416th Bombardment Group
| 416th Bombardment Group | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Air Force: 9th Air Force | |||
| Division: 9th Bomb. Division (Medium) | |||
| Wing: 97th Bomb. Wing (1944-1945) | |||
| Active: 1943-1945 | |||
| Theater Europe | |||
| Motto: Ignus Aurum Probat (Fire Tests Gold) | |||
The 416th Bombardment Group Began using A-26 Invaders on 17 NOV 1944, during Mission #159 - a nighttime raid on a supply depot in Hageunau, France. They flew a mixed group of A-20 Havocs alongside A-26 Invaders. Initially, all four squadrons of the 416th flew mixed aircraft.
It took part in the Battle of the Bulge, where it was used to attack German troops and strong points as well as the transport links to the battlefield.
During 1945 it was used to support the Allied advance into Germany, attacking bridges, railways, rolling stock (trucks). It was also used to attack German anti-aircraft defenses during the crossing of the Rhine in July-October 1945.
The group returned to the US between July and October 1945 and was inactivated on 24 October 1945.