86th Fighter Group
GroupIWM, Roger Freeman Collection
The Group was constituted as 86th Bombardment Group (Light) on 13-Jan 1942, and activated on 10 Feb 1942. It was redesignated 86th Bombardment Group (Dive) in Sep 1942, 86th Fighter-Bomber Group in Aug 1943, and 86th Fighter Group in May 1944.
In March through May of 1943, they moved to North Africa and trained until July, then began combat with Twelfth Air Force. They were engaged primarily in close support of ground forces, with the group moving forward to bases in Sicily, Italy, Corsica, France, and Germany as the battle line changed. Patrol and interdictory missions were also flown. A-36, P-40, and P-47 aircraft were used to attack convoys, trains, ammunition dumps, troop and supply columns, shipping, bridges, rail lines, and other objectives.
They participated in the softening up of Sicily and supported the invasion by Seventh Army in July of 1943, and provided cover for the landings at Salerno in September of that year. The Group assisted the Allied advance toward Rome during Jan-Jun 1944. They supported the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944, and worked to take out enemy communications in northern Italy from Sep 1944 to April 1945. They attacked enemy transportation in Germany during April and May 1945.
The 86th received two DUC's: one for action on 25 May 1944 when the group repeatedly dived through intense flak to destroy enemy vehicles and troops as German forces tried to stop the Allies short of Rome; the other for activity against convoys and airfield installations in northern Germany on 20 April 1945 to disorganize the enemy's withdrawal from that area.
The Fighter Bomber Group remained in Germany after the war as part of United States Air Forces in Europe. They were transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US in Feb 1946, and inactivated on March 31, 1946.
In August of 46, the Group was activated in Germany, and assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe. They were redesignated 86th Composite Group in May 1947, 86th Fighter Group in Jan 1948, 86th Fighter-Bomber in Jan 1950, and the 86th Fighter-Interceptor Group in Aug 1954. Equipped successively with F-47, F-84, and F-86 aircraft.
Commanding Officers
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 86th Fighter Group
- Service Numbers: 11037164
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Commander of the 86th
Connections
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Unit stations
Station | Location | Date |
---|---|---|
Based |
Hunter Army Airfield | 20 June 1942 - 7 August 1942 |
Based |
Tafaraoui | 11 June 1943 - 30 June 1943 |
Based |
Korba | 30 June 1943 - 20 July 1943 |
Based |
Ponte Olivo | 20 July 1943 - 27 August 1943 |
Based |
Barcellona Landing Ground | 27 August 1943 - 22 September 1943 |
Based |
Sele Airfield | 22 September 1943 - 12 October 1943 |
Based |
Serretella | 22 October 1943 - 19 November 1943 |
Based |
Serretella | 22 October 1943 - 19 November 1943 |
Based |
Pomigliano | 19 November 1943 - 30 April 1944 |
Based |
Marcianise Airfield | 30 April 1944 - 12 June 1944 |
Based |
Marcianise Airfield | 30 April 1944 - 12 June 1944 |
Based |
Poretta | 12 July 1944 - 17 September 1944 |
Based |
Grosetto | 17 September 1944 - 23 October 1944 |
Based |
Pomigliano | 19 November 1944 - 30 April 1944 |
Based |
Tantonville | 20 February 1945 - 18 April 1945 |
Other Assigned Twelfth Air Force |
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Other Assigned First Tactical Air Force |
Encompassing
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 86th Fighter Group 526th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-802046
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 86th Fighter Group 525th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-796000
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 57th Fighter Group 64th Fighter Squadron 86th Fighter Group
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot - Deputy Group Commander
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 86th Fighter Group 526th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-660589
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 86th Fighter Group 527th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-671606
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot