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55th Fighter Group Station History

HISTORY OF STATION DEFENSE FOR

AUGUST

                Inactivity of the guns remains unchanged – guns well oiled and ready for action, eager gunners, but no shooting.  In the earlier part of the month several flying bombs appeared over the base and within range of the guns but none of the guns were fired because of the ban on firing at these objectives.  One hopeful light did appear, however.  A directive from VIII Fighter Command came out during the month allowing any qualified gunner to shoot at any flying bombs that might appear over or near an airbase.  According to this directive .50 caliber machine gunners cannot be considered qualified A.A. gunners so as to come within the meaning of the circular.  However, this points the way the higher-ups are looking and indicates a relaxing of the rule prohibiting the firing at these objectives.

                During the month’s practise bugbear alert, inspectors from VIII Fighter Command and from the Wing made a surprise inspection of the guns and pits, and as a result a favorable report was submitted regarding this aspect of station defense – all guns were manned, all gunners were alerted, and battle headquarters was functioning smoothly as the heart of station defense on this field.

                The other arm of station defense – The Alert Detachment – was still operating as smoothly as ever – sticking to the book in carrying out the training schedule prescribed by VIII Fighter Command.  Highlights of this program for the month called for three mounted road marches of about 60 miles each, three problems, and range firing. – Also camouflage instruction.  The third problem was one of the most ambitious so far.  It took place at Fingerole, south of Colchester and along the coast.  The problem was a supposed landing by sea-borne enemy troops at Rat Island in the fens.  The Alert Detachment had as its aim and objective the engagement and destruction of the enemy force, without the assistance of other friendly troops.  This reclaimed marshland served well the movements of the armored vehicles as well as the dispersal of the men.  Rat Island was taken and the problem proved highly successful from a training point of view.

                The bugbear alert found the Alert Detachment right on its toes.  The objective was a hill on the field which was supposedly captured and held by enemy airborne troops.  The Alert Detachment reached the point of contact within 5 minutes after the alert was sounded.  The mobile reserve followed close behind and reached the objective a couple of minutes after the Alert Detachment.

                One change has occurred as to the personel of the Alert Detachment.  A new first sergeant has been put in charge.  This seems to have worked to the betterment of the organization so that the morale and efficiency of the Alert Detachment has never been higher.

                Inactivity of the guns remains unchanged – guns well oiled and ready for action, eager gunners, but no shooting.  In the earlier part of the month several flying bombs appeared over the base and within range of the guns but none of the guns were fired because of the ban on firing at these objectives.  One hopeful light did appear, however.  A directive from VIII Fighter Command came out during the month allowing any qualified gunner to shoot at any flying bombs that might appear over or near anairbase.  According to this directive .50 caliber machine gunners cannot be considered qualified A.A. gunners so as to come within the meaning of the circular.  However, this points the way the higher-ups are looking and indicates a relaxing of the rule prohibiting the firing at these objectives.

                During the month’s practise bugbear alert, inspectors from VIII Fighter Command and from the Wing made a surprise inspection of the guns and pits, and as a result a favorable report was submitted regarding this aspect of station defense – all guns were manned, all gunners were alerted, and battle headquarters was functioning smoothly as the heart of station defense on this field.

                The other arm of station defense – The Alert Detachment – was still operating as smoothly as ever – sticking to the book in carrying out the training schedule prescribed by VIII Fighter Command.  Highlights of this program for the month called for three mounted road marches of about 60 miles each, three problems, and range firing. – Also camouflage instruction.  The third problem was one of the most ambitious so far.  It took place at Fingerole, south of Colchester and along the coast.  The problem was a supposed landing by sea-borne enemy troops at Rat Island in the fens.  The Alert Detachment had as its aim and objective the engagement and destruction of the enemy force, without the assistance of other friendly troops.  This reclaimed marshland served well the movements of the armored vehicles as well as the dispersal of the men.  Rat Island was taken and the problem prooved highly successful from a training point of view.

                The bugbear alert found the Alert Detachment right on its toes.  The objective was a hill on the field which was supposedly captured and held by enemy airborne troops.  The Alert Detachment reached the point of contact within 5 minutes after the alert was sounded.  The mobile reserve followed close behind and reached the objective a couple of minutes after the Alert Detachment.

                One change has occurred as to the personel of the Alert Detachment.  A new first sergeant has been put in charge.  This seems to have worked to the betterment of the organization so that the morale and efficiency of the Alert Detachment has never been higher.

 

SQ-FI-38-HI

APRIL 1945

SECRET by auth of CO AAF Sta F-159

 

HISTORY

AIR FORCE           :  EIGHTH AIR FORCE

COMMAND        :  3rd AIR DIVISION

WING                    :  66th FIGHTER WING

GROUP                 :  55th FIGHTER GROUP

SQUADRON        : 38th FIGHTER SQUADRON

 

DATE                      :  APRIL 1945

38th FIGHTER SQUADRON

Squadron History April 1945

Copy No. 3




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