41st Tactical Group

The 41st Tactical Group was a United States Army Air Forces and later United States Air Force unit whose lineage began with the activation of the 41st Bombardment Group at March Field, California, on 15 January 1941. Although the supplied name identifies the formation as the 41st Bombardment Group, the authoritative reference subject is the 41st Tactical Group, the later designation under which the unit was reactivated in 1966. During its early existence, the group trained bomber crews and ground personnel while its squadrons gradually received aircraft and additional manpower. Its initial organization included the 46th, 47th, and 48th Bombardment Squadrons, with the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron later joining and eventually becoming the 396th Bombardment Squadron. After moving through training locations in California, the group also supported coastal antisubmarine patrols, including operations from Hammer Field near Fresno and Alameda, California. In October 1943, the group moved to Hawaii and came under Seventh Air Force control for operations in the Central Pacific. It reached Tarawa in December and began combat operations against Japanese positions in the Marshall Islands. Flying North American B-25 Mitchell medium bombers, the group attacked airfields, shipping, and other military installations at Mili, Maloelap, Wotje, Jaluit, Ponape, and related targets. Its early low-level attacks were conducted in the face of substantial Japanese resistance, and the formation lost 17 B-25s between late December 1943 and February 1944. It later adopted higher-altitude approaches and conducted complex shuttle missions involving multiple targets and forward bases. The group also participated in operations connected with the campaigns for the Mariana Islands. The 48th Bombardment Squadron temporarily operated from Saipan and supported attacks against Guam and Tinian before returning to the group. After the Central Pacific campaign, the group returned to Hawaii for training, antisubmarine patrols, and conversion work involving newer B-25 equipment, rockets, gunnery methods, and bomb-delivery practices. In June 1945, the group moved to the Okinawa area. From airfields near Kadena and Machinato, it attacked Japanese airfields, bridges, railways, shipping facilities, troop concentrations, and maritime targets across the Ryukyus, Kyushu, and nearby parts of China. During the final weeks of the war it flew missions against targets including Chiran Airfield, Chang Wan Airfield near Shanghai, Japanese shipping, and ports in the Sasebo, Makurazaki, and Nagasaki areas. The unit also experimented with glide-bomb tactics against shipping and harbor targets. After Japan's surrender, the group moved through Morotai and Okinawa while demobilization reduced its personnel and redistributed its aircraft. It was transferred to the Philippines and inactivated on 27 January 1946. The unit was redesignated the 41st Tactical Group in March 1966 and reactivated at Cigli Air Base, Turkey, on 1 April of that year. In its Cold War role, it controlled fighter squadrons deployed to Cigli under the 7217th Air Division. The group was inactivated on 1 July 1970 after United States Air Force deployment activity was concentrated at Incirlik Air Base. Its remaining personnel and equipment were handled by the 7241 Support Squadron until American operations at Cigli ended.

The formation was constituted as the 41st Bombardment Group (Medium) on 20 November 1940 and activated at March Field, California, on 15 January 1941. Its early components were the 46th, 47th, and 48th Bombardment Squadrons. Initially attached to the 19th Bombardment Group for training, it began with a small cadre and expanded during 1941. The group moved to Tucson, Arizona, and subsequently to the Muroc Bombing and Gunnery Range, where it received a fuller complement of personnel and equipment. Aircraft assigned during the training period included the PT-17 trainer, Douglas B-18 Bolo, and Lockheed A-29 Hudson. Following the United States' entry into World War II, the group moved to Hammer Field, Fresno, California, on 26 February 1942. It trained aircrews and maintenance personnel while supporting coastal antisubmarine patrols. Elements of the 46th and 48th Bombardment Squadrons operated from Alameda in cooperation with Navy patrol activity. The group's organization changed several times: the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron was assigned and later redesignated as the 396th Bombardment Squadron; the 46th Bombardment Squadron departed in 1943; and the 820th Bombardment Squadron joined the group in October 1943. The strategic situation in the Pacific led the Army Air Forces to assign the group to Seventh Air Force operations. It moved from California to Hawaii in October 1943 and then deployed to Tarawa on 17 December. After airfield rehabilitation and adaptation to harsh conditions, the 820th Bombardment Squadron conducted the group's first combat mission from Tarawa against Japanese facilities at Mili Atoll on 28 December. During January 1944, the group flew extensive missions against Japanese bases in the Marshalls. Its B-25 Mitchells attacked Maloelap, Wotje, Mili, and Jaluit, often at low altitude and under intense fighter opposition. Seventeen aircraft were lost between 28 December and 12 February. The group continued supporting the seizure and consolidation of Kwajalein and Eniwetok. From bases including Engebi and Majuro, it attacked bypassed Japanese positions and shipping in the Marshalls and eastern Caroline Islands. To reduce losses, crews shifted from low-level attack profiles toward medium- and high-altitude approaches as Japanese air opposition weakened. In April 1944, shuttle missions enabled aircraft to strike several targets during a single operational cycle by using Majuro as a reload and staging point. During the Mariana campaign, the 48th Bombardment Squadron temporarily operated from Saipan and supported attacks on Guam and Tinian. The group otherwise continued neutralization missions against Japanese bases. In October 1944, Seventh Air Force withdrew the medium-bomber formation to Wheeler Field, Hawaii. For approximately seven months it performed patrols and training, practicing with newer B-25 models, rockets, tow-target gunnery, gun cameras, and revised bombing techniques. The group moved to the Okinawa area in June 1945. From Kadena-area facilities it attacked Japanese airfields, bridges, railroads, shipping, and troop concentrations. It flew missions against targets in the Ryukyus, Kyushu, and coastal China, including an attack on Chang Wan Airfield near Shanghai and strikes against shipping at the mouth of the Yangtze River. It also tested glide bombs against harbor targets. The group flew eleven further missions against Kyushu during the first twelve days of August 1945. After the war, the unit moved to Morotai and then Machinato Airfield on Okinawa. Demobilization reduced its strength, transferred its aircraft, and altered its subordinate squadrons. The group was moved to the Philippines and inactivated on 27 January 1946. Its lineage was later revived when it was redesignated the 41st Tactical Group on 14 March 1966 and activated at Cigli Air Base, Turkey, on 1 April. The reactivated group replaced the 7231st Combat Support Group and controlled tactical fighter squadrons deployed to Cigli, including the 309th Tactical Fighter Squadron during April 1966. It was inactivated on 1 July 1970 as deployments shifted toward Incirlik Air Base. The 7241 Support Squadron assumed remaining personnel and equipment until United States operations at Cigli ended.

• 1970

  Final inactivation

  [1]41st Tactical Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The tactical group was inactivated on 1 July as United States Air Force deployments shifted from Cigli toward Incirlik Air Base.

• 1966

  Redesignated and reactivated in Turkey

  [1]41st Tactical Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The lineage was redesignated the 41st Tactical Group and activated at Cigli Air Base on 1 April to control deployed tactical fighter units.

• 1946

  World War II group inactivated

  [1]41st Tactical Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Following demobilization and transfer to the Philippines, the group was inactivated on 27 January.

• 1945

  Operations from Okinawa

  [1]41st Tactical Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group moved to the Okinawa area in June and conducted strikes across the Ryukyus, Kyushu, and nearby Chinese targets.

• 1943

  Deployed to Hawaii and the Central Pacific

  [1]41st Tactical Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group moved to Hawaii in October and began its Central Pacific deployment, reaching Tarawa in December.

• 1943

  First combat mission from Tarawa

  [1]41st Tactical Groupen.wikipedia.org

  On 28 December, the 820th Bombardment Squadron launched the group's first combat mission against Japanese facilities at Mili Atoll.

• 1942

  Expanded antisubmarine patrol role

  [1]41st Tactical Groupen.wikipedia.org

  After moving to Hammer Field, the group trained while supporting patrols along the United States West Coast, including operations from Alameda.

• 1941

  Activated at March Field

  [1]41st Tactical Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group was activated in California on 15 January with the 46th, 47th, and 48th Bombardment Squadrons.

• 1940

  Constituted as a medium bombardment group

  [1]41st Tactical Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The unit was constituted as the 41st Bombardment Group (Medium) on 20 November.

A United States Air Force operational group rather than a commercial brand, the unit was organized first for medium-bomber training and combat and later for the administration and control of deployed tactical fighter forces.

• Medium bomber · 1942

  North American B-25 Mitchell

  The B-25 Mitchell was the group's principal combat aircraft during its Pacific service from 1943 through 1945. The group used it for low-, medium-, and high-altitude bombing, strafing, reconnaissance-related missions, attacks on airfields and shipping, and close support. Later training included newer B-25 variants, rockets, improved gunnery methods, and experimental glide-bomb techniques.

• Medium bomber · 1942

  Douglas B-18 Bolo

  The B-18 was among the aircraft assigned during the group's early training and coastal defense period. It supported the development of bomber crews and ground personnel before the group transitioned to more active Pacific operations.

• Patrol and bomber aircraft · 1942

  Lockheed A-29 Hudson

  The A-29 Hudson was used during the group's early wartime period, when its squadrons combined training with antisubmarine patrol responsibilities along the American coast.

• 1945Okinawa and attacks against the Japanese homeland

  Okinawa · Ryukyu Islands · Kyushu · China

  From the Okinawa area, the group attacked Japanese airfields, bridges, railways, troop concentrations, and shipping, extending operations to Kyushu and selected targets on the China mainland.

  Outcome. The group continued combat missions through the opening days of August 1945 and ceased offensive operations after Japan's surrender.

  Source
• 1944Marshall Islands operations

  Marshall Islands · Central Pacific

  The group conducted repeated B-25 attacks against Japanese airfields, installations, and shipping at Mili, Maloelap, Wotje, and Jaluit in support of the Central Pacific advance.

  Outcome. The missions helped neutralize Japanese positions but imposed heavy early losses, including 17 B-25s lost between late December 1943 and February 1944.

  Source
• 1944Mariana Islands support

  Saipan · Guam · Tinian

  The 48th Bombardment Squadron temporarily deployed to Saipan and supported bombardment and close-support operations during the campaigns for Guam and Tinian.

  Outcome. The squadron returned to the group after the initial operations around the Mariana Islands.

  Source

• 1966

  Reactivation as a tactical deployment-control groupStrategy

  Background

  The United States Air Force required an organization at Cigli Air Base to administer deployed tactical fighter squadrons.

  Action taken

  The lineage was redesignated the 41st Tactical Group and activated under the 7217th Air Division, replacing the 7231st Combat Support Group.

  Aftermath

  The group controlled deployed fighter units until its inactivation in 1970.

  Source

• 1944

  Shift from low-level to higher-altitude bombingStrategy

  Background

  Early attacks against Japanese positions in the Marshalls exposed the group to severe fighter opposition and significant aircraft losses.

  Action taken

  The group adopted medium- and high-altitude approaches in an effort to reduce losses while maintaining pressure on enemy targets.

  Aftermath

  The reference describes a substantial decline in losses as Japanese air opposition weakened and the revised tactics were employed.

  Source

• 1944

  Adoption of shuttle bombing missionsStrategy

  Background

  The group's forward bases and the dispersed Japanese positions in the Marshalls required more efficient use of aircraft and airfield capacity.

  Action taken

  B-25s used Tarawa and Majuro in coordinated shuttle operations, striking multiple targets and reloading between attack legs.

  Aftermath

  The method enabled the group to conduct 98 missions during April 1944.

  Source

1. 141st Tactical Groupen.wikipedia.org