315th Troop Carrier Group
Group
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 3403 - A C-47 Skytrain (serial number 43-15308) of the 315th Troop Carrier Group at Spanhoe. Handwritten on front of image: "Spanhoe RAF Base,...
The chief purpose of the 315th Troop Carrier Group when assigned to the Eighth Air Force was to transport troops around the UK in the early part of 1943. Before long though, the Group was used by the Twelfth Air Force and flew from Bilda, Algeria, from May 1943 until October of that year when they joined the Ninth Air Force. The Group dropped paratroops into occupied territory during both the invasion of Normandy and of Holland and released British paratroopers near Wesel during the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Unit stations
| Station | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
|
Based |
Aldermaston | 1 December 1942 - 6 November 1943 |
|
Based |
Welford | 6 November 1943 - 7 February 1944 |
|
Based |
Spanhoe | 7 February 1944 - 6 April 1945 |
|
Based |
Amiens | 6 April 1945 - 8 May 1945 |
Encompassing
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 315th Troop Carrier Group 43rd Troop Carrier Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-789667
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 315th Troop Carrier Group 43rd Troop Carrier Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 315th Troop Carrier Group 43rd Troop Carrier Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 20th Fighter Group 315th Troop Carrier Group 43rd Troop Carrier Squadron 55th Fighter Squadron 79th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: T-133219 / O-2015380
- Highest Rank: Flight Officer
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 20th Fighter Group 315th Troop Carrier Group 43rd Troop Carrier Squadron 79th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-2067847
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: C-47 Skytrain
- Unit: 315th Troop Carrier Group
- Aircraft Type: C-47 Skytrain
- Unit: 315th Troop Carrier Group
- Aircraft Type: C-47 Skytrain
- Unit: 315th Troop Carrier Group
- Aircraft Type: C-47 Skytrain
- Unit: 315th Troop Carrier Group
- Aircraft Type: C-47 Skytrain
- Unit: 315th Troop Carrier Group
Revisions
Stations added with details from:
- "Battle Colors Volume III - Insignia and Tactical Markings of the Ninth Air Force in World War Two' by Robert A. Watkins;
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / The Mighty Eighth. A History of the Units, Men and Machines of the US 8th Air Force.' by Roger A. Freeman (1989). 'Air Force Combat Units of World War II' compiled by the Department of the US Air Force, edited by Maurice Maurer (1983). / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)
![A Nissen hut at Spanhoe, home of the 315th Troop Carrier Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Taken at Spanhoe. Not very distinctive.' On reverse: US Army Press Examiner [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-408732.jpg.webp?itok=itqL-Lak)
