The squadron was activated at Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona in November 1943 as one of the original four squadrons of the 499th Bombardment Group. Ten days later, a cadre moved to Smoky Hill Army Air Field, Kansas to begin Boeing B-29 Superfortress very heavy bomber training. The 877th trained in Kansas with early model B-29s, with frequent delays in training due to modifications of the aircraft correcting production deficiencies.[citation needed] When training was completed. the squadron moved to its combat base, Isely Field, Saipan, in the Mariana Islands in July 1944.[1][2]
The squadron did not arrive at its combat station until September 1944.[1] The squadron's first missions were flown against targets on Iwo Jima and Truk Island. On 24 November 1944, the squadron participated in the first raid on Japan by bombers based in the Mariana Islands. The squadron initially engaged in high altitude daylight attacks against industrial targets in Japan, It was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for an attack on the Mitsubishi engine manufacturing plant in Nagoya on 23 January 1945.[2]
In March 1945, the tactics of Twentieth Air Force changed and the squadron began flying low level night attacks with incendiaries against area targets. The squadron was diverted from strategic operations when it conducted a series of raids on airfields in Kyushu to support Operation Iceberg, the landings on Okinawa in April 1945. The squadron earned a second DUC for this support. The squadron also dropped propaganda leaflets in enemy territory. After V-J Day, the squadron dropped food and supplies to Alliedprisoners of war. It remained on Saipan until November and reassembled at March Field, California, where it was inactivated in February 1946.[1][2]
Lineage
Constituted as the 877th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 19 November 1943
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II(PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
External links
February 04, 2023
877th, bombardment, squadron, former, united, states, army, forces, unit, activated, november, 1943, equipped, with, boeing, superfortress, bombers, assigned, 499th, bombardment, group, after, training, united, states, deployed, saipan, where, participated, st. The 877th Bombardment Squadron is a former United States Army Air Forces unit It was activated in November 1943 equipped with Boeing B 29 Superfortress bombers and assigned to the 499th Bombardment Group After training in the United States it deployed to Saipan where it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Japan earning two Distinguished Unit Citations After V J Day it returned to the United States where it was inactivated at March Field California on 16 February 1946 877th Bombardment Squadron499th Group B 29 Superfortress over Mount Fuji in 1945Active1943 1946Country United StatesBranch United States Air ForceRoleheavy bomberEngagementsPacific Ocean Theater of World War IIDecorationsDistinguished Unit CitationInsignia877th Bombardment Squadron emblem approved 16 May 1945 1 Contents 1 History 2 Lineage 2 1 Assignments 2 2 Stations 2 3 Aircraft 2 4 Awards and campaigns 3 See also 4 References 4 1 Notes 4 2 Bibliography 5 External linksHistory EditThe squadron was activated at Davis Monthan Field Arizona in November 1943 as one of the original four squadrons of the 499th Bombardment Group Ten days later a cadre moved to Smoky Hill Army Air Field Kansas to begin Boeing B 29 Superfortress very heavy bomber training The 877th trained in Kansas with early model B 29s with frequent delays in training due to modifications of the aircraft correcting production deficiencies citation needed When training was completed the squadron moved to its combat base Isely Field Saipan in the Mariana Islands in July 1944 1 2 The squadron did not arrive at its combat station until September 1944 1 The squadron s first missions were flown against targets on Iwo Jima and Truk Island On 24 November 1944 the squadron participated in the first raid on Japan by bombers based in the Mariana Islands The squadron initially engaged in high altitude daylight attacks against industrial targets in Japan It was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation DUC for an attack on the Mitsubishi engine manufacturing plant in Nagoya on 23 January 1945 2 In March 1945 the tactics of Twentieth Air Force changed and the squadron began flying low level night attacks with incendiaries against area targets The squadron was diverted from strategic operations when it conducted a series of raids on airfields in Kyushu to support Operation Iceberg the landings on Okinawa in April 1945 The squadron earned a second DUC for this support The squadron also dropped propaganda leaflets in enemy territory After V J Day the squadron dropped food and supplies to Allied prisoners of war It remained on Saipan until November and reassembled at March Field California where it was inactivated in February 1946 1 2 Lineage EditConstituted as the 877th Bombardment Squadron Very Heavy on 19 November 1943Activated on 20 November 1943 Inactivated on 16 February 1946 1 Assignments Edit 499th Bombardment Group 20 November 1943 16 February 1946 1 Stations Edit Davis Monthan Field Arizona 20 November 1943 Smoky Hill Army Air Field Kansas 1 December 1943 Clovis Army Air Field New Mexico 11 February 1944 Smoky Hill Army Air Field Kansas 8 April 22 July 1944 Isely Field Saipan Mariana Islands 22 September 1944 c November 1945 March Field California c November 1945 16 February 1946 1 Aircraft Edit Boeing B 17 Flying Fortress 1944 Boeing B 29 Superfortress 1944 1946 1 Awards and campaigns Edit Award streamer Award Dates Notes Distinguished Unit Citation 23 January 1945 Nagoya Japan 877th Bombardment Squadron 1 Distinguished Unit Citation 22 28 April 1945 Japan 877th Bombardment Squadron 1 Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes Air Offensive Japan 22 September 1944 2 September 1945 877th Bombardment Squadron 1 Western Pacific 17 April 1945 2 September 1945 877th Bombardment Squadron 1 See also Edit World War II portalB 17 Flying Fortress units of the United States Army Air Forces List of B 29 Superfortress operatorsReferences EditNotes Edit a b c d e f g h i j k l Maurer Combat Squadrons pp 794 795 a b c Maurer Combat Units pp 565 566 Bibliography Edit This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency 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 Maurer Maurer ed 1982 1969 Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II PDF reprint ed Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 405 12194 6 LCCN 70605402 OCLC 72556 Retrieved 17 December 2016 External links Edit Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 877th Bombardment Squadron amp oldid 1010009310, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
