C-47 and CG-4 glider
The 439th Troop Carrier Group (439th TCG) was a vital unit of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, participating in several key airborne operations in the European Theater of Operations (ETO).
Operational History
Arrival and Preparation:
- The 439th TCG arrived in England in February/March 1944. The unit immediately began preparations for the upcoming Normandy invasion, training extensively for glider-towing and paratroop drops.
D-Day Operations:
- On 6 June 1944 (D-Day), the 439th TCG played a crucial role by transporting paratroops of the 101st Airborne Division in 81 aircraft to Normandy. The following day, the group’s C-47s towed twenty CG-4 and thirty Horsa gliders carrying reinforcements to the Normandy beachheads. These successful operations earned the 439th TCG a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) and a French Croix de Guerre with Palm for their contributions to the liberation of France.
Invasion of Southern France:
- After the Normandy invasion, the 439th TCG served as a general transport unit within the UK. In July 1944, a detachment was sent to Italy to support operations there, including the evacuation of wounded soldiers. On 15 August 1944, the group participated in the invasion of southern France by dropping paratroops of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment and towing gliders carrying supplies. These operations earned the group an additional citation from the French government.
Operation Market Garden:
- The detachment returned to England in late August 1944, and the group resumed cargo-carrying tasks before moving to France in September 1944 to support the Allied advance. Later that month, during Operation Market Garden, the 439th TCG towed 100 CG-4 gliders and dropped troops of the 82nd Airborne Division near Nijmegen, supporting the push to secure key bridges in the Netherlands.
Battle of the Bulge:
- In the winter of 1944-1945, during the Battle of the Bulge, the 439th TCG’s C-47s were heavily involved in transporting supplies to the besieged city of Bastogne. Each of the 72 C-47s towed two gliders to deliver essential supplies to the 101st Airborne Division during this critical phase of the war.
Crossing of the Rhine:
- The group’s next major operation was during the crossing of the Rhine on 24 March 1945, where the 439th TCG supported the 17th Airborne Division by towing gliders to the landing zones near Wesel. This marked the beginning of the final push into Germany.
Post VE-Day Operations:
- After VE-Day (Victory in Europe Day), the 439th TCG transitioned to transporting displaced persons and refugees from Germany to France and Belgium. The group’s trusty C-47s were replaced by C-46 Commando aircraft in April 1945 to assist with these operations. The 439th TCG completed its mission in Europe and returned to the United States in July 1945.
Squadrons and Codes
- 91st Troop Carrier Squadron (TCS): L4
- 92nd Troop Carrier Squadron (TCS): J8
- 93rd Troop Carrier Squadron (TCS): 3B
- 94th Troop Carrier Squadron (TCS): D8
Bases
- Balderton, Lincolnshire: 21 February 1944
- Upottery, Devon: 26 April 1944
- Juvincourt, Champagne-Ardenne (France): 8 September 1944
- Lonray, Basse-Normandie (France): 28 September 1944
- Châteaudun, Alsace (France): 4 November 1944
Commanding Officer
- Col. Charles H. Young: 21 January 1944
Aircraft
- C-47 Skytrain
- C-53 Skytrooper (February 1944 – April 1945)
- C-46 Commando (April 1945 – July 1945)
Unit Decorations
- Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC): France, 6-7 June 1944
- French Croix de Guerre with Palm: 6-7 June 1944, 15 August 1944
- French Fourragere
Aircraft Markings
- The 439th TCG’s aircraft featured standard USAAF two-color camouflage with White or Sky squadron code letters on the forward section of the fuselage. The aircraft call letter was positioned on the tail, just above the aircraft serial number.