00240253 7753-1 UNCLASSIFIED 2431386 10-22-1944 2431597 05-21-1945

0001 TACTICAL AIR FORCE (PROVISIONAL)

HISTORY 549.01 V.1 8156 C5025 1481 1786 35 2447210 02-18-1988 DESCRIBED IN INTRODUCTION AS FRANCO-AMERICAN AIR ARM. INTRODUCTION STATES THAT VIRTUALLY ALL A-3 (OPERATIONS) RECORDS WERE DESTROYED. STUDY PREPARED BETWEEN JUN AND OCT 45 BY LT CARROLL W. STEWART. NARRATIVE NOTES FIRST MENTION OF 1 TACTICAL AIR FORCE (PROVISIONAL) (1TAF) IN OCT 44 IN DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING TRANSFER OF ELEMENTS OF 12 AIR FORCE (AF) TO 9AF. STATES THAT THE RAISON D'ETRE FOR 1TAF WAS TO PROVIDE COMMAND STRUCTURE FOR ELEMENTS OF FORMER FRENCH AIR DEFENSE COMMAND IN NORTH AFRICA. 1TAF WAS ALSO TO INCLUDE ELEMENTS DERIVED FROM 12AF AND 9AF. INCLUDES DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PLANNING AND NEGOTIATIONS WHICH LED TO CREATION OF 1TAF OUT OF XII TACTICAL AIR COMMAND (AND CREATION OF 1 FRENCH TACTICAL AIR COMMAND). LISTS SUBORDINATE UNITS (64 FIGHTER WING) OF 1TAF. INCLUDES ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF 12 AIR FORCE. ACTIVATED 20 OCT 44 AT VITTEL, FRANCE, UNDER ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF UNITED STATES STRATEGIC AIR FORCES IN EUROPE (USSTAF). ORGANIZED TO SUPPORT 6 ARMY GROUP IN SOUTHERN FRANCE (OPERATION DRAGOON). CONTAINS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 1TAF ORGANIZATION. 1TAF ACQUIRED 71 FIGHTER WING, 24 OCT 44, AND WAS CONSOLIDATED WITH 63 FIGHTER WING. ACQUIRED 42 BOMBARDMENT WING, 6 JAN 45. 1TAF PARTICIPATED IN DISARMAMENT OPERATIONS (OPERATION ECLIPSE). 1TAF REORGANIZED FEB 45 AND MAJ GEN ROBERT M. WEBSTER ASSUMED COMMAND (22 FEB 45). CONDUCTED MOVEMENT TO HEIDELBERG, GERMANY, 7 APR 45. 1TAF INACTIVATED, 21 MAY 45. CONTAINS DETAILED NARRATIVE OF 1TAF OPERATIONS, ESPECIALLY REDUCTION OF COLMAR POCKET, OPERATION CLARION AIR ASSAULT ON ENEMY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, ASSAULT ON SIEGFRIED LINE, DESTRUCTION OF GERMAN ARMY GROUP G, AND FINAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST LUFTWAFFE (GERMAN AIR FORCE) IN OPERATION RIPTIDE, APR 45. OPERATIONS NARRATIVES INCLUDE OPERATIONAL STATISTICS. INCLUDES HISTORICAL NARRATIVE CHAPTER ON FRENCH AIR FORCE (EQUIPPED WITH SPITFIRE, P-47, A-24, B-36, DEWOITINE FIGHTER, GLENN/MARTIN BOMBER AND B-26 AIRCRAFT) ESPECIALLY AIR OPERATIONS IN OPENING OF THE GIRONDE ESTUARY (OPERATION VENERABLE). OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF FRENCH AIR FORCES ATTEMPTED. INCLUDES CHAPTER ON COMMUNICATIONS. FINAL CHAPTER DISCUSSES MAJOR PROBLEMS FACED BY 1TAF. NARRATIVE INCLUDES FOOTNOTES. NONE