V Bomber Command

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Template:About Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use American English Template:Infobox military unit

The V Bomber Command is an inactive United States Army Air Forces unit. It was last assigned to Fifth Air Force, based at Irumagawa AB, Japan. It was inactivated on 31 May 1946.

During World War II the unit initially controlled Fifth Air Force bomber units in the Philippines. It was largely destroyed in the Battle of the Philippines, and withdrew to Australia at the end of December 1941, although elements of some units remained in the Philippines until April 1942. Re-equipped, the command provided command and control authority of Army Air Force bombardment organizations within the Fifth Air Force Area of Responsibility (AOR).

Afterward, served with the occupation force in Japan before being inactivated in 1946.

History

Participated in the defense of the Philippines in December 1941. Late in December the remaining bombers and some men were evacuated to Australia, and in January 1942 they were moved to Java to help delay the Japanese advance in the Netherlands Indies.

The command ceased to function in March 1942 (the AAF bombardment organizations in the Southwest Pacific being under the control of American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDA) and later Allied Air Forces). Headquarters was remanned in September 1942 and shortly afterward it assumed control of AAF bombardment groups in Australia and New Guinea.

The command served in combat with Fifth Air Force until the end of the war. Brigadier General Kenneth N. Walker, who was killed during a mission over Rabaul on 5 January 1943, was awarded the Medal of Honor; he had repeatedly taken part in combat missions and had developed an effective technique for bombing when opposed by enemy interceptors and antiaircraft fire. After the war the command became part of the occupation force for Japan. Inactivated on 31 May 1946. Disbanded on 8 October 1948.<ref>Bell, p. 85</ref>

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 5th Bomber Command on 28 October 1941<ref group=note>Maurer indicates that the unit was constituted as the "V" Bomber Command. However, the unit was constituted and activated with an arabic number in its name. The use of roman numerals to designate Army Air Forces combat commands did not begin until September 1942. {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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Activated on 14 November 1941
  • Redesignated V Bomber Command c. 18 September 1942
Inactivated on 31 May 1946
Disbanded on 8 October 1948<ref name=Maurer5BC>Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 442-443</ref>

Assignments

  • Fifth Air Force, 14 November 1941 – 31 May 1946<ref name=Maurer5BC/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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Stations

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Units

Wings

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Groups

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Squadrons
  • 2d Emergency Rescue Squadron, 5 September – 7 October 1944<ref>Bailey, Carl E. (undated), Lineage and Honors History of the 2 Air Rescue Group, Air Force Historical Research Agency</ref>
  • 3d Emergency Rescue Squadron: operational control 26 August – 2 October 1944; assigned 21 November 1945 − 31 May 1946<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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See also

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

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Citations

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Bibliography

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