Fifteenth Air Force History

15th Air Force History

At its peak, the Fifteenth Air Force striking force consisted of five bomb wings with 21 bombardment groups, plus seven fighter groups providing escort protection. The bombardment groups operated B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators for bombing missions, while P-38 Lightnings, P-47 Thunderbolts, and P-51 Mustangs served as fighter escorts.

By April 1945, the Fifteenth Air Force had grown to become a formidable force with approximately:

1,500 bombers
800 fighters
70,000 personnel

Italian Bases and Operations

After its formation in Tunisia, the Fifteenth Air Force relocated to bases around the Foggia Plains in southern Italy by December 1943. New groups of B-17 and B-24s would be added to the 15th in 1944 until it was at its full and final strength. From there, it was able to reach targets across:

Southern Germany
Austria
Hungary
Romania
Bulgaria
Yugoslavia
Greece
Czechoslovakia
Poland
Northern Italy
France

The Italian bases provided strategic advantages, allowing attacks on targets that were out of range for bombers operating from England.

Major Campaigns and Operations

Oil Campaign

One of the Fifteenth Air Force's most significant contributions was targeting Axis oil production facilities. The Ploesti oil fields in Romania were a primary target, supplying approximately 60% of Germany's crude oil requirements. Despite heavy defenses and difficult conditions, the Fifteenth Air Force conducted numerous raids against these facilities.

The most famous Ploesti raid occurred on August 1, 1943 (Operation Tidal Wave), carried out by the then African based 9th Air Force and before the Fifteenth's formation. This was also known as the 'low-level' mission. However, overlooked by many historians and not realized by the general public, the 15th sent 21 missions to Ploesti from May to August of 1944. These were not of the low-level type but rather the high altitude strategic missions for which the Fifteenth was known for and which it excelled.

Transportation Campaign

The Fifteenth Air Force targeted rail yards, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure to disrupt German supply lines.in what was known as Operation Strangle. Key marshaling yards in cities like Vienna, Budapest, and Munich were frequently bombed.

Industrial Targets

The unit attacked aircraft factories, ball bearing plants, tank factories, and other industrial centers across Southern Europe. The Messerschmitt plants in Regensburg and Wiener Neustadt were primary targets.

Operation Frantic

In summer 1944, the Fifteenth Air Force participated in Operation Frantic, a series of shuttle bombing missions where aircraft would take off from Italian bases, bomb targets in Eastern Europe, and land at Soviet bases rather than returning to Italy. This allowed for deeper penetration into enemy territory.

Notable Operations

Vienna Offensive (March-April 1945)

A series of raids against Vienna's industrial areas, oil refineries, and transportation hubs that effectively crippled the city's capacity to support the German war effort.

The Anzio Support Missions (January-May 1944)

Provided crucial air support for the Allied landings at Anzio, targeting German reinforcements and supply lines.

The Raid on Debrecen (September 21, 1944)

A successful bombing raid against German armor and transportation facilities in Hungary that helped support Soviet ground operations.

Operation Strangle (March-May 1944)

Campaign against Italian Transportation

Operation Frantic (Summer 1944)

Shuttle Missions between Italy and Russian bases.

Operation Anvil/Dragoon (August 12-16, 1944)

Bombardment in support of the Southern France Invasion.

Tuskegee Airmen Connection

The 332nd Fighter Group, composed of African American pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen, was part of the Fifteenth Air Force; they arrived in Italy 3 February 1944. The "Red Tails," as they were known from their distinctive aircraft markings, completed over 1,500 missions and earned an impressive record, particularly in bomber escort duties.