81st Bombardment Squadron

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81st Bombardment Squadron
81st Bombardment Squadron - Emblem.png
Air Force: 10th Air Force
Division:
Group: 12th Bombardment Group
Active: 1941-1946
Theater China-Burma-India
Motto:
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History

The 81st Bomb Squadron was formed from the 34th Bombardment Squadron on 15 January 1941 at McChord Field. [1]. The new squadron was just 27 soldiers, with Capt. O'Hara commanding [1]. In Jan 1942 the squadron traded their hodpodge collection of B-18s and B-23s for a pair of B-25s and switched from being a Light Bombardment Squadron to a Medium Bombardment Squadron [2]. In Feb 1942 the squadron moved from McChord Field to Esler Field, LA. The moved happened by train, which was 50 cars long, and took 6 days to arrive. [2]


Arrival of the Invaders

Markings

Little was known about the markings applied to the A-26s used by the 12th Bomb Group. Members of the 12th Bombardment Group Facebook page have shared some photos and excerpts from war diaries that have allowed us to draw some informed conclusions about the markings used by the 12th for their Invaders. Based on comparison of the markings used by their B-25s, this marking pattern appears to be new and was not used on the Mitchells. Special thanks to Christopher Hammerbeck, Zoran Mudric, Steve Mackenzie, and Rodney Lincoln for the information and photos.

The base of the marking system was a band across the tail with two-digit numbers denoting the specific plane. The number system is as follows:
81st BS – red band with aluminum numbers (from a war diary entry Aug 1945)

With regards to the tail numbers themselves, they are as follows:
09-29
It is assumed that 01 was the administrative aircraft for the 81st.

Missions

Although the 12th Bomb Group was highly decorated and participated in many battles with their B-25 Mitchells, the A-26s arrived too late into the war to be used operationally. The unit flew some training missions with the Invader, but did not fly any of the airframes in combat.

Planes

B-25s

Known Planes:

Serial Number Type Date Assigned Date Left Comments
40-2217 B-25A Jan 1942 [2]
40-2222 B-25A Jan 1942 [2]
41-12541 B-25C Mar 1942 [2]
41-12543 B-25C Mar 1942 [2]
41-12544 B-25C Mar 1942 [2]
41-12561 B-25C Mar 1942 [2]
41-12585 B-25C Mar 1942 [2]
41-12608 B-25C Mar 1942 7 May 1942 Crashed in landing accident during exercises at Deridder Field. Written off. Pilot was Joe G. Sparks. [2]
41-12612 B-25C Mar 1942 [2]
41-12614 B-25C Mar 1942 [2]
41-12622 B-25C Mar 1942 [2]
41-12633 B-25C Mar 1942 [2]
41-12634 B-25C Mar 1942 [2]
41-12739 B-25C Mar 1942 [2]


Unit Strength & Notes:
Jan 1942 - 2x B-25As
Feb 1942 - 4x B-25As
Mar 1942 - 4x B-25As, 11x B-25Cs
Jul 1942 - The records say the squadron received new B-25s "Pink Elephants" for flying overseas. It is unclear if these planes are replacing their previous inventory or supplementing them.

A-26s

By June 1945 this squadron had 10 A-26 aircraft. By July, the report states that they have "met their quota" for A-26s but doesn't say what that number is.
Pg. 1534 notes that the A-26s were silver with a red ring around the engine cowls, and a red stripe with silver numbers on the tail.

44-34397 - Tail #15 - Arrived by July, 1945. 2 photos, including one in the July 1945 report.
44-34416 - Tail #16 - Photograph.
44-34436 - mentioned in Armorers report (pg.1363, July, 1945, & Pg. 1525, Aug 1945)
44-34452 - Tail #12 - Photograph.

Tail Numbers

Tail Number Type Serial Number Date assigned Date Left Comments
15 B-25C Mentioned Aug 1942
19 B-25C Aug 1942 Sent back to the US after racking up 70 missions.
22 B-25 Mentioned in 10 Nov 1943 report. Was flown to Bizerte to have lower removed and waist guns installed. [3]
84 B-25 9 Sep 1943 A/C lost on mission. Lt. Lunger, Lt. MacDonough, Lt. Hinlicky, TSgt Christ, SSgt Ed. Tammen lost. [4]

The plane and crew were later reported safe. They landed at an RAF base due to low fuel and engine problems. [5]
This plane must have been a transfer from another unit (the 434th BS) as the tail number isn't typical for this unit.

Commanders (with date of appointment)

Capt. O'Hara - 15 Jan 1941 - 23 Jan 1941 [1]
Capt. Curtis R. Low - 23 Jan 1941 - 30 Jan 1941 [1]
Capt. O'Hara - 30 Jan 1941 - 12 July 1941 [6]
Capt. Curtis R. Low - 7 May 1941 - [6] [footnotes 1]
1Lt. William Lanford - 7 May 1941 - Jun 1941 [6] [footnotes 2]
Maj. Curtis R. Low - Jun 1941 - 24 May 1942 [7]
Capt. William W. Willcox - 24 May 1942 - 29 Aug 1942 [7] [8]
Maj. G. J. P. Lundquist - 29 Aug 1942 - [8]

Main Bases

McChord Field - 15 Jan 1941 - 21 Feb 1942 [1][2]
Esler Field, LA - 21 Feb 1942 - Jul 1942 [1]
Various bases in Egypt & Algeria - Aug 1942 - Aug 1943 [7]
Ponte Olivio, Sicily, Italy - Aug 1943 - [9]

Photos

Notes

  1. ↑ O'Hara started command, then Low took over. Then on the 30th of Jan, O'Hara took over again, then he was promoted to Major and shipped off with the 17th Bombardment Group and Low took over permanently.
  2. ↑ Lanford served as Acting Commanding Officer while Capt. Low was working with the Ferry Group.


References

PRIMARY REFERENCES

USAFHRA REEL B0072
USAFHRA REEL A0567
Historical Photos

SECONDARY REFERNCES

https://www.12bg.org/
Deaile, Melvin G. (2007). The SAC Mentality: The Origins of Organizational Culture in Strategic Air Command 1946–1962. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina.
Knaack, Marcelle Size (1978). Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems (PDF). Vol. 2, Post-World War II Bombers 1945–1973. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-59-5.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6.
Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Stahura, Barbara (1998). Earthquakers: 12th Bombardment Group (M). Turner Publishing Company. ISBN 978-1-56311-414-4.
Tucker, Lt Col Charles H.; Bledsoe, Larry W. (Winter 2017). "U.S. Army Air Force 12th Bombardment Group in WWII "The EARTHQUAKERS"". AAHS Journal. American Aviation Historical Society. 62 (4): 279–289.

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "USAHFRA REEL A0567, pg. 216"
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 "USAHFRA REEL A0567, pg. 218"
  3. ↑ USAFHRA REEL A0567, Pg. 281
  4. ↑ USAFHRA REEL A0567, Pg. 241
  5. ↑ USAFHRA REEL A0567, Pg. 242
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 USAFHRA REEL A0567, Pg. 217
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 USAFHRA REEL A-0567, Pg. 220
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 USAFHRA REEL A0567, Pg 226
  9. ↑ USAFHRA REEL A0567, Pg 225
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