History
The 405th Fighter Group
was part of the 9th Air Force. It consisted of the 509th, 510th, 511th
and 627th Fighter Squadrons.
It was constituted as 405th Bombardment
Group (Dive) on 4 February 1943. Redesignated 405th Fighter-Bomber Group
in Aug 1943, and 405th Fighter Group in May 1944. Trained with A-24,
A-25, P-39, and finally P-47 aircraft, the latter being used in combat.
Moved to England in February - March 1944. Entered combat with Ninth Air
Force in April 1944. Until D-Day, engaged chiefly in bombing airdromes,
marshalling yards, and bridges in France in preparation for the invasion
of France. Flew patrols in the vicinity of Brest during the invasion and
then flew armed reconnaissance missions to support operations in
Normandy. Moved to the Continent at the end of June 1944 and engaged
primarily in providing support for ground forces until May 1945. Bombed
enemy vehicles and gun positions at St Lo in July 1944; attacked barges,
troops, roads, and warehouses during the Battle of the Bulge, December
1944 - January 1945; and struck airfields and marshalling yards when the
Allies crossed the Rhine in March 1945. Received a DUC for a mission in
France on 24 September 1944: answering a request from Third Army for
support near Laneuveville-en-Saulnois, two squadrons, flying on
instruments through rain and dense overcast, were directed by ground
control toward a furious tank battle where, in spite of severe ground
fire, one squadron repeatedly bombed and strafed enemy tanks; the second
squadron, unable to find this target because of the weather, attacked a
convoy of trucks and armored vehicles; later the same day, the third
squadron hit warehouses and other buildings and silenced ground
opposition in the area. For operations, June - September 1944, that
aided the drive across Normandy and the liberation of Belgium, the group
was cited by the Belgian government. The Group flew its last mission on
8 May 1945.
((C)
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Relevant
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Casualties of the Group,
Commemorated
in the Netherlands.