Scroll To Top
Constituted as 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 19 June 1942 and activated on 26 June. Trained with B-26's. Moved via England to the Mediterranean theater, Aug.- Nov. 1942, with part of the group landing at Arzeu beach during the invasion of North Africa on 8 Nov. Operated with Twelfth AF until Jan. 1945, except for a brief assignment to Fifteenth, Nov. 1943-Jnan. 1944.
Began combat in Nov. 1942, attacking airdromes, harbors, rail facilities, and other targets in Tunisia until Feb. 1943. Also struck enemy shipping to prevent supplies and reinforcements from reaching the enemy in North Africa. After a period of reorganization and training, Feb.-June 1943, the group resumed combat and participated in the reduction of Pantelleria and the campaign for Sicily. Directed most of its attacks against targets in Italy after the fall of Sicily in Aug. 1943. Hit bridges, airdromes, marshalling yards, viaducts, gun sites, defense positions, and other objectives. Supported forces at Salerno in Sept. 1943 and at Anzio and Cassino during Jan. March 1944. Carried out interdictory operations in central Italy to aid the advance to Rome, being awarded a DUC for a mission on 3 March 1944. when the group, carefully avoiding religious and cultural monuments, bombed rail facilities in the capital. Received another DUC for striking marshalling yards in Florence on 11 March 1944 to disrupt rail communications between that city and Rome. Received the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for action in preparation for and in support of the Allied offensive in Italy, April-June 1944. From July to Dec. 1944, bombed bridges in the Po Valley, supported the invasion of Southern France, hit targets in norther Italy, and flew some missions to Yugoslavia, converting in the mean-time, in Nov., to B-25 aircraft.
Returned to the US in Jan. 1945. Redesignated 319th Bombardment Group (Light) in Feb. Trained with A-26 aircraft. Moved to Okinawa, April-July 1945, and assigned to seventh Af. Flew missions to Japan and China, attacking airdromes, shipping marshalling yards, industrial centers, and other objectives. Returned to the US, Nov. - Dec. 1945. Inactive on 18 Dec. 1945.
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 27 Dec. 1936. Inactivated on 2 Sep. 1949.
Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 10 Oct. 1949. Ordered to active duty on 10 March 1951. Inactivated on 22 March 1951.
Redesignated 319th Fighter-Bomber Group. Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 18 May 1955.
$con.insigne
$con.links
