00244242 UNCLASSIFIED 2431273 07-01-1944 2431426 12-01-1944

ARMY AIR FORCES SERVICE COMMAND, MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

HISTORY 636.01 V.1 VOL 1 OF 2 8459 A6140 264 1068 43 2447253 04-01-1988 ON 1 JAN 44 THE ORIGINAL 12 AIR FORCE SERVICE COMMAND WAS REDESIGNATED ARMY AIR FORCES SERVICE COMMAND, MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (AAFSC/MTO). ITS MISSION WAS OVERALL SUPPLY AGENCY FOR THE UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN THEATER. IN JUN 44, AAFSC/MTO WAS CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF ITALIAN MILITARY UNITS FOR ALL COMMANDS OF THE ARMY AIR FORCES, MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. INCLUDED IN THE ITALIAN TROOPS ARRIVING FROM SARDINIA WAS AN ITALIAN DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS, THE 205 DIVISION, COMMANDED BY AN ITALIAN GENERAL. IN OCT 44, THIS HEADQUARTERS WAS ASSIGNED TO AAFSC/MTO. THE AAFSC/MTO ORGANIZED ALL OF ITS TWELVE THOUSAND ITALIAN TROOPS UNDER THIS DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND ESTABLISHED THE HEADQUARTERS IN NAPLES, ITALY. AAFSC/MTO ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPPLY AND MAINTENANCE OF ITALIAN TROOPS SUPPORTING UNITED STATES FORCES. AN IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY OF AAFSC/MTO DURING THE LAST HALF OF 1944 WAS THE EXPANSION OF THE LOCAL MANUFACTURE OF BREATHING OXYGEN. DURING THE LATTER PART OF 1944, AAFSC/MTO CONTINUED TO ADMINISTER 1 AIR SERVICE AREA COMMAND, ADRIATIC DEPOT, ALLIED AIR FORCE AREA COMMAND, FIELD UNITS, AND ARMY AIR FORCES REST CAMPS. BRIG GEN LYMAN P. WHITTEN SUCCEEDED BRIG GEN HAROLD A. BARTON AS COMMANDING GENERAL OF AAFSC/MTO ON 1 AUG 44. BRIG GEN ALDEN R. CRAWFORD SUCCEEDED BRIG GEN FRED S. BORUM AS CHIEF OF THE AIR SUPPLY DIVISION. NONE