| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
The Far East Air Force (USAFFE) was formed from the Philippine Army Air Corps on August 4, 1941. At this time, United States Army Forces - Far East ( USAFFE) possessed 210 aircraft, including 31 P-40Bs. The rest were P-26s, P-35s, B-10s, B-18s, A-29s, C-39s, and various observation planes. This force was considered to be largely obsolescent and is described, in 1948, as, "...unable to withstand even a mildly determined and ill-equipped foe."
( 1 )The Force Headquarters was located at Nielson Field, however, the majority of the planes were at either Clark FieldProper name for Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, during 1919-48 when it was under U. Army jurisdiction. See: Clark Air Base''. or Nichols FieldNichols Field ( Luzon, the Philippines), during the World War II era, was the location of the Far East Air Force's 20th Air Base Group. Also, based here was Troop F of the 26th Cavalry Regiment. Nichols Field was located south of Manila, and is now the si. Major General Lewis H. Brereton became the commander of this unit, in the fall of 1941.
In July of 1941, Chief of the Army Air Forces , Major General Henry H. ArnoldHenry Harley Arnold ( June 25, 1886 January 15, 1950), often referred to by the nickname 'Hap', was an American pilot, commander of the US Army Air Corps from 1938, commander of the US Army Air Forces from 1941 until 1945 and the first General of the Air, proposed sending four heavy bombardment groups (340 aircraft) and 2 pursuit squadrons (260 aircraft) to the PhilippinesThe Republic of the Philippines is an island nation consisting of an archipelago of 7,107 islands, lying in the tropical western Pacific Ocean about 100 kilometers southeast of mainland Asia. Spain (1521-1898) and the United States (1898-1946), colonized, as reinforcements for the Philippine Army Air Corps. By October 2October 2nd is the 275th day (276th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 90 days remaining. Events 1187 Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule. 1535 Jacques Cartier discovers Montreal, Quebec. 1780 American Revolu, 81 P-40s had been shipped to the islands, along with the 14th Squadron of the 19th Bombardment Group (H) . The rest of the 19th BG(H) arrived in November, for a total of 35 B-17s.
By March of 1942Events January January 1 World War II: The word " United Nations" is first officially used to describe the Allied pact. January 2 World War II: Manila is captured by Japanese forces. January 5 Amy Johnson disappears in flight over River Thames estuary ass, the War DepartmentWar Department may refer to the military establishments of several different countries: British War Department Confederate War Department United States Department of War, under the leadership of the United States Secretary of War (until 1947) See also: de planned to have 165 heavy bombers in the Philippines and, at least, 240 fighters. The 7th Bombardment Group (H) was enroute when the Japanese invasion began. The 27th Bombardment Group (L) 's pilots and ground crews had arrived in November, but the unit's A-24 s remained in Hawaii.
Army Chief of Staff General Marshall wrote on December 1, 1941, "We must get every B-17 to the Philippines as soon as possible."