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| 307th Troop Carrier Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 307th Troop Carrier Squadron |
| Dates | 1943–1946 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Forces |
| Role | Troop carrier, airlift |
| Size | Squadron |
| Command structure | 314th Troop Carrier Group |
307th Troop Carrier Squadron was a United States Army Air Forces transport unit activated during World War II that trained in the United States and deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations to support Allied airborne operations, logistics, and evacuation missions. The squadron operated primarily as a tactical airlift and glider-towing element flying medium transport aircraft in coordination with airborne divisions and theater commands across North Africa, Italy, and the Balkans. It participated in major campaigns associated with the Allied invasion of Italy, Operation Dragoon, and subsequent operations supporting Allied advances into occupied Europe.
Activated in 1943 under the Ferrying Command-era reorganization, the squadron trained at Baer Field and other continental airfields before assignment to the 12th Air Force and later attachment to the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces. During 1943–1944 it conducted paratroop drops, glider towing, supply airlift, and medical evacuation supporting elements such as the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Airborne Division (United Kingdom), and British 1st Airborne Division during operations across Sicily, Salerno, and the Italian mainland. In mid-1944 the unit supported Operation Dragoon in southern France and flew resupply and casualty evacuation sorties into forward airstrips and captured ports. Through late 1944 and 1945 the squadron sustained theater airlift linking Naples, Taranto, Brindisi, and forward positions, coordinated with commands including the Twelfth Air Force, Fifteenth Air Force, and elements of Operation Strangle. Postwar tasks included repatriation and theater withdrawal in coordination with War Department demobilization directives prior to inactivation in 1946.
Constituted and activated in 1943 as a troop carrier squadron assigned to the 314th Troop Carrier Group and attached to various wings and commands depending on theater needs. Assigned operational control under theater commands such as the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces and operational coordination with allied airborne and ground formations including the U.S. Fifth Army and multinational headquarters overseeing Allied operations in the Mediterranean. The squadron's administrative lineage followed standard Army Air Forces squadron organization and was inactivated during the postwar drawdown following the Surrender of Japan and European armistice demobilizations.
The squadron trained at primary stateside bases such as Baer Field, Camp Shanks, and other Army Air Fields before transatlantic movement to staging areas in Morocco and Algeria. Forward stations included airfields in Sicily, Italy (notably around Naples and Taranto), and temporary Advanced Landing Grounds in liberated territories of Southern France and the Balkans. During withdrawal and redeployment the unit operated from major Mediterranean hubs and staging airfields until final inactivation.
The unit was equipped chiefly with the Curtiss C-46 Commando and the Douglas C-47 Skytrain for troop transport, cargo carriage, and paratroop operations, with rotary-wing and light liaison elements provided by allied units when required. The squadron also utilized assault gliders such as the Waco CG-4 in coordinated airborne operations and towing gear compatible with theater glider operations. Standard loadmaster and cargo handling equipment followed Army Air Forces tactical airlift doctrine and theater-specific modifications for operations in Italy and southern France.
Missions included airborne assaults, airborne resupply, glider-borne insertions, casualty evacuation, and intra-theater logistics supporting campaigns such as the Sicilian campaign, Italian Campaign (World War II), Operation Shingle, Operation Dragoon, and interdiction and support missions connected to the liberation of southern Europe. Tactical cooperation occurred with formations including the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Airborne Division (United Kingdom), and multinational Allied ground forces during amphibious and airborne operations across the Mediterranean Theater.
For its service the squadron received theater campaign credits and unit citations consistent with Army Air Forces awards for participation in major Mediterranean campaigns, including campaign credits for operations in Sicily, Italy, and Southern France. Individual aircrew and support personnel were eligible for decorations issued by the United States and allied governments for bravery, meritorious service, and distinguished conduct during airborne operations and airlift missions.
Command and aircrew included squadron leaders and operations officers drawn from Army Air Forces School of Applied Tactics graduates and personnel with prior service in transport and airborne training commands, some of whom later served in postwar United States Air Force airlift organizations. The unit worked closely with airborne commanders from the XV Corps and allied airborne leadership during planning and execution of parachute and glider operations.
Category:Troop carrier squadrons of the United States Army Air Forces Category:Military units and formations established in 1943 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946