book 345TH BOMB GROUP UNIT HISTORY WARPATH AIR APACHES B-25 MITCHELL

Description

book 345TH BOMB GROUP UNIT HISTORY WARPATH AIR APACHES B-25 MITCHELL
book 345TH BOMB GROUP UNIT HISTORY WARPATH AIR APACHES B-25 MITCHELL
WARPATH:
A STORY OF THE 345TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (M)
"THE AIR APACHES" IN WORLD WAR II
227 Pages - Large Hardcover (11 inches - 29 cm tall)
Big book - weighs over 3 pounds!
Illustrations - Photos
CONDITION: NEW
Ships in a new box.
This facsimile reprint of the very rare 345th Bombardment Group (M) war book appears here in a new quality edition. The 345th Bombardment Group, the famed Air Apaches, flew against the Japanese in heavily armed B-25s in hair-raising low level bombing and strafing attacks.
During World War II the 345th Bombardment Group operated in the Southwest Pacific Theater as a North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber unit assigned to Fifth Air Force. It was awarded both the Distinguished Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its combat service in New Guinea; the Bismarck Archipelago, Leyte; Luzon; the Southern Philippines and China.
Activated on 11 November 1942, at Columbia Army Air Base, South Carolina, by Third Air Force order No. 275. Four squadrons designated 498, 499, 500, 501 were assigned to it. The 345th started with 40 officers and 350 enlisted men, commanded by then Col. Jarred V. Crabb. Full strength, the 345th would contain 250 officers and 1250 enlisted men. At Columbia and other training bases, the group trained for overseas duty with B-25 Mitchell medium bombers.
Moved to New Guinea, via Australia, April–June 1943, and assigned to Fifth Air Force. Entered combat on 30 June 1943. Operations until July 1944 included bombing and strafing Japanese airfields and installations in New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago; attacking shipping in the McCluer Gulf, Ceram Sea, and Bismarck Sea; supporting ground forces in the Admiralties; dropping supplies to ground troops; and flying courier and reconnaissance missions in the area. Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for a series of attacks against flak positions, shore installations, and barracks at Rabaul, New Britain, on 2 November 1943. Operated from Biak, July–November 1944, striking airfields and shipping in the southern Philippines and the Celebes. In November 1944 moved to the Philippines where targets included Japanese airfields and communications on Luzon, industries and communications on Formosa, and shipping along the China coast. After moving to Ie Shima in July 1945, flew some missions over Kyushu and the Sea of Japan. Selected to escort the Japanese surrender party from Japan to Ie Shima. Returned to the US in December 1945. Inactivated on 29 December 1945.
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