13TH ARMY AIR FORCE: As shown on page one the 13th Air Force's initial base was on Espiritu Santo. What follows is a basic time-line of the progressive movements of the 13th AAF Combat Units up through the South Pacific via the Solomons, New Guinea, and the Philippines to Japan's front door. This is the chronological listing for the 11th Bomber Group Squadrons. 26th Bomber Squadron42nd Bomber Squadron98th Bomber Squadron 431st Bomber Squadron In the listing below when a group, squadron, or air force "moves" to a location that means the headquarters located there. When it "operates" from a location that means that's where some or all of the planes were stationed away from headquarters. 26th BOMBER SQUADRON January 21 1943: The 13th AAF sets up original headquarters base on Espiritu Santo with the following unit. The 26th Bomber Squadron (BS) is stationed at Espiritu Santo with forward echelon operating from New Guinea. March 28 1943: The 26th BS transfers to the 7th AAF and returns to Hawaii. 42nd BOMBER SQUADRON January 21 1943: The 13th AAF sets up original headquarters base on Espiritu Santo with the following unit. The 42nd Bomber Squadron (BS) is stationed at Espiritu Santo with forward echelon operating from Guadalcanal. March 28 1943: The 42nd BS transfers to the 7th AAF and returns to Hawaii. 98th BOMBER SQUADRON January 21 1943: The 13th AAF sets up original headquarters base on Espiritu Santo with the following unit. The 98th Bomber Squadron (BS) is stationed at Espiritu Santo with forward echelon operating from Guadalcanal. March 28 1943: The 98th BS transfers to the 7th AAF and returns to Hawaii. 431st BOMBER SQUADRON January 21 1943: The 13th AAF sets up original headquarters base on Espiritu Santo with the following unit. The 431st Bomber Squadron (BS) is stationed at Espiritu Santo with forward echelon operating from Guadalcanal. March 28 1943: The 431st BS transfers to the 7th AAF and returns to Hawaii. This was the 13th Army Air Force 11th Bomber Group Squadrons travels and bases during the war. For a time-line of changes as they occurred throughout the war return to page 1 or click on the bullet marked "Next" below.

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