497th Bombardment Group
The 497th Bombardment Group was a United States Army Air Forces very-heavy bombardment unit that operated B-29 Superfortresses against Japan during World War II.
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Overview
The 497th Bombardment Group was a United States Army Air Forces very-heavy bombardment group organized for the B-29 Superfortress campaign against Japan in World War II. Constituted on 19 November 1943 and activated the following day, it was initially formed at El Paso Municipal Airport, Texas, with four newly constituted bombardment squadrons: the 869th, 870th, 871st, and 872d. The group was assigned to the 73d Bombardment Wing, which became part of the Twentieth Air Force's strategic bombing structure. The group moved through training stations in New Mexico and Kansas during 1943 and 1944. Because newly manufactured B-29s were initially scarce, its crews trained with B-17 Flying Fortresses that had previously been used by II Bomber Command. The group began receiving B-29s in spring 1944, but continuing shortages of aircraft and equipment led to the inactivation of the 872d Bombardment Squadron in May 1944 and the consolidation of its personnel into the remaining squadrons. In September 1944, the 497th deployed to the Pacific Theater and arrived at Isely Field on Saipan in the Mariana Islands. While its facilities were being completed, personnel lived in tents and helped construct Quonset-hut accommodations. The group began combat operations in October 1944, initially striking Japanese positions and installations on Iwo Jima and in the Truk Islands. On 24 November 1944, it participated in the first attack on Japan by Army Air Forces aircraft operating from the Marianas. Its aircraft were identified by the letter A and a square marking on the tail. The 497th conducted repeated strategic bombing missions against Japan, often using daylight, high-altitude formations against industrial and military objectives. It also supported the Okinawa campaign by attacking Japanese airfields beginning in April 1945. From 19 March 1945 until the end of the war, the group increasingly participated in low-level nighttime incendiary raids against urban area targets. During July and August it also dropped propaganda leaflets over the Japanese home islands while continuing strategic and incendiary operations. The group received two Distinguished Unit Citations. The first recognized its 27 January 1945 mission against Hamamatsu, when severe weather prevented an attack on the primary target but the unescorted B-29 force pressed on against an alternate industrial objective despite heavy enemy opposition. The second covered operations against strategic centers in Japan during July and August 1945. After Japan's capitulation, the 497th performed humanitarian and occupation-related duties. Its aircraft dropped supplies to Allied prisoners of war, flew show-of-force missions, and surveyed bombing damage over Japan. The group returned to the United States in November 1945 and was successively associated with Continental Air Forces' Fourth Air Force at March Field, California, and Third Air Force at MacDill Field, Florida. The 513th Bombardment Squadron joined it in November 1945 after returning from Italy and undergoing B-29 conversion training. On 21 March 1946 the group was transferred to the newly established Strategic Air Command, but postwar demobilization was already under way. It surrendered its aircraft and was inactivated at MacDill Field on 31 March 1946.
History
The 497th Bombardment Group was constituted as a very-heavy bombardment group on 19 November 1943 and activated on 20 November at El Paso Municipal Airport, Texas. It was created within the United States Army Air Forces' expanding B-29 program and assigned to the 73d Bombardment Wing. Its original structure consisted of four bombardment squadrons, the 869th, 870th, 871st, and 872d, together with supporting personnel and a photographic laboratory component. During the group's early training period, it moved first to Clovis Army Air Field, New Mexico, and then to Pratt Army Air Field, Kansas. The B-29 program faced major production and equipment constraints, so the group initially trained with B-17 Flying Fortresses rather than the aircraft it was intended to operate. Newly built B-29 Superfortresses began arriving in spring 1944. In May, however, shortages caused the 872d Bombardment Squadron to be inactivated, with its personnel absorbed by the other group squadrons. The group completed its transition as a three-squadron formation. The 497th moved to the Pacific in September 1944 as part of the 73d Bombardment Wing under XXI Bomber Command. Its overseas station was Isely Field on Saipan, one of the bases from which the Army Air Forces could reach the Japanese home islands. The unit's first weeks involved construction and logistical work as personnel moved from temporary tents into more permanent Quonset-hut quarters. Combat operations began in October with attacks on Iwo Jima and the Truk Islands. The group's role expanded when Marianas-based B-29s began striking Japan. On 24 November 1944, the 497th took part in the first attack on Japan by Army Air Forces aircraft operating from the Marianas. Subsequent missions targeted industrial facilities, strategic centers, military installations, and airfields. Many early missions were flown in daylight from high altitude, exposing the unescorted bombers to weather, fighter opposition, and anti-aircraft fire. One of the group's most notable operations occurred on 27 January 1945. Weather prevented the formation from bombing its designated primary target, but the crews attacked an alternate industrial objective in the Hamamatsu area while enduring strong Japanese opposition. The action earned the group a Distinguished Unit Citation. The group received a second citation for its strategic attacks during July and August 1945. The 497th also supported the Allied assault on Okinawa. Beginning in April 1945, it attacked Japanese airfields to reduce the threat posed to the invasion force. From 19 March through the end of the war, the group's operational pattern included nighttime, low-altitude incendiary attacks against area targets in Japan. These missions formed part of the broader campaign against Japanese urban and industrial concentrations. In July and August, its aircraft additionally dispersed propaganda leaflets over the Japanese home islands. Following the Japanese surrender in August 1945, the group's missions changed from direct combat to humanitarian, demonstration, and assessment duties. It dropped supplies to Allied prisoners of war, conducted show-of-force flights, and surveyed areas of Japan to document bombing damage. In November 1945, the group returned to the United States through Camp Stoneman, California, and was stationed at March Field. The 513th Bombardment Squadron joined it on 1 November 1945 after its return from the European theater and B-29 upgrade training. The group moved to MacDill Field, Florida, in January 1946 and was transferred to the new Strategic Air Command on 21 March. That affiliation was brief. Demobilization and postwar force reductions resulted in the surrender of the group's aircraft and its inactivation on 31 March 1946. The 497th therefore remained a World War II-era formation rather than becoming a continuing operational SAC unit.
- 1946
Inactivation
[1]After a brief assignment to Strategic Air Command, the group turned in its aircraft and was inactivated at MacDill Field on 31 March.
- 1945
First Distinguished Unit Citation
[1]The group was recognized for its 27 January mission against the Hamamatsu industrial area after weather blocked the primary target.
- 1945
Okinawa support and incendiary campaign
[1]It attacked Japanese airfields in support of the Okinawa operation and conducted nighttime low-level incendiary raids from March until the end of the war.
- 1945
Second Distinguished Unit Citation
[1]The group received a second citation for attacks on Japanese strategic centers during July and August.
- 1945
Postwar missions
[1]After Japan's surrender, the group supplied Allied prisoners, flew show-of-force missions, and assessed bombing damage over Japan.
- 1944
B-29 transition and squadron reduction
[1]After training with B-17 aircraft because of B-29 shortages, the group received new B-29s in spring. The 872d Bombardment Squadron was inactivated on 10 May and its personnel consolidated into other squadrons.
- 1944
Deployment to Saipan
[1]The group deployed to Isely Field, Saipan, in September as part of the 73d Bombardment Wing and XXI Bomber Command.
- 1944
Opening Pacific operations
[1]Combat operations began in October against targets including Iwo Jima and the Truk Islands.
- 1944
First Marianas-based attack on Japan
[1]The group participated in the 24 November attack that marked the first Army Air Forces strike on Japan launched from the Marianas.
- 1943
Constitution and activation
[1]The group was constituted on 19 November and activated on 20 November at El Paso Municipal Airport, Texas, as a B-29 very-heavy bombardment formation.
Products and positioning
A wartime heavy-bomber formation specializing in long-range B-29 operations against Japanese strategic, industrial, airfield, and area targets.
Very-heavy bomber operations · 1944
B-29 Superfortress operations
The group's principal operational capability was the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, a long-range heavy bomber used for high-altitude daylight attacks, low-level nighttime incendiary raids, airfield strikes, and strategic bombardment against Japan. The aircraft carried the group's distinctive A and square tail identification marking.
Heavy bomber training · 1943
B-17 Flying Fortress training operations
The group temporarily used B-17 Flying Fortresses for training while B-29 aircraft and equipment were in short supply. These aircraft supported preparation for conversion to the group's intended very-heavy bomber role.
Marketing campaigns
- 1945Okinawa support operations
Okinawa · Pacific Theater
The group bombed Japanese airfields in April 1945 to reduce air attacks against Allied forces during the assault on Okinawa.
Outcome. The operations supported the wider Allied invasion effort.
- 1945Night incendiary raids and leaflet operations
Japan
Beginning on 19 March, the group conducted low-altitude nighttime incendiary raids against Japanese area targets. In July and August it also dropped propaganda leaflets while continuing bombing operations.
Outcome. These missions ended with Japan's capitulation in August 1945.
- 1944Marianas-based strategic bombing campaign
Japan · Pacific Theater
From Saipan, the group conducted long-range B-29 attacks against Japanese strategic and military objectives, beginning with operations around Iwo Jima and Truk and expanding to the Japanese home islands.
Outcome. The campaign continued through Japan's surrender in August 1945.
Brand decisions
1946
Postwar inactivationOtherBackground
Demobilization and force reductions followed Japan's surrender, even as the group was briefly transferred to the newly established Strategic Air Command.
Action taken
The group surrendered its aircraft and was inactivated on 31 March 1946.
Aftermath
The unit ceased to exist as an active operational group.
1944
Consolidation after inactivation of the 872d Bombardment SquadronStrategyBackground
Aircraft and equipment shortages affected the group's planned four-squadron structure during B-29 preparation.
Action taken
The 872d Bombardment Squadron was inactivated on 10 May 1944 and its personnel were consolidated into the other group squadrons.
Aftermath
The 497th deployed to the Pacific as a three-squadron group.
Sources1 sources
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