Research indicated that the 5th AF left the 39s and 40s behind in New Guinea when they moved on to the Philippines. Happy to put one or both in if there's a decent source that shows a presence.
- oldman
World War II
The air echelons of the 21st and 34th Pursuit squadrons arrived in Philippines and were attached to the 24th Pursuit Group, being stationed at Nichols and Del Carmen Fields on Luzon.
Headquarters and a third squadron (70th) sailed for Manila on December 5 but because of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor they returned to Hamilton Field where the squadron flew some patrols.
The 21st and 34th Pursuit Squadrons fought in the Battle of the Philippines (1941–42). Both squadrons were wiped out in the battle, with the men eventually fighting as infantry during the Battle of Bataan. The survivors were subjected to the Bataan Death March, although some did escape to Australia.
Headquarters and the 70th squadron sailed for Brisbane, Australia on January 12, 1942. On January 15 all the combat squadrons were relieved and three others, still in the US, were assigned.
Headquarters reached Brisbane Australia in February 1942 while the squadrons had moved from the US to various locations (Ballarat, Mount Gambier, Williamstown, Woodstock) in Australia and were training for combat with P-39s.
From Australia, the 35th entered combat with Fifth Air Force, operating successively from bases in Australia, New Guinea, Owi, Morotai, and the Philippines. First used P-38s and P-39s; equipped with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts late in 1943 and with North American P-51 Mustangs in March 1945. The group helped to halt the Japanese advance in Papua and took part in the Allied offensive that recovered the rest of New Guinea, flying protective patrols over Port Moresby, escorting bombers and transports, attacking Japanese airfields and supply lines, and providing cover for Allied landings.
In 1944 the 35th began long-range missions against enemy airfields and installations in the southern Philippines, Halmahera, and Borneo, preparatory to the US invasion of the Philippines. Beginning in January 1945, operated in support of ground forces on Luzon. Also escorted bombers and completed some fighter sweeps to Formosa and China. Bombed and strafed railways and airfields in Kyūshū and Korea after moving to Okinawa in June 1945.
After the surrender of Japan, the group became part of Far East Air Forces occupation forces and trained, took part in maneuvers, and flew surveillance patrols over Honshū
