U.S. Army Air Forces
10th Air Force
The air arm of the China-Burma-India theater. The 10th Air Force operated from bases in India and Burma, flying the deadly Hump airlift over the Himalayas, supporting the Allied campaign to retake Burma, and fighting the Japanese across some of the most unforgiving terrain on Earth. Its Air Commando Groups pioneered special operations behind enemy lines with Wingate's Chindits.
10th Air Force — Bomb Groups
CBI · 1942–1945
7th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
CBI
India (Pandaveswar / Tezpur)
X BOMBER COMMAND
B-24
Liberator
One of the first bomb groups deployed to the CBI theater after Pearl Harbor. Flew B-17s and later B-24 Liberators from bases in India, striking Japanese targets in Burma, Thailand, and the Andaman Islands. Supported the Burma campaign.
Squadrons
12th Bombardment Group (Medium)
The Earthquakers (CBI)
CBI
India
X BOMBER COMMAND
B-25
Mitchell
Transferred to the CBI in 1944, the 12th flew B-25 Mitchell medium bombers against Japanese supply lines, bridges, and river traffic in Burma. Provided tactical support for the Allied offensive to reopen the Burma Road.
Squadrons
341st Bombardment Group (Medium)
CBI
India / China
X BOMBER COMMAND
B-25
Mitchell
Activated in India in 1942, the 341st flew B-25 Mitchells against Japanese transportation in Burma. Moved to China in 1944 where they conducted sea sweeps, attacked shipping, and developed glip-bombing techniques against bridges in Indochina. Earned a DUC for bridge attacks.
Squadrons
308th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
CBI
Kunming, China (14th AF attached)
X BOMBER COMMAND
B-24
Liberator
The only heavy bomb group in the CBI to fly combat from bases in China. Flew B-24 Liberators over the Hump to reach their forward bases. Struck Japanese shipping in the South China Sea and targets across occupied China, Indochina, and Formosa.
Squadrons
10th Air Force — Fighter Groups
CBI · 1942–1945
33rd Fighter Group
CBI
India / Burma
X FIGHTER COMMAND
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew P-47 Thunderbolts providing air support for the Allied campaign in Burma. Conducted fighter-bomber operations against Japanese supply lines, bridges, and troop concentrations in the dense Burmese jungle.
Squadrons
51st Fighter Group
CBI
India / China
X FIGHTER COMMAND
P-51
Mustang
One of the first fighter groups in the CBI theater. Flew P-40 Warhawks defending the Hump airlift route before converting to P-51 Mustangs. Squadrons operated from both India and China, providing air defense and escort.
Squadrons
80th Fighter Group
The Burma Banshees
CBI
India / Burma
X FIGHTER COMMAND
P-38
Lightning
The 'Burma Banshees' fought across the CBI theater flying P-40s, P-47s, and P-38s. Provided air superiority over the Hump route, supported Wingate's Chindits, and conducted aggressive ground attack operations in Burma.
Squadrons
311th Fighter Group
CBI
India / Burma / China
X FIGHTER COMMAND
A-36
Apache
Flew A-36 Apaches (dive-bomber Mustangs) and P-51 Mustangs in the CBI. Conducted fighter-bomber operations against Japanese targets in Burma and provided escort for transport aircraft flying the Hump. One of the most versatile groups in theater.
Squadrons
1st Air Commando Group
Cochran's Circus
CBI
India / Burma
1ST AIR COMMANDO
P-47
Thunderbolt
Colonel Phil Cochran's 1st Air Commando Group — a joint fighter-transport-glider unit that supported Orde Wingate's Chindit operations behind Japanese lines in Burma. Flew P-51 Mustangs, L-5 liaison planes, CG-4A gliders, and C-47s in one of the war's most daring operations.
Squadrons
2nd Air Commando Group
CBI
India / Burma
2ND AIR COMMANDO
P-47
Thunderbolt
Followed the 1st Air Commando Group into Burma, conducting fighter-bomber operations, transport, evacuation, and close air support for the Allied ground offensive. Flew P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts from forward jungle strips.
Squadrons
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4
Bomb Groups
6
Fighter Groups
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Squadrons