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P A R A P H R A S E
NO: 698 & R 4757 (CM-OUT-9934 & 9935)
FROM: CCS to Eisenhower and B.C.S.
DATED: 22 Oct 43
The following directive has been approved by the Combined Chiefs of Staff this date:
The 15th U.S. Air Force (Strategic) will be established under your command consisting initially of the 6 heavy bombardment groups and 2 of the long-range fighter groups present assigned to the 12th Air Force, effective 1 Nov 43. By 31 Mar 44 it is planned to augment this Air Force to an ultimate strength of 21 heavy bombardment groups, 7 long range ftr Gps and 1 Recon Gp. Buildup to reach 12 heavy bomb gps, 4 long range ftr gps and 1 recon gp by 31 Dec 43.
The 15th U.S. Air Force will be employed primarily against targets of the Combined Bomber Offensive, as directed from time to time by the Combined Chiefs of Staff, except that those units of the 15th now assigned to the 12th U.S. Air Force may be employed primarily against objectives other than POINTBLANK, until such time as the air base objective area, north and east of Rome, is secured. There may be assigned to the 15th U.S. Air Force, for a temporary period subsequent to 1 Nov 1943, such additional units of the 12th U.S. Air Force as you determine, which may be employed similarly against tactical objectives.
You will insure that the operations of the 15th U.S. Air Force are closely coordinated by direct liaison with the 8th Air Force in order to improve effectiveness of their operations against targets of the Combined Bomber Offensive and to develop the technique and integrate the employment of airfields and services which facilitate the movement of aircraft from one theater to another.
You are authorized to utilize the 15th U.S. Air Force for purposes other than its primary mission, informing the Combined Chiefs of Staff of the action you have taken, when in your opinion a strategical or tactical emergency requires such action.
As promptly as practicable, you will submit an estimate for the accomplishment of this program of the additional service units required, together with dates of desired arrival.
The following heavy bombardment groups for buildup of the 15th Air Force will come from the United States as a result of which the buildup in the United Kingdom is planned:
28 heavy bombardment groups by 31 Dec
34 heavy bombardment groups by 31 Mar
41 heavy bombardment groups by 30 Jun
CG
NATO
FREEDOM ALGIERS
NO. 1350
Assigned your command is constituted Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 15th Air Force. Desire you activate on 1 November 1943 at station you select in accordance with T/O and E 1-800-1 S-RS dated 15 June 43 and change 1 dated 11 August 1943. From sources under your control, utilize personnel and equipment.
CM OUT 13908 (30 Oct 43)
Transcribed from Official 15th Air Force Records, Sourced, U.S. National Archives
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