17th Bomb Group
3255 Mercer Lane
San Diego, CA 92122
ph: (858 453 8639
smith_c2
17th BG WWII
17th Bomb Group WWII
17th BOMBARDMENT GROUP (M)
Authorized as 17th Observation Group on 18 Oct 1927. Redesignated 17th Pursuit Group in 1929. Activated on 15 July 1931. Redesignated 17th Attack Group in 1935 and 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) in 1939. The 17th was the first group to be designated as 'Medium' Bomb Group.
Prior to WWII the U. S. Army Air Corps suffered the neglect that befell all of the U.S. armed forces. In February 1941, President Roosevelt, recognizing the probable entry of the USA into the raging European War ordered preparations and build up of the U.S. armed forces. The 17th Bomb Group was redesigned as the 17th bomb Group (M) and consisted of the 34th, the 73rd, the 95th Bomb Squadrons with the 89th Reconnaissance Squadron attached. Due to an administrative error, the 73rd Squadron was assigned to the 28th Bomb Group and the 37th Squadron was assigned to the 17th. The 17th began intensive training with their B-18's and B-23's. In February 1941 the 17th became the first Group to receive the B-25 Mitchell, and by September all four squadrons were equipped with B-25's. (In May 1942, the 89th was assigned to the 17th and became the 432nd Bomb Squadron.) As the 17th became more proficient, it was called upon to provide cadres to the 38th, 42nd, 12th, and the 47th Bomb Groups thereby acquiring the name "Daddy of Them All". From September through November, the 17th participated in the Louisiana and the Carolina maneuvers. Upon completion of the maneuvers, the 17th was transferred to March field, California, arriving there on 5 December in anticipation of a few days off for rest and relaxation.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor changed that. The 17th was ordered to Pendleton Oregon, for coastal patrol against any Japanese attack on the West Coast. On Christmas day, a plane from the 95th Squadron made the first 'kill' of an enemy submarine in U.S. waters, when it engages as sank a sub at the mouth of the Columbia River. In early February, the Group was transferred to Lexington County Airport in South Carolina for patrol duty on the East Coast. During these patrols, the 17th sank a German U-boat and became the first group to sink a sub on both coasts. The Group continued to lose crews to the new groups, 21st, 309th, and 310th Bomb Groups. During this period a select group of 120 flew to Eglin Field, Fla. to train for what turned out to be the famous Doolittle Raid on Tokyo. In June the 17th became the B-26 OTU and traded its B-25's for B-26 Marauders and was transferred to Barksdale at Shreveport La, where it began training crews for the 319th. The shortage of experienced B-26 crews, maintenance personnel, spare parts and proper tools caused the transition period to the "hot" B-26 to be less than a pleasant experience, but with time and experience difficulties were overcome.
In August 1942, the 17th, 319th and 320th Groups were selected to support operations in North Africa and were relieved of their OTU duties and commenced intensive bombing and gunnery training. Starting in August through December the Group moved to North Africa with aircrews ferrying B-26's via the South American route and support groups proceeding by ship. With support from the 319th Bomb Group, the 17th flew its first combat mission against Gabes Airfield in southern Tunisia on 30 December. Served in combat in the Mediterranean theater (at various locations listed below) until November 1944, being assigned first to Twelfth AF, then to Fifteenth (Nov 1943), and again to Twelfth (Jan 1944). Flew interdictory and close-support missions, bombing bridges, rail lines, marshalling yards, harbors, shipping, gun emplacements, troop concentrations, and other targets. Helped to bring about the defeat of Axis forces in North Africa in May 1943. The 17th assisted in the reduction of Pantelleria and Lampedusa in June 1943; participated in the invasions of Sicily in July and of Italy in September 1943; and took part in the drive toward Rome, receiving a DUC for a bombing attack on airdromes at Rome on 13 Jan 1944. Because of its renowned bombing accuracy the 17th was chosen to bomb targets in Florence to protect the art treasures there. The 17th also took part in the assault on Monte Cassino. The 17th received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for operations in Italy, April -June 1944. Took part in the invasion of Southern France (during which it flew against its toughest opponent - the guns of Toulon) in Aug 1944, and continued bombardment operations in northern Italy and France. In November the Group moved to Dijon, France and continued its attacks on Germany supporting the final drives which resulted in the German Surrender. It was during this period that the 17th had its first brush with the Me-262, German Jet Fighter. Received second DUC for bombing attacks on enemy defenses near Schweinfurt on 10 Apr 1945. The end of the war in Europe resulted in the shipment of all combat personnel to the U.S. and the gradual dis-establishment of the 17th Bomb Group (M) Assisted in the disarmament of Germany after V-E Day. Returned to the US in Nov. Inactivated on 26 Nov 1945.
3255 Mercer Lane
San Diego, CA 92122
ph: (858 453 8639
smith_c2
