The 312th flew the douglas a20 havoc, a fast, heavily armed bomber on lowlevel strafing and bombing missions against the japanese during world war ii. The story of the 389th bomb group in world war ii mackay, ron on. The 389th strategic missile wing is an inactive unit of the united states air force. The 398th was part of the 8th air force 1st air division during wwii and was one of many b17 bomb groups stationed in england. 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. B24 liberator of the 564th bs 389th bomb group 1944 42. Late in the war the group began to convert to the consolidated b32 dominator, but only a handful of these heavy bombers saw combat before the end of the fighting. The mission resulted in no curtailment of overall product output. Kepner talks with personnel of the 389th bomb group. Click on the serial number to open a new page with all known details about that aircraft, including the list of missions it participated in with pilots and crews identified. Rare ww ii 389th bomb group sky scorpions history book. Posts about 389th bomb group written by second air division memorial library. The 449th was activated on 1 may 1943 at davismonthan field near tucson, arizona.
The 389 bomb group was unique among all groups assigned to the 8th usaaf because it actually commenced operations in july 1943 out of north africa that culminated in the infamous ploesti mission on 1 august. Official home of the 39th bomb group vh association. The 389th bomb group, known in more familiar terms as the sky scorpions, flew strategic bombing missions in b24 liberators from hethel, england. Starting 1 january 1944, the 392nd began compiling and submitting monthly squadron and group histories in compliance with usaaf.
Using daily unit records, rosters, medical records, military service records, and individual flight records among many other resources we can follow individual wwii veterans through the war to show you where they were and what they did during wwii. The strength of the group on that date was listed as 52 officers and 33 enlisted men. The 384th bombardment group heavy flew 316 combat missions over europe in b17 aircraft during world war ii in the 8th air forces strategic bombing campaign against axis powers. Moved to england, junjul 1943, and assigned to eighth af. Ah lllwhen its moonlight on the blue pacific, and the ship is gently swaying. It soon converted to the a20 and used these aircraft in new guinea and the philippines. Also the 389th records, as shown in the roarins 20s book, have a cpl kossor with. Faith world war ii squadron bomb group missions crew eighth 458 scanning wwii is an awareness endeavor of the arnett institutes wwii scanning project, working to help digitize wwii records in the national archives before they turn to dust.
Dedication this book is dedicated to those men who so gallantly and. Were looking for copies of military orders that pertain to the 39th bomb group vh hq, 60th, 61st and the 62nd bomb squadron. Boeing b17e formation aircraft of the 379th bomb group, 525th bomb squadron fru, 8th air force, july 24, 1944. To upload a copy, click on the photo you want, then scroll to the right corner of the photograph where the stacked boxes are and select the size you wish to keep, then right click save as. The 389th bomb squadron light was constituted on 28 january 1942 and was activated on 15 march 1942 ky and attached to the 312th bombardment group at bowman field, ky on 15 march 1942. Bombardment group h the liberator bombardment group liberator air force 458 horsham st.
The 17th was the first group to be designated as medium bomb group. Army air corps suffered the neglect that befell all of the u. Whilst with the eighth, the group developed the formation release procedure for the b26 on missions that targeted aerodromes, marshalling yards and vweapon sites along the coast of france in the winter of 19431944. You can doubleclick a group, click a group and click submit, or click a group and hit enterreturn key. The 492nd would go on to suffer being wiped out twice. During 1945 the 39th bg flew bombing missions from north field, guam this is their history. Dedication this website is dedicated to the men and women who went to war with the 486th bombardment group heavy. Attlebridge airfield visitors centre project 466th bg. In the book the 448th bomb group h published by schiffer. The 389th bombardment group was a b24 unit of the eighth air force that gained its first combat experience on detachment to north africa between july and october 1943. The wing was first active during world war ii as the 389th bombardment group, a consolidated b24 liberator unit that served with viii bomber command in england. Unit records are useful in piecing together stories about a unit or group, as well as about individuals who served in them. Josie bouchard lives in prince edward island and learned to fly when she was sixteen.
Like all of stephen ambrose s books, it is detailed and readable, but this one is controversial or least surprising for two reasons. This collection consists of fifteen prints and a videotape of stills relating to the service of the 389th bomb group during world war ii, including images of consolidated b24 liberators both on the ground and in the air. B24 liberator history, specs, and photos of ww2 bomber. Air force was part of the army during world war ii, and was also called the army air forces or the air corps. Wwii squadron patch insignia pictures collection of. The group was stationed at raf hethel in early 1943. Kossor, ssgt, 42001740, gunner a20s, b32, 389th bomb. Consolidated b24 liberator heavy bomber world war photos.
Nose art star dust okinawa 1945 consolidated b24e25cf liberator 4129074. Warren air force base, wyoming, where it was inactivated on 25 march 1965 the wing was first active during world war ii as the 389th bombardment group, a consolidated b24 liberator unit that served with viii bomber command in england. Wwii photo albums army air corps library and museum. A b24 liberator of the 389th bomb group goes down during a raid over ludwigshaven, 7 january 1944. As the two groups emerged from ploesti and escaped to the south, the 98th and 44th bomb groups led by kane plunged into ploesti where they found many of their targets in flames. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. As a professional researcher and world war ii historian, bill beigel provides research services to genealogists, historians, authors, and civilians who are looking for information found in ww2 military unit records. Mission this website was created to preserve and perpetuate the history of the 486th bomb group. Us air force combat units of world war ii description. Ww2 us army air corps 389th bombardment group unit history. For information about this research database, click here. Crew photos are posted under the photo albums tab under educationresearch. Starting 1 january 1944, the 392nd began compiling and submitting monthly squadron and group histories in compliance with usaaf requirements. View some great photos from the photo albums of veterans that are in our collection.
Ssgt, 42001740, 389th bomb squadron and 386th bomb squadron, 312th bomb group roaring 20s, 308th bomb wing, 5th air force, usaaf, wwii. Official homepage of the 385th bomb group association. This section of the 392nds history provides details on each of the 285 combat missions and 6 diversions flown by group personnel. Sky scorpions during the early 1960s when the book ploesti was published. The bomb group had lost a staggering 55 aircraft, 234 airmen had been killed in action, and another 260 men were either prisoners of war or interned in sweden and switzerland. Assembly line fort worth texas b24 liberator of the 7th bomb group 9th bomb squadron. Its last assignment was with the th strategic missile division at francis e.
Scanning wwii is an awareness endeavor of the arnett institutes wwii scanning project, working to help digitize wwii records in the national archives before they turn to dust. These historical pages are dedicated to the 8,960 men who served in the 303rd bombardment group h hells angels during world war ii. Aug 01, 2019 far to the north, the 389th bomb group successfully bombed its target, a separate refinery at campina, as planned. The 389th bombardment group was one of the relatively small number of eighth air force groups to operate the b24 liberator throughout the war in europe. Ball of fire, aka barber bob, had alternating red, white and pale blue stripes. The 389th bomb group, known in more familiar terms as the sky scorpions, flew. See more ideas about aircraft, wwii and world war ii.
It relocated to will rogers field, oklahoma on 12 june 1942. The eighth air force archive documents both the fighter and bomber groups that served in. B24 liberator of the 564th bs 389th bomb group 1944 42100352 site statistics. B24 liberator 389th bomb group 4240619 389th bomb group. Story of the 345th bomb group m, the air apaches in wwii 010664 the 350th fighter group in the mediterranean campaign nov 1942 may 1945. The group was constituted and activated almost a year after the japanese attack on pearl harbor forced the united states into the second world war.
Faith world war ii squadron bomb group missions crew eighth 458 b 24 in raf service 23 03 05 consolidated liberator wikipedia, the free encyclopedia lb 30 british transport version of the liberator. Their motto, might in flight, was earned on each of their record 364 combat missions. Sky scorpions 389th bomb group in wwii book ww2 usaaf. When i had the 389th patches made they were copied from the original, therefore the blue dragon. United states air force, world war 19391945, regimental histories, 398th bombardment group. One mission is circled on the missions page in ink. The story of the 389th bomb group in world war ii by paul wilson and ron mackay 2006, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Ww2 us army air corp jolly rogers bomb group unit history blue tail. It was redesignated as the 389th bombardment squadron dive on 27 july 1942.
The story of the 389th bomb group in world war ii 010756 pictorial tribute to the men and aircraft of the 447th bombardment group h 1943 1945 010758 the 467th bombardment group h in wwii in combat with the b24 liberator over europe. B24d liberator lead assembly ship green dragon of 389th bomber group, us 566th bomber squadron, raf. They also sent detachments to join bases in north africa at benghazi no. B24d liberator aircraft wham bam lead assembly ship of the 453rd bomber group, us 735th bomber squadron based at raf old buckenham, norfolk, england, uk, janapr 1945. Research a wwii veterantrace his steps through the war. Almost immediately a detachment was sent to libya, where it began operations on 9 jul 1943. Redesignated 17th attack group in 1935 and 17th bombardment group medium in 1939. Choose an aircraft group for its markings, airfields, missions and more. The best in the southwest 380th bomb group in wwii hb dj book by glenn horton jr. After returning to england in september, the combat crews joined in on the grim. In one of the most famous photographs of world war ii, consolidated b24d55co liberator 4240402, the sandman, is over target white iv, the astra romana refinery, ploesti, romania, 1 august 1943.
The story of the 389th bomb group in world war ii hardcover april 30, 2006 by ron mackay author 4. Bombing mission summaries of the 392nd bomb group mission summary introduction. The 489th bomb group was made up of four squadrons. The 91st bomb group in wwii 010639 attack and conquer. The group was formed in january 1941 and was equipped with the b17 flying fortress. Wwii photographic collection, video interviews, images of military logos and art as well as history by sketches, booklets, and other publications. Operation tidal wave was an air attack by bombers of the united states army air forces usaaf based in libya and southern italy on nine oil refineries around ploie. Constituted as 389th bombardment group heavy on 19 dec 1942 and activated on 24 dec. The 449th bomb group was composed of four squadrons the 716th, 717th, 718th, and 719th. This page is the official page for the attlebridge airfield visitors centre. The two b29s involved in the midair collision were 39th bomb group vhs crew 42 and the 29th bomb group vhs everdon crew. Tara copp b24 photographs of wwii 98th bg mission reports. The story of the 389th bomb group in world war ii at.
The 303rd bomb group was an eighth air force, b17 bomber group stationed at molesworth, england from 1942 to 1945. This comprehensive list of over 300 b17s assigned to the 384th bomb group during 19431945 is presented in serial number order, grouped by model type. A search link to find all missions flown by each aircraft is available at the top of this page. It was a strategic bombing mission and part of the oil campaign to deny petroleumbased fuel to the axis. These listings have the complete inventory of all 459 b24 liberator bombers that flew missions with links to their history, b24 photos, b24 nose art and final dispositions. The wing was first active during world war ii as the 389th bombardment. Far to the north, the 389th bomb group successfully bombed its target, a separate refinery at campina, as planned. Tagged as 389th bomb group, book signing, david kohler, hethel. The groups final mission was on 10th november 1944 when the 489th were redeployed to the united states for training for the pacific, although many of the aircraft and personnel were reassigned to other bomb groups in the 8th air force. Bomb group for sale military collectibles for sale. The story of the 389th bomb group in world war ii 9780764324222 by mackay, ron and a great selection of similar new, used and. The 8th fighter group in world war ii 010663 warpath. The story of the 389th bomb group in world war ii ron. Faith world war ii squadron bomb group missions crew eighth 458 post your favourite nose art.
Wwii aac aaf squadron insignia patch page 2 units above 200. For information about the world war ii history center, click here. Warren air force base, wyoming, where it was inactivated on 25 march 1965. Kepner chats with an officer of the 2nd bomb group division, 8th air force, as he enjoys refreshments at an air base in england. First, the book is almost entirely devoted to george mcgovern and his crew. This website honors and preserves the record of the 384th. Winner of the best aeronautical book award from the reserve officers association of the united states the sky was full of dying airplanes as american liberator. It was the highest losses of any single american combat unit during world war ii. Biography of julius adolph julie kossor, ssgt, 42001740. Bombardment group h bombardment group liberator air force 458 horsham st. Faith world war ii squadron bomb group missions crew eighth 458. The pages under the educationresearch tab contain links to our archives, wwii photographic collection, video interviews, images of military logos and art as well as history by sketches, booklets, and other publications. The 386th bomb group flew b26 marauders for the eighth and ninth air forces. The 39th bombardment group began the second world war as a training unit before becoming a b29 superfortress unit and taking part in the strategic bombing campaign against japan.
Staffo, the 2nd vice president of the 99th bomb group historical society bghs met the oregon honor flight at the world war ii memorial and welcomed alan as he arrived. Memories of the usaaf 389th bomb group 389th victor darileks log book below is the log book of my dad, 389th bg. Bp, late wwii, 6th af duplicate vintage patch available for sale or trade 40th bomb group 40th bomb group 41st bomb sqdrn prewar to early wwii, 484th bomb group, 15th aaf duplicate vintage patch available for sale or trade see also 827th bomb sq. The story of the 389th bomb group in world war ii the 389 bomb group was unique among all groups assigned to the 8th usaaf because it actually commenced operations in july 1943 out of north africa that culminated in the infamous ploesti mission on 1 august. The group hq may also have used a medium blue background with white outer circle. Group the 389th bomb group, known in more familiar terms as the sky scorpions, flew strategic bombing missions in b24 liberators from hethel, england. The list is in order of aircraft group type, then number. This 2001 book offers another chapter in the apparently unending story of the b24 liberator. The 312th bombardment group, usaaf, fought in the south west pacific, starting as a light bomber group equipped with p40 fighterbombers.
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