History of 29th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) 22 November 1940 - 3 April 1943

The following information is taken from the "Official" records from Maxwell AFB concerning the 29th Bombardment Squadron.

Constitution

The 29th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) was constituted and assigned to the Puerto Rican Department, pursuant to instructions contained in War Department letter, AG 320.2 (29 Oct. 1940) -M (Ret.) M-C, dated 22 November 1940.

Activation

The 29th Bombardment Squadron was made active on 1 April 1941, at Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico [per G.O. No. 10, Headquarters, Puerto Rican Department, dated 1 April 1941.] Assignment was made to the 40th Bombardment Group. NOTE:.The 29th Squadron was transferred to the 6th Bombardment Group in May 1943.

Redesignation

The 29th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) was re-designated the 29th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), in accordance with War Department letter, AG 320.2 (5 May 1942) MR-M-AF, dated 7 May 1942.

Reorganization

On 1 March 1943, personnel of the 29th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), which was located at Anton, Republic of Panama, was transferred to the 3rd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), located at David, Republic of Panama, for subsequent return to the United States. Personnel of Squadron "X", which was organized at Davis Monthan Field, Tucson, Arizona, were transferred to the 29th Bombardment Squadron as replacements on or about 3 April 1943. [From AGO Files in Archives of the Historical Division. See also History, 3rd Bombardment Squadron 18 February 1943-30 April 1944, forwarded.]

Inactivation

Effective 1 November 1946, [per G. 0. No. 24, Headquarters, Caribbean Air Command. For authority, see War Deportment letter, AG 322 (27 Aug 1946) AO-I-AFCOR (223e)-M, dated 9 September 1946.

Redesignation

(As the 130th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Medium). Information not available here.

The above information from Maxwell AFB is not to clear as to the actual beginning of the 29th Bombardment Squadron. A search of the records of the 3rd Bombardment Squadron was made (as per instructions under "REORGANIZATION") to help clarify what actually happened. The 3rd Bombardment Squadron records show the following information. on 18 February 1943 an entire squadron, minus aircraft and equipment, consisting of 320 enlisted men and 56 officers, commanded by Capt. Craig. M. Yengst, landed at Cristobal. This squadron had no designation, and was known as "X" squadron. The personnel which comprised this squadron were soon to become the "new" Third Bombardment Squadron; but not immediately. Sent to Anton, R. de P., they became the 29th Bombardment Squadron on February 18, 1943, the date of arrival in this department. On March 12,1943 the men, then called the 29th Bombardment Squadron, were moved by air and truck convoy to David, R.de P., were they took over the name and equipment of the 3rd Bombardment Squadron (H). The personnel who had been up to this time, members of the 3rd Bombardment Squadron (H), moved to Anton and took the designation 29th Bombardment Squadron. It was an exchange of station and designations between the two units.

Using this information from the 3rd Bombardment Squadron a "brief, " and hopefully clear, description of the history of the 29th Bombardment Squadron from 22 November 1940 to 3 April 1943 is as follows: 1. The 29th Bombardment Squadron was constituted as a (Medium) squadron on 22 November 1940 and made active on 1 April 1941 at Borinquen Field, Puerto Rico. (No information about personnel, aircraft etc. is known) 2. The above Squadron was re-designated as a (Heavy) Bombardment Squadron on 7 May 1942. (No information on station, aircraft, personnel, etc.) 3. On 18 February 1943 an entire squadron minus aircraft and equipment came from the U. S. and were assigned to the 29th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) at Anton, R.de P. 4. On 12 March 1943 this squadron was transferred to David, R.de P. and its designation changed from the 29th to the 3rd Bombardment Squadron. 5. On the same day, 12 March 1943, the 3rd Bombardment Squadron was transferred from David to Anton, R.de P. and its designation changed to the 29th Bombardment Squadron. 6. On 3 April 1943 a squadron designated "X" from Davis-Monthan Field in Arizona -arrived in the Canal Zone and on to Antont R.deP. and became part of the 29th Bombardment Squadron.

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