502d Bombardment Group
The 502d Bombardment Group was a World War II United States Army Air Forces heavy-bomber organization that operated Boeing B-29 Superfortresses from Guam against Japanese targets in the final months of the Pacific War.
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Overview
The 502d Bombardment Group was a United States Army Air Forces strategic bombardment unit organized during World War II for operations with the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Constituted on 25 May 1944 and activated on 1 June 1944 at Davis–Monthan Field, Arizona, it was among the last combat groups created by the Army Air Forces. Its constituent squadrons—the 402d, 411th, and 430th Bombardment Squadrons—had previously existed briefly as B-29 units in other organizational arrangements before being brought together under the 502d after the B-29 force was reorganized around three-squadron groups. The group moved to Dalhart Army Air Field, Texas, on 5 June 1944, initially without its personnel and equipment. It began to receive personnel in July and developed its organization, aircrews, and ground support capability through training at Dalhart and later at Grand Island Army Air Field, Nebraska. Its preparation took place under the Second Air Force, with an attachment to the 17th Bombardment Operational Training Wing from September 1944. The group trained for the demanding long-range heavy-bomber missions required in the Pacific, although shortages of B-29 aircraft temporarily affected its equipment. Some early aircraft were B-17 Flying Fortresses formerly used by II Bomber Command for heavy-bomber replacement training. The group eventually received Atlanta-built B-29B aircraft. The ground echelon departed Grand Island on 7 April 1945, traveled through Fort Lawton, Washington, and embarked for the Pacific on the SS Cape Newenham on 14 April. The group reached Northwest Field on Guam on 12 May 1945 and became part of the 315th Bombardment Wing, while operating in the broader framework of XXI Bomber Command. Its personnel initially lived in tents and helped construct Quonset-hut facilities before moving into more permanent accommodation. The 502d flew its first combat mission on 30 June 1945, attacking Japanese-held Rota. During July it also attacked Truk and, on 15 July, conducted its first mission against the Japanese home islands, striking the oil refinery at Kudamatsu. For the remainder of the war, the group concentrated on Japan's petroleum infrastructure. Its attacks included the coal-liquefaction plant at Ube, a tank farm at Amagasaki, and the Nippon Oil refinery at Tsuchizaki. These operations between 5 and 15 August 1945 earned the group a Distinguished Unit Citation. After Japan's surrender, the 502d conducted show-of-force flights, helped assess bombardment damage over Japan, and evacuated prisoners of war. Its aircraft and personnel were progressively reduced during the postwar demobilization known as the Sunset Project. Some aircraft were sent to reclamation facilities on Tinian, while others returned to the United States for storage. By the end of 1945, the group had fewer than roughly thirty aircraft and its remaining elements had effectively been consolidated with the 501st Bombardment Group. The 502d Bombardment Group was formally inactivated on Guam on 15 April 1946.
History
The 502d Bombardment Group was constituted as a very-heavy bombardment group on 25 May 1944 and activated on 1 June at Davis–Monthan Field, Arizona. It was created during the rapid expansion of the Army Air Forces' B-29 force and was one of the final combat groups formed for the war. Its three operational squadrons—the 402d, 411th, and 430th Bombardment Squadrons—had previously been activated in other B-29 group structures. The Army Air Forces' decision to standardize B-29 groups around three operational squadrons led to their assignment to the new 502d. On 5 June 1944, the group moved to Dalhart Army Air Field, Texas, without its personnel or equipment. It became staffed in July, when an initial complement of eleven officers and eighty-two enlisted personnel was assigned. At Dalhart, the group began building its organization and training with B-29 aircraft. Training continued at Grand Island Army Air Field, Nebraska, where the group operated under the Second Air Force and, from late September 1944, was attached to the 17th Bombardment Operational Training Wing. Equipment availability was a continuing issue. Because B-29s were in short supply, the group initially used B-17 Flying Fortresses that had previously supported heavy-bomber replacement training under II Bomber Command. It later obtained Atlanta-built B-29B Superfortresses. The group prepared for deployment while its aircrews and ground personnel trained in the procedures, navigation, maintenance, and logistical coordination required for long-range operations from Pacific bases. The ground echelon left Grand Island on 7 April 1945, traveled to Fort Lawton in Washington, and embarked on the SS Cape Newenham on 14 April. The group arrived at Northwest Field, Guam, on 12 May. Its personnel initially lived in tents and took part in constructing Quonset-hut facilities. By mid-July, most personnel had moved into the huts. Operationally, the group was assigned to the 315th Bombardment Wing and attached to XXI Bomber Command. The 502d flew its first combat mission on 30 June 1945 against Rota. It attacked Truk during July and conducted its first mission against the Japanese home islands on 15 July, striking the oil refinery at Kudamatsu. Its principal wartime role became the destruction of Japanese petroleum infrastructure. In August, the group attacked the coal-liquefaction plant at Ube, a tank farm at Amagasaki, and the Nippon Oil refinery at Tsuchizaki. These operations, conducted between 5 and 15 August, were recognized with a Distinguished Unit Citation. After V-J Day, the group continued operating in a reduced postwar role. Its aircraft participated in show-of-force missions and flights over Japan to evaluate bombing damage. It also evacuated prisoners of war. During the fall of 1945, the Army Air Forces' Sunset Project began reducing the group's personnel and aircraft. Some B-29s were sent to reclamation on Tinian, while others were returned to the United States for storage at aircraft depots in the Southwest. By Christmas 1945, the group had been reduced to fewer than approximately thirty aircraft, and its remaining elements were effectively consolidated with the 501st Bombardment Group. Many personnel returned to the United States under expedited travel arrangements and were distributed by troop train for discharge near their homes. The 502d Bombardment Group remained on Guam until its inactivation on 15 April 1946.
- 1946
Inactivated
[1]The group was inactivated at Northwest Field, Guam, on 15 April 1946.
- 1945
Departed the United States for the Pacific
[1]The ground echelon left Grand Island on 7 April, embarked on the SS Cape Newenham on 14 April, and proceeded to Guam.
- 1945
Arrived at Northwest Field, Guam
[1]The group reached its combat station on Guam on 12 May and joined the 315th Bombardment Wing.
- 1945
First combat mission
[1]The group flew its first combat mission against Rota on 30 June 1945.
- 1945
First mission against the Japanese home islands
[1]On 15 July, the group attacked the oil refinery at Kudamatsu, beginning its home-island operations.
- 1945
Distinguished Unit Citation
[1]The group received the citation for attacks on Japanese petroleum facilities between 5 and 15 August.
- 1944
Constituted as a very-heavy bombardment group
[1]The unit was constituted on 25 May 1944 for Boeing B-29 strategic-bombardment operations.
- 1944
Activated in Arizona
[1]The 502d Bombardment Group was activated at Davis–Monthan Field on 1 June 1944.
- 1944
Moved to Grand Island for training
[1]The group moved from Dalhart to Grand Island Army Air Field on 26 September and continued B-29 training there.
Products and positioning
A late-war United States Army Air Forces B-29 strategic-bombardment group focused on long-range attacks against Japanese fuel and petroleum facilities in the Western Pacific.
Strategic bomber aircraft · 1944
Boeing B-29B Superfortress
The B-29B Superfortress was the principal aircraft associated with the 502d Bombardment Group's combat deployment. The group trained for B-29 operations and ultimately received aircraft built in Atlanta. These long-range heavy bombers enabled missions from Guam against targets across the Western Pacific and the Japanese home islands, particularly petroleum refineries, storage facilities, and related industrial infrastructure.
Heavy bomber aircraft
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Because of a shortage of B-29 aircraft during the training period, the group used former II Bomber Command B-17 Flying Fortresses that had served in heavy-bomber replacement training. These aircraft supported interim training and organizational development before the group transitioned to the B-29 equipment required for Pacific combat.
Brand decisions
1945
Focused combat operations on Japanese petroleum infrastructureStrategyBackground
After beginning operations from Guam, the group was assigned missions against targets supporting Japan's fuel supply and petroleum industry.
Action taken
The group concentrated attacks on refineries, tank farms, and coal-liquefaction facilities, including sites at Kudamatsu, Ube, Amagasaki, and Tsuchizaki.
Aftermath
The August 1945 attacks earned the group a Distinguished Unit Citation.
1945
Postwar demobilization under the Sunset ProjectStrategyBackground
Following Japan's surrender, the Army Air Forces reduced its wartime bomber force and redistributed aircraft and personnel.
Action taken
Aircraft were sent to reclamation or storage, personnel were released or returned to the United States, and the remaining group elements were effectively consolidated with the 501st Bombardment Group.
Aftermath
The 502d remained on Guam in a reduced state until formal inactivation on 15 April 1946.
Sources1 sources
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