319th Bomb Group "N.W.Africa, Mediterranean B-25 & B-26/A-20 in the Pacific"

Joseph Randall Holzapple, an original pilot with the unit, became its Commander in August 1943 and remained in that position until the wars end. **************** 319th in Mediterranean ( http://319thbombgroup.com// ) Activated in June, 1942 as the 319th Bombardment Group. Assigned to the 12th Air Force. Trained in Martin B-26 Maurders and moved via England to N. Africa, participated in landing at Arzeu beach. Became known as the "Big Tail Birds" ...Briefly assigned to the 15th AF, Nov.43 -Jan.44. Action in Tunisia: attacking airdromes, harbors and rail facilities. Action in Sicily: the reduction of Pantelleria. Action in support of ground forces at Solarno and Anzio. The reduction of Monte Cassino. Awarded Distinguished Unit Citation for a mission on March 3, 1944 bombing rail facilities in Rome
Awarded second DUC for striking marshalling yards in Florence on March 11, 1944 (TRANSITION to B-25) Awarded French Croix de Guerre with Palm for action in preparation for and support of Allied offensive in Italy. Bombed targets in the Po Valley, in Yugoslavia July-Dec.44 ... Converted to B-25s and later A-20s w/o interrupting combat.
*****The 319th did not serve in the ETO. They flew the B-26 in the MTO until November 1944 when they converted to the B-25, until December 31,1944; were withdrawn from combat, and returned to the US, to convert to the A-20 for service in the 7th AAF in the Pacific, where they flew missions until the end of the war. They have the distinction of being the only Medium Bomb Group to fly all three Medium bombers in combat.