450TH BOMB GROUP (H) 15TH ARMY AIR FORCE HISTORY

REDEPLOYMENT/MOVEMENT FROM THEATER

Prior to the execution of the last combat mission in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations on 26 April 1945 the 450th Bomb Group had been alerted for early movement to the Zone of the Interior for redeployment. Considerable preparatory work had already been accomplished when the actual movement directive was received on 1 May 1945.

The Squadrons and Group Sections had been jealously proud of their semi-permanent facilities and conveniences. However, with the order to "break camp" came the realization that a tremendous amount of work was required to vacate the installations we had so painstakingly constructed and improved.

The spirit of teamwork which had pushed the name of the "Cottontails" into the top bracket of heavy bomber Groups in the Army Air Forces again was instrumental in preparing the Group for movement.

The tentative date of 16 May 1945 indicated in the movement orders was changed unexpectedly on 11 May 1945 when verbal instructions were received to move the 723rd Bomb Squadron by military aircraft to Naples preparatory to shipment on the USS West Point. In compliance with these orders the 723rd Squadron flew to Naples on Saturday, 12 May 1945, and were quartered there at the 7th Replacement Depot. This depot was located at a former Italian university of the outskirts of Naples. Entertainment and good food at the depot made the stay pleasant.

On the 13 of May verbal orders were received to move the 720th Bomb Squadron from Manduria, Italy at 1200 hours. Fortunately, all except personal packing had been accomplished and personal baggage was quickly packed. This squadron was flown out of Manduria to Naples by B-17's, on 13 May 1945. The movement to the 7th Replacement Depot was quickly and efficiently accomplished.

There was very little processing to be done at Naples and most of the time was spent in resting and speculation. The wait was not long, however, and on 15 May 1945, the two squadrons were moved onto the USS West Point.

Remaining Personnel of the Group Headquarters and the 721st and 722nd Squadrons moved out of Manduria on 16 May 1945, by truck convoy. Their immediate destination was Taranto to board the USS Wakefield. The loading was prolonged for these units because lighters had to be used to haul personnel and baggage to the Wakefield, anchored out in the bay. The short trip and loading was made without incident. The USS Wakefield started for the United States on 16 May 1945.

The West Point docked at Hampton Roads, Virginia, P.O.E. on 24 May 1945. This voyage was very pleasant except for a 36 hour storm which seemed 'savage' to ground and air man, Some men had a new and unpleasant experience; seasickness. The USS Wakefield docked at Boston Mass. All personnel moved to the Zone of the Interior by these two transports, except for four (4) experienced combat crews from each squadron. These sixteen (16) crews had left previously by air and arrived in the States without mishap.

Personnel strength of the 450th Bombardment Group (H), upon arrival in the United States was 1,794; consisting of 296 officers and 1,498 EM.

The movement of the men to the Zone of Interior was accomplished very efficiently. All air and motor transport of troops in Italy was quickly and capably preformed. All loading was well handled. Sufficient notice had been given all sections and preparation for the movement was accomplished without hardship to anyone.

If consistent with security principles personnel might have been advised as to the length of the recuperation period.

Due to unusual circumstances some individuals remained at Sioux Falls for 30 days or longer before receiving assignment. This was particularly true of Bombardiers and Navigators.

Personal baggage arriving at Sioux Falls has handled very efficiently and prompt delivery made it to troops at their assigned quarters.

Organizational equipment (TAT) was shipped directly from the Port to the designated training station and was delivered in good condition with few shortages.

At the date of this writing there is still some question regarding the status of the personnel of the old Group who had indicated their desire to remain with the reconstituted organization. The assignment to the 450th Bomb Group (VH) was accomplished at Sioux Falls but the permanency of this assignment is still questionable. It is believed that a definite interpretation of Air Forces policy governing such a situation would have eliminated much administrative wok in connection with reassignment and considerable inconvenience and disappointment to the individuals concerned could have been avoided.

The following comments regarding administrative matters in connection with assignment of personnel to 450th Bomb Group from Sioux Falls is intended to present a few of the problems which confronted Group Headquarters in the early days of reconstitution.

Several individuals including Capt. Taylor, Capt. Tucker, Capt. Malcolm, Lt. Col. Engstrum were sent to this station without orders of any kind. All of the individuals listed in paragraph 83, Special Order 51, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, were placed on Detached Service this station even though the intention was to have those individuals assigned to this unit. No orders have been received on any of those listed individuals even though Sioux Falls has been pressed through Statistical Section and telephone calls to the organization. This Headquarters has been forced to send an officer to Sioux Falls in order to obtain transfer order for the individuals listed on the above cited Special Order.

All of the enlistee men with flying MOS's transferred to this Headquarters per paragraph 6, Special Order 64 and paragraphs 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, Special Order 55, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, were erroneously sent to this station since 2nd AF has specifically directed Sioux Falls not to send flying MOS's to this organization. The money and time lost was tremendous. The situation has not been clarified yet. This organization is getting together information so that 2nd AF can straighten out the situation.

Criticisms of records obtained from Sioux Falls are lengthy. The severest criticism seems to be that no records were sent with the men. Numerous instances can be cited of individuals being told at Sioux Falls that records will be give them and finally ending up on the train without any records at all. Consequently this organization again has been hard pressed to maintain necessary reports and keep personnel on a current status.

450TH BOMB GROUP (H) 15TH ARMY AIR FORCE HISTORY

REDEPLOYMENT/RECUPERATION & REASSEMBLY

Processing of the component units of the Group at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, and Camp Miles Standish, Mass., was accomplished quickly and efficiently. This was especially so at Boston. At Camp Patrick Henry the troops were astonished at the transformation of that post. They had unpleasant memories of the inefficiency and confusion which characterized that post, in early December 1943, when they were leaving for Foreign Service. They were given every possible consideration upon their return. Fine telephone service, good food, and clean quarters and surroundings were great factors in keeping the troops happy while awaiting homeward trains. The telephone service was splendid and greatly appreciated because nearly all were anxious to telephone to their families and friends.

The USS West Point docked at Hampton Roads on "Thursday, 24 May 1945 and the last troops cleared Camp Patrick Henry enroute to the various reception stations on Saturday evening 26 May 1945.

The units debarking at Boston were most favorable impressed with the efficient manner with which personnel were shuttled to Camp Miles Standish for final processing. The Transportation Corps can be proud of the organization which serviced the units of the 450th at Miles Standish. Mess, Quarters and all service facilities were immediately made available. The last train carrying 450th personnel out of damp Miles Standish departed at 1200 hours on the day following their arrival. Such efficient organization at the first sop enroute "home" had a most favorable effect on morale.

Generally throughout the scatted reception stations the processing of returnees was very efficiently handled. The time element for providing pay, clothing, transportation and orders was unusually short in all cases. Unfortunately, die to shortage of appropriate rail equipment, men were obligated to travel long distances in day-coaches but in their eagerness to get home such inconveniences were readily overlooked.

All personnel were granted a minimum of 30 days for recuperation. In some instances this was extended to 34 – 38 days when transportation facilities at certain stations were not available for troop movement to the assembly station.

The orders issued at the several reception stations placed personnel on DS for a specified period of recuperation and return to the station from which orders were issued for subsequent shipment to the Group assembly station at Sioux Falls Army Air Field.

Again the availability of transportation equipment caused delays and hardship. May shipments were made from East Coast and extreme southern states in day coaches because of shortage of Pullmans.

Upon arrival at Sioux Falls all Group personnel received their indoctrination in the latest policy and procedure for redeployment. This experience was rather startling as most Group personnel were of the belief that the 450th Bomb Group (H) was to be reconstituted a "Very Heavy" organization with all the old Group personnel training with the Group. The initial step in processing immediately disproved this belief with the result that only (37) EM and officers remained. There were a few bottlenecks which caused delays but usually this was because of the condition of the records and not the fault of the processing system.