Transition to the P-47 Thunderbolt 179th Fighter Squadron

the p-47d of group commander, col. chickering, in 1945

early in 1945 desire standardize fighter-bombers in ninth air force, squadron transitioned republic p-47 thunderbolts. pilots flew lightings on combat missions while training @ same time thunderbolt. 393d first squadron of 367th group fly combat missions p-47s. using thunderbolt squadron again cited in belgium army order of day, earning belgian fourragere.

the 393d received second distinguished unit citation action on 19 march 1945. 367th group s target headquarters of field marshal kesselring, german commander-ln-chief, west, @ ziegenburg near bad nauheim, germany. aircraft of leading 394th fighter squadron attack @ low level achieve surprise, carrying 1,000-pound bomb under each wing. p-47s of 392d fighter squadron armed, dive bomb higher altitude. bombs equipped time-delay fuses intended crack concrete roofs of bunker. 393d carried napalm intended seep bunkers , burn remained. attack scheduled time intelligence reports indicated find senior staff , commanders @ lunch, time not in reinforced tunnels underneath castle housed headquarters. target located in mountainous terrain defended antiaircraft artillery. moreover, avoid alerting germans pending attack, photographic reconnaissance aircraft had avoided area, detailed target photography not available. day of attack castle concealed ground haze caused 394th fighter squadron stray off course @ last minute, preventing them executing attack planned , reducing element of surprise. although senior german officers reached underground bunkers , survived attack, group reduced military complex ruins, disrupting communications , flow of intelligence @ critical time.

the squadron struck tanks, trucks, flak positions, , other objectives in support of assault across rhine late in march , final allied operations in germany. commended commanding generals of xii corps , 11th armored division close air support unit provided commands. on 10 april squadron moved eschborn airfield on northwest side of frankfurt, germany. 393d flew last combat mission, defensive patrol, 1 year after entering combat on 8 may. during combat tour, squadron credited 22.5 air-to-air victories on enemy aircraft.

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