41st Air Depot Group

Historical Documents

Notation: Some of the included/following documents are copies/scans presented in pdf format; others have been transcribed, ocr from official military unit documents without corrections. Some material was difficult to read and transcribe, sometimes this is noted in the transcription. Some originals may have been missing sections or pages. Spelling was not corrected. Documents are not meant to be a complete record, they are only what has been reasonbly-readable. In some cases document formatting-layout may have been altered to enable better viewing on a web page with multiple devices.

 Unit History March 1944
 Unit History April 1944
 Unit History May 1944
 Unit History June 1944
 Unit History August 1944
 Unit History October 1944
 Unit History 415th ADS July 1944

SECTION I

SECTION I - Activation to Receipt of Overseas Movement Orders.

On March 4, 1942 Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 41st Air Depot Group, was activated by authority of General Order No. 10, HQ San Antonio Air Depot, Duncan Field, San Antonio, Texas, dated March 4, 1942, which was in compliance with General Order No. 15, HQ Air Service Command, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, dated February 7, 1942.

Major Carl A. Diemer was assigned to Squadron March 4, 1942, per paragraph 7, Special Order No. 61, HQ SAAD, Duncan Field, San Antonio, Texas, and assumed command of 41st Air Depot Group and was attached to Headquarters Squadron as Commanding Officer, per General Order No. 1, Headquarters 41st Air Depot Group.

On March 7, 1942, Armand L. Marteletti and William J. Lindsey, the first enlisted men, were assigned to the Squadron. The organization was transferred from Duncan Field, Texas, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, per Special Order No. 134, HQ SAAD, Duncan Field, Texas, dated May 17th 1942. Two officers and twenty-nine enlisted men left Duncan Field by bus May 17, 1942 and arrived at Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 20, 1942. Transportation and organization arrived on scheduled time. The Air Depot Training Station was newly activitated, therefore, it possessed no equipment nor was there adequate material for technical and tactical training. The men were given training in rifle marksmanship. They were given the job of building up the station, leveling the ground, making roads, building shelters, etc. There was opportunity for judgment of the value of the men in their duty classification due to the inefficiency of the station. The morale of the men was always very high.

After a few months it was possible for the organization to obtain technical training at Kirtland Field, New Mexico, which was approximately two and one-half miles from the Air Depot Training Station. Here many of the men were given advanced technical training. Automotive operators, mechanics, clerks, airplanes mechanics and supply clerks received at Kirtland Field the training which was necessary for them to properly set up their own organization.

During the months of July, August and September, approximately forty enlisted men were assigned to the Squadron. Most of these had already received their basic training and technical training before assignment. There were approximately seventy-five Signal Corps men assigned to Headquarters Squadron in September. This group of men were unorganized and could not function as a unit. Therefore, they were a definite detriment to the training and administration of this organization. They were given Squadron and Post duties in perform, which weren't in accordance with their classifications nor purpose. In November this group of men was transferred to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

By the beginning of December there were approximately ninety officers and two hundred fifty enlisted men in Headquarters Squadron. Many of these had received technical training before assignment and advanced technical training at Kirtland Field. Most of the men were given opportunity to obtain this training and many basics were reclassified to duties of specialists.

In December of 1942 and January of 1943 many overages were transferred from the organization. Of the men remaining, many were sent to technical training schools throughout the country. Airplane mechanics and ordnance men were sent to Carlabad, New Mexico for practical experience on the line. By this time the Air Depot Training Station had developed to the extent that it was possible for the organization to obtain training on the station. The majority of the men were doing the jobs for which they were best suited, in accordance with their duty classifications. Morale was high and the ability of the men was greatly increased.

By the end of January the strength of the organization had become more settled. The number of officers assigned was seventeen and the number of enlisted men assigned was a little over one hundred and fifty. During the month of February the organization was taken off mobilization duties and post station duties.

In the beginning of March most of the men of the organization, who were on detached service, returned to their organization. Then there began an extensive training program. The time was split into two major training periods. One portion of the day was spent in participation in "Combat Training" exercises. In this training were included cantonment exercises; defense against air, ground and gas attack; bivouac, concealment and camouflage training; road marches, hikes and formal parade and retreat formations were held. A second portion of the day was spent in "On the Job Training" exercises, which consisted in actual work in the daily specialized or the men receiving valuable technical technical and tactical training, which would enable them to function as a combined unit under actual war conditions. During this training period the morale of the men was usually high, however, since some of the shifts were irregular and hard physically on the men, morale sometimes ran a bit low. But, on the whole, the organization was hardened and given experience which would later make it possible for them to endure hardships which they might meet in the field.

On July 7, 1943, with seventeen officers and one hundred forty enlisted men, including five attached Finance men, the Headquarters Squadron together with the rest of the 41st Air Depot Group, departed from Albuquerque, New Mexico, on a seven day road march and bivouac through the surrounding country of New Mexico. For seven days the organization experienced the actual conditions of modern warfare. The morale of the men was excellent and the training that they received since March of 1943 was evident in their ability to take all obstacles in their stride. This completed the training of the organization and steps were then taken to prepare for overseas movement.

By July 21, 1943, all organizational equipment had been received and was in the process of being packed. Individual shortages were being filled and items that were worn or damaged were salvaged to such an extent that almost all of the individual clothing and equipment needed was in the hands of the men. Individual weapons were received. The men were trained in their use and completed both practice and record firing. By July 26, 1943, the strength of the organization was in accordance with T/O 1-502, dated July 1, 1942. There were nineteen officers and one hundred fifty enlisted men in the organization. At this time a representative of the American Red Cross was assigned.

SECTION II

SECTION II - Receipt of Overseas Movement Orders to Arrival in Theatre of Operations.

On August 7, 1943, by authority of Special Order No. 191, HQ ADTS, Albuquerque, New Mexico, dated August 7, 1943, which was in compliance with Letter, Movement Order Shipment #4444 Hq WD, Washington, DC, dated July 31, 1943, the organization departed from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and traveled by train to staging area, Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. An advance detail, consisting of 1st Lt Alfred A. Rush, per 41st Air Depot Supply Supply, 41st Air Depot Group. Transportation was adequate and organization arrived at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, at scheduled time, August 10, 1943.

At Camp Kilmer shortages of individual equipment and clothing were received. Some of the men were detailed for Camp duties. Many of the men were given passes to nearby cities. Morale was excellent. Organization was up to T/O strength, 19 officers, one Red Cross representative and one hundred fifty enlisted men. No fillers were received.

On August 19, 1943 the organization left Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, by authority of Letter, Movement Orders, HQ Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, dated August 15, 1943. Travel was by train and ferry to New York Port of Embarkation. Arrived New York Port of Embarkation August 20 and boarded USAT Thomas H. Barry. Departed New York Port of Embarkation for destination overseas August 21, 1943. After fourteen days of travel aboard USAT Thomas H. Barry, the organization debarked at AAF Staging Area, Bizerte, Tunisia, September 4, 1943, and road marched five miles and encamped in AAF Staging Area.

SECTION III

SECTION III - Arrival in Theatre of Operations to Present Time.

After five days in AAF Staging Area, Bizerte, Tunisia, organization transferred, by truck, to Sidi Ahmed, Tunisia, by authority of Movement Order No. 48, HQ II ASAC (SP). Permanent camp was set up in Sidi Ahmed, Eastern Base Section. After setting up camp the men were given duties in the newly organized 1st Sub Depot. At the present time there are still nineteen officers, one red cross representative and one hundred fifty enlisted men in Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 41st Air Depot Group.

For the Squadron Commander:

[Signature] RICHARD P. BLASE, 2d Lt, Air Corps, Adjutant.