8th AAF Transport Groups

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

How many 8th AAF Groups used the C-46 ?

And what operations were they used on ?

Thanks

Alex

[DavidIsby]

C-46s were rare in the Eighth Air Force. They were, like C-87s and C-109s (transport B-24s) used in ones and twos for heavy transport tasks. They were more common in Troop Carrier units (administratively Ninth Air Force). They were used in the VARSITY airdrop and many resupply missions. A list of Troop Carrier Groups in the ETO from my recent OSPREY book is appended. All flew C-47s except where noted:

50th Provisional TCG

Also referred to as Detachment “A”. Made up of air elements of the 50th TCW (q.v.) that did not deploy to Italy for Anvil-Dragoon, 7-8/44, remaining in England and France.



53rd Provisional TCG

As 50th.



60th TCG

Component Squadrons: 10th TCS (40-45), 11th TCS (40-45), 12th TCS (40-45) (detached for special operations at times in 1944), 28th TCS (42-45)

Activated: Olmstead PA (12/40)

Subordinated to: 8th AFSC (6-8/42), 51st TCW (9/42-5/45)

Bases: Westover MA (5/41-6/42), Chelveston (6/42-8/42), Aldermaston (8/42-11/42), Portreath (11/42), Tafaraoui Algeria (11/42), Relizane Algeria (11/42-5/43), Thiersville Algeria (5-6/43), El Djem Tunisia (6-8/43), Gela Sicily (8-10/43), Gebrini Sicily (10/43-3/44), Brindisi Italy (3-10/44), Pomigliano Italy (10/44-5/45).

Took over special operations commitment from 62nd TCG 3-10/44.



61st TCG

Component Squadrons: 13th TCS (40-42), 14th TCS (40-45), 15th TCS (40-45), 53rd TCS (42-45), 59th TCS (42-45)

Activated: Olmstead PA (12/40)

Subordinated to: 8th AF (6-9/42), 51st TCW (9/42-2/44) 52nd TCW (2/44-5/45)

Bases: Olmstead PA (12/40-7/41), Augusta GA (7/41-5/42), Pope NC, (5-9/42), Lubbock TX (9/42-2/43), Pope NC (2/43-5/43), Lourmel Morrocco (5-6/43), Kairouan Tunisia (6-9/43), Licata Sicily (9-10/43), Sciacca Sicily (10/43-2/44), Barkston Heath (2/44-3/45), Abbeville France (3-4/45)

Operated from Chipping Ongar for Varsity.



62nd TCG

Component Squadrons: 4th TCS (40-45), 7th TCS (40-45), 8th TCS (40-45) 51st TCS (40-45)

Activated: McClellan CA (12/40)

Subordinated to: 8th AF (9/42) 51st TCW (9/42-5/45)

Bases: McClellan CA (12/40-5/42), Kellogg MI (5-7/42), Florence SC (7-8/42), Keevil (9-11/42), Tafaraoui Algeria (11-12/42), Nouvion Algeria (12/42-5/43), Matemore Algeria (5-7/43), Kairouan Tunisia (7-9/43), Ponte Olivo Sicily (9/43-2/44), Brindisi Italy (2-3/44), Ponte Olivo Sicily (2-5/44), Gaudo Italy (5-6/44), Galera Italy (6-9/44), Malignano Italy (9/44-1/45), Tarquina Italy (1-5/45).

Changes: 4th TCS detached to CBI 4-7/44. Frequent detachments of squadrons to special operations. First such detachment was 8th TCS at Gioia del Colle 11/43-2/44, replaced by 7th and 51st TCS at Brindisi 2-3/44. 7th detached to Brindisi for special operations to Balkans 10-12/44, then detached to Tarqiuina for special operations to north Italy 12/44-1/45. 4th and 8th TCS detached to Siena-Malignan for special operations 1-2/45. 51st TCS detached to Brindisi for special operations 10/44-3/45.



64th TCG

Component Squadrons: 4th TCS (4/44-6/44)(attached), 16th TCS (40-45), 17th TCS (40-45), 18th TCS (40-45), 35th TCS (6/42-45), 54th TCS (6/42)

Activated: Duncan TX, (12/40) (using 3rd, 4th & 7th TS as a cadre)

Subordinated to: 8th AF (6-9/42), 51st TCW (9/42-5/45) Detached to CBI (4-7/44)

Bases: Duncan TX (12/40-7/41), March CA (7/41-2/42), Hamilton CA (2-7/42), Ramsbury (8/42-11/42), Blida Algeria (12/42-6/43), Kairouan Tunisia (6-7/43), El Djem Tunisia (7/43-8/43), Comiso Sicily (8/43-4/44 (rear HQ to 7/44), Rome-Ciampino Italy (7/44-1/45), Rosignano (1-5/45).

35th TCS detached to Telegema Algeria 1-3/43. 18th TCS detached to Tripoli Libya 3-4/43. 18th & 35th TCS detached to Oujda Morrocco, 11-12/43. 18th TCS detached to Brindisi for special operations 1-5/44. Air echelon detached to Istres France 9-11/44. 16th TCS detached to Brindisi for special operations 3-5/45.



313th TCG

Component Squadrons: 29th TCS (42-45), 47th TCS (42-45), 48th TCS (42-45), 49th TCS (42-45).

Activated: Daniel GA (3/42)

Subordinated to: I TCC (7/42-4/43), 52nd TCW (5/43-5/45)

Bases: Daniel GA (3-6/42), Bowman KY (6-8/42), Florence SC (8-12/42), Maxton NC (12/42-4/43), Oujda Morrocco (5-6/43), Kairouan Tunisia (6-8/43), Sciacca Sicily (8-10/43), Trapani-Milo Sicily (10/43-2/44), Folkingham (2/44-2/45), Achiet France (2/45-5/45).

Changes: HQ moved to England 2/44, rest of group followed 3/44. First C-46s arrived 1/45. Re-equipped with 90 C-46s by Varsity (first TCG in ETO to re-equip).



314th TCG

Component Squadrons: 30th TCS (42), 31st TCS (42), 32nd TCS (42-45), 50th TCS (42-45), 61st TCS (43-45), 62nd TCS (43-45).

Activated: 3/42 Drew FL

Subordinated to: I TCC (7/42-5/43). 52nd TCW (5/43-5/45)

Bases: Drew FL (3-6/42), Bowman KY (6-11/42), Knobnoster MO (11/42-2/43), Lawson GA (2-5/43), Berguent Morocco (5-6/43), Kairouan Tunisia (6-8/43), Castelvetrano Sicily (8/43-2/44), Saltby (2/44-2/45), Poix France (2-5/45).



315th TCG

Component Squadrons: 33rd TCS (42), 34th TCS (42-45)(largely flew scheduled flights for MATS 5/43-2/44), 35th TCS (2-6/42), 43rd TCS (42-45)(attached to NW Africa Air Service Command 5/43-2/44), 54th TCS (6/42), 309th TCS (10/43-5/45), 310th TCS (10/43-5/45)

Activated: Olmstead PA (2/42)

Subordinated to: 8th AF ASC (12/42-9/43), 50th TCW (9/43-2/44) 52nd TCW (2/44-5/45).

Bases: Olmstead PA (2-6/42), Bowman KY (6-8/42), Florence SC (8-10/42), Northern Route-Greenland (ASR duties) (10-12/42), Aldermaston (12/42-11/43), Welford (11/43-2/44), Spanhoe (2/44-4/45), Amiens France (4-5/45).

Changes: Deployed to UK 12/42 with 34th (C-53s) & 43rd (C-47s) TCS only. These two squadrons with 21 aircraft sent to North Africa 5/43 for transport duties. Reinforced to 26 aircraft each with TCG cast-offs. Returned 2-3/44. About 5-10 C-47s remained in UK 5/43-3/44, most then transferred to other units 3/44. 309th & 310th TCS arrive without aircraft, brought up to strength with replacements and 26 C-47s (and veteran crews) from 60th & 62nd TCGs, 3/44. Required extensive airdrop training in UK 3-6/44 due to previous use in transport mission. Operated from Boreham for Varsity.



316th TCG

Component Squadrons: 36th TCS (42-45), 37th TCS (42-45) (det to 9th AF 5-9/43), 44th TCS (42-45)(added 6/42), 45th TCS (42-45)(added 6/42, based Ismailia 11/42)

Activated: Patterson OH 2/42

Subordinated to: US MEAAF (11-12/42), 9th AF (12/42-8/43), XII TCC (attached to 52nd TCW) (8/43-2/44), 52nd TCW (2/44-5/45).

Bases: Patterson OH (2-6/42), Bowman KY (6-8/42), Lawson GA (8-9/42), Del Valle TX (9-11/42), Deversoir Egypt (11-12/42), El Adem Libya (12/42-5/43), Nouvion Algeria (5/43-6/43), Enfidaville Tunisia (6/43-9/43), Maxxara Sicily (9/43-11/43), Borizza Sicily (11/43-2/44), Cottesmore (2/44-5/45)

Changes: Operated from Greenham Common 7-8/44 and from Weatherfield for Varsity. 44th & 45th TCS detached for missions in Belgian Congo 11/42.



349th TCG

Component Squadrons: 23rd TCS (44-45), 311th TCS (11/43-12/44), 312th TCS (43-45), 313th TCS (43-45), 314th TCS (43-45)

Activated: Sedalia MO 11/43

Subordinated to: I TCC (11/43-3/45), 52 TCW (3-/45)

Bases: Sedalia MO (11/43-1/44], Alliance NB (1-3/44), Pope NC (3/44-3/45), Baer IN (3/45), Barkston Heath (3/45), Roye/Amy France (4-5/45).

Changes: Used for stateside TCG (as Replacement Training Unit and Operational Training Unit) and airborne training. Deployment delayed when trained aircrew sent to IX TCC pre-D-Day. Re-equipped with C-46s before deploying to England. Carried 1st Airborne Division to Norway starting V-E Day. Used some C-47s post VE Day. 311th TCS kept in US after receiving C-46s, deployed to 7th Air Force.



434th TCG

Component Squadrons: 71st TCS (43-45), 72nd TCS (43-45), 73rd TCS (43-45), 74th TCS (43-45)

Activated: 2/43, Alliance NB

Subordinated to: I TCC (2/43-10/43), VIIIth ASC (10/43-2/43), 50th TCW (2-5/44), 53rd TCW (5/44-5/45)

Bases: Alliance NB (2-9/43), Baer IN (5-10/43), Fulbeck (10-12/43), Welford Park (aircraft detached, HQ remains Fulbeck) (12/43-1/44), Fulbeck (1/44-3/44); Aldermaston (3/44-2/45), Mourmelon-le-Grand France (2-5/45)

Air echelon operated from Ramsbury 12/43-1/44.



435th TCG

Component Squadrons : 75th TCS (43-45), 76th TCS (43-45), 77th TCS (43-45), 78th TCS (43-45)

Activated: 2/43, Bowman KY

Subordinated to: I TCC (2-10/43), 50th TCW (11/43-1/43), 53rd TCW (1/43-5/45).

Bases: Bowman KY (2-5/43), Sedalia MO (5-7/43), Pope NC (7-10/43) Baer IN (10/43), Langar (11/43-1/44), Welford Park (1/44-2/45), Bretigny France (2-5/45)

Changes: Air echelon operated from Ramsbury 12/43-1/44. Detachment to Taquina Italy 7-8/44.



436th TCG

Component Squadrons: 79th TCS (43-45), 80th TCS (43-45), 81st TCS (43-45), 82nd TCS (43-45)

Activated: Baer IN 4/43

Subordinated to: I TCC (4/43-11/43), 50th TCW (11/43-2/44), 53rd TCW (2/44-5/45)

Bases: Baer IN (4-5/43), Alliance NB (5-8/43), Maxton NC (8-12/43), Baer IN (12/43), Bottesford (1-3/44), Membury (3/44-2/45), Melun France (2/45-5/45).

Changes: Detachment to Voltone Italy 7-8/44



437th TCG

Component Squadrons: 83rd TCS (43-45), 84th TCS (43-45), 85th TCS (43-45), 86th TCS (43/45)

Activated: 5/43 Baer IN

Subordinated to: I TCC (6/43-2/44), 53rd TCW (3/44-5/45)

Bases: Baer (5-6/43), Sedalia MO (6-10/43), Pope NC (10-12/43), Baer IN (12/43-1/44), Balderton (1-2/44), Ramsbury (3/44-2/45), Coulommiers-Voisins France (2-5/45)

Changes: Detachment to Montala Italy 7-8/44.



438th TCG

Component Squadrons: 87th TCS (43-45), 88th TCS (43-45), 89th TCS (43-45), 90th TCS (43-45)

Activated: 6/43 Baer IN

Subordinated to: I TCC (6/43-1/44), 53rd TCW (2/44-5/45)

Bases: Baer IN (6/43), Sedalia MO (6-10/43), Maxton NC (10/43-1/44), Baer IN (1-2/44), Langar (2-3/44), Greenham Common (3/44-2/45), Prosnes France (2-5/45), Amiens-Glisy France (5/45)

Changes: Detachment to Canino Italy 7-8/44. 90th TCS operated from Welford 7-8/44.



439th TCG

Component Squadrons: 91st TCS (43-45), 92nd TCS (43-45), 93rd TCS (43-45), 94th TCS (43-45)

Activated: Alliance NB 6/43.

Subordinated To: I TCC (6-43/1/44), 53rd TCW (2/44-5/44), 50th TCW (5/44-5/45)

Bases: Alliance NB (6/43), Sedalia MO (6-8/43), Alliance NB (8-12/43), Maxton NC (12/43-2/44), Baer IN (2/44), Balderton (2-4/44), Upottery (4-9/44), Juvincourt France (9/44), Lonray France (9-11/44), Chateaudun France (11/44-5/45).

Changes: Detachment to Orbetollo Italy 7-8/44. During this time 93rd TCS operated from Ramsbury and Membury. Operated from Balderton for part of Market-Garden. 93rd TCS detached to Istres France 11-12/44. Partially re-equipped with C-46s in 45 after V-E Day.



440th TCG

Component Squadrons: 95th TCS (43-45), 96th TCS (43-45), 97th TCS (43-45), 98th TCS (43-45)

Activated: 7/43 Baer IN

Subordinated To: I TCC (7/43-2/44), 50th TCW (4/44-5/45)

Bases: Baer IN (7/43), Sedalia MO (7-9/43), Alliance NB (7/43-1/44), Pope NC (1-2/44), Baer IN (2/44), Bottesford (3-4/44), Exeter (4-9/44), Reims France (9/44), Le Mans France (9-11/44), Orleans France (11/44-5/5).

Changes: Detachment to Ombrone Italy 7-8/44. 98th TCS operated from Ramsbury 8/44. Operated from Fulbeck in Market-Garden.



441st TCG

Component Squadrons: 99th TCS (43-45), 100th TCS (43-45), 301st TCS (43-45), 302nd TCS (43-45)

Activated: 8/43 Sedalia MO.

Subordinated To: I TCC (8/43-3/44), 50th TCW (4/44-5/45)

Bases: Sedalia (8/43-1/44), Mackall NC (1-2/44), Langar (3-4/44), Merryfield (4-9/44), Villenueve-Vetrus France (9-10/44), St. Marceau France (10-11/44), Dreux France (11/44-5/45).

Changes: Detachment to Grosseto Italy 7-8/44. During this time 301st TCS operated from Ramsbury. Operated from Langar in Market-Garden.



442nd TCG

Component Squadrons: 303rd TCS (43-45), 304th TCS (43-45), 305th TCS (43-45), 306th TCS (43-45)

Activated: Sedalia MO, 9/43

Subordinated To: I TCC (9-43-3/44), 50th TCW (3/44-5/45)

Bases: Sedalia MO, (8-12/43), Alliance NB (12/43-1/44), Pope NC (1/44-3/44), Baer IN (3/44), Fulbeck (3-6/44), Weston Zoyland (6-10/44), Bonnertable/Peray France (10-11/44), St-Andre-de-L’Eure France (11/44-5/45).

Changes: Did not received C-47s until 12/43, training on smaller transports. Last TCG to deploy pre D-Day, arrived in England lacking airdrop training and understrength. Detachment to Follonica Italy 7-8/44. During this time 306th TCS operated from Ramsbury. Operated from Chilbolton during Market-Garden.



IX TCC Pathfinder School/Group (Provisional)

Component Squadrons: 1st PF Sqdn, 2nd PF Sqdn, 3rd PF Sqdn, 4th PF Sqdns. (all 44-45)

Activated: 2/44, Cottesmore with 7 C-47s

Subordinated to: IX TCC

Bases: Cottesmore (2-3/44), North Witham (3/44-9/44), Chalgrove (9/44-3/45), Chartes, France (3/45-4/45)

Changes: Gee training starts Bottesford 1/44 with 2 C-47s. Detachment of 12 C-47s and crews to Marcigliano-Rome 7-8/44 under PTCAD. Redesignated 9/44, with 64 C-47s & crews. Disbanded 3-4/45,assets going to other TCGs. Training role included operational casualty evacuation and transport missions.

[Alex Smart]

Hello David,


Thank you for the info on both of the questions that I placed re the C-46 in the 8th AAF and the Glider losses in the Med.

So far I have simplified it to C-46 groups in the 9th AAF.

1stTG(P): 315ATS, 326(325) Ferry Sqdn.
31sr ATG,Many sqdns attached.
313thTCG:Sqdns:29(5X),47(N3),48(Z7),49(H2).
316thTCG:Sqdns:36(6E),37(W7),44(4C),45(T3)
349thTCG:Sqdns:23(Q8),312(9E),313(3F),314.
439thTCG:Sqdns:91(L4),92(J8),93(3B),94(D8).

These definately used the C-46, I am not sure about all of the others you mention,so will not dismiss them out of hand.

From the link that is given in another part of this site I have found that C-46's began to arrive in Europe in December of 1944 (1 a/c) and the maximum number of them in Europe was only 219 aircraft (May45).

Thanks again

Alex