The 345th was assigned to the 462nd bomb group at mcdill field, fl and deactivated on 31 march 1946. The 460th bomb group, was stationed in spinazzola, italy from january 1944, to june of 45. The 379th holds the record for most missions flown. Each patch is representative of those worn by our squadron members during wwii. It was reactivated on 12 july 1944 as the 331st bombardment group very heavy.
This is a list of united states air force bomb squadrons. After meeting with and interviewing several surviving members of the 352nd, we were able examine their original jackets which were famously modified with interior canvas pockets. Wwii aac aaf squadron insignia patch page 2 units above 200. Constituted as 389th bombardment group heavy on 19 dec 1942 and activated on 24 dec. B17g flying fortress 4231678 little patches in flight 91st bomb group. Heritage of the 303rd bomb group h compiled by harry d.
The 383rd bombardment group, usaaf, went through two incarnations during the second world war, first as a training unit and then as a b29. Ordering information for group sales please email keith ellefson with your order, including your postal address for shipping and your preferred payment method paypal, check, etc. Dedicated to the strategic bombing of germany, the eighth air forces daylight strikes and the royal air forces night bombardment led to the dislocation and destruction of germanys infrastructure and economy. The 318th bombardment squadron is an inactive united states air force unit. About the 489th bomb groupthe 489th bomb group 489 bg is a geographically separated unit with its. It operates northrop grumman b2 spirit nuclearcapable strategic bomber aircraft. It was last assigned to the 88th bombardment group. Measuring approximately 5 12 inches 14cm in diameter, each design has been specially selected from the hundreds that existed, to offer famous units with the most glowing credentials, and attractive emblems. Lt dan dennis, lt edward c unger, lt john belay, lt george moller, lt reinhardt zirbel. When i started collecting these rags over 40 years ago, all we had was a few magazines like the war time national geographics, the trading post asmic and when the two publications of. Usaaf 8th air force patch usaaf eighth air force in world war ii.
The eighth air force archive is the result of the efforts of james hill, the editor of the 8th af news. In june 1945, the 379th transferred from raf kimbolton and the base was closed temporarily. It covers all squadrons that were constituted or redesignated as bombardment squadron sometime during their active service. If you intend to pay by check, it must be made out to 384th bomb group, inc.
Raf kimbolton and the 379th bombardment group heavy. Constituted as the 383d bombardment group heavy on 28 october 1942. Each patch symbolizes the use of a form of light while holding a bomb. The 383d bomb group was inactivated on 3 january 1946. These historical pages are dedicated to the 8,960 men who served in the 303rd bombardment group h hells angels during world war ii. Redesignated 311th bombardment group dive in jul 1942, 311th fighterbomber group in sep 1943, and 311th fighter group in may 1944. List of united states air force bomb squadrons wikipedia. The 393d bombardment squadron is the only united states air force squadron to carry out a nuclear attack on an enemy in combat. Air force 98th bombardment group, heavy usaf veteran locator. Activated 1 march 1942 at salt lake city army air base, utah. A limited number of embroidered squadron patches are now available for purchase. Lt edward c ungers crew of the 486th bombardment group in england. Reassigned to twentieth air force in september 1945, the group flew a few training missions from okinawa until being returned to the united states for demobilization in december.
The 303rd bomb group was an eighth air force, b17 bomber group stationed at molesworth. In homage to one of the greatest fighter units of all time, we are proud to offer the 352nd fighter group bluenoser a2. The 303d bombardment group is an inactive united states air force unit. It was inactivated at avon park army airfield, florida on 1 may 1944.
Bill is an expert in locating records of downed flyers from fighter groups, fighter squadrons, bomb groups, bomb squadrons, reconnaissance units, combat cargo. Kepner talks with personnel of the 389th bomb group. Peter repka also flew on b17 4237925 rick o shay ii, 571st bomber squadron. Constituted as 311th bombardment group light on 28 jan 1942. Its last assignment was to the 303d bombardment wing, being stationed at davismonthan air force base, arizona. Air force patches jim buchanan jbmilart military art. Kepner chats with an officer of the 2nd bomb group division, 8th air force, as he enjoys refreshments at an air base in england. Personnel moved to wendover army air field, utah on 6 april 1942 and began flying training, where it trained for bombardment operations using 40 b17e aircraft. Today bomb squadrons are considered to be part of the combat air force caf along with fighter squadrons. The squadron patches of each 482nd bomb group are clearly visible on the web pages. Most of the books are authored by 351st veterans who share accounts of life at polebrook airfield and their wartime experiences. Wwii us army air force squadron patch us aaf 303rd bomb group, 8 af f usaaf 303bg, 8af 303rd bombardment group, eighth af might in flight hells angels 4 58 x 5 38 inches bomb bombing bomber bombardment group 303rd bombardment group h hells angels.
Group established at sioux falls aafd, sd where the group was trained as a b29 unit. Established in early 1942 as a b17 flying fortress heavy bombardment squadron. Their motto, might in flight, was earned on each of their record 364 combat missions. Fortress for freedom patch from the flight jacket of ssgt jesse otis watson jr.
During world war ii, its aircraft attacked hiroshima on 6 august 1945 and nagasaki, japan 9 august 1945 with atomic. The following is a listing of the bombardment groups and squadrons which operated the b17 during world war 2. Wilson, 383rd fighter squadron, 364th fighter group, 8th air force. The 493d bombardment group is a former united states army air forces unit that was. Air force 43rd bombardment group, medium usaf veteran locator. The group was activated on 3 november 1942 and was equipped with both the b17 flying fortress and b24 liberator. These squadron patches are beautifully hand embroidered, just like the original theatre made examples from wwii. All, 398th bomb group collection via nuthampstead airfield museum, 487th. No other unit in the us air force has a more special and unique history than the 509th operations group. A bomber crew of the 390th bomb group with their b17 flying fortress serial number 4231027 nicknamed honey chile and their dog and monkey mascots scrappy and joe.
The eighth air force archive acquires and preserves original primary source documentation and reference materials devoted to the history of this strategic bombing group and the role its veterans played in defeating the axis powers. For example, by the end of january, 1945, the 47 th infantry regiment which fought in france and germany had lost well over 100% of their strength to battle casualties, where men were either killed, wounded, missing, or taken as prisoner of war. Today it is so easy to identify aaf ww ii squadron and bomb group patches because of the internet sites and this wonderful forum. The insignia of the 833rd bomb squadron, 486th bomb group. The 448 bomb group was inactivated on the fourth of august 1946. Usaaf squadron patches these squadron patches are beautifully hand embroidered, just like the original theatre made examples from wwii. Seen here leaving the target, the city of oita on the japanese home island of kyushu, elements of the 64th bomb squadron, 43 bomb group, 10 august, 1945 were part of a twentyplus b24 raid by the 43 bomb group on a mission dubbed a. Ww2 army air corps air force unit records research ww2. Please note that colors of the images at left may not exactly match colors of the actual patches due to limitations of digital photography and display on a computer screen. Proceeds benefit the 351st bomb group memorial association.
In apriljune 1945 the group moved to guam, where it joined the twentieth air force. Usaaf 453rd bg hollywood legend jimmy stewart was the first operations officer of old buckenham when it started life with its first and most important residents. The casualties suffered by a typical american infantry regiment serving in world war ii were horrendous. Units in this list are assigned to nearly every major command in the united states air force. An original cadre ship acquired 9 november 43 and assigned to gentrys crew who flew her overseas in december 43. It was equipped with the b29 and rejoined the second air force for training.
The crew originally intended to name her lil lassie. The 343re squadron was assigned to the 40th bomb group at march afb, ca. The 393rd bomb squadron, sometimes written as 393d bomb squadron, is part of the 509th bomb wing at whiteman air force base, missouri. Brians wwii surplus and antiques store wwii patch, aaf. Moved to england, junjul 1943, and assigned to eighth af.
The 393d bomb squadron 393 bs is part of the 509th bomb wing at whiteman air force base, missouri. Dec 31, 2014 the 379th bomb group holds the record for the most tonnage dropped of any u. The 303rd bomb group was an eighth air force, b17 bomber group stationed at molesworth, england from 1942 to 1945. The 344th was assigned to the 444th bomb group at davismonthan field, az and deactivated on 1 october 1946.
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