ETO transport operations January 1945

[KM1957]

I am passing on a question from a friend concerning transport squadrons in the ETO during January of 1945. I have never been interested in this area of the air war but thought perhaps someone may have some places he can start to look. Quote, "Are you familiar with anyone who might know about the transport squadrons supplying eastern France during the battle of Colmar (Colmar Pocket) and the Vosges or roughly throughout January 1945 as weather permitted." I will pass along anything others may be able to share. Thank you.

Kent

[Buckeye30]

Kent. VIIIAF had the 27th Air Transport Group ( strictly "Transport Group") and Ninth had the 31st; 27th was originally a Provisional Group.
The 27th assigned VIIIAF ASC then USSTAF; the 31st to a new Transport Wing, the 302nd.
There were a number of Ferry and Transport squadrons assigned but some were exchanged in 1944-45. Several had (unofficial) badges and cowl markings but the official ASC marking were tail bands, from top black-yellow-black-yellow.

The 27th group marking was a small white disc on the fin, the 31st a white triangle.
The 27th was based at various locations in the UK including Heston and N. Ireland.
The 31st moved to the continent in Sept. 1944, to Querqueville and Chartres, then back to Grove at year's end.

Google 27th and 31st there's stuff on the net. I have a list of squadrons if needed.

Regards
Nick

[KM1957]

Nick,

Thank you very much for the information. I will pass it along.

Kent

[Stig Jarlevik]

Kent

Both the troop and cargo transport aircraft/unit histories are quite a sadly neglected area of research. I have not come across any book(s ) myself, so I doubt there are many.

I agree with Nick that 9th AF and its IXth Troop Carrier Command are your best bets.

The latter was organized with three Wings (50, 52 and 53 TCW)
Each consisted of a number of Groups (with squadrons of course)

50 TCW
439 - 442 TCG

52 TCW
61 TCG + 313 - 316 TCG + 349 TCG

53TCW
434 - 438 TCG

Most used the Douglas C-47 but from Jan 1945 some re-equipped with the C-46.

I have not checked the internet, but hopefully some units will be in there.

Good luck
Cheers
Stig

[KM1957]

Stig,

Thanks for the help on this. I have passed everything on to my friend and will be curious what he can find out.

Kent

[Buckeye30]

Hi Stig. I think Kent's friend means the Transport Groups rather the Troop Carrier, there was only the 27th ( Eighth AF) and 31st (Ninth AF); at the time he is interested in the former was back in England and the latter based in France.
In early 1945 most duties of the Transport Squadrons were cargo transport and casualty evacuation but also fuel, drop tanks and blood plasma; the Ferry Squadrons delivered aircraft from UK depots to combat airfields (while with VIIIAF ASC the 27th moved 10,500 aircraft).
Don't think there's a history of the 31st TG but Jon A. Maguire's "Gooney Birds and Ferry Tales" covers the 27th; still available on e-bay ( big hardback).
Nick

[Zoran Petek]

Check "campaigns", or "campaign streamers" - "Ardennes-Alsace" is listed for many USAAF units, 73d Troop Carrier Squadron of 434th Troop Carrier
Group with C-47s is one of these, 74th Troop Carrier Squadron another one, and so on...

[Stig Jarlevik]

Nick

I don't know what Kent's friend wants.

All I am saying is that the 9th AF transport units are the safest bets.
I have no records of the Transport Groups you mention (Freeman is quite superficial in his 8th AF books re the 27th ATG), but they seem to have been used for ferrying purposes and at this point I have a problem with what they would actually do in the front line in eastern France Jan 1945.

Unfortunately my 9th AF books does not even mention any 31 ATG (nor does Maurer Maurer in his units books), so it is a rather obscure unit (to say the least). I nibbled with Google but that makes me even more puzzled, since the Squadrons listed under 31 ATG are all assigned to other TCGs (Maurer Maurer).

I have no time to digest the internet, but I suggest that Kent's friend follow up as much as possible available on the 'net to see if he can find any relevance in the details suppled by you and me.

Cheers
Stig

[Col Bruggy]

Stig,

If you have a copy of the following title, check pages 41-2:

Support And Strike! A Concise History Of The U.S. 9th Air Force in Europe.
Hamlin,John F.
Bretton:GMS Enterprises,1991.

Brief history of the 31st Air Transport Group, List of Squadrons*, Bases* & Aircraft*.

*
Squadrons:
313th ATS
314th ATS
315th ATS
316th ATS
317th ATS
318th ATS
319th ATS
310th Ferry Sqdn (11.44 - 4.45; ex 27th ATG, 8th AF)
325th Ferry Sqdn (12.44 - N/K)
326th Ferry Sqdn.

Bases:
Bushy Park (Camp Griffiss) - 28.10.43
Grove - 15.11.43
Querqueville (F) - 5.9.44
Chartres (F) - -.11.44
Grove - 7.12.44

Aircraft:
C-47; C-53; C-46; Oxford; and others.

Col

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Col

I'm afraid I don't have your impressive library and thus it is a title I don't have.

Checking again the Squadrons - Groups listed both with 27th ATG and 31 ATG it seems there were two 313, 314,315 etc Sqns, one ATS and one TCS which explains where I went wrong.

None of my my books mention these ATG/ATS. I find it very strage that such "complete" books as Maurer Maurer's make no mention of these units is very puzzling indeed.

I will have to see what the internet can provide.
I have now added the units to the books but that is only superficial details so far.

Cheers
Stig