The 441st Troop Carrier Group is an inactive
United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was to the 441st Troop Carrier Wing, stationed at
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Illinois, where it was inactivated on 14 March 1951.
From Merryfield, the group participated in the
D-Day operation, dropping
101st Airborne Division paratroops near
Cherbourg Naval Base, then carried out resupply and
glider delivery missions the following day. For its efficiency and achievements during these two days it was, like other troop carrier groups, awarded a
Distinguished Unit Citation. During these missions, three C-47s and two CG-4A gliders were missing in action.
The group's aircraft flew supplies into Normandy as soon as suitable landing strips were available and evacuated casualties to Merryfield. On 17 July the air echelons of the
99th,
100th and
302nd Troop Carrier Squadrons moved to
Grosseto Airfield in Italy to prepare for operations connected with the
Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France, returning to Merryfield on 24 August.
Meanwhile, the
301st Troop Carrier Squadron remained active on the Normandy shuttle while supplies were urgently needed for the advancing Allied armies, although operating from
RAF Ramsbury from 7 August until the other squadrons returned.
Soon afterwards word was received that the 50th Troop Carrier Wing would move to France, the 441st being one of the first two groups, with headquarters leaving Merryfield on 6 September for its
Advanced Landing Ground at
Villeneuve-Vertus Airfield.
From RAF Langar in Nottinghamshire[2] the group dropped paratroops of
82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions near
Nijmegen on 17 September
Operation Market-Garden, and towed gliders with reinforcements on 18 and 23 September.
In December, the group transported ammunition, rations, medicine, and other supplies to troops of 101st Airborne Division surrounded by the enemy at
Bastogne. Released gliders carrying troops of
17th Airborne Division near
Wesel on 24 March 1945 when the Allies launched the
Operation Varsity, the airborne assault across the Rhine. Hauled gasoline to armored columns in Germany after the Allies crossed the Rhine.
Continually transported freight and personnel in the theater when not participating in airborne operations. Evacuated casualties and prisoners who had been liberated.
The group was inactivated at
Eschborn Air Base, Germany on 30 September 1946 and its mission, personnel and equipment were transferred to the
61st Troop Carrier Group, which was simultaneously activated.
Air Force reserve
The group was reactivated as a reserve unit in June 1949, when
Continental Air Command reorganized its flying units under the
wing base organization. The 441st Troop Carrier Wing was activated as the headquarters for the group and its support elements. Assigned C-46 Commando aircraft, the wing was inactivated in March 1951 when its equipment and personnel were transferred to active duty units during the
Korean War.
Lineage
441st Troop Carrier Group
Constituted as the 441st Troop Carrier Group on 25 May 1943
Activated on 1 August 1943
Inactivated on 30 September 1946
Redesignated 441st Troop Carrier Group, Medium on 10 May 1949