97th Bombardment Wing (U.S. Army Air Forces)

History

The wing was activated in late November 1943 at Marks Hall, England. It was assigned three Douglas A-20 Havoc groups in the spring of 1944 and conducted combat missions from April 1944 until VE Day. In late 1944 and early 1945, its groups converted to the more capable Douglas A-26 Invader. In October 1945 the wing returned to the United States and was inactivated.

Lineage

Constituted as the 97th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium) on 2 November 1943

Activated on 12 November 1943Redesignated 97th Combat Bombardment Wing, Light in July 1944Redesignated 97th Bombardment Wing, Medium in June 1945Inactivated on 11 October 1945

Assignments

9th Bombardment Division, 12 November 1943 – 11 October 1945

Stations

Marks Hall, England (Station 160), 12 November 1943

RAF Little Walden (AAF-165), England, 13 March 1944

Voisenon, France, 13 September 1944

Marchais, Aisne, France, 13 February 1945

Arrancy, France, 25 April 1945

Sandaucourt, France, 24 May – 1 October 1945

Camp Shanks, New York, 10–11 October 1945

Components

409th Bombardment Group: 7 March 1944 – 15 August 1945

410th Bombardment Group: 4 April 1944 – June 1945

416th Bombardment Group: 4 February 1944 – 27 July 1945 4 (under the operational control of 99th Combat Bombardment Wing, until c. 20 Mar 1944, IX Bomber Command, 11 - 18 Sep 1944 and 99th Combat Bombardment Wing, 19 - 28 Sep 1944)