491st Fighter-Bomber Squadron explained

Unit Name:	491st Fighter-Bomber Squadron
Dates:	1942-1944
Role:	fighter-bomber
Identification Symbol Label:	491st Fighter-Bomber Squadron emblem (approved 10 July 1943)^[1]

The 491st Fighter-Bomber Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 84th Fighter Group at Harding Field, Louisiana, where it was inactivated on 1 April 1944.

History

The squadron was first activated at Hunter Field, Georgia in February 1942 as one of the four original squadrons of the 84th Bombardment Group. The squadron was briefly equipped with the Vultee V-72 Vengeance, but after experimenting with that unsuccessful aircraft, re-equipped with the Douglas A-24 Banshee The squadron acted as an operational and replacement training unit from late 1942 until disbanding in 1944.^[1]

Lineage

• Constituted as the 304th Bombardment Squadron (Light) on 13 January 1942

Activated on 10 February 1942

Redesignated 491st Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 10 August 1943

Disbanded on 1 April 1944^[1]

Assignments

• 84th Bombardment Group (later 84th Fighter-Bomber Group), 10 February 1942 – 1 April 1944^[1]

Stations

• Hunter Field, Georgia, 10 February 1942
• Drew Field, Florida, 8 February 1943
• Harding Field, Louisiana, 4 October 1943 – 1 April 1944^[1]

Aircraft

• Vultee V-72 Vengeance, 1942
• Douglas A-24 Banshee, 1942–1943
• Bell P-39 Airacobra, 1943
• Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, 1943–1944.^[1]

References

Bibliography

• Book: Maurer, Maurer. Air Force Combat Units of World War II. 1961. 17 December 2016. reprint. 1983. Office of Air Force History. Washington, DC. 0-912799-02-1. 61060979.
• Book: Maurer, Maurer. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II. 1969. reprint. 1982. Office of Air Force History. Washington, DC. 0-405-12194-6. 72556. 70605402.

Notes and References

1. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp.491-492