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The group was sent overseas to Australia in January 1942 and was assigned to the Fifth Air Force. They moved to Darwin in April 1942 and was redesignated 49th Fighter Group in May. The group was equipped with P-40's Curtiss P-40 Warhawk aircraft in Australia and after a brief period of training, provided air defense for the Northern Territory.
There were three USAAF pursuit groups in Australia, the 8th, 35th and 49th, but Wurtsmith's was the only one considered combat ready. Of the 102 pilots in his group, only Wurtsmith, with 4,800 hours of pursuit time, and his executive officer, Major Donald R. Hutchinson, with 2,600 hours, were veteran pilots. Five others had more than 600 hours ...
Gerald Richard Johnson (June 23, 1920 – October 7, 1945) was a World War II flying ace who flew for the United States Army Air Forces.Johnson commanded the 9th Fighter Squadron and 49th Fighter Group, and became the fourth ranking fighter ace in the Pacific during World War II.
The 49th was only the third USAF unit to operate the F-105. As part of United States Air Forces Europe, the 9th participated in many NATO exercises. In February 1967, the 9th opened the 49th weapons training detachment at Wheelus Air Base, Libya, to begin transition to the McDonnell F-4D Phantom II, and received its first F-4D on 9 March 1967. [5]
George Earl Preddy Jr. (February 5, 1919 – December 25, 1944) was a United States Army Air Forces officer during World War II and an American ace credited with 26.83 enemy air-to-air kills (a number that includes shared one-half and one-third victory credits), [1] ranking him as the top P-51 Mustang ace of World War II and eighth on the list of highest scoring American aces.
The squadron was first activated in early 1941 at Hamilton Field, California as the 49th Pursuit Squadron [5] one of the original three squadrons of the 14th Pursuit Group. [7] The squadron trained with Republic P-43 Lancers until it was equipped with early model Lockheed P-38 Lightnings .
The 49th Operations Group traces its origins to the formation of the 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) at Selfridge Field, Michigan on 20 November 1940. The group trained with Seversky P-35s and consisted of three operational squadrons (7th, 8th, and 9th). [4] P-40E of the 7th Fighter Squadron – 49th Fighter Group – Australia – March 1942
Dick Cresswell Squadron Leader Cresswell as commanding officer of No. 77 Squadron, Darwin, December 1942 Nickname(s) "Mr Double Seven" Born 27 July 1920 Launceston, Tasmania Died 12 December 2006 (2006-12-12) (aged 86) Canberra Allegiance Australia Service/branch Royal Australian Air Force Service years 1938–57 Rank Wing Commander Unit No. 3 Squadron (1939–40) No. 2 Service Flying Training ...