked proper training.

In November 1942, Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command had established the 26th Antisubmarine Wing to control its forces operating over the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Its bombardment group headquarters, including the 378th, were inactivated and the squadron, redesignated the 17th Antisubmarine Squadron in November, was assigned directly to the 26th Wing in December. The squadron continued its mission from Boca Chica Field, Florida in January 1943. In July 1943, the AAF and Navy reached an agreement to transfer the coastal antisubmarine mission to the Navy. This mission transfer also included an exchange of AAF long-range bombers equipped for antisubmarine warfare for Navy Consolidated B-24 Liberators without such equipment.

Retraining and reorganization

The squadron moved to Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico in late September 1943 and was redesignated the 855th Bombardment Squadron. On 1 October 1943 it formed the cadre for the 491st Bombardment Group, which was activated at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona. The following month, the squadron moved to El Paso Army Air Field, Texas and began training with Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bombers. In January, most of the ground echelon of the squadron was withdrawn and reassigned to Boeing B-29 Superfortress units being organized by Second Air Force, with the largest group moving to Pratt Army Air Field, Kansas. Many of the unit's remaining personnel were transferred to other B-24 groups as well, and by the end of December, the squadron had no assigned aircraft. While the air echelon continued training in the United States, Eighth Air Force began organizing a new ground echelon in England, directing each of the four groups assigned to its 2d Bombardment Division to form a squadron ground echelon. The air echelon moved to Pueblo Army Air Base, Colorado to complete its training with the 471st Bombardment Group. Key personnel of the unit departed the United States on 11 April, while the crews began ferrying the squadron's B-24s via the southern ferry route on 21 April.

Combat in the European Theater

The squadron was assembled at RAF Metfield with the arrival of the air echelon by 15 May 1944, although the last plane of the 491st Group did not arrive until the 30th. It began operations starting on 2 June, with an attack on Bretigny Airfield. It initially attacked airfields, coastal defenses and lines of communication to support Operation Overlord, the invasion of France. After the D-Day landings, the squadron concentrated on the strategic bombing missions. Its targets included communications centers, oil refineries, shipyards, depots and other industrial targets. While targets included Berlin, Bielefeld, Cologne, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Hanover, Kassel and Magdeburg. On one occasion, the squadron was tasked with attacking German General Staff headquarters at Zossen, south of Berlin.

In August 1944, the 492d Bombardment Group was taken off normal operations and moved on paper to replace the 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional) on Operation Carpetbagger operations. As a result, the 491st group, including the squadron, moved to the 492d's base at RAF North Pickenham. On 26 November 1944, the group raided an oil refinery at Misburg. It was attacked by large numbers of enemy interceptors, which shot down approximately half of the aircraft in the 491st Group formation. The remaining aircraft fought off the enemy planes and successfully bombed the target, earning the unit a Distinguished Unit Citation.

The squadron was occasionally diverted from the strategic bombing campaign: It supported ground forces during Operation Cobra, the breakout at Saint Lo; dropped supplies to beleaguered paratroopers during Operation Market Garden, the attempt to seize a bridgehead across the Rhine River; and attacked supply lines and fortifications during the Battle of the Bulge. It supported Operation Varsity, the airborne assault across the Rhine and Allied forces driving across Germany. The squadron's final combat mission was flown on 25 April 1945.

Following V-E Day, the squadron began flying its aircraft back to the United States on 17 June 1945. The ground echelon sailed on the RMS Queen Mary on 6 July, arriving in New York City five days later. The squadron reassembled at McChord Field, Washington later that month and was inactivated there on 8 September.

Lineage

• Constituted as the 522d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 13 October 1942

Activated on 18 October 1942

Redesignated 17th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy) on 29 November 1942

Redesignated 17th Antisubmarine Squadron (Medium) on 3 March 1943

Redesignated 17th Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy) on 20 April 1943

Redesignated 855th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 24 September 1943

Redesignated 855th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy c. 1944

Inactivated on 8 September 1945

Assignments

• Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command, 18 October 1942
• 378th Bombardment Group, 20 November 1942
• 26th Antisubmarine Wing, 14 December 1942
• 491st Bombardment Group, 1 October 1943 – 8 September 1945

Stations

• Lantana Airport, Florida, 18 October 1942
• Boca Chica Field, Florida, 9 January 1943
• Miami Army Air Field, Florida, 3 July 1943
• Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico, 24 September 1943
• El Paso Army Air Field, Texas, 11 November 1943 – 1 February 1944
• RAF North Pickenham (Station 143), England, February 1944
• RAF Metfeld (Station 366), England, April 1944
• RAF North Pickenham (Station 143), England, 15 August 1944 – 5 July 1945
• McChord Field, Washington, 17 July – 8 September 1945

Aircraft

• Douglas B-18 Bolo, 1942-1943
• North American B-25 Mitchell, 1942-1943
• Lockheed B-34 Ventura, 1942-1943
• Consolidated B-24 Liberator, 1943-1945

Awards and campaigns

Award streamer	Award	Dates	Notes
	Distinguished Unit Citation	26 November 1944	Misburg, 855th Bombardment Squadron

Campaign Streamer	Campaign	Dates	Notes
	Antisubmarine	7 December 1941 – 1 August 1943	522d Bombardment Squadron (later 17th Antisubmarine Squadron)
	Air Offensive, Europe	25 April 1944 – 5 June 1944	855th Bombardment Squadron
	Air Combat, EAME Theater	25 April 1944 – 11 May 1945	855th Bombardment Squadron
	Normandy	6 June 1944 – 24 July 1944	855th Bombardment Squadron
	Northern France	25 July 1944 – 14 September 1944	855th Bombardment Squadron
	Rhineland	15 September 1944 – 21 March 1945	855th Bombardment Squadron
	Ardennes-Alsace	16 December 1944 – 25 January 1945	855th Bombardment Squadron
	Central Europe	22 March 1944 – 21 May 1945	855th Bombardment Squadron

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

1. The aircraft in the foreground is Ford Motors built Consolidated B-24H-25-FO Liberator, serial 42-95255, 6X*P-.
2. The four groups providing the ground echelon were the 93d 389th, 446th and 448th Bombardment Groups. Blue, p. 82.
3. The squadron's assigned target was obscured by cloud cover and it returned to base without bombing. Blue, p. 85.

Citations

1. ^ Watkins, pp. 118-119
2. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 783
3. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 341-343
4. ^ Maurer, Combat Units, p. 266
5. Ferguson, p. 4
6. Maurer, Combat Units, p. 389
7. Ferguson, pp. 82–83
8. ^ Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 360-261
9. ^ Blue, p. 80
10. ^ Freeman, p. 261
11. Blue, p. 82
12. Blue, p. 83
13. Blue, p. 90
14. ^ Station number in Anderson, p. 21.
15. Station number in Anderson.p. 26
16. Station information in Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 783, except as noted.

Bibliography

 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 yes: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
• Blue, Allan O. (Summer 1964). "Ringmasters: A History of the 491st Bombardment Group (H)" (PDF). AAHS Journal. 9 (2). American Aviation Historical Society.
• Ferguson, Arthur B. (April 1945). "The Antisubmarine Command, USAF Historical Study No. 107" (PDF). Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Intelligence Historical Division. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) . 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.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) . 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.

v t e USAAF Eighth Air Force in World War II
Stations United Kingdom Alconbury Aldermaston Andrews Field Atcham Attlebridge Bassingbourn Bodney Bottisham Bovingdon Boxted Bungay Burtonwood Depot Bury St. Edmunds Bushey Hall Chalgrove Cheddington Chelveston Chipping Ongar Daws Hill Debach Debden Deenethorpe Deopham Green Duxford Earls Colne East Wretham Eye Fersfield Fowlmere Framlingham Glatton Goxhill Grafton Underwood Great Ashfield Great Dunmow Halesworth Hardwick Harrington Hethel Honington Horham Horsham St. Faith Ibsley Keevil Kimbolton Kings Cliffe Kirton In Lindsey Knettishall Lavenham Leiston Little Walden Martlesham Heath Membury Mendlesham Metfield Molesworth Mount Farm North Pickenham Nuthampstead Old Buckenham Podington Polebrook Rackheath Ramsbury Rattlesden Raydon Ridgewell Seething Shipdham Snetterton Heath Steeple Morden Sudbury Thorpe Abbots Thurleigh Tibenham Wattisham Watton Wendling Westhampnett Wormingford Okinawa Bolo Ie Shima Kadena Futenma Yontan
Units Commands VIII Air Support VIII Bomber VIII Air Divisions 1st 2nd 3rdf Wings Bombardment 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 12th 316th Fighter 6th 65th 66th 67th 301st Groups Bombardment 34th 44th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th 97th 100th 301st 303rd 305th 306th 310th 319th 320th 322nd 323rd 333rd 346th 351st 379th 381st 382nd 383rd 384th 385th 386th 387th 388th 389th 390th 392nd 398th 401st 445th 446th 447th 448th 452nd 453rd 457th 458th 466th 467th 482nd 486th 487th 489th 490th 491st 492nd 493rd 801st (Provisional) Fighter 1st 4th 14th 20th 31st 48th 55th 56th 78th 318th 339th 350th 352nd 353rd 354th 355th 356th 357th 358th 361st 362nd 364th 413th 479th 495th 496th 507th Troop Carrier 60th 62nd 315th Reconnaissance 3rd 7th 25th 67th
United States Army Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Twentieth

v t e USAAF Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command in World War II
Command	I Bomber Command (First Air Force, 1941–42)
Wings	25th Antisubmarine 26th Antisubmarine
Groups	1st Search Attack 2d Bombardment 13th Bombardment 45th Bombardment 304th Bombardment 377th Bombardment 378th Bombardment 479th Antisubmarine 480th Antisubmarine
Squadrons	Antisubmarine 1st 2d 3d 4th 6th 7th 8th 9th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th 22d 23d 25th Other 2d Search Attack 3d Search Attack 4th Search Attack
Airfields	United States Dover (Delaware) Drew (Florida) Jacksonville (Florida) Key West (Florida) Lantana (Florida) Miami (Florida) Orlando (Florida) Savannah (Georgia) Grenier (New Hampshire) Atlantic City (New Jersey) Fort Dix (New Jersey) Mitchel (New York) Bluethenthal (North Carolina) Cherry Point (North Carolina) Charleston (South Carolina) Hyannis (Massachusetts) Otis (Massachusetts) Westover (Massachusetts) Langley (Virginia) Newfoundland Gander Torbay Caribbean and South America Batista (Cuba) Guantanamo (Cuba) Zanderij (Suriname) Vernam (Jamaica) Carlsen (Trinidad) Europe Dunkeswell (England) Podington (England) St. Eval (England) North Africa Port Lyautey (Morocco)

• Bombardment squadrons of the United States Army Air Forces
• 1942 establishments in Florida
• 1945 disestablishments in Washington (state)