U.S. Army Air Forces
9th Air Force
The Ninth Air Force was the tactical hammer of the Allied air campaign in Europe. While the 8th struck at the heart of German industry from high altitude, the 9th brought the war down to treetop level - smashing bridges, strafing convoys, and providing devastating close air support from Normandy to the Rhine. Their medium bombers and fighter-bombers flew in all weather, from forward airstrips just miles behind the front lines.
9th Air Force - Bomb Groups
ETO · 1942–1945
322nd Bombardment Group (Medium)
RAF Andrews Field
RAF Andrews Field / France
98TH BOMB WING
333
Missions
B-26
Marauder
60
Aircraft Lost
One of the first B-26 Marauder groups in the ETO. Suffered early losses on disastrous low-level missions before tactics were revised to medium-altitude bombing. Flew 333 missions supporting the tactical campaign across France and into Germany.
Squadrons
323rd Bombardment Group (Medium)
RAF Earls Colne
RAF Earls Colne / France
98TH BOMB WING
307
Missions
B-26
Marauder
56
Aircraft Lost
Flew B-26 Marauders from bases in England and later France. Attacked bridges, marshalling yards, V-weapon sites, and provided tactical support for ground forces from Normandy through the drive into Germany.
Squadrons
387th Bombardment Group (Medium)
RAF Chipping Ongar
RAF Chipping Ongar / France
98TH BOMB WING
392
Missions
B-26
Marauder
42
Aircraft Lost
Flew 392 combat missions - among the highest totals for any B-26 group in the 9th Air Force. Attacked tactical targets across France, Belgium, and Germany supporting the advance of Allied ground forces.
Squadrons
394th Bombardment Group (Medium)
Bridge Busters
RAF Boreham
RAF Boreham / France
98TH BOMB WING
272
Missions
B-26
Marauder
39
Aircraft Lost
The 'Bridge Busters' earned their name destroying critical transportation targets ahead of advancing Allied armies. Flew from England and later France, playing a key role in interdicting German supply lines.
Squadrons
344th Bombardment Group (Medium)
Silver Streaks
RAF Stansted
RAF Stansted / France
99TH BOMB WING
263
Missions
B-26
Marauder
43
Aircraft Lost
The 'Silver Streaks' flew from RAF Stansted and later bases in France. Attacked bridges, rail yards, fuel depots, and defended positions ahead of advancing Allied armies across France and into the Reich.
Squadrons
386th Bombardment Group (Medium)
RAF Great Dunmow
RAF Great Dunmow / France
99TH BOMB WING
399
Missions
B-26
Marauder
30
Aircraft Lost
Flew 399 missions - one of the most active medium bomber groups in the ETO. Attacked transportation and communications targets critical to the German war effort. Operated from England and later from captured airfields in France and Belgium.
Squadrons
391st Bombardment Group (Medium)
RAF Matching
RAF Matching / France
99TH BOMB WING
293
Missions
B-26
Marauder
34
Aircraft Lost
Flew B-26 Marauders against tactical targets including bridges, marshalling yards, and supply dumps. Provided direct support for ground operations from D-Day through VE Day.
Squadrons
397th Bombardment Group (Medium)
Bridge Busters
RAF Rivenhall
RAF Rivenhall / France
99TH BOMB WING
276
Missions
B-26
Marauder
28
Aircraft Lost
Another group known as 'Bridge Busters' for their accuracy against rail and road bridges. Flew B-26 Marauders from England and France, systematically dismantling German transportation infrastructure.
Squadrons
409th Bombardment Group (Light)
RAF Little Walden
RAF Little Walden / France
97TH BOMB WING
216
Missions
A-20/A-26
A-20/A-26
21
Aircraft Lost
Flew A-20 Havoc light bombers before converting to the A-26 Invader. Operated at low and medium altitude against tactical targets including supply depots, troop concentrations, and communications targets.
Squadrons
410th Bombardment Group (Light)
RAF Gosfield
RAF Gosfield / France
97TH BOMB WING
214
Missions
A-20/A-26
A-20/A-26
18
Aircraft Lost
Flew A-20 Havocs and later A-26 Invaders on low-altitude attack missions against tactical targets. The 410th struck fuel dumps, defended positions, and communication centers ahead of advancing ground forces.
Squadrons
416th Bombardment Group (Light)
RAF Wethersfield
RAF Wethersfield / France
97TH BOMB WING
285
Missions
A-20/A-26
A-20/A-26
22
Aircraft Lost
Flew A-20 Havocs from Wethersfield before transitioning to A-26 Invaders. Attacked bridges, fuel storage, defended positions, and troop concentrations from Normandy through the final advance into Germany.
Squadrons
9th Air Force - Fighter Groups
ETO · 1942–1945
36th Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew P-47 Thunderbolts providing close air support and armed reconnaissance for advancing ground forces. Operated from captured airfields across France, Belgium, and Germany.
Squadrons
48th Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
Operated P-47 Thunderbolts in the fighter-bomber role, attacking bridges, rail lines, motor transport, and providing direct support to ground troops from Normandy through the end of the war.
Squadrons
354th Fighter Group
Pioneer Mustang Group
RAF Boxted
RAF Boxted / France
IX TAC
701
Aerial Victories
P-47
Thunderbolt
The first P-51 Mustang group in the ETO - the 'Pioneer Mustang Group.' Originally assigned to the 9th Air Force but frequently loaned to the 8th for long-range escort. Produced top aces and earned four DUCs. The highest-scoring group in the 9th.
Squadrons
358th Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew P-47 Thunderbolts in the fighter-bomber and close air support roles throughout the campaign in Northwest Europe. Operated from forward airfields close to the front lines.
Squadrons
362nd Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
Operated P-47 Thunderbolts providing tactical air support from Normandy through the drive into Germany. Specialized in armed reconnaissance and interdiction of German supply lines.
Squadrons
365th Fighter Group
Hell Hawks
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
The legendary 'Hell Hawks' - one of the most famous tactical fighter groups of WWII. Flew P-47 Thunderbolts in devastating ground attack missions, destroying hundreds of enemy vehicles, tanks, and gun positions in close support of ground troops.
Squadrons
366th Fighter Group
The Gunfighters
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
Known as 'The Gunfighters' for their aggressive close air support missions. Flew P-47s providing direct support to ground forces, including critical missions during the Battle of the Bulge.
Squadrons
367th Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew both P-38 Lightnings and P-47 Thunderbolts during the campaign in France and Germany. Conducted fighter-bomber operations, armed reconnaissance, and close air support.
Squadrons
368th Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew P-47 Thunderbolts in tactical operations from Normandy through Germany. Attacked railroads, bridges, motor transport, and defended positions ahead of advancing Allied armies.
Squadrons
370th Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-51
Mustang
Flew P-38 Lightnings before converting to P-51 Mustangs. Provided close air support and air superiority missions across France and into Germany.
Squadrons
371st Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
Operated P-47 Thunderbolts in the fighter-bomber role throughout the campaign in Northwest Europe. Attacked tactical targets and provided close air support to advancing ground forces.
Squadrons
373rd Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew P-47 Thunderbolts from forward airstrips in France, Belgium, and Germany. Conducted armed reconnaissance, interdiction, and close air support from Normandy through the final days of the war.
Squadrons
404th Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
XIX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew P-47 Thunderbolts with General Patton's Third Army under XIX Tactical Air Command. Provided close air support during the rapid advance across France and into Germany.
Squadrons
405th Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
Operated P-47 Thunderbolts in tactical fighter-bomber operations. Attacked bridges, rail lines, vehicles, and troop concentrations supporting ground forces from D-Day through the end of the war.
Squadrons
406th Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
XIX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
Flew P-47 Thunderbolts in the XIX Tactical Air Command supporting General Patton's armored advance. Conducted devastating ground attack missions that destroyed hundreds of enemy vehicles and defensive positions.
Squadrons
474th Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-38
Lightning
The only P-38 Lightning group in IX Fighter Command to retain the type throughout the war. Flew the distinctive twin-engine fighter in the ground attack and air superiority roles across France and Germany.
Squadrons
363rd Fighter Group
France
France / Belgium / Germany
IX TAC
P-47
Thunderbolt
Originally a reconnaissance group, the 363rd flew a mix of P-51s and P-47s. Conducted tactical reconnaissance, fighter sweeps, and ground attack missions supporting the Allied advance.
Squadrons
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11
Bomb Groups
17
Fighter Groups
95+
Squadrons