U.S. Army Air Forces
15th Air Force
Strategic bombing from the Mediterranean. Established November 1, 1943 at Tunis under General Jimmy Doolittle, the 15th Air Force grew to 21 heavy bomber groups flying from southern Italy against targets across nine European countries. Its massive raids on the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania crippled Axis fuel production. The 15th's seven fighter groups — including the Tuskegee Airmen of the 332nd — claimed 1,836 enemy aircraft destroyed. Lost 2,110 bombers in 18 months of relentless combat.
15th Air Force — Bomb Groups
MTO · 1942–1945
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-17
Flying Fortress
One of the pioneer heavy bomb groups in the Mediterranean. Moved from North Africa to Italy, flying B-17s against targets across southern and eastern Europe. Participated in shuttle bombing missions landing in the Soviet Union.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-17
Flying Fortress
The first American heavy bomb group to fly a mission in the ETO, attacking Rouen, France on August 17, 1942. Transferred from the 8th to 12th to 15th Air Force. One of the most experienced B-17 groups of the war.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Diamondbacks
B-17
Flying Fortress
The 'Diamondbacks' flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from bases in Italy against strategic targets across southern Europe. Bombed oil refineries, aircraft factories, and marshalling yards in Germany, Austria, Romania, and Yugoslavia.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-17
Flying Fortress
Transferred from the 8th Air Force to the Mediterranean, becoming one of the first heavy groups in the 15th Air Force. Flew B-17s from Cerignola against the Ploesti oil refineries and industrial targets across southeastern Europe.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-17
Flying Fortress
Flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Celone, Italy. Attacked oil refineries, aircraft factories, and transportation targets across Austria, Germany, Romania, Hungary, and the Balkans as part of the 15th's strategic campaign.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-17
Flying Fortress
Arrived in Italy in April 1944, the 483rd flew B-17s against strategic targets including the heavily defended Ploesti oil complex. Participated in Operation Frantic shuttle missions to Soviet airfields.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Pyramiders
B-24
Liberator
The 'Pyramiders' — named for their pre-war service in Egypt. Participated in the legendary low-level Ploesti raid of August 1, 1943 (Operation Tidal Wave). Colonel John 'Killer' Kane earned the Medal of Honor leading the 98th through the inferno over the oil refineries.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Liberandos
B-24
Liberator
The 'Liberandos' — first USAAF unit to bomb Rome. Participated in the Ploesti low-level raid. Flew B-24 Liberators from North Africa and Italy, striking targets across the Mediterranean and southeastern Europe from 1942 to 1945.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-24
Liberator
Flew B-24 Liberators from Grottaglie, Italy against oil refineries, aircraft factories, and communications targets across Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Romania, and the Balkans. Earned a DUC for the raid on Bad Voslau.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Cottontails
B-24
Liberator
The 'Cottontails' — identified by their white tail markings. Flew B-24s from Manduria against strategic targets across southern Europe, including repeated attacks on the Ploesti oil refineries and industrial centers in Austria and Germany.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-24
Liberator
Flew B-24 Liberators from Castelluccio beginning in early 1944. Attacked oil refineries, marshalling yards, and industrial targets across the Balkans and Central Europe as part of the 15th Air Force's strategic campaign.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-24
Liberator
Flew B-24 Liberators from San Giovanni in southern Italy. Part of the massive 15th Air Force bomber stream that systematically destroyed Axis oil production, aircraft manufacturing, and transportation across southeastern Europe.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Vulgar Vultures
B-24
Liberator
The 'Vulgar Vultures' flew B-24 Liberators against some of the most heavily defended targets in Europe, including Ploesti, Vienna, and Munich. Stationed at San Giovanni from early 1944 through the end of the war.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-24
Liberator
Flew B-24 Liberators from Stornara, striking strategic targets across southern Europe. Participated in the sustained oil offensive against Romanian and Austrian refineries that strangled Axis fuel production.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-24
Liberator
Flew B-24 Liberators from Giulia Airfield. Earned a DUC for leading the 304th Bomb Wing through enemy fighters and intense flak to raid Bad Voslau in April 1944. Attacked oil refineries and industrial targets across nine countries.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-24
Liberator
Flew B-24 Liberators from Spinazzola beginning in early 1944. Part of the 55th Bomb Wing's relentless campaign against Axis oil production, the 460th struck refineries at Ploesti, Vienna, and across Central Europe.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Liberaiders
B-24
Liberator
The 'Liberaiders' flew B-24s from Torretta against strategic targets including oil refineries, ball bearing plants, and aircraft factories. Participated in the sustained offensive that destroyed Axis industrial capacity in southeastern Europe.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-24
Liberator
Flew B-24 Liberators from Pantanella. Part of the 15th Air Force's massive bomber force that conducted strategic operations across nine European countries from bases in southern Italy.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-24
Liberator
Shared the Pantanella complex with the 464th BG. Flew B-24 Liberators against Ploesti refineries, Viennese industry, and German transportation networks as part of the 15th's devastating strategic campaign.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-24
Liberator
Flew B-24 Liberators from Torretta as part of the 304th Bomb Wing. Attacked targets across Italy, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Romania, and the Balkans during the final year of the air war in Europe.
Squadrons
Bombardment Group (Heavy)
B-24
Liberator
Flew B-24 Liberators from Venosa, Italy. The 485th participated in the sustained strategic bombing campaign that destroyed Axis oil production and industrial capacity across southern and eastern Europe.
Squadrons
15th Air Force — Fighter Groups
MTO · 1942–1945
Fighter Group
P-51
Mustang
Flew P-38 Lightnings and later P-51 Mustangs escorting 15th Air Force bombers to targets across southeastern Europe. One of the first fighter groups transferred from the 12th to the 15th Air Force when it was established.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-51
Mustang
Flew P-38 Lightnings before converting to P-51 Mustangs. Provided long-range escort for heavy bombers striking Ploesti, Vienna, Berlin, and other distant strategic targets from Italian bases.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-51
Mustang
One of the few USAAF groups to fly Spitfires in combat, before converting to P-51 Mustangs. The 31st provided bomber escort and conducted fighter sweeps across the Mediterranean and into the heart of Europe from Italian bases.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-51
Mustang
Like the 31st, the 52nd transitioned from Supermarine Spitfires to P-51 Mustangs. Provided escort for 15th Air Force bombers and conducted aggressive strafing missions against Luftwaffe airfields across southern Europe.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
P-51
Mustang
Flew P-38 Lightnings throughout the Mediterranean campaign and into the strategic bombing offensive from Italy. Escorted bombers to Ploesti, Wiener Neustadt, and other heavily defended targets deep in enemy territory.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
The Checkertail Clan
P-51
Mustang
The 'Checkertail Clan' — famous for their distinctive black and yellow checkerboard tail markings. Flew P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs, escorting bombers and conducting fighter sweeps across the Mediterranean and southeastern Europe.
Squadrons
Fighter Group
Red Tails / Tuskegee Airmen
P-51
Mustang
The legendary Tuskegee Airmen — the first African-American fighter group in USAAF history. Known as the 'Red Tails' for their distinctive red-painted tail surfaces. Earned a reputation for never losing a bomber to enemy fighters on escort missions. Their courage helped change America.
Squadrons
No units found matching your search.
21
Bomb Groups
7
Fighter Groups
106+
Squadrons