The 48th Bombardment Group (Light) was constituted on 20 Nov 1940 and activated on 15 Jan 1941. It was redesigned the 48th Bombardment Group (Dive) on Sept 1942 and the 48th Fighter Bomber Group in August 1943. Used A-20s and B-18s during 1941 and A-20, A-24, A-31, A-35, A-36, P-39, P-40 and other aircraft between 1942 and 1944. 

    Utilized as a Replacement Training Unit, participated in maneuvers, and for a brief time engaged in coastal patrol missions. Received a few P-47s at Walterboro, SC AAF in early 1944. Moved overseas to England in March 1944, assigned to 9th AF, and received operational training in P-47s. Began combat operations on 20 Apr 1944 by making a fighter sweep over the coast of France. Redesigned 48th Fighter Group in May 1944. Flew escort and dive-bombing missions to help prepare for the invasion of Normandy. Bombed bridges and gun positions on D-Day, 6 Jun 1944, and attacked rail lines and trains, motor transports, bridges, fuel dumps, and gun positions the rest of the Normandy campaign. 

    Moved to Strip 4 near Longueville, Normandy in Jun 1944. Helped Allied forces break through the German lines at St Lo in Jul 1944, and supported the Allied drive across France in August and September, and assisted the airborne attack on Holland in September. Cited by Belgian government for close cooperation with Allied armies during the period Jun-Sept 1944. 

    Moved to Airstrip A-12, Paris early Sept 1944 and to Airstrip A-74, Cambrai, France later that same month. Moved to Airstrip A-92, Sint-Truiden (St Trond), Belgium early Oct 1944. Cited again by the Belgian government for operations conducted during the Fall and Winter of 1944-1945. Received the Distinguished Unit Citation for action on 6 Dec 1944: facing intense enemy fire while flying below heavy overcast, the group struck buildings , entrenchments, and troop concentrations to assist the advance of ground forces against an enemy stronghold north of Julich, Germany. Supported ground operations during the Battle of the Bulge(Dec1944-Jan 1945)and received third Belgian citation for relentless assaults against the enemy during that battle. Continued tactical air operations from bases on the Continent, supporting ground forces until the end of the war. 

    Moved to Airstrip Y-54 Kelz, Germany late Mar 1945, to Airstrip R-12, Kassel, Germany late Apr 1945 and to Airstrip R-10, Illesheim, Germany the same month. During combat also flew patrol, escort, weather reconnaissance, and leaflet missions: on one occasion carried blood plasma that was dropped in belly tanks to ground troops. Moved to US during August-Sept 1945.

    Group inactivated 7 Nov 1945. Squadrons--492nd (formerly 55th); 493rd ( formerly 56th); 494th (formerly 57th).  All 1941-1945. 495th ( formerly 88th)-1941-1944. 

    Insignia; Shield; Argent, on a pale engraved azure, a dexter hand couped at the wrist grasping a sword. 

    Motto: Vulneratus Non Victus- Unconquered even though wounded. (Approved 12 Jan 1942)  *

The 48th Fighter Group did not make any Aces solely from within the group, but R. Baker scored a half kill while with the 48th and ended his flying career with 16½ victories- 13 in Korea

Commendations Awarded the 48th FG

Battle Honors Awarded the 48th FG

Two quotes regarding the 48th Ftr Grp by General Elwood "Pete" Quesada, Commander 9th Fighter Command, 9th Air Force.....

    "Congratulations on your operations on 12th October 1944, it was a damn good day and reflects great credit on the leadership, pride, personnel and ground crews of the 48th. It was a damn good day." - signed Quesada 

    "It is my pleasure to congratulate you, the 48th Fighter Group, on your outstanding operations in support of the VII Corps on the afternoon of 15 October, 1944. The ground commanders report that a heavy counterattack was repulsed as a direct result of your fine work. Your aggressive spirit in operating under such adverse weather conditions reflects great credit on your organization and this command." - signed Quesada

Squadron insignia Click on the image for that squadrons photo page! Þ
	492nd F.S.	493rd F.S. Click here for unofficial Squadron logo	494th F.S.
Squadron Codes -	F4	I7	6M
Base and Misc Photos

2003 Reunion!
Lodge of the Ozarks, Branson, Missouri Sept 25-27, 2003

	48th Fighter Group Commanders- Dixon Allison (11/8/43 - 4/22/44) George Wertenbaker (4/23/44 - 10/44) during the change of command ceremony 493rd Ftr Sqd photo
	Dixon Allison
	Colonel Dixon M. "Bull" Allison in his P-47. He was the 48th FG Commander from the beginning of the group's time in WWII.     photo credit to 'Kup' Kupersmith, 494th Ftr Sqdn, WWII
	"Bull" Allison taken with Hap Arnold, who headed-up the USAAF during WWII.      photo credit to 'Kup' Kupersmith, 494th Ftr Sqdn, WWII
	"Bull" Allison
	John Brichaeck, Group Aircraft Maintenance Inspector
	The Wheels of the 48th- Major Blanksma, Col. James K.Johnson 48th Fighter Group Commander, LtCol. McNealy, Major Orwatt, LtCol. Latiolais 493rd Ftr. Sqn Commander, Major Steves. May 1, 1945  R10 Illeshiem Germany 48th FG Assoc.
	Villa Coublay Airfield, France photo credit to 'Kup' Kupersmith, 494th Ftr Sqdn, WWII
	Unknown information- found in the webmaster's collection of original photos! Jim Sterling photo
	Sign for the 48th FG in Tullahoma, TN
	On Jan 1, 1945 the Luftwaffe decided to mount a maximum effort against all airfields within their range. The Battle of the Bulge was still raging but the Krauts were getting their butts whipped big time. Nevertheless, the Luftwaffe, which we hadn't seen much of lately, decided to go "desperate". As reported by one of their pilots who was shot down at St Trond, they had been briefed that New Years day was the date to go max effort since all American pilots would be hungover from their New Years Eve celebrations. WRONG! We were up and briefed early and around 0700 were headed to our aircraft for our own big show against any Kraut targets we could find, when the Luftwaffe hit St Trond. My Flight was being led on this mission by Vic Cabas along with me and two others. As we were jeeping out to our aircraft someone shouted, "look at those guys buzzing the field!". About that time "those guys" started shooting! We all bailed out of our Jeep and headed for cover. And where did we find it---in a ditch right behind a stack of 500 pound bombs. Since we didn't have any birds airborne it was up to the ack-ack troops surrounding our field to do their thing which they did quite successfully as you'll see in this attachment and in the two that will follow. First Photo -This first attachment shows that they got one of ours [top photo] and one of theirs [bottom pic]. Second Photo - Where you observe the manner in which all out P-47's were situated you'll see why St. Trond was a choice strafing target! The smoke in the background is one of our planes burning. Third Photo - One of the FW190's shot down, and crash landed at St. Trond. Repaired to flyable condition      photo credit to 'Kup' Kupersmith, 494th Ftr Sqdn, WWII
	109's damaged in air attacks

* Information from "Combat Units of WWII"

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Charles Looper's recounting of his final mission

Wilson Hall's Webpage

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    Data for this page was found and used from the following publications-

• Air Force Combat Units of WWII, by USAF Historical Div. Air University
• Stars and Bars by the Frank Olynyk

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