RESTRICTED

444^TH BOMB GROUP (H) HISTORICAL DATA

(444^th Bomb Group Activation)

Activated on March 1, 1943:Authority: Classified General Order, 2 AF #50, Section II, par 1, the four squadrons: 676^th, 677^th, 678^th and 679^th of the 444^th Bomb Group were established at their first station; Davis Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona.

This Group was first set up under a Table of Organization for a regular Bomb Group (H), a modified Parent Group. Later, its status became that of a Replacement Training Unit. While operating on this basis, combat crews were being trained in First Phase work. Commitments in training were fifty-eight crews per month.

The first office assigned to the 444^th Bomb Group was Captain H. I. Gandy. Captain Gandy acted as a liason officer between A-3 of 2^nd AF and Col. Alva Harvey, Army Project Supervisor, Boeing Plant, 6600 Ellis Avenue, Seattle, Washington.

Following that, TWX 2^nd AF R1795G, 12 March 1943, relieved Lt. Col. G.B. Matthews of duty at AAB Topeka, Kansas and ordered him to Davis Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona. The said TWX was later amended by TWX 2^nd AF R3, 14 March 1943 to add TPA.

Temporarily lacking a commanding officer, Major Arthur T. Snell, 39^th Bomb Group (H), Davis Monthan Field, in addition to his regular duties was attached to the 444^th BG as CO. Authority: TWX 2^nd AF R3973C, 27 March 1943. This appointment appeared on Davis Monthan Field, Special Order #87, paragraph 7, 28 March 1943. On the same order, paragraph 8, appeared the appointment of Lt. Colonel G.B. Matthews as Group Executive Officer and paragraph 10 assigned 12 Engineering Officers to the Group. Find list attached.