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
Bombardment Group (Medium)
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
Bombardment Group (Medium)
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
Bombardment Group (Medium)
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
Bombardment Group (Medium)
Bridge Busters
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
Bombardment Group (Medium)
Silver Streaks
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
Bombardment Group (Medium)
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
Bombardment Group (Medium)
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
Bombardment Group (Medium)
Bridge Busters
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
Bombardment Group (Light)
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
Bombardment Group (Light)
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
Bombardment Group (Light)
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
Fighter Group
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
Fighter Group
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
Fighter Group
Pioneer Mustang Group
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
Fighter Group
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
Fighter Group
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
Fighter Group
Hell Hawks
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
Fighter Group
The Gunfighters
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
Fighter Group
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
Fighter Group
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
Fighter Group
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
Fighter Group
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
Fighter Group
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
Fighter Group
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
Fighter Group
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
Fighter Group
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
Fighter Group
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
Fighter Group
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