Appendix 4 - Action Status of the Antisubmarine Command, 23 March, and 26 August 1943.*
 
     
 
ACTION STATUS of ANTISUBMARINE COMMAND
 
 
23 March 1943
 
     
 
1 A/S Sq. - Report of March 17 shows 10/B-24s of air echelon at Port Lyautey.  Balance of air echelon and ground echelons in process of moving.  Two of replacement crews and planes had arrived and were closely followed by two more.  Total for squadrons - 19 B-24s.  Three replacement aircraft have been allocated but no replacement crews will be made available until after April 30th.  Roberts requests 5 extra pilots, 2 navigators and 2 bombardiers.  Replacement crews will be trained from other squadrons for future shipment.  Action has been taken to carry his provisional wing personnel in 25th Wing to relieve acute promotion problem in these squadrons pending organization of a recommended 27th A. S. Wing with appropriate manning table.
     
2 A/S Sq. - Same as the one above (1 A/S Sq.)
     
3 A/S Sq. - Fort Dix - 12 B-25s - no special equipment.
     
4 A/S Sq. - Mitchel Field
    2 B-24s in sub depot
    9 B-18Bs
    6 B-24 crews trained and 5 now at school.  Training B-24s from 6 A/S Sq. to be turned over to this sq. upon receipt of operational B-24s by 6 A/S Sq.
     
5 A/S Sq. - Westover Field
    9 B-25's - no special equipment.  3 B-25's in sub depot.  Three B-24 crews at school.
    Operational.
     
6 A/S Sq. - Westover Field
    6 B-24's for training and limited operations
    2 Winterized B-24's just received to be followed by additional 10 from Warner Robbins.  Scheduled to move north by May 1.  Orders requested for movement to be made upon receipt and calibration of equipment.  4 crews will have completed Wing training schedule by April 1 and 8 crews
 
     
  *  Action Status Report, prepared by the Antisubmarine Command, and preserved in AAFAC file 241/1/  
     
 
292
  
     
     

 

     
     
 
293
  
     
 
    by April 15.  As operational B-24's are received training B-24's will be made available to 4 AS/Sq. and 8 AS/Sq.
     
7 AS/Sq. - Jacksonville
    4 B-34's, scheduled for transfer
    10 B-18B's 3 of these and portion of flight echelon ground crew enroute to Trinidad - 7 additional will be sent to Trinidad to relieve flight echelon of 9 AS/Sq. upon completion of transition and training.  2 additional Bs can be made available to this squadron provided 26 Vg can furnish crews.
     
8 AS/Sq. - 36th St. Miami
    9 B-34's due for transfer
    3 B-24's two with radar
    6 B-24 crews trained and 6 at school until April 1.
    Additional B-24's will be made available in April from 6 AS/Sq.
     
9 AS/Sq. - Trinidad
    10 B-18B's.  Six aircraft enroute Miami to be followed by remaining 4 when replaced by 7 AS/Sq.  12 crews of this squadron scheduled to attend April class at school.
     
10 AS/Sq. - Galveston
    7 B-34's which are to be transferred squadron is operational at present but due to transition to B-25's.  Two crews for B-24's completing school March 30.
     
11 AS/Sq. - Fort Dix
    Transition to B-25's underway O-52's to B-34's to B-25's.
    Limited operations.  Lack of navigators serious.
     
12 AS/Sq. - Langley Field
    Transition O-47 to B-18 completed.
    Some pilots still limited.  Lack of navigators serious.
    Limited operations.  12 B-18B's
     
13 AS/Sq. - Grenier Field
    12 B-25's.  Transition O-47 - B-34 - B-25
    Limited operations.  Only one navigator.
     
14 AS/Sq. - Otis Field
    Transition O-47 to B-25's completed.
    Only one navigator - Operational with the exception of navigators.
     
15 AS/Sq. - Jacksonville
    Has 12 B-34's having just about completed transition from O-47's.  Is on a limited operation status.  Loss of B-34's in the immediate future will necessitate transition B-25's and B-24's.  Shortage of navigators.
 
     
     

 

     
     
 
294
  
     
 
16 AS/Sq. - Charleston
    Transition from O-47's to B-34's completed and squadron has been operation with 8 B-34's for past month.  Loss of B-34's will require additional transition period to B-25's and 24's.  Instrument lacking.  No link trainer has been available.  One enroute to base, one navigator.
     
17 AS/Sq. - Boca Chica
    Transition from O-47's to B-34's just completed and squadron on limited operation status.  Shortage of personnel still exists.  Transition to B-25's beginning as soon as airplanes can be made available.
     
18 AS/Sq. - Langley Field.
    School Squadron.  All training of B-24 crews and ground personnel carried on here.  12 B-24's with various categories of equipment are used.  Present class is 20 air and ground crews.  24 crews schedules for April.  The present 30 day course may have to be increased in time as the experience level of the crews being trained decreases.  Priority in training of heavy crews has been given to squadrons having the most medium experience.
     
19 AS/Sq. - Langley Field
    Air echelon enroute to Gander.
    12 B-17's.  Ground echelon to be moved by personnel orders as transportation is available.  Only organization equipment short in 20th AS/Sq. to be taken.  One B-17 delayed due to mechanical trouble and special mission.
     
20 AS/Sq. - Gander
    4 B-17's with Mark 2 radar.  Squadron just assigned this command and still has substantial detachments on other duty.  Air echelon of 19th will be attached on arrival at Gander.  Detachment at Argentia being moved to Gander.
     
21 AS/Sq. - New Orleans
    12 O-47's.  An observation squadron redesignated March.  Action to have this squadron transferred to the command several months ago was initiated due to the experience of personnel in antisubmarine missions while attached for operations.  Plan the immediate move of squadron to Gulfport to begin transition to B-25's.  Present field not suitable for transition and operation of medium equipment.
     
22nd AS/Sq. - Cherry Point, N. C.  (Marine Base)
    10 A-29's.  This squadron assigned to the command March and redesignated.  Is qualified as operational with A-29's.  Due to the experience of pilots it is planned to give
 
     
     

 

     
     
 
295
  
     
 
    squadron a high priority in transition and assignment of B-24's.  13 crews scheduled for April class at Ly.
     
23rd AS/Sq. - San Antonio de los Banos
    12 A-29's.  This squadron assigned to the command March and redesignated.  Consists of an air echelon only as the ground echelon was absorbed by 4th A.F.  The air echelon was moved to present location duty to tactical situation and it is planned to return it to Drew Field where ground echelon will be formed from a cadre and filler personnel.  Air echelon is operational with present equipment but will be reequipped and trained on B-34's on a high priority.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
     
     

 

     
     
 
296
  
     
 
ACTION STATUS OF ANTISUBMARINE COMMAND
 
 
26 August 1943
 
     
 
1st A/S Sq. - Port Lyautey, Africa
and   22 B-24's - Operational (VLR(E) 517 RADAR)
2md A/S Sq.   2 B-24's - Operational (VLR 517 RADAR)
    Remarks - One replacement crew now en route in a VLR(E) B-24 517 RADAR aircraft; aircraft included in above figures.  One B-24 VLR(E) 717 modified nose turret replacement aircraft not included in above figures scheduled to depart from Langley Field 27 August 1943.  Orders have been requested for an additional replacement aircraft.
         
479th A/S Op - St. Eval, Great Britain
(4th, 6th,   67 B-24's - Operational (VLR(E) 717 RADAR)
19th & 22nd   Remarks - 15 of above now en route.
A/S Sqdns.)       Orders received rescinding movement of the ground echelon of the 6th and 22nd Antisubmarine Squadrons to Great Britain.  2 acft. with crews to depart Langley 27 August 1943.
         
3rd A/S Sq. - Fort Dix, New Jersey
    10 B-24's - Operational (VLR(E) no RADAR)
    1 B-24 - Operational (VLR(E) 717 RADAR)
    2 B-24's - In depot (VLR 517 RADAR)
    4 B-25's - Operational
    Crews - 11 trained B-24 crews.
         
5th A/S Sq. - Westover Field, Mass.
    2 B-24's - Operational (VLR(E) 717 RADAR)
    4 B-24's - Operational (VLR(E) No RADAR)
    1 B-24 - Operational VLR 517 RADAR)
    2 B-24's - In depot (VLR(E) 517 RADAR)
    1 B-24 - In depot (VLR 421 RADR)
    5 B-25's - Operational
    1 B-25 - In Depot
    Crews - 13 trained B-24 crews
         
7th A/S Sq. - Jacksonville, Florida
    No aircraft assigned
    Remarks - Squadron scheduled to complete OTU training 4 Sept. 1943
         
8th A/S Sq. - Trinidad, B.W.I.
    12 B-24's - Operational (VLR(E) 717 RADAR)
    Remarks - 4 of the above aircraft now at Miami awaiting transfer.
    Crews - 12 trained B-24 crews
 
     
     

 

     
     
 
297
  
     
 
9th A/S Sq. - 36th Street Airport, Miami, Florida
    9 B-24's - Operational (VLR(E) No RADAR)
    1 B-25 - In depot
    Crews - 12 trained B-24 crews
         
10th A/S/ Sq. - Fort Dix, New Jersey
    5 B-24's - Operational (VLR(E) No RADAR)
    1 B-24 - Operational (VLR 521 RADAR)
    4 B-25's - Operational
    1 B-25 - In depot
    3 B-34's - Operational (Radar and two reel)
    Crews - 12 trained B-24 crews
         
12 A/S Sq. - Langley Field, Virginia
    4 B-24's - Operational (VLR(R) No RADAR)
    1 B-24 - In depot (VLR(E) No RADAR)
    6 B-25's - Operational
    2 B-25's - In depot
    Remarks - 12 trained B-24 crews
         
13th A/S Sq. - Grenier Field. N. H.
    5 B-24's - Operational (VLR(E) No RADAR)
    3 B-24's - In depot (VRL(E) No RADAR)
    5 B-25's - Operational
    4 B-25's - In depot
    Crews - 12 trained B-24 crews
         
14th A/S Sq. - Otis Field. Mass.
    6 B-24's - Operational (VLR(E) No RADAR)
    4 B-25 - Operational
    4 B-25's - In depot
    Crews - 12 trained B-24 crews
         
15th A/S Sq. - Batista Field, Cuba.
    9 B-24's - Operational (VLR(E) No RADAR - 1 of which is at Miami awaiting transfer)
    2 B-24's - Operational (VLR 521 RADAR)
    9 B-25's - Operational
    2 B-34's - Operational (RADAR and tow reel)
    Crews - 12 trained B-24 crews
 
     
     

 

     
     
 
298
  
     
 
16th A/S Sq. - Charleston, S. C.
    7 B-25's - In depot
    1 B-34 - In depot (RADAR and tow reel)
    Remarks - Squadron scheduled to complete OTU training 28 Aug. 43.
         
17th A/S Sq. - 36th Street Airport, Miami, Florida
    1 B-34 - In depot (RADAR and tow reel)
    Remarks - Squadron entered OTU training 23 August 1943
         
18th A/S Sq. - Langley Field, Virginia - Operational Training Squadron
    8 B-24's - Operational (VLR(E) 717 RADAR - 5 of which are replacements)
    3 B-24's - Operational (VLR(E) 517 RADAR)
    1 B-24 - Operational (VLR(E) 521 RADAR)
    5 B-24's - Operational (VLR 517 RADAR)
    7 B-24's - Operational (VLR No RADAR)
    1 B-24 - In depot (VLR(E) 717 RADAR)
    1 B-24 - In depot (VLR(E) 517 RADAR)
    1 B-24 - In depot (VLR 517 RADAR)
    1 B-24 - In depot (VLR No RADAR)
         
20th A/S Sq. - Mitchel Field
    12 B-17's - Operational (VLR RADAR)
    3 B-17's - In depot (VLR RADAR)
    1 B-34 - Operational (RADAR and tow reel)
         
21st A/S Sq. - Gulfport, Miss.
    5 B-25's - Operational
    1 B-25 - In depot
    Remarks - 4 crews on DS at Trinidad with 12 crews of the 23rd Antisubmarine Squadron
         
23rd A/S Sq. - Drew Field, Tampa, Florida
    16 B-25G's - Operational
    Remarks - 12 crews augmented by 4 crews of the 21st Antisubmarine Squadron on DS at Trinidad
         
24th A/S Sq. - Westover Field, Mass.
    11 B-25's - Operational
         
25th A/S Sq. - Jacksonville, Florida
    11 B-25's - Operational
    1 B-25 - In depot
 
     
  NOTE:  9 B-24 VLR(E) 717 RADAR aircraft are a Middletown Air Depot for nose turret modification and are not reflected in preceding figures.  
     
     

 

     
     
 
299
  
     
 
Hq. & Hq. Sq. - Mitchell Field, N. Y.
Anti-Sub   1 A-17 - Operational
Comd.   1 B-18 - Operational
    1 BT-14 - Operational
    1 RB-25A - Operational
    1 O-60 - Operational
    3 UC-78's - Operational
         
Hq. Sq. 25th - Mitchel Field, N. Y.
A/S Wing.   3 UC-78s - Operational
    1 RB-25 - Operational
    1 A-39 - In depot
         
Hq. Sq. 26th - 36th Street Airport, Miami, Florida
A/S Wing.   2 B-25's - Operational
    4 UC-78's - Operational
    1 B-18 - Operational
 
     
  Summary of Aircraft  
     
 
TACTICAL
  
     
 
 
B-24 VLR(E)
B-24 VLR
B-25
B-17
B-34
Operational
166
21
80
12
7
In depot
  17
  8
24
  3
2
 
     
 
NON TACTICAL
 
     
 
 
A-17A
A-29
B-18
BT-14
B-25
O-60
UC-78
Operational
1
-
2
1
4
1
10
In depot
-
1
-
-
-
-
-
 
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

 

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