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Aviation History
1955
1955 - 0389.PDF
FLIGHT, 25 March 1955 389 8-26 target tugs which operate from Sculthorpe for the benefit of fighter/ bomber squadrons. Illustrated with "FLIGHT" photographs D.H.C. Beaver, and a number of the faithful old "Goony Birds,"as the U.S.A.F. calls its Dakotas. Also in evidence during our visit were some venerable B-26 target tugs (the bomber versionused to form the wing's main equipment), which operate for the benefit of the American fighter bombers. Also at Sculthorpe arethe RB-45Cs of the 19th Reconnaissance Squadron, a lodger unit at the base, and one which naturally keeps its own counsel. The 47th Bombardment Wing has a distinguished history datingback to the days of the fighting in Tunisia and, but for one short period of "de-activation" it has existed as a unit for 14 years.Its standard proudly bears two Presidential unit citations for distinguished service, gained during the fighting in the Po Valleyand in North Africa. Among its many campaigns it numbers Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, NorthApennines, Po Valley and Southern France. The wing was formed on January 15th, 1941, as the 47thBombardment Group at McChord Field, Tacoma, Washington. The group had four squadrons, the 84th, 85th, 86th and 97th and,when they joined the 2nd U.S. Air Force on the American west coast in August, each squadron had two Douglas B-18s (calledDigbys by the R.A.F.) and two PT-19 trainers. Some Douglas B-23s were also due, but events moved slowly until the Japanesestruck at Pearl Harbour in December that year. Immediately the 85th took over all the group's B-18s and the 97th received B-24sand LB-30s and both units began to patrol the Pacific in search of Japanese submarines. But in January, 1942 the whole group wasequipped with Douglas A-20 attack bombers and began working up for their ground-attack role. In July newer versions of the A-20 arrived, together with B-20s,and the group took part in exercises in Carolina preparatory to sailing for England. It was after the advance units had beenestablished here—near Bury St. Edmunds—that the ground personnel following them were diverted to North Africa. Therethey took up rifles and fought alongside the infantry before setting up base at Medina. By November the whole group was oncemore assembled and the squadrons dispersed at Thelea and Youks-les-Bains. It was here that the 86th flew the group's firstoperational sortie. Then, between February 15th and 19th, 1943, while the battle of the Kasserine Pass raged, the group flew onesortie every seven minutes until the advance of enemy ground troops forced them to withdraw from their bases and concentrate,on February 25th, at Canrobert. In April the unit's role was changed to medium-altitude bomb- Typically misleading as to the extent of their capacity are these drop tanks which in fact each hold 500 U.S. gallons. ing from a new base at Souk-el-Arba, and from here they operateduntil early June when they moved to the neighbourhood of Tunis and. began the bombing of Lampedusa and neighbouring islands. For the invasion of Sicily the group operated from Malta andmoved to an advanced base on the Italian island only three days after the initial landings. Then, on September 2nd, 1943, theformation moved to Taranto and became the first allied bomber unit to operate on the European continent. Following the advanceon the ground, bases were taken at Foggia and Naples (which latter place the group had to evacuate during an eruption ofVesuvius), and on to Grosseto. It was from here that the first night intruder sorties were flown and, incidentally, led by 2nd Lt.H. J. McGee, who only recently left the wing at Sculthorpe, with the rank of major, after serving with it continuously almost sinceits foundation. By now the group was operating from Corsica and, to assist theinvasion of Southern France, Lt. McGee led a raid on the German H.Q. Co-ordinated with a paratroop attack, the operation was Less familiar variant of the Tornado operated by the three bomber squad- rons is this RB-45C—one of several belonging to the 19th Reconnaissance Squadron which lodges at Sculthorpe.
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