|
The 408th Fighter Group (USAAF) was a home based training unit that was active from October 1943 to April 1944.
The group was activated as the 408th Bombardment Group (Dive) on 5 April 1943 and assigned to the Third Air Force (in the US South-East). It was based in Mississippi and later in FLorida.
In October 1943 the group received a mix of aircraft, including the A-24 Banshee (the Air Force version of the SBD Dauntless), the A-26 Invader, the P-40 Warhawk and the P-47 Thunderbolt. It began a short period as a training unit.
In November 1943 the group was moved to the Second Air Force, and a new base in Texas.
In February 1944 the group moved back to the Third Air Force and to Louisiana. It ended the war in Oklahoma.
On 1 April 1944 the group was disbanded (along with a large number of other training units).
Pending
October 1943-April 1944: Douglas A-24 Banshee (SBD Dauntless ), Douglas A-26 Invader , Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
23 March 1943 | Constituted as 408th Bombardment Group (Dive) |
5 April 1943 | Activated with Third Air Force |
August 1943 | Redesignated as 408th Fighter-Bomber Group |
November 1943 | To Second Air Force |
February 1944 | To Third Air Force |
1 April 1944 | Disbanded |
1st Lt Reynold H Ulick:
7 Apr 1943
Maj John R Reynolds: 22 Jun
1943
Maj Wyatt P Exum: 22 Sep 1943
Lt
Col Thomas Hitchcock: 26 Dec 1943
Maj
Wyatt P Exum: 1 Feb 1944
Lt Col Harry
L Galusha: 18 Mar-1 Apr 1944.
Key Field, Miss: 5 Apr 1943
Drew Field, Fla: 22 Sep 1943
Abilene
AAFld, Tex: 10 Nov 1943
DeRidder
AAB, La: 12 Feb 1944
Woodward AAFld.
Okla: 26 Mar-1 Apr 1944
455th: 1944
518th (636th): 1943-1944
519th (637th): 1943-1944
520th (638th): 1943-1944
639th: 1943
1943-44: 72nd Fighter Wing (training organisation)
1944: 301st Fighter Wing