502d Bombardment Group
| 502d Bombardment Group | |
|---|---|
502d Bombardment Group Insignia
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| Active | 1944–1946 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Forces |
| Role | Bombardment |
| Part of | Twentieth Air Force |
| Garrison/HQ | Pacific Ocean Theater of World War II |
| Engagements |
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The 502d Bombardment Group (502d BG) was a World War II United States Army Air Forces combat organization. The unit was inactivated on 15 April 1946.
The unit served primarily in the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II as part of Twentieth Air Force. The 502d Bomb Group's aircraft engaged in very heavy bombardment B-29 Superfortress operations against Japan. Its aircraft were identified by a "H" inside a diamond painted on the tail.
The unit was established in early 1944 at Dalhart Army Air Field, Texas, being formed as a B-29 Superfortress Very Heavy bombardment Group. The unit was formed with three reassigned bomb squadrons (402d, 411th and 430th). The 402d was formed in 1940, becoming a II Bomber Command B-24 Liberator Replacement Training Unit (RTU); the 411th and 430th having their origins as World War I Air Service Aero Squadrons. The 411th became a II Bomber Command B-17 Flying Fortress RTU; the 430th serving in the Panama Canal Zone as part of the Sixth Air Force before being inactivated. From an original group of 11 officers and 82 enlisted men, the 502d grew to three flying squadrons, a photo lab and thousands of personnel.
In September 1944, the newly formed group was sent to its training station at Grand Island Army Airfield, Nebraska. Due to a shortage of B-29s, the group was equipped with former II Bomber Command B-17 Flying Fortresses previously used for training heavy bomber replacement personnel. The 502d eventually received Atlanta-built B-29B Superfortresses.
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