B-24 Liberator units of the United States Army Air Forces

Consolidated B-24D-160-CO Liberator 42-72815 "Strawberry Bitch" on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The B-24D on display flew combat missions from North Africa in 1943-1944, and was eventually sent to storage after the war to Davis-Monthan Field, Arizona. In 1959 the aircraft was taken out of storage and flown to the museum for restoration and display. It was the last B-24 flight made by the USAF.

Indoor display of above aircraft. Aircraft markings are of the Ninth Air Force 512th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment Group, to which it was originally assigned in September 1943.

The last active USAF B-24, 44-51228 in 1952, just prior to its retirement

This is a list of United States Army Air Forces B-24 Liberator combat units during World War II including variants and other historical information. Heavy bomber training organizations primarily under II Bomber Command in the United States and non-combat units are not included.

The USAAF took delivery of its first B-24As in June 1941, although the B-24D was the first production model delivered in quantity in July 1942. B-24s were assigned to every combat Air Force; at peak inventory, the USAAF had 6,043 B-24 Liberators operating world-wide in September 1944.

Following the end of World War II, the Liberator was rapidly withdrawn from USAAF service, being replaced by the B-29 Superfortress. Literally thousands of Liberators were flown to various disposal units where they were cut up for scrap. Some brand-new late-production B-24Ms from Convair/San Diego were flown directly from the factory door to the scrapyard at RFC Kingman, Arizona in June 1945, as the war in Europe had ended and B-29s were doing most of the long-range bombing work in the Pacific.

Only a few Liberators were still around when the United States Air Force was formed in 1947, most of them being used for various research purposes. The last USAF Liberator, a Ford EZB-24M-20-FO serial number 44-51228 used by the Aeronautical Icing Research Laboratory for ice research, was struck off the rolls in 1953. For a time, it was on display at Lackland AFB, Texas, with the armament and gunner positions restored. It is currently at the American Museum at Duxford Aerodrome, England painted as 44-50492, a B-24M that was assigned to the 392d Bombardment Group, 578th Bombardment Squadron.

Combat Organizations

Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command

Established in October 1942 to deal with the U-boat threat; formed largely from the resources of I Bomber Command. Inactivated in August 1943 when antisubmarine mission was taken over by the United States Navy.

1st Search Attack Group October 1942-August 1943; Langley Field, Virginia 2d Search Attack Squadron 3d Search Attack Squadron 4th Search Attack Squadron Became radar training unit for USAAF, inactivated April 1944 304th Bombardment Group October–December 1942; Langley Field, Virginia 1st Antisubmarine Squadron 18th Antisubmarine Squadron 19th Antisubmarine Squadron Inactivated December 1942; B-24s to Navy as PB4Y-1 26th Antisubmarine Wing November 1942-October 1943; Miami Airport, Florida 15th Antisubmarine Squadron Inactivated October 1943; B-24s to Navy as PB4Y-1

479th Antisubmarine Group July–November 1943; England (Several stations) 4th Antisubmarine Squadron 6th Antisubmarine Squadron 19th Antisubmarine Squadron 22d Antisubmarine Squadron Inactivated November 1943; B-24s to Navy as PB4Y-1 480th Antisubmarine Group June–November 1943; Port Lyautey, French Morocco 1st Antisubmarine Squadron 2d Antisubmarine Squadron Inactivated January 1944; B-24s to Navy as PB4Y-1

Fifth Air Force

Originally formed as the Philippine Department Air Force in August 1941; Stationed in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) of the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO). Operating in the Far East, Australia, New Guinea and Philippines. Participated in halting the Japanese drive in Papua, recovery of New Guinea, liberation of the Philippines and the Battle of Okinawa.

22nd Bombardment Group Transitioned from B-25/B-26 to B-24s at Nadzab, New Guinea in February 1944 Operated from Netherlands East Indies, Philippines, Okinawa 2d Bombardment Squadron 19th Bombardment Squadron 33d Bombardment Squadron 408th Bombardment Squadron Re-equipped with B-29s, May 1946 on Okinawa 43d Bombardment Group Equipped with LB-30s and B-17s in 1941; Deployed to Australia March 1942 Transitioned to B-24s at Port Moresby, New Guinea between May and September 1943. Operated from Netherlands East Indies, Philippines, Okinawa 63d Bombardment Squadron 64th Bombardment Squadron 65th Bombardment Squadron 403d Bombardment Squadron Inactivated 1946

90th Bombardment Group Activated with B-24s in April 1942, Deployed to Australia in November 1942 Operated from Australia, Netherlands East Indies, Philippines, Okinawa 319th Bombardment Squadron 320th Bombardment Squadron 321st Bombardment Squadron 400th Bombardment Squadron Inactivated 1946 380th Bombardment Group Activated with B-24s in November 1942; Deployed to Australia Attached to RAAF until January 1945, then Philippines, Okinawa 528th Bombardment Squadron 529th Bombardment Squadron 530th Bombardment Squadron 531st Bombardment Squadron Inactivated 1946

• 20th Combat Mapping Squadron

Activated with F-7As in October 1943 (later flew F-7B/F-7B H2X)

Operated from Australia, Netherlands East Indies, Philippines, Okinawa, Occupied Japan

Inactivated 1946

Sixth Air Force

Sixth Air Force begin in February 1917, formally established as Panama Canal Air Force on October 1940. Control of USAAF operations in the Caribbean. Primarily flew antisubmarine patrols over both the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific Ocean approaches to the Panama Canal.

• 6th Bombardment Group

Received LB-30s (March 1942) and B-24Ds (September 1942)

3d Bombardment Squadron

25th Bombardment Squadron

29th Bombardment Squadron

74th Bombardment Squadron

395th Bombardment Squadron

397th Bombardment Squadron

6th BG reassigned to United States in November 1943; B-24s remained with various 6th AF squadrons under VI Bomber Command until 1946

Seventh Air Force

Initially formed as the Hawaiian Air Force in October 1940. Operated primarily in Central Pacific Area (CPA) of the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO).

11th Bombardment Group Transitioned from B-17s to B-24s at Hickam Field, Hawaii Territory in April 1943. Operated in Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, Northern Marianas Islands, Okinawa 26th Bombardment Squadron 42d Bombardment Squadron 98th Bombardment Squadron 431st Bombardment Squadron Inactivated 1945 30th Bombardment Group Received LB-30s in 1941, B-24s in 1942 at March Field, California Operated in Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, Northern Marianas Islands 27th Bombardment Squadron 38th Bombardment Squadron 392d Bombardment Squadron 819th Bombardment Squadron Inactivated 1946

494th Bombardment Group Activated with B-24s in December 1943 Operated in Palau Islands, Okinawa 864th Bombardment Squadron 865th Bombardment Squadron 866th Bombardment Squadron 867th Bombardment Squadron Inactivated 1945 86th Combat Mapping Squadron Received F-7A/Bs at Wheeler Field, Hawaii Territory, early 1944 Operated from Kwajalein, Saipan, Eniwetok, Palawan Inactivated 1946

Eighth Air Force

Was primary heavy bombardment Air Force in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during World War II, stationed in England. Mission was conducting long-range strategic bomber offensive against Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany. The first Liberator mission from England took place on October 9, 1942. Several VIII Bomber Command Liberator groups deployed aircraft to Libya in late 1942 and 1943 to augment IX Bomber Command and carry out attacks against Axis targets in the Mediterranean. Ultimately a total of twenty-one Liberator-equipped groups were deployed and operated with the Eighth Air Force 2d and 3d Bombardment Divisions.

34th Bombardment Group RAF Mendlesham, April 1944-July 1945 4th Bombardment Squadron 7th Bombardment Squadron 18th Bombardment Squadron 391st Bombardment Squadron Converted to B-17s, September 1944 44th Bombardment Group RAF Shipdham, October 1942-June 1945 Deployed to Ninth Air Force, June–August 1943 Participated in August 1, 1943 Attack on Ploesti Oilfields, Romania 66th Bombardment Squadron 67th Bombardment Squadron 68th Bombardment Squadron 404th Bombardment Squadron Converted to B-29s 93d Bombardment Group RAF Hardwick, December 1942-May 1945 Deployed to Ninth Air Force, December 1942-August 1943 Participated in August 1, 1943 Attack on Ploesti Oilfields, Romania 328th Bombardment Squadron 329th Bombardment Squadron 330th Bombardment Squadron 409th Bombardment Squadron Inactivated December 1945 389th Bombardment Group RAF Hethel, June 1943–May 1945 Deployed to Ninth Air Force, July–August 1943 Participated in August 1, 1943 Attack on Ploesti Oilfields, Romania 564th Bombardment Squadron 565th Bombardment Squadron 566th Bombardment Squadron 567th Bombardment Squadron Inactivated September 1945 392d Bombardment Group RAF Wendling, July 1943–June 1945 576th Bombardment Squadron 577th Bombardment Squadron 578th Bombardment Squadron 579th Bombardment Squadron Inactivated September 1945 445th Bombardment Group RAF Tibenham, November 1943-May 1945 700th Bombardment Squadron 701st Bombardment Squadron 702d Bombardment Squadron 703d Bombardment Squadron Inactivated September 1945 446th Bombardment Group RAF Bungay, November 1943-July 1945 704th Bombardment Squadron 705th Bombardment Squadron 706th Bombardment Squadron 707th Bombardment Squadron Inactivated August 1945 447th Bombardment Group RAF Attlebridge, March 1944-July 1945 708th Bombardment Squadron 709th Bombardment Squadron 710th Bombardment Squadron 711th Bombardment Squadron Converted to B-17s, Summer 1944 448th Bombardment Group RAF Seething, December 1943-July 1945 712th Bombardment Squadron 713th Bombardment Squadron 714th Bombardment Squadron 715th Bombardment Squadron Converted to B-29s 453d Bombardment Group RAF Old Buckenham, December 1943-May 1945 732d Bombardment Squadron 733d Bombardment Squadron 734th Bombardment Squadron 735th Bombardment Squadron Inactivated August 1945 458th Bombardment Group RAF Horsham St. Faith, January 1944-June 1945 752d Bombardment Squadron 753d Bombardment Squadron 754th Bombardment Squadron 755th Bombardment Squadron Converted to B-29s

466th Bombardment Group RAF Attlebridge, March 1944-July 1945 784th Bombardment Squadron 785th Bombardment Squadron 786th Bombardment Squadron 787th Bombardment Squadron Inactivated July 1945 467th Bombardment Group RAF Rackheath, March 1944-June 1945 788th Bombardment Squadron 789th Bombardment Squadron 790th Bombardment Squadron 791st Bombardment Squadron Converted to B-29s 482d Bombardment Group (Pathfinder) RAF Alconbury, August 1943-May 1945 Attached to: VIII Composite Command, February 1944-January 1945 Composite group with 2 squadrons of B-17s and one of B-24s Conducted Pathfinder missions using H2X radar 812th Bombardment Squadron (B-17) 813th Bombardment Squadron (B-17) 814th Bombardment Squadron (B-24) Inactivated September 1945 486th Bombardment Group RAF Sudbury, April–November 1944 832d Bombardment Squadron 833d Bombardment Squadron 834th Bombardment Squadron 835th Bombardment Squadron Converted to B-17s, August 1944 487th Bombardment Group RAF Lavenham, April 1944–February 1945 836th Bombardment Squadron 837th Bombardment Squadron 838th Bombardment Squadron 839th Bombardment Squadron Converted to B-17s, July 1944 489th Bombardment Group RAF Halesworth, May–November 1944 844th Bombardment Squadron 845th Bombardment Squadron 846th Bombardment Squadron 847th Bombardment Squadron Converted to B-29s, December 1944 490th Bombardment Group RAF Eye, May 1944-October 1944 848th Bombardment Squadron 849th Bombardment Squadron 850th Bombardment Squadron 851st Bombardment Squadron Converted to B-17s, August 1944 491st Bombardment Group RAF Metfield, RAF North Pickenham, April 1944-July 1945 852d Bombardment Squadron 853d Bombardment Squadron 854th Bombardment Squadron 855th Bombardment Squadron Inactivated September 1945 492d Bombardment Group Unit deployed to RAF North Pickenham, January 1944. Re-designation of 801st Bombardment Group (Provisional), August 1944. Unit at RAF Harrington until August 1945. 856th Bombardment Squadron 857th Bombardment Squadron 858th Bombardment Squadron 859th Bombardment Squadron Converted to B-29s, August 1945 493d Bombardment Group RAF Debach, RAF Wormingford, April 1944-August 1945 860th Bombardment Squadron 861st Bombardment Squadron 862d Bombardment Squadron 863d Bombardment Squadron Converted to B-17s, May 1944

Ninth Air Force

IX Bomber Command operated Liberators from airfields in Egypt; Libya and Tunisia during the Western Desert Campaign (1942–1943). Transferred B-24s to Twelfth Air Force in October 1943; reassigned to England to become tactical air force supporting American First Army (IX Tactical Air Command), Third Army (XIX Tactical Air Command), and Ninth Army (XXIX Tactical Air Command).

98th Bombardment Group Deployed to Middle East July 1942, First B-24Ds to be deployed overseas (Halverson Detachment) Stationed in British Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia Participated in August 1, 1943 Attack on Ploesti Oilfields, Romania 343d Bombardment Squadron 344th Bombardment Squadron 345th Bombardment Squadron 415th Bombardment Squadron Transferred to Twelfth (October), then Fifteenth Air Force, November 1943

376th Bombardment Group Deployed to Middle East October 1942 Stationed in British Palestine, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia Participated in August 1, 1943 Attack on Ploesti Oilfields, Romania 512th Bombardment Squadron 513th Bombardment Squadron 514th Bombardment Squadron 515th Bombardment Squadron Transferred to Twelfth (October), then Fifteenth Air Force, November 1943

Tenth Air Force

Constituted February 1942. Moved to India March–May 1942. Primary USAAF Air Force in the China-Burma-India theater.

• 7th Bombardment Group

Formed September 1918; deployed to Philippines September 1940; withdrawn to Australia late December 1941; combat in Java Jan-March 1942; deployed to India. Transitioned from B-17C/Ds to B-24s at Karachi, March 1942

9th Bombardment Squadron

436th Bombardment Squadron

492d Bombardment Squadron

493d Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated December 1945

Eleventh Air Force

Formed February 1942. Based in Alaska Territory. Engaged in combat with B-24s during Aleutian Campaign (1942–1943). First B-24 raid on Japanese Home Islands in 1943.

• 28th Composite Group

Received LB-30s and B-24s at Elmendorf Field, Alaska, 1942

21st Bombardment Squadron

36th Bombardment Squadron

404th Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated October 1945

Twelfth Air Force

Formed November 1942. Operated B-24s in Algeria, Tunisia and Sicily. Transferred Liberators to Fifteenth Air Force in November 1943, becoming tactical air force in Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) primarily supporting Fifth Army (XII Tactical Air Command) in Italy, also operating in Southern France and Germany supporting Seventh Army.

Twelfth Air Force had several B-17 Flying Fortress groups which were transferred from VIII Bomber Command in England when the command was formed in the fall of 1942. In Tunisia, the Liberator-equipped 98th and 376th Bombardment Groups were briefly transferred from Ninth Air Force in October 1943 to the command. All of Twelfth AF's heavy bomb groups were reassigned to Fifteenth Air Force in November.

Thirteenth Air Force

Formed on December 14, 1942. Operated primarily in South Pacific Area (SPA) of the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO)

5th Bombardment Group Unit formed in 1915. Large number of B-18s and B-17C/Ds destroyed during Pearl Harbor Attack; surviving B-17s sent to New Hebrides in 1942. Re-equipped in Hawaii with B-24s and redeployed in August 1943 Stationed in Solomon Islands, Admiralty Islands, Netherlands East Indies, Schouten Islands, Molucca Islands, Philippines 23d Bombardment Squadron 31st Bombardment Squadron 72d Bombardment Squadron 394th Bombardment Squadron Transitioned to RB-29s in 1946

307th Bombardment Group Established with B-17s in April 1942; transitioned to B-24s at Hickam Field, November 1942 Stationed in Solomon Islands, Admiralty Islands, Netherlands East Indies, Philippines 370th Bombardment Squadron 371st Bombardment Squadron 372d Bombardment Squadron 424th Bombardment Squadron Transitioned to B-29s in 1946

• 868th Bombardment Squadron

Established in July 1943 with SB-24 RADAR aircraft; assigned directly to 13th AF Headquarters. Flew low level, anti-shipping strikes under the cover of darkness. Also flew as pathfinders for high-altitude bombers. Special missions were flown against land targets at night and one of the intentions was to prevent the Japanese from sleeping. Stationed in Solomon Islands, Admiralty Islands, Schouten Islands, Netherlands East Indies, Philippines, Okinawa. Inactivated December 1945

Fourteenth Air Force

Formed out of the American Volunteer Group in March 1943 in Kunming, China. Primary United States Air Force in China as part of the China-Burma-India Theater

• 308th Bombardment Group

Formed with B-24s in April 1942; deployed to China in March 1943

373d Bombardment Squadron

374th Bombardment Squadron

375th Bombardment Squadron

425th Bombardment Squadron

Inactivated October 1945

Fifteenth Air Force

Activated in Tunisia on November 1, 1943. Primary strategic bombardment Air Force of the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) operating from airfields in Southern Italy. Had 15 B-24 groups. Bombing raids against targets in Italy, then took part in raids on Germany, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Romania. Supported the invasion of southern France.

449th Bombardment Group Grottaglie Airfield, January 1944-May 1945 716th Bombardment Squadron 717th Bombardment Squadron 718th Bombardment Squadron 719th Bombardment Squadron Transitioned to B-29s, May 1945 450th Bombardment Group Manduria Airfield, December 1943-May 1945 720th Bombardment Squadron 721st Bombardment Squadron 722d Bombardment Squadron 723d Bombardment Squadron Transitioned to B-29s, May 1945 451st Bombardment Group Gioia del Colle Airfield, January 1944; San Pancrazio Airfield, March 1944; Castelltuccio Airfield, April 1944-June 1945 724th Bombardment Squadron 725th Bombardment Squadron 726th Bombardment Squadron 727th Bombardment Squadron Inactivated September 1945 454th Bombardment Group San Giovanni Airfield, January 1944-July 1945 736th Bombardment Squadron 737th Bombardment Squadron 738th Bombardment Squadron 739th Bombardment Squadron Transitioned to B-29s, August 1945 455th Bombardment Group San Giovanni Airfield, January 1944-September 1945 740th Bombardment Squadron 741st Bombardment Squadron 742d Bombardment Squadron 743d Bombardment Squadron Inactivated September 1945 456th Bombardment Group Stornara Airfield, January 1944-July 1945 744th Bombardment Squadron 745th Bombardment Squadron 746th Bombardment Squadron 747th Bombardment Squadron Transitioned to B-29s, August 1945 459th Bombardment Group Giulia Airfield, February 1944-July 1945 756th Bombardment Squadron 757th Bombardment Squadron 758th Bombardment Squadron 759th Bombardment Squadron Inactivated August 1945

460th Bombardment Group Spinazzola Airfield, February 1944-June 1945 760th Bombardment Squadron 761st Bombardment Squadron 762d Bombardment Squadron 763d Bombardment Squadron Transferred to Air Transport Command for Green Project transport of troops from Europe to United States, June 1945 Inactivated July 1945 461st Bombardment Group Torretto Airfield, February 1944-July 1945 764th Bombardment Squadron 765th Bombardment Squadron 766th Bombardment Squadron 767th Bombardment Squadron Inactivated August 1945 464th Bombardment Group Pantanella Airfield, March 1944-May 1945 776th Bombardment Squadron 777th Bombardment Squadron 778th Bombardment Squadron 779th Bombardment Squadron Transferred to Air Transport Command for Green Project transport of troops from Europe to United States, May 1945 Inactivated July 1945 465th Bombardment Group Pantanella Airfield, April 1944-June 1945 780th Bombardment Squadron 781st Bombardment Squadron 782d Bombardment Squadron 783d Bombardment Squadron Transferred to Air Transport Command for Green Project transport of troops from Europe to United States, June 1945 Inactivated July 1945 484th Bombardment Group Torretto Airfield, April 1944-May 1945 824th Bombardment Squadron 825th Bombardment Squadron 826th Bombardment Squadron 827th Bombardment Squadron Transferred to Air Transport Command for Green Project transport of troops from Europe to United States, May 1945 Inactivated July 1945 485th Bombardment Group Venosa Airfield, April 1944-May 1945 828th Bombardment Squadron 829th Bombardment Squadron 830th Bombardment Squadron 831st Bombardment Squadron Transitioned to B-29s, August 1945

• 98th Bombardment Group; 376th Bombardment Group

Previously served with both the Ninth and Twelfth Air Forces before being assigned to the Fifteenth Air Force in November 1943. Stationed in Tunisia and later Southern Italy. Inactivated November 1945.

• 2641st Special Group (Provisional)

Assigned directly to 15th AF Headquarters. Flew B-17s, B-24s and other aircraft types as needed. Engaged in special operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, December 1944-May 1945

859th Bombardment Squadron

885th Bombardment Squadron

Twentieth Air Force

Constituted April 1944. Primarily equipped with B-29 Superfortresses but there were two reconnaissance squadrons equipped with B-24s and F-7s that were stationed on the Northern Mariana Islands. Both units reported to XXI Bomber Command Headquarters.

• 3d Reconnaissance Squadron

Active September 1944-September 1945.

Flew photographic, electronic, and weather reconnaissance missions in Western Pacific

• 55th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron

Activated as 655th Reconnaissance Squadron, January 1945; redesignated June 1945.

Flew weather reconnaissance flights for XXI Bomber Command headquarters target and route planning for bombardment missions. Inactivated April 1946.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

• Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, AL: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.

External links

• "Strawberry Bitch"