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The Troop Carrier Story

The Troop Carrier Story. The Beginning. In 1918 Brig. General William L. Mitchell conceived the idea of using airplanes to transport troops and drop them behind enemy lines using parachutes His chief of staff, Major. Lewis H. Brereton developed a plan

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The Troop Carrier Story

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  1. The Troop Carrier Story

  2. The Beginning • In 1918 Brig. General William L. Mitchell conceived the idea of using airplanes to transport troops and drop them behind enemy lines using parachutes • His chief of staff, Major. Lewis H. Brereton developed a plan • The plan was approved by American Expeditionary Forces Commander General John Pershing but the war ended before it could be implemented

  3. Between the Wars • Soviets were first to experiment with air transported troops • US military paid little attention to the idea other than to incorporate the concept in the Air War College curriculum • In 1937 the 10th Transport Group was formed to provide air transportation from Air Corps Maintenance Command depots to combat units in US, Alaska and Panama

  4. Aircraft Used Bellanca C-27

  5. Ford C-3

  6. Douglas C-33 Military version of Douglas DC-2

  7. Expansion • 1940 - 60th, 61st, 62nd, 63rd and 64th Transport Groups activated • Dual mission of providing logistical support and providing transport for new Army airborne units • 1941 - 50th Transport Wing activated • Assigned directly to Chief, US Air Corps • Activated to control transport groups

  8. 1940 • German airborne and glider-borne troops land in Belgium and Holland and capture key bridges and fortified positions • The world, particularly the US military, takes notice • US and British develop their own airborne capabilities • Little attention paid to air transport of ground troops

  9. Douglas C-47/C-53

  10. War! • No air transport units assigned to Philippines. • Douglas B-18s converted into transports • Most lost in attack on Clark Field • Maj. Gen. Lewis Brereton commandeers Philippine Airlines • Retired US Navy enlisted aviator Paul I. Gunn commissioned as captain and placed in command. • Operates in P.I. until Christmas Day, moves to Australia. Gunn leaves family in Manila

  11. Allied Directorate of Air Transport Organized, commanded by RAAF AM Sir Harold Gatty • Capt. Gunn placed in command of transport operations in SW Pacific • Flies supplies to Java and Mindanao • Gunn makes trips to Bataan, lands on Quezon Avenue in Manila in attempt to rescue family • Far East Air Force Air Transport Command established in Australia, February 1942 • 21st Transport Squadron organized • All transport aircraft in Australia assigned, including three Ferry Command B-24As • “Bamboo Fleet” set up on Mindanao to fly supplies to Bataan. Commanded by Maj. Bill Bradford

  12. Last Flight to Del Monte Field • Made by FEAF ATC B-24A, April 29, 1942 • Commanded by Capt. A.J. Mueller of Saguine, TX

  13. Troop Carrier • April, 1942 – Air Transport Command Established • June 1942, USAAF Executive Order #8 Establishes new Air Transport Command from HQ, Air Corps Ferrying Command • Original Air Transport Command becomes I Troop Carrier Command • Exec. Order #8 exempts troop carrier operations from ATC • July 1942 – former transport units redesignated “troop carrier”

  14. New Guinea • Air Transport Command moves antiaircraft battalion to Darwin – first US airlifted troop deployment in history • MacArthur arrives in Australia, orders defense of Papua, New Guinea • 21st Transport Sq. flies supplies to Australian troops operating on Kokoda Track north of Port Moresby • Australian troops load airplanes and serve as “kickers”

  15. New Guinea cont. • US purchases airplanes from Dutch, 22nd Transport Squadron organized • DAT develops air transport procedures, • Australian troops given instruction in aircraft loading and cargo ejection • Deliver supplies by air, usually without parachutes. • 1st Air Cargo Squadron established.

  16. Reinforcements • Maj. Gen. George C. Kenney takes command of Allied air operations in Southwest Pacific, August 1942 • Uses air transport to move troops up from Australia • Operation HAT RACK, moves troops into combat at Wanigela Mission • 6th and 33rd Troop Carrier Squadrons arrive from the US • Kenney activates 374th Troop Carrier Group, Nov 1942. • Troop carriers involved in Battles of Wau and Buna • 54th Troop Carrier Wing organized, early 1943

  17. It Began in New Guinea • Troop carriers become crucial to Papua New Guinea campaign • January 1943, 374th TCG transports airlift reinforcements into remote airfield in Owen Stanley Mountains at Wauas Japanese forces attack while continuing support of Battle of Buna • TC transports evacuate casualties • 317th TCG arrives in Australia and is thrown into Wau operation • Allied troops prevail at Wau. Troop carriers are credited for deciding the Papua Campaign

  18. Advancing in New Guinea • 54th TCW transports deliver supplies to advancing Australian troops • Australians develop air transport procedures that are adopted world-wide • Troop carriers fly construction crews and equipment into remote airfield at Marlinan • Engineers cut 2 ½ ton trucks in half for air transport, bolt them back together after their offloaded. • Gen. Kenney engineers airborne attack on Nadzab. He and MacArthur observe from B-17 • MacArthur “jumps up and down like a kid.”

  19. Nadzab

  20. The Pacific • Troop carrier squadrons operate in the Central Pacific in the logistical role • TCS fly supplies to New Guinea from Australia • As the war in the SW Pacific moves north, troop carriers are heavily involved • Troop carrier squadrons move into the Philippines to support combat operations, frequently by airdrop. • Airborne operation captures Corregidor • Troop carriers move 1st Cavalry and 11th Airborne to Japan after the Japanese agree to surrender

  21. China-Burma-India • Small force of C-47s arrive in India in April 1942 • Commanded by Col. Caleb Haynes, Col. Robert L. Scott was assigned to the unit • Brig. Gen. Earl Naiden sets up air transport routes in CBI • Tenth AF employs CNAC, a Pan American subsidiary, to fly supplies to China • 1st Ferrying Group arrives in June 1942 • Given specific mission of moving supplies to China. • India-China Ferry watched closely by White House • Ferrying Command wanted to maintain command but Gen. Brereton, the theater commander, insisted unit should be assigned to Tenth Air Force

  22. CBI (continued) • Resupply of China slow due to Japanese advances and threats to air transport bases • Civilian named Frank Sinclair complains to White House • ATC Chief of Staff Col. C.R. Smith (former president of American Airlines) lobbies to have India-China Ferry assigned to Air Transport Command. • Transfer takes place February 1, 1943 • Turns out to be a miserable failure • Took almost two years before ATC began meeting goals

  23. Troop Carrier in CBI • Two new troop carrier squadrons organized in India when 1st Ferry Group transfers to ATC – 1st and 2nd • Responsible for resupply of British troops in Burma • 443rd TCG organized in India in February 1944 • 5318th Provisional Air Unit arrives in India; includes a troop carrier section • 5318th redesignated at 1st Air Commando Wing in March 1944.

  24. CBI (continued) • Troop Carriers support British Brigadier Orde Wingate’s operations in Burma • Air commando C-47s tow gliders, troop carriers bring in troops and supplies • Operation Thursday fails to meet objectives and is withdrawn • Troop Carrier squadrons resupply Brig. Gen. Frank Merrill’s 5307th Composite Unit • After marching across Burma, Merrill’s “Marauders” capture the airfield at Myitkyina • Troop carriers bring in Chinese troops • Chinese fail to capture the town; operation turns into a siege • Troop carriers keep them supplied and bring in reinforcements in spite of heavy rain.

  25. CBI (continued) • 3rd Combat Cargo Group formed in India • Combat cargo units are scaled-down troop carrier units (fewer support personnel) • Three CCGs activated, two served in CBI, one in Southwest Pacific • Troop carriers play major role in British operations in Burma • After victory in Burma, troop carrier squadrons transfer to ATC control for operations over “The Hump” and in China • Tenth Air Force B-24s also placed under ATC for transport duty.

  26. Europe • September 1942 – 51st Troop Carrier Wing arrives in UK • 60th Troop Carrier Group arrives UK June 1942. • 64th Troop Carrier Group arrives about the same time. • 62nd Troop Carrier Group arrives September 1942 • All three groups train for paratrooper operations in North Africa

  27. TORCH, Invasion of North Africa • 60th Troop Carrier Group flies 503rd Parachute Infantry to North Africa. (503rd had just been elevated to a regiment and redesignated as 509th) • Operation plagued by confusion. • Some airplanes land in Vichy French territory. • 64th Troop Carrier Group carries British troops • 62nd Troop Carrier Group assigned to logistical support

  28. North Africa (continued) • November 1942 – 316th TCG arrives in Middle East and assigned to Ninth Air Force • 316th C-47s carry supplies for advancing British troops moving across Libya. • Evacuates casualties • As war moves into Tunisia, 316th placed under Northwest Africa Air Force operational control.

  29. HUSKY, the Invasion of Sicily • Airborne operations do not go well. • High winds blow troop carrier formations off course • “Friendly fire” and hostile fire attack troop carriers • Large numbers shot down and damaged • In spite of heavy losses and confusion, airborne and glider troops disrupt German and Italian defenses and capture their objectives

  30. Italy • After the Sicily invasion, troop carrier operations become primarily logistical for a time • The 64th TCG goes TDY to India to support operations in Burma • An airborne operation is conducted behind the beaches at Anzio

  31. Second Thoughts • After Sicily, Eisenhower and Army Ground Forces commander McNair propose breaking up airborne divisions • Marshall and Arnold favor expansion of airborne forces • 17th Airborne performs so well in maneuver at Ft. Bragg that McNair changes his mind • Eisenhower, Bradley and Montgomery remain reluctant

  32. New Developments • Due to the problems in Sicily, new procedures and equipment are developed • Navigators are assigned to squadrons • Eureka radio beacons are developed to be carried by special pathfinders. Rebecca receivers are installed in transports • Special “pathfinder” squadrons are trained to drop pathfinder paratroops in advance of the main assault • Ninth Air Force Quartermasters are trained as “dropmasters” • Their role is to rig cargo and fly on drop missions to assist the crew chief and radio operator as they eject the bundles

  33. IX Troop Carrier Command • In October 1943 Maj. Gen. Brereton moves Ninth Air Force to England • Ninth includes IX Troop Carrier Command, the largest troop carrier force ever assembled • IX TCC commands all US troop carrier units in the UK

  34. Normandy • IX Troop Carrier drops 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions behind the invasion beaches at St. Mere Eglise • German fire causes heavy casualties and the drops are widely scattered • Paratroop operations are followed by glider operations • Many are destroyed on landing due to consistency of hedgerows • Even though only 10% of troops are on the correct drop zone, the drops are considered a success

  35. C-47 Dropping Pack Howitzer

  36. First Allied Airborne Army • Activated early August w/ Lt. Gen. Lewis Brereton in command • British General Frederick “Boy” Browning second in command • IX Troop Carrier Command and British transport units assigned, along with all airborne forces • Organized specifically for airborne operations • Plans more than a dozen operations, most are disapproved by Eisenhower, Bradley and Montgomery in spite of encouragement by Marshall and Arnold to make better use of airborne forces

  37. Market/Garden • Joint airborne/ground operation to capture key bridges across the Rhine in Holland • MARKET airborne operations are a success • Eighth Air Force B-24s drop cargo • IX TCC dropmasters accompany crews • Troop carrier crews are praised for their courage • Paratroops had previously complained about troop carrier pilots – not this time! • One British officer says there’s not a T/C pilot that doesn’t deserve the Victoria Cross • GARDEN ground operations are not • British XXX Corps is held up due to congested roads • British paratroops are forced to withdraw, leaving their wounded behind

  38. B-24s Dropping Cargo

  39. Bastogne • German offensive in Ardennes results in 101st Airborne being cutoff at Bastogne • 82nd is at another town nine miles away • 17th Airborne flown to Reims from UK by IX TCC • Resupply effort initially hampered by weather • Weather clears and troop carrier crews resupply the 101st • Crews take heavy losses. Eight C-47s lost in first two days of drops. One formation loses 13 C-47s after glider release

  40. Varsity – Crossing The Rhine • FM Montgomery insists on massive airborne operations prior to crossing the Rhine • T/C pilots trained as “combat controllers” land in gliders to control airdrops and glider landings • C-46s are used for the first time • Due to poor fuel system design, 20 are shot down • XVIII Airborne Corps commander Gen. Matthew Ridgeway decrees that his men will never be allowed in C-46s again

  41. Postwar Controversy • Troop carrier established as air force mission, assigned to new Tactical Air Command • Airline executives, many of whom are ATC veterans, propose logistical operations should be handled by airlines under contract. • No plans are made for ATC’s continued existence; Air Transport Command officers begin campaign to control all air transport • TAC commander Gen. Paul Williams says no need for ATC, that all air transport operations can be handled by troop carriers • ATC officers seize on Williams’ comment and say that THEY should be responsible for all air transport • Air Staff decrees that future aircraft designs will only be tactical aircraft • Controversy continues until 1970s

  42. United States Air Force • Army Air Corps replaced by new US Air Force, September 1947 • No plans for Air Transport Command • New Department of Defense authorizes a DOD air transport service to provide logistical support for all DOD agencies • ATC commander inserts “deployment of troops” into ATC mission statement. • Secretary of the Air Force lets it stand • Original name to be Armed Forces Air Transport Service • ATC commander proposes “Military”

  43. Berlin Airlift • June 1948 – Soviets blockade Berlin • USAFE begins air lift • Initially uses troop carrier C-47s in Europe • USAFE commander Gen. Lemay asks for C-54s • MATS presses for control of air lift • ATC DCO Maj. Gen. William H. Tunner goes to Weisbaden to set up a command organization. He and his staff are TDY to USAFE • Tunner waged campaign in Pentagon for MATS to “take over’ the air lift. US Army deputy secretary recommends him. • MATS commander claims credit for air lift. • Airlift is exclusively troop carrier from start to finish • All aircraft and crews are assigned to troop carrier groups and squadrons • MATS role is ferrying aircraft and providing logistical support to air lift squadrons

  44. Berlin Airlift – C-47s at Templehof

  45. Korea • North Koreans cross DMZ, June 25, 1947 • Appropriation for development of new transport made at meeting in Pentagon – becomes YC-130 • FEAF troop carriers evacuate Americans from Seoul. • 374th Troop Carrier Wing moves to Japan • 21st TCS formed using C-47s in the Pacific and others flown over from the US. • Gen. MacArthur orders Far East Air Force Combat Cargo Command to airlift troops to Pusan Peninsula • C-54s tear up runways so C-47s become primary

  46. Korea Continued • USAF reserve troop carrier units deploy to Japan • September, 1950 – Tunner goes TDY to Japan to set up airlift command and control organization. • 314th Troop Carrier Group deploys to Japan from Sewart with C-119s • UN troops land at Inchon, 187th Regimental Combat Team arrives too late for airborne operations • Moved to Korea by Combat Cargo Command

  47. Chosin Reservoir • UN troops move rapidly across North Korea, Chinese enter the war • US Marines forced to retreat from Chosin Reservoir • Combat Cargo Command resupplies retreating troops • C-119s drop cargo • 21st TCS “Kyushu Gypsies” land on hastily prepared strips to pick up casualties • C-119s drop Treadway Bridge to span gorge that blocks retreat

  48. Troop Carrier; NOT MATS!

  49. 315th Air Division • Far East Air Force activates 315th Air Division, February 1951 • Commanded by World War II hero Brig. General John “Jock” Henebry • First of three 3rd Attack Group alumni to command 315th. • Others are Gen. Dick Ellis and Col. Charles W. Howe • Responsible for all airlift operations in the Western Pacific • MATS officers sent packing; replaced by men with combat experience

  50. C-119 drop in Korea

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