The squadron was established at RAF Boreham, which was to be its station until after D-Day, in mid March,[1] and flew its first combat mission on 23 March, less than two weeks after its arrival in the ETO.[5] It helped prepare for the invasion of Normandy by participating in Operation Crossbow, striking V-1 flying bomb and V-2 rocket launch sites. It also carried out attacks on marshalling yards, bridges, gun emplacements and airfields. Not all targets were near the intended invasion landing areas. For example, in April, the squadron participated in a heavy attack on the marshalling yard at Mechlen, Belgium. Later that month, it encountered particularly heavy flak in an attack on Heuringhem, in which the airplane leading the group formation received 264 holes.[6] However, bombing results were not as accurate as desired, and the squadron was removed from operations for a week for additional training.[7] On D-Day it attacked gun emplacements at Cherbourg, afterwards striking lines of communications, fuel storage sites and enemy strong points.[3]
The squadron moved to RAF Holmsley South on 24 July, in a general move by the units of the 98th Bombardment Wing to bases closer to the invasion area,[8] and on the following day supported Operation Cobra, the breakout at Saint Lo. Between 7 and 9 August, the squadron made five attacks on strongly defended targets in northern France. This operation resulted in the award of the Distinguished Unit Citation to the squadron. Later that month, the squadron moved to its first base on the continent, Tour-en-Bessin Airfield, in France. From this base, the 587th attacked strong points at Brest, France and later began attacking targets in Germany from its bases on the continent. During the Battle of the Bulge, the squadron attacked lines of communications to prevent reinforcements from reaching the attacking German forces. it participated in Operation Clarion, intended to destroy the remaining elements of the German transportation system.[9] In addition to attacking transportation and storage facilities, toward the end of the war, the squadron dropped propaganda leaflets over occupied territory, which included the squadron's last combat mission.[3][10]
Occupation and inactivation
Following V-E Day, the squadron moved to Kitzingen Airfield, Germany, where it became part of the Army of Occupation. In December, the 394th Group began to transition into the Douglas A-26 Invader. However, it also reduced its component squadrons from four to three and the 397th was inactivated in late December 1945.[1][3]
Lineage
Constituted as the 587th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 15 February 1943
Activated on 5 March 1943
Redesignated 587th Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 9 October 1944
Redesignated 587th Bombardment Squadron, Light on 28 February 1946
^The aircraft in the foreground is Martin B-26B-55-MA, serial 42-96210, fuselage code 5W-P.
this plane was shot down near Orleans/Bricy Airfield on 14 June 1944. Baugher, Joe (28 April 2023). "1942 USAF Serial Numbers". Joe Baugher. Retrieved 30 April 2023. Missing Air Crew Report 6194.
^Approved 26 October 1943. Description: Over and through a medium blue disc, a white winged death's head proper, wearing a red fatigue cap, smoking a cigar fired proper, and blowing white smoke rings, all above two light tan aerial bombs in saltire in base.
Rust, Kenn C. (1967). The 9th Air Force in World War II. Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, Inc. LCCN67-16454.
Watkins, Robert (2008). Battle Colors. Vol. III Insignia and Markings of the Ninth Air Force In World War II. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing Ltd. ISBN978-0-7643-2938-8.
