9th Airforce

The Ninth Air Force of the United States Army Air Forces was activated on April 1, 1942, and was initially intended for tactical and intermediate air operations. It was first deployed in the Middle East and North Africa, where its units took part in air operations against Axis forces from late 1942 as part of the North African campaign, then during the Allied advance in Tunisia in 1943. During this period, the Ninth Air Force carried out tactical bombing and interdiction missions against enemy lines of communication, airfields, and troop concentrations.

In 1943, the Ninth Air Force was transferred to Great Britain and reorganized to become the main American tactical air force supporting ground operations in Western Europe. Under the command of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force, it was tasked with providing close air support, air interdiction, and neutralizing enemy infrastructure in preparation for the invasion of Europe.

From the spring of 1944, the Ninth Air Force actively participated in the preparatory operations for Operation Overlord, attacking railway networks, bridges, fuel depots, and German military installations in occupied France and Belgium.On June 6, 1944, its units played a central role in providing direct air support to the forces landing in Normandy, conducting ground attack, tactical bombing, and air cover missions.

After the landings, the Ninth Air Force accompanied the advance of Allied ground forces through Normandy, northern France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, providing continuous air support against enemy positions, moving columns, and German logistical infrastructure. In the fall of 1944, it supported American operations during the fighting in Lorraine, the Rhineland, and against the Siegfried Line.

During the winter of 1944-1945, the Ninth Air Force was engaged in operations related to the Battle of the Bulge, conducting attack and interdiction missions whenever weather conditions permitted. In 1945, it participated in air support for the final Allied offensive, supporting the crossing of the Rhine and the advance of American ground forces into western and central Germany until the German surrender in May 1945.

After the end of hostilities in Europe, the Ninth Air Force was briefly assigned to occupation and reorganization missions before being deactivated in November 1945.

The Ninth Air Force's service record covers the campaigns in North Africa and Tunisia, as well as all tactical air operations conducted in Western Europe from 1944 to 1945, including direct support for the ground campaigns in Normandy, France, Belgium, and Germany.