5th Interceptor Command

5th Interceptor Command (Provisional)
Active	7 November 1941 - 9 Apr 1942
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army Air Forces
Type	RADAR Defense, Infantry
Engagements	Battle of the Philippines (1941–42)
Commanders
Notable commanders	Brigadier General Henry Black Clagett

The 5th Interceptor Command (Provisional) is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was wiped out in the Battle of the Philippines (1941–42). The survivors fought as infantry during Battle of Bataan and after their surrender, were subjected to the Bataan Death March, although some did escape to Australia.

History

Lineage

• Established as 5th Interceptor Command (Provisional) 7 November 1941 (date approximate)

Inactivated 9 Apr 1942 (date approximate)

Assignments

• Far East Air Force, 7 Nov 1941

Resesignated: 5 Air Force on 5 Feb 1942-6 Apr 1942

Attached to: U.S. Army Forces Far East (USAFFE), 25 Dec 1941-9 Apr 1942

Station

• Nielson Field, Luzon, Philippines
• Bataan, Luzon, Philippines 25 Dec 1941- 9 Apr 1942

Components

• Air and Ground echelons of the following:

24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor)

2d Observation Squadron (Medium)

3d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor)

17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor)

20th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor)

21st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor)

34th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor)

14th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)

• Ground Echelons

V Bomber Command

19th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

27th Bombardment Group (Light)

16th Bombardment Squadron (Light)

17th Bombardment Squadron (Light)

91st Bombardment Squadron (Light)

28th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)

30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)

93d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)

All units in attached status.

Operational History

Established in November 1941 to provide RADAR defense of Luzon, Philippine Islands. After Japanese invasion on 24 December 1941, mission changed to provide ground defense of island, with ground and air echelon personnel of unequipped Fifth Air Force units on Luzon attached to fight as ground infantry units during the Battle of the Philippines (1941–42) after their aircraft were destroyed or evacuated to locations away from Luzon.

Most members of the unit surrendered on 9 Apr 1942 after the Battle of Battan. Some survivors escaped to Corregidor Island in Manila Bay, Philippine Islands and surrendered on 6 May 1942, ending all US organized resistance to the Japanese in the Philippines. Some survivors possibly fought afterwards on Luzon as unorganized resistance (May 1942-Jan 1945).

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency