Moved to England, arriving in January 1944. Began operations with Ninth Air Force on 14 March when the group flew a fighter sweep over the coast of France. Made strafing and bombing attacks on airfields, rail and highway bridges, trains, vehicles, flak positions, and V-weapon sites to help prepare for the invasion of France.

 

Supported the landings in Normandy early in June 1944 and began operations from the Continent later the same month. Aided in the taking of Cherbourg, participated in the air operations that prepared the way for the Allied breakthrough at St Lo on 25 July, and supported ground forces during their drive across France.

Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for support operations in the vicinity of Mons on 3 September 1944 when the group, dispatching seven missions against the enemy on that day, not only destroyed large numbers of motor transports, horse-drawn vehicles, and troops, but also attacked enemy positions that obstructed the progress of ground forces. Continued to support ground forces, participated in the assault against the Siegfried Line, and took part in the Battle of the Bulge (December 1944-January 1945) by attacking rail lines and trains, marshalling yards, roads and vehicles, armored columns, and gun positions. Operated with the Allied forces that pushed across the Rhine and into Germany.

 

After V-E Day, served with the army of occupation, being assigned to United States Air Forces in Europe. Inactivated in Germany on 20 August 1946

 

Lineage

Constituted as 368th Fighter Group on 24 May 1943.

Activated on 1 June 1943

Inactivated in Germany on 20 August 1946, aircraft, personnel and equipment being redesignated as 78th Fighter Group.

Assignments

   Fighter Command, 1 June 1943

Attached to: New York Fighter Wing, 23 August-20 December 1943

• IX Fighter Command, 13 January 1944
• 71st Fighter Wing

Attached to: IX Tactical Air Command, 1 August 1944

• 70th Fighter Wing

Attached to: IX Tactical Air Command, 1 October 1944

• XIX Tactical Air Command, 16 January 1945
• United States Air Forces in Europe

Attached to: XII Tactical Air Command, 16 November 1945-20 August 1946

 

Stations

• Westover Field, Massachusetts, 1 June 1943
• Farmingdale Army Airfield, New York, 23 August-20 December 1943
• RAF Greenham Common (AAF-486), England, 13 January 1944
• RAF Chilbolton (AAF-404), England, 15 March 1944
• Cardonville Airfield (A-3), France, 20 June 1944
• Chartres Airfield (A-40), France, 23 August 1944
• Laon/Athies Airfield (A-69), France, II September 1944 Chievres Airfield (A-84), Belgium, 2 October 1944
• Juvincourt Airfield (A-68), France, 27 December 1944
• Metz Airfield (Y-34), France, 5 January 1945
• Frankfurt/Rhine-Main Airfield (Y-73), Germany, 15 April 1945
• AAF Station Buchschwabach, Germany, 13 May 1945
• AAF Station Straubing, Germany, 13 August 1945-20 August 1946.
•  

Components

• 395th Fighter Squadron (A7): 1 June 1943-20 August 1946
• 396th Fighter Squadron (C2): 1 June 1943-20 August 1946
• 397th Fighter Squadron (D3): 1 June 1943-20 August 1946

Aircraft

• P-47 Thunderbolt, 1943–1946