The squadron entered combat in May 1944, and primarily flew long range strategic bombing missions against targets in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia, bombingmarshalling yards,oil refineries,airfields, heavy industry, and other strategic objectives. The squadron was awarded aDistinguished Unit Citation for continuing an attack on an oil refinery nearVienna, Austria on 26 June 1944 despite heavyfighter opposition.[3]
The 829th was occasionally diverted from the strategic campaign to carry out some support andinterdiction operations. It struck bridges, harbors, and troop concentrations in August 1944 to aid withOperation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France. It also hit communications lines and other targets during March and April 1945 to support the advance of theBritish Eighth Army in northern Italy.[3]
The unit departed Italy in May 1945. In late July, it reassembled atSioux City Army Air Base, Iowa and was redesignated as a very heavy unit the following month. In September, it moved toSmoky Hill Army Air Field, Kansas and began training withBoeing B-29 Superfortresses. WhenStrategic Air Command was formed in March 1946, the squadron became one of its first operational squadrons. In August 1946, the squadron was inactivated and its mission, personnel and B-29s were transferred to the342d Bombardment Squadron, which was simultaneously activated at Smoky Hill.[2][4]
Schneider, Sam, ed. (1995).This is How it Was: The History of the 485th Bomb Group (Heavy). St. Petersburg, FL: Southern Heritage Press.ISBN978-0941072151.
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United States
United States Air Force
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