World War Photos

C-47 42-93719

The 315th Troop Carrier Group within 8th AF:

Overview and Assignments

• Assigned to 8th Air Force: 1 December 1942 – 16 October 1943.
• Wing & Command Assignment:
  • VIII Air Support Command (ASC): 1 December 1942.

Component Squadrons

• 34th Troop Carrier Squadron: Squadron code NM.
• 43rd Troop Carrier Squadron: Squadron code UA.

Combat Aircraft

• C-47 Skytrain: Primarily used by the 43rd Troop Carrier Squadron.
• C-53 Skytrooper: Primarily used by the 34th Troop Carrier Squadron.

Station

• Aldermaston: 1 December 1942 – 6 November 1943 (Air echelon arrived on 12 December 1942).

Group Commanding Officer

• Lt Col Howard B. Lyon: 27 September 1942 – 9 January 1945.

History

• Activated: 14 February 1942 at Olmsted Field, Pennsylvania.
• Initial Training: The group trained at Bowman Field, Kentucky, and Florence Field, South Carolina.
• Deployment: The group sailed on the Queen Elizabeth on 24 November 1942, arriving in Clyde, Scotland, on 30 November 1942. The air echelon departed from Florence Field on 11 October 1942, flying to Presque Isle, Maine, via Kellogg Field and Battle Creek Army Air Base. However, due to poor weather, the aircraft were delayed for about a month in Bluie West 1, Greenland, before continuing to Iceland and arriving in the UK on 12 December 1942.

While the primary mission of the 315th Troop Carrier Group was to transport airborne troops, the group was mainly used for transport duties around the UK during its time with the Eighth Air Force.

• North African Detachment: In spring 1943, due to attrition and the need for troop carriers in the North African theater, a detachment (Detachment A) of 200 personnel and 16 aircraft from the 315th was sent to Blida, Algeria, to perform routine transport duties for the Twelfth Air Force. Meanwhile, six aircraft that remained in the UK continued their transport missions.

• Reassignment: In October 1943, the group was reassigned to the 9th Air Force, focusing again on its troop carrier mission. The group moved to France in April 1945.

• Inactivation: The group was inactivated in Trinidad in July 1945.

Aircraft Markings and Color Schemes

• C-47 Skytrains and C-53 Skytroopers (December 1942 – October 1943):
  • Aircraft were finished in Dark Olive Drab and Neutral Gray.
  • Yellow tail numbers were used.
  • Squadron code letters were painted 36 inches high in yellow, located forward of the cocarde (national insignia) on both sides of the fuselage, with the individual aircraft letter aft in a similar size and color.
  • 34th Troop Carrier Squadron (C-53s): Aircraft were lettered A to M.
  • 43rd Troop Carrier Squadron (C-47s): Aircraft were lettered N to Z, excluding V.

During the spring of 1943, most of these aircraft were detached to operate in North Africa, reducing the number of operational aircraft in the UK.