| 445th Operations Group | |
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Emblem of the 445th Operations Group |
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| Active | 1943–1945; 1947–1949; 1952–1958; 1992–1994; 1994–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
The 445th Operations Group (445 OG) is the flying component of the 445th Airlift Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Reserve Fourth Air Force. The group is stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
During World War II, its predecessor unit, the 445th Bombardment Group was a VIII Bomber Command B-24 Liberator unit stationed in England. Assigned to RAF Tibenham in late 1943, the group earned a Distinguished Unit Citation on 24 February 1944 for attacking an aircraft assembly plant at Gotha, in Central Germany, losing thirteen aircraft. The 445th was Jimmy Stewart's original bomb group.
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The 445 OG's mission is to attain and maintain operational readiness; provide strategic transport of personnel and equipment; provide aeromedical evacuation; and recruit and train toward these goals.
Activated 1 April 1943 at Gowen Field in Idaho, where initial training undertaken. Established at Wendover AAB, Utah, from 8 June 1943. Moved to Sioux City AB, Iowa on 5–7 July 1943 to complete training. On 20 October 1943 the ground echelon moved to Camp Shanks, New York and embarked on the Queen Mary on 26 October 1943, sailing next day. The unit arrived in Clyde on 2 November 1943. The Aircraft departed Sioux City late in October 1943 and flew to the United Kingdom via the southern route, Florida, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and West Africa. Upon arrival, stationed at RAF Timbenham, and was assigned to the 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing. The group was given a tail code of "Circle-F".
The 445th BF entered combat on 13 December 1943 by attacking U-boat installations at Kiel; only fifteen crews were considered fit for this mission which was heavily defended area. The unit operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization until the war ended, striking such targets as industries in Osnabrück, synthetic oil plants in Lutzendorf, chemical works in Ludwigshafen, marshalling yards at Hamm, an airfield at Munich, an ammunition plant at Duneberg, underground oil storage facilities at Ehmen, and factories at Münster.
The group participated in the Allied campaign against the German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20–25 February 1944, being awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for attacking an aircraft assembly plant at Gotha on 24 February. The 389th Group was part of the Gotha mission but after their Lead bombardier collapsed dropped their bombs before the target and the 445th attacked alone. Thirteen aircraft were lost. This was the longest running, continuous air battle of World War II - some two and a half hours of fighter attacks and flak enroute and leaving the target area.
It occasionally flew interdictory and support missions. It helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by bombing airfields, V-weapon sites, and other targets. The unit attacked shore installations on D-Day, 6 June 1944 and supported ground forces at Saint-Lô by striking enemy defenses in July 1944. During the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944 – January 1945 it bombed German communications. Early on 24 March 1945 dropped food, medical supplies, and ammunition to troops that landed near Wesel during the airborne assault across the Rhine and that afternoon flew a bombing mission to the same area, hitting a landing ground at Stormede.
On occasion the unit dropped propaganda leaflets and hauled fuel to France. Awarded the Croix de guerre with Palm by the French government for operations in the theater from December 1943 to February 1945 supplying the resistance.
By far, the 445th's most notorious mission is the Kassel Mission[1] of 27 September 1944. In cloud, the navigator of the lead bomber miscalculated and the 35 planes diverted from the rest of the 2nd Air Division and proceeded to Göttingen some 35 miles (56 km) from the primary. After the bomb run, the group was attacked from the rear by an estimated 150 Luftwaffe planes, resulting in the most concentrated air battle in history. The Luftwaffe unit was a Stormgruppen a special unit intended to attack bombers by flying in tight formations; up to ten fighters in line abreast. This was intended to break the bomber formation at a single pass. The 361st Fighter Group intervened preventing completed destruction of the Group. Twenty-nine German and 25 American planes went down in a 15-mile (24 km) radius. Only four 445th planes made it back to the base – two crashing in France,one in Belgium, another at RAF Old Buckenham, two landed at Manston – a 75% casualty rate. Only one of the 35 was fit to fly next day but 445th sent 10 planes to the same target, Kassel.
Redeployed to the US May/June 1945. The air echelon departed the Tibenham on 17 May 1945, and departed the United Kingdom on 20 May 1945. 703rd BS Ground echelon sailed on USAT Argentine from Southhampton and the other squadrons on the USAT Cristol at Bristol. Both ships arrived New York on 8 June 1945. Personnel had 30 days R&R. Group established Fort Dix, New Jersey and inactivated on 12 September 1945.
Trained in the Reserve as a very heavy Bombardment Group, 1947–1949 and as a Fighter-Bomber Group, 1952–1957. Redesignated as a Troop Carrier Group in September 1957 and began training in C-119 aircraft. In mid-November 1957 the Group was separated from the parent wing, which moved to Georgia while the group and two squadrons moved to Tennessee. Inactivated on 25 September 1958. Not reactivated as the parent wing converted to the Air Force tri-deputate organization.
On 1 October 1994, the 445th Operations Group activated under the "Objective Wing" concept adapted by the Air Force as the lines between tactical and strategic forces blurred. The flying components of the 445th Airlift Wing were reassigned to the newly established group. The group trained for and flew strategic airlift missions worldwide, performing channel flights and special assignment airlift missions. Participated in various contingency and humanitarian operations and training exercises. Also tested the laser detection and ranging (LADAR) system.
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This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
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