320th Bombardment Group

320th Bombardment Group
USAF · Public domain · source
Unit name	320th Bombardment Group
Dates	1942–1946
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army Air Forces
Type	Bombardment
Role	Strategic bombardment
Size	Group
Battles	Mediterranean Theater of Operations; Italian Campaign; North African Campaign
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation

320th Bombardment Group was a United States Army Air Forces heavy bombardment group activated during World War II and assigned to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. The group flew strategic and tactical missions with the Boeing B-26 Marauder and Martin B-26 Marauder-type medium bombers in support of operations across the North African Campaign, Sicilian Campaign, and the Italian Campaign. Personnel from the group included aircrews, maintenance, and support from training centers such as Wright Field and MacDill Field prior to deployment.

History

Constituted in 1942 under the command structures of United States Army Air Forces numbered air forces, the group trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field and Dover Army Air Field elements before assignment to Twelfth Air Force operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. The group's activation coincided with strategic planning involving commanders from North African Theater of Operations and directives issued by headquarters at RAF Algiers and coordination with Allied Force Headquarters. During its formation, the group interacted with logistic networks centered on Air Transport Command and doctrine influenced by staff at HQ Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.

World War II Operations

Deployed to the North African Campaign in late 1942, the group's sorties supported Operation Torch landings and later contributed to interdiction missions during the Tunisia Campaign. Assigned to tactical support for Operation Husky and the Sicilian Campaign, the group carried out attacks on coastal defenses, bridges, and supply lines, coordinating with units from Royal Air Force and United States Navy carrier task forces. During the Italian Campaign, missions included strikes in support of the Gustav Line and operations around Anzio and Monte Cassino, often flying in concert with bomber commands such as Mediterranean Allied Strategic Air Force and tactical groups under 15th Air Force directives. The group's operations were affected by air defense fighters from Luftwaffe units and anti-aircraft artillery coordinated by German Army formations.

Organization and Aircraft

The group's core structure comprised several bombardment squadrons designated within the United States Army Air Forces organizational model, each equipped and manned following tables of organization from War Department guidance. Primary aircraft operated included the Martin B-26 Marauder medium bomber and later variants and maintenance support versions produced by General Motors and serviced under contracts with Curtiss-Wright. Aircrews received transition training at Purdue University-affiliated training programs and flew mission profiles developed from lessons documented by staff officers from Air Corps Tactical School and operational reports filed with USAAF Historical Division.

Bases and Stations

The group staged from stateside training fields including MacDill Field and transit airfields coordinated through Hitchcock Field before moving to Mediterranean stations at Benghazi, Tunis-Carthage Airfield, and Palermo Airfield. Forward operating locations included temporary strips near Naples and airfields constructed in liberated areas of Italy and Sicily with engineering support from units linked to Army Corps of Engineers. Rear echelon and logistics hubs liaised with ports at Algiers and Naples to receive supplies from convoys routed by Allied naval forces.

Commanders and Personnel

Leadership rotated among USAAF officers experienced in tactical bombardment doctrine, coordinated with senior commanders from Twelfth Air Force and theater commanders such as those serving under General Dwight D. Eisenhower's staff. Notable personnel included group commanding officers who later served in staff posts at SHAPE-era planning bodies or in postwar assignments with United States Air Force units during reorganization. Aircrews and ground personnel were drawn from training pools that included graduates of Embry–Riddle-affiliated programs and enlisted airmen processed through Air Service Command.

Honors and Campaigns

The group received unit citations and campaign credits for participation in the North African Campaign, Sicilian Campaign, and Italian Campaign, as recognized by theater award authorities and later recorded by the USAF Historical Research Agency. Decorations included citations for distinguished bombing performance in heavily defended targets during operations against Axis logistics and command centers, and campaign streamers marking its contribution to liberation efforts throughout the Mediterranean.

Category:Bombardment groups of the United States Army Air Forces Category:Military units and formations established in 1942 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946