II Bomber Command

II Bomber Command
B-17 Flying Fortress
Active	1941-1943
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army  United States Air Force
Role	Command and training of bomber units

The II Bomber Command is a disbanded United States Air Force unit. It was established in September 1941, shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor to command heavy bomber units assigned to Second Air Force. Following the entry of the United States into World War II, it flew patrols off the northwest Pacific coast. However, its main efforts soon began organizing and training heavy bomber units and aircrews. By 1943, the command had become the only command under Second Air Force conducting operational training, and on 6 October 1943 it was disbanded as redundant and its functions absorbed by Second Air Force or transferred to the bomber commands of the other continental air forces.

History

Initial operations

GHQ Air Force (GHQ, AF) had been established with two major combat functions, to maintain a striking force against long range targets, and the air defense of the United States.^[1] In the spring of 1941, GHQ, AF reorganized its Northwest Air District as 2nd Air Force. To carry out its mission of training and maintaining a strike force, 2nd Air Force organized 2nd Bomber Command at Fort George Wright, Washington in September 1941, shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor.^[2]

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the command began to perform antisubmarine and air defense patrols along the Pacific coast. Although off shore patrols continued to some degree until May 1943, by early 1942, it had become apparent that having two commands responsible for air defense in the Western Theater of Operations was impractical, and 4th Air Force assumed responsibility for air defense of the entire Pacific coast.^[3] Later in 1942, the Navy was able to assume the air antisubmarine mission entirely.^[4]

Unit and crew training

B-24 Liberator^{[note 1]}

As the United States entered World War II it found that its traditional system of splitting off cadres from existing groups, with the groups performing "self training" to become combat ready was inadequate for the huge expansion of the Army Air Forces (AAF) taking place. Old groups needed to be kept at or near full strength so that they could deploy overseas or perform air defense duties in the US and it was hard to spare experienced aircrew to act as instructors. Instead, planners began to look at the Operational Training Unit (OTU) system of the Royal Air Force as a model. This system provided additional training on unit tactics, rather than concentrating on individual proficiency. In January 1942, the commander of 3d Bomber Command, Follett Bradley, urged the adoption of the OTU system.^[5]

In early February 1942, the OTU program was adopted for 2nd and 3rd Air Forces, and it was expected that these two air forces would be able to manage the AAF's unit training program. Units designated as OTUs, referred to as "parent" units, would be brought up to full strength, and then a "satellite" unit would be added and also brought up to full strength.^[6] During World War II, the unit trained most heavy bomber (Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator) bombardment groups.^[7] The command's wings specialized in a single phase of training: Phase I (individual training); Phase II (crew training) and Phase III (unit training).^[8]

At about the same time, the command began to implement the Replacement Training Unit system. to train replacement aircrews for overseas deployment. This replaced the system by which experienced personnel were withdrawn from units in the United States for overseas assignment with one in which oversized units were formed expressly to train aircrews for deployment. This training became the most important training for heavy bomber units by 1943.^[9]

Disbanding the command

However, by 1943, the command had become redundant. 2nd Fighter Command had transferred its air defense mission to 4th Fighter Command and in the fall of 1942, had transferred to the Southwest Pacific Theater as V Fighter Command.^[10] 2nd Air Support Command transferred to Third Air Force when the AAF decided to concentrate all light bomber, medium bomber, and reconnaissance under Third's control at the beginning of 1943.^[11] As the only remaining operational command in Second Air Force, II Bomber Command became an extra layer of command. Even earlier, during 1942, it had functioned more like a staff agency than as an independent command. It was disbanded in October 1943.^[2][12] At about the same time, some heavy bomber training was transferred to the other three continental air forces to make possible additional combined training between fighter and bomber units.^[13]

Lineage

• Constituted as the 2nd Bomber Command on 4 September 1941^{[note 2]}

Activated on 5 September 1941

• Redesignated II Bomber Command c. 18 September 1942

Disbanded on 6 October 1943^[2]

Assignments

• Second Air Force, 5 September 1941 – 6 October 1943^[2][14]

Components

Wings

• 15th Bombardment Operational Training Wing: 15 May – 6 October 1943^[15]
• 16th Bombardment Operational Training Wing: 15 May – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 17th Bombardment Operational Training Wing, 15 May – 6 October 1943^[16]
• 46th Bombardment Operational Training Wing, 21 February – 15 May 1943^[17]
• 58th Bombardment Wing, 15 May – 8 June 1943^[18]

Groups

• 7th Bombardment Group, 5 September – c. 22 December 1941^[19]
• 17th Bombardment Group, 25 May 1941 – 9 February 1942^{[citation needed]}
• 39th Bombardment Group, 5 September 1941 – 4 September 1943^[20]
• 42nd Bombardment Group, 5 September 1941 – 25 January 1942^[21]
• 46th Bombardment Group, 21 February – 15 May 1943^[22]
• 88th Bombardment Group: 15 July 1942 – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 91st Bombardment Group: c 28 June – c. 12 September 1942^[23]
• 94th Bombardment Group: 29 June 1942 – 12 May 1943^[24]
• 95th Bombardment Group: 26 June 1942 – 11 May 1943^[25]
• 100th Bombardment Group: 26 June – 30 November 1942^[26]
• 304th Bombardment Group: 28 January – 29 October 1942^{[citation needed]}
• 305th Bombardment Group: 1 March – c. July 1942^[27]
• 331st Bombardment Group, 6 July 1942 – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 351st Bombardment Group, 1 October 1942 – 12 Ap ril 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 379th Bombardment Group, 3 November 1942 – April 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 381st Bombardment Group, 3 November 1942 – 9 May 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 382d Bombardment Group, 3 November 1942 – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 384th Bombardment Group, 1 December 1942 – c. 9 May 1943^[28]
• 385th Bombardment Group, 1 February – c. 6 July 1943^[29]
• 388th Bombardment Group, 24 December 1942 – c. 6 July 1943^[30]
• 389th Bombardment Group, 24 December 1942 – June 1943^[31]
• 390th Bombardment Group, 26 January – c. 4 July 1943^[32]
• 392d Bombardment Group, 26 January – c. 1 August 1943^[33]
• 396th Bombardment Group, 16 February – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 398th Bombardment Group, 1 March 1943 – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 399th Bombardment Group, 1 March – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 401st Bombardment Group, 1 April – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 445th Bombardment Group, 1 April – 6 October 1943^[34]
• 446th Bombardment Group, April – 6 October 1943^[35]
• 447th Bombardment Group, 1 May – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 448th Bombardment Group, 1 May – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 451st Bombardment Group, 1 May – 6 October 1943^[36]
• 452d Bombardment Group, 1 June – 6 October 1943^[37]
• 455th Bombardment Group, 1 June – 4 October 1943^[38]
• 457th Bombardment Group, 4 July 1943 – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 460th Bombardment Group, 1 July – 6 October 1943^[39]
• 467th Bombardment Group, 1 August – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 470th Bombardment Group, 1 May – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}
• 487th Bombardment Group, 20 September 1943 – 6 October 1943^{[citation needed]}

Stations

• Fort George Wright, Washington, 5 September 1941 – 6 October 1943^[2]

Campaigns

Campaign Streamer	Campaign	Dates	Notes
	American Theater without inscription	7 December 1941 – 6 October 1943	2nd (later II) Bomber Command[2]

See also

• B-17 Flying Fortress units of the United States Army Air Forces
• B-24 Liberator units of the United States Army Air Forces

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

1. Aircraft is Consolidated B-24 Liberator, serial 42-52161 from Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico, one of the command's training bases.
2. Maurer indicated the unit was constituted as the "II" Bomber Command. However, the unit originally held an arabic number in its designation. Only in September 1942, did the Army establish that commands would be identifified with roman numerals. "Air Force Historical Research Agency Organizational Reconds: Types of USAF Organizations". Air Force History Index. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2016.

Citations

1. Cate & Williams, p. 152
2. Maurer, p.439
3. Goss, pp. 294-295
4. Ferguson, pp. 82–83
5. White, pp. 9-10
6. White, pp. 11-13
7. White, p. 27
8. White, pp. 27-28
9. White, pp. 16-17
10. Robertson, Patsy (26 August 2009). "Factsheet Fifth Air Force (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
11. Haulman, Daniel L. (4 April 2019). "Factsheet Third Air Force (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
12. White, p. 21
13. White, p. 28
14. Ream, Margaret (9 September 2020). "Factsheet Second Air Force (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
15. "Abstract, History II Bomber Command Dec 1941-Oct 1943". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
16. "Factsheet 17 Air Division". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 4 October 2007. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
17. Robertson, Patsy (4 September 2008). "Factsheet 46 Operations Group (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 7 May 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
18. "Factsheet 58 Air Division (Defense)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 5 October 2007. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
19. Haulman, Daniel (27 June 2017). "Factsheet 7 Operations Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
20. Haulman, Daniel (8 June 2017). "Factsheet 39 Air Base Wing (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
21. Haulman, Daniel (13 June 2018). "Factsheet 42 Air Base Wing (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
22. Robertson, Patsy (4 September 2008). "Factsheet 46 Operations Group (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
23. Robertson, Patsy (28 May 2010). "Factsheet 91 Operations Group (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
24. Robertson, Patsy (11 July 2017). "Factsheet 94 Operations Group (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
25. Robertson, Patsy (30 June 2010). "Factsheet 95 Air Base Wing (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
26. Stephens, Maj Tonia (9 January 2019). "Factsheet 100 Air Refueling Wing (USAFE)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
27. Kane, Robert B. (28 October 2010). "Factsheet 305 Operations Group (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
28. Haulman, Daniel L, Lineage & Honors History of the 384th Air Expeditionary Group, 4 December 2001, Air Force Historical Research Agency
29. Haulman, Daniel L. "Lineage and Honors History of the 385 Air Expeditionary Group (AMC)" (PDF). Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
30. Robertson, Patsy (28 December 2011). "Factsheet 388 Operations Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
31. Lineage & Honors, 389 Strategic Missile Wing, through 1965, USAF Historical Research Center
32. Lineage & Honors, 390 Strategic Missile Wing (ICBM - Titan), 31 January 1084 [sic], USAF Historical Research Center
33. Haulman, Daniel L. Lineage & Honors History, 392 Air Expeditionary Group (ACC), 27 April 2004, USAF Historical Research Center
34. Kane, Robert B. (30 October 2012). "Factsheet 445 Operations Group (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
35. Robertson, Patsy (19 November 2012). "Factsheet 446th Operations Group (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
36. Lacomia, John M. (3 May 2018). "Factsheet 451 Air Expeditionary Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
37. Robertson, Patsy (20 November 2012). "Factsheet 452 Operations Group (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
38. Lacomia, John M. (14 November 2017). "Factsheet 455 Air Expeditionary Wing (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
39. Bailey, Carl E. (23 May 2018). "Factsheet 460 Space Wing (AFSPC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 14 June 2019.

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• Cate, James L.; Williams, E. Kathleen (1948). "Prelude to War, Chapter 4, The Air Corps Prepares for War, 1939-41". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. I, Plans and Early Operations. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. LCCN 48003657. OCLC 704158. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Ferguson, Arthur B. (April 1945). "The Antisubmarine Command, USAF Historical Study No. 107" (PDF). Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Intelligence Historical Division. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
• Goss, William A. (1955). "Tactical Demands, Chapter 8, Air Defense of the Western Hemisphere". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. I, Plans and Early Operations. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. LCCN 48003657. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• 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.
• White, Jerry (August 1949). "Combat Crew and Unit Training in the AAF 1939-1945, USAF Historical Study No. 61" (PDF). Air Historical Office, United States Air Force. Retrieved 30 January 2022.