U.S. Army Air Forces
8th Air Force - Bomb Groups
The Mighty Eighth - the largest air armada ever assembled. From rain-soaked bases across East Anglia, young American crews climbed into their bombers and flew into the teeth of the Luftwaffe's fighter defense and the deadliest flak corridors in Europe. The 8th Air Force suffered more casualties than the entire United States Marine Corps in World War II.
8th Air Force - Bomb Groups
ETO · 1942–1945
34th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Madhouse Gang
ETO
RAF Mendlesham
93RD BOMB WING
170
Missions
B-17/B-24
B-17/B-24
43
Aircraft Lost
Originally a B-24 unit, converted to B-17s in 1944. Stationed at Mendlesham. Flew combat missions supporting the strategic bombing campaign against German industry and transportation in the final year of the war.
Squadrons
44th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Flying Eight Balls
ETO
RAF Shipdham
14TH BOMB WING
343
Missions
B-24
Liberator
153
Aircraft Lost
One of two original B-24 groups in the 8th Air Force. Flew the first B-24 combat mission from England. Participated in the Ploesti raid, earning a Medal of Honor for Colonel Leon Johnson's leadership under devastating enemy fire.
Squadrons
91st Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Ragged Irregulars
ETO
RAF Bassingbourn
1ST BOMB WING
340
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
197
Aircraft Lost
First heavy bomb group to attack a target in Germany. Home of the Memphis Belle - one of the first B-17s to complete 25 missions. Flew from Bassingbourn for nearly three years straight, November 1942 to April 1945.
Squadrons
92nd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Fame's Favored Few
ETO
RAF Podington
40TH BOMB WING
308
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
154
Aircraft Lost
Among the first bomb groups to arrive in England in 1942. Participated in the first American heavy bomber mission over Europe and flew continuous combat operations until VE Day.
Squadrons
93回 爆撃群（重）
テッドの移動サーカス
干支
RAFハードウィック
第20爆撃航空団
396
ミッション
B-24
解放者
100
航空機が墜落
テッド・ティンバーレイク大佐の指揮下、北アフリカへ早期展開したことから「テッド空飛ぶサーカス団」と名付けられた。プロイェシュティ空襲にも参加。第8空軍のどの爆撃隊よりも多い396回の出撃をこなし、ETOにおけるB-24部隊としては最初であった。
Squadrons
第94回 爆撃群（重）
ETO
RAFベリーセントエドモンズ
第4爆撃航空団
324
任務
B-17
空飛ぶ要塞
153
航空機喪失
ベリーセントエドモンズ近郊のラフハムに駐屯。1944年3月のベルリン攻撃の最初のグループの一つ。ヨーロッパで最も厳重に防衛された空域を324回にわたる戦闘任務で飛行した。
Squadrons
95回 爆撃群（重）
ETO
ホアハム空軍基地
第13爆撃航空団
320
ミッション
B-17
空飛ぶ要塞
156
航空機喪失
ホーハムから320回の戦闘任務に出撃。1943年8月の壊滅的なレーゲンスブルクシャトルミッションに参加。第95爆撃航空群は第8空軍のどの部隊よりも多い、3つの殊勲部隊章を獲得した。
Squadrons
96回目 爆撃集団（重）
ETO
スネッタートン・ヒース空軍基地
第45爆撃航空団
321
ミッション
B-17
空飛ぶ要塞
189
航空機喪失
スネッタートン・ヒースから出撃し、321回の戦闘任務を遂行。その過程で189機を喪失し、第8空軍の中で最も高い損害率を記録した。第96爆撃航空群は、1943年5月から1945年4月まで、事実上すべての主要な戦略爆撃作戦に参加した。
Squadrons
100回目 爆撃群（重）
血まみれの第100部隊
ETO
RAFソープ・アボッツ
第13爆撃航空団
306
ミッション
B-17
空飛ぶ要塞
177
航空機行方不明
伝説的な「ブラッディ・ハンドレッド」は、幾度ものミッションで壊滅的な損失を被り、ドイツ人戦闘機を引きつける評判を築いた。バッキー・イーガンとバック・クリーヴェンは伝説となった。「マスターズ・オブ・ザ・エアー」シリーズで不朽の名声を博している。
Squadrons
303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Hell's Angels
ETO
RAF Molesworth
41ST BOMB WING
364
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
165
Aircraft Lost
Named 'Hell's Angels' - the first B-17 crew in the 8th to complete 25 missions flew with the 303rd. They operated from Molesworth throughout the war, flying 364 combat missions - among the highest totals in the 8th Air Force.
Squadrons
305th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Can Do
ETO
RAF Chelveston
40TH BOMB WING
337
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
154
Aircraft Lost
Led by Colonel Curtis LeMay, who revolutionized bombing tactics. LeMay's insistence on flying straight and level through flak to improve accuracy became standard across the 8th Air Force. The 305th pioneered formation flying innovations.
Squadrons
306th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Reich Wreckers
ETO
RAF Thurleigh
40TH BOMB WING
342
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
171
Aircraft Lost
One of the original four bomb groups to begin operations in 1942. Flew more missions than any other group in the 8th Air Force. Their crews participated in virtually every major strategic campaign of the air war in Europe.
Squadrons
351st Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Pied Pipers
ETO
RAF Polebrook
94TH BOMB WING
311
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
124
Aircraft Lost
Stationed at Polebrook, this group earned distinction for precision bombing. Commanded by Colonel Eugene Romig, the 351st flew deep-penetration missions against oil refineries, aircraft factories, and transportation networks across Europe.
Squadrons
379th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Triangle K
ETO
RAF Kimbolton
41ST BOMB WING
330
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
141
Aircraft Lost
The 379th dropped more bomb tonnage and flew more sorties than any other group in the 8th Air Force. Held the record for bombing accuracy among all heavy groups in the ETO. Their consistency made them the workhorse of the Mighty Eighth.
Squadrons
381st Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Frigid Few
ETO
RAF Ridgewell
1ST BOMB WING
296
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
131
Aircraft Lost
Activated in 1943 and immediately thrown into the brutal summer of deep-penetration raids. Suffered devastating losses over Schweinfurt. Earned two Distinguished Unit Citations for actions against heavily defended targets.
Squadrons
384th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Grafton Underwood
41ST BOMB WING
314
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
159
Aircraft Lost
Operated from the historic field at Grafton Underwood - the same base from which the first American heavy bomber mission launched in August 1942. The 384th earned two DUCs for missions deep into Germany.
Squadrons
385th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Van's Valiants
ETO
RAF Great Ashfield
4TH BOMB WING
296
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
129
Aircraft Lost
Flew from Great Ashfield beginning in July 1943. Participated in the brutal Second Schweinfurt mission. Earned two DUCs for exceptional performance on heavily contested missions against strategic targets.
Squadrons
388th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Knettishall
45TH BOMB WING
306
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
142
Aircraft Lost
Stationed at Knettishall in Suffolk. Participated in the first shuttle mission to Russia in June 1944. Flew 306 combat missions against strategic targets across occupied Europe and Germany.
Squadrons
389th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Sky Scorpions
ETO
RAF Hethel
2ND BOMB WING
321
Missions
B-24
Liberator
116
Aircraft Lost
Participated in the legendary low-level raid on the Ploesti oil refineries in Romania on August 1, 1943 - one of the most daring and costly missions of the war. The Sky Scorpions earned a DUC for their role in Operation Tidal Wave.
Squadrons
390th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Framlingham
13TH BOMB WING
300
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
144
Aircraft Lost
Flew 300 missions from the airfield at Framlingham in Suffolk. Participated in the Second Schweinfurt raid and the Berlin missions. The 390th saw continuous combat from August 1943 through April 1945.
Squadrons
392nd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Crusaders
ETO
RAF Wendling
14TH BOMB WING
285
Missions
B-24
Liberator
127
Aircraft Lost
Operated from Wendling and earned a reputation for aggressive combat flying. Participated in all major campaigns from mid-1943 onward including Big Week, D-Day, Market Garden, and the final drive into Germany.
Squadrons
398th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Nuthampstead
1ST BOMB WING
195
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
58
Aircraft Lost
Last B-17 group to join the 8th Air Force, arriving April 1944. Despite their late start, they flew 195 missions and participated in the intense final year of the air war, including D-Day support and the Battle of the Bulge.
Squadrons
401st Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Deenethorpe
94TH BOMB WING
254
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
95
Aircraft Lost
Arrived in England November 1943 and quickly integrated into combat operations. Flew against V-weapon sites, oil facilities, and provided support for ground operations at Normandy, Operation Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge.
Squadrons
445th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Tibenham
2ND BOMB WING
280
Missions
B-24
Liberator
108
Aircraft Lost
Suffered the single worst loss of any 8th Air Force group on one mission: 25 of 37 Liberators shot down over Kassel on September 27, 1944. Despite this devastation, the group rebuilt and continued operations until the end of the war. Actor Jimmy Stewart served as operations officer.
Squadrons
446th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Bungay Buckeroos
ETO
RAF Flixton (Bungay)
20TH BOMB WING
273
Missions
B-24
Liberator
58
Aircraft Lost
Operating from the Suffolk base at Bungay, the 446th flew Liberator missions across occupied Europe. Earned a DUC for their performance during a particularly heavily defended mission against industrial targets in Germany.
Squadrons
447th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Rattlesden
4TH BOMB WING
257
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
97
Aircraft Lost
Arrived at Rattlesden in November 1943 and flew combat through VE Day. Participated in the devastation of German oil production facilities and transportation networks that strangled the Wehrmacht's ability to fight.
Squadrons
448th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Seething
20TH BOMB WING
262
Missions
B-24
Liberator
101
Aircraft Lost
Flew combat operations from Seething beginning December 1943. Participated in all major strategic campaigns including Big Week, D-Day, Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge. Lost 101 aircraft during 262 missions.
Squadrons
452nd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Deopham Green
45TH BOMB WING
250
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
110
Aircraft Lost
Arrived February 1944 and flew from Deopham Green through the end of the war. Participated in Big Week, D-Day support operations, and the systematic destruction of Germany's oil production capacity.
Squadrons
453rd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Old Buckenham
2ND BOMB WING
259
Missions
B-24
Liberator
58
Aircraft Lost
Arrived in England in late 1943 and flew combat missions from Old Buckenham. Colonel Ramsay Potts, a veteran of the Ploesti raid, commanded the group. Actor Jimmy Stewart also served with the 453rd as group operations officer.
Squadrons
457th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Fireball Outfit
ETO
RAF Glatton
94TH BOMB WING
237
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
83
Aircraft Lost
One of the last B-17 groups to arrive in the ETO, beginning operations in February 1944 just in time for Big Week. Despite arriving late, the 457th quickly proved itself in the intense final 15 months of the air war.
Squadrons
458th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Horsham St Faith
96TH BOMB WING
240
Missions
B-24
Liberator
47
Aircraft Lost
Operated from Horsham St Faith near Norwich. Besides conventional bombing, the 458th conducted pathfinder operations using H2X radar-equipped aircraft to lead other groups through overcast conditions over their targets.
Squadrons
466th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Flying Deck
ETO
RAF Attlebridge
96TH BOMB WING
232
Missions
B-24
Liberator
47
Aircraft Lost
Known as 'The Flying Deck' with each squadron represented by a card suit. Flew from Attlebridge beginning March 1944 and participated in all the major campaigns of the final year of the air war.
Squadrons
467th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Rackheath Aggies
ETO
RAF Rackheath
96TH BOMB WING
212
Missions
B-24
Liberator
29
Aircraft Lost
Stationed at Rackheath near Norwich, the 467th earned the lowest loss rate among 2nd Air Division B-24 groups. Their precision and discipline made them one of the most effective Liberator units in the 8th Air Force.
Squadrons
482nd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAFアルコンベリー
パスファインダー
B-17/B-24
B-17/B-24
第8空軍のパスファインダーグループ。H2X装置を用いたレーダー誘導爆撃を専門としていた。厚い雲で覆われた中で他の爆撃機グループを目標まで誘導した。アルコンベリーからB-17とB-24の両方を運用した。
Squadrons
486番目 爆撃集団（重）
予定完了時間
RAFサドベリー
第4爆撃航空団
188
ミッション
B-24/B-17
B-24/B-17
33
航空機紛失
当初B-24を装備していた第486爆撃航空群は、1944年8月にB-17に転換した。サドベリーから出撃し、終戦の年の戦略爆撃任務に参加した。
Squadrons
487番目 爆撃群（重）
地獄の紳士たち
ETO
ラヴェナム空軍基地
第4爆撃航空団
185
ミッション
B-24/B-17
B-24／B-17
48
機体喪失
486thと同様、1944年半ばにB-24からB-17に機種転換された。サフォーク州の絵のように美しいレイヴナム村から出撃。ドイツの厳重に防衛された標的へのミッションでDUCを獲得した。
Squadrons
第489回 爆撃群（重）
ETO
ヘールズワース空軍基地
第20爆撃航空団
106
任務
B-24
解放者
29
航空機喪失
1944年5月に戦闘を開始。1944年夏を通してノルマンディー上陸作戦とその後の突破を支援するため、集中的な作戦飛行を行った。106回のミッションを完遂した後、1944年11月に第8空軍から転属した。
Squadrons
491番目 爆撃集団（重）
リングマスターズ
メットフィールド空軍基地
メットフィールド空軍基地 / ノースピッケンハム
第14爆撃航空団
187
ミッション
B-24
解放者
47
航空機が行方不明
1944年5月に戦闘作戦を開始し、すぐに甚大な損害を被った。夏の間、メットフィールドからノースピッケナムへ移動した。リングマスターズはブラウンシュヴァイクへの任務における働きにより殊勲部隊章を授与された。
Squadrons
492回目 爆撃飛行隊（重）
ETO
ノースピッケナム空軍基地
第14爆撃航空団
64
Missions
B-24
Liberator
57
Aircraft Lost
Suffered catastrophic losses - 57 aircraft in just 89 days of combat operations, the highest loss rate in the 8th Air Force. Withdrawn from combat in August 1944 and converted to special operations, flying secret missions for the OSS behind enemy lines.
Squadrons
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39
Bomb Groups
155+
Squadrons
U.S. Army Air Forces
8th Air Force - Fighter Groups
8th Air Force - Fighter Groups
ETO · 1942–1945
4th Fighter Group
Debden Eagles
ETO
RAF Debden
67TH FIGHTER WING
583
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
Formed from the three RAF Eagle Squadrons - American volunteers who flew with the British before Pearl Harbor. The 4th became the highest-scoring fighter group in the ETO with 583 aerial victories and produced more aces than any other group.
Squadrons
20th Fighter Group
The Loco Group
ETO
RAF Kings Cliffe
67TH FIGHTER WING
212
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
Originally flew P-38 Lightnings before converting to P-51 Mustangs. Earned the nickname 'Loco Group' for their aggressive ground strafing of locomotives. Provided bomber escort deep into the Reich.
Squadrons
55th Fighter Group
ETO
RAF Wormingford
65TH FIGHTER WING
316
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
Flew P-38 Lightnings before transitioning to P-51 Mustangs. Provided long-range escort for 8th Air Force bombers and aggressively strafed enemy airfields, destroying hundreds of Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground.
Squadrons
56th Fighter Group
Zemke's Wolfpack
RAF Boxted
RAF Boxted / Halesworth
65TH FIGHTER WING
674.5
Aerial Victories
P-47
Thunderbolt
The only 8th Air Force fighter group to fly P-47 Thunderbolts exclusively throughout the war. Under Colonel Hubert Zemke, the Wolfpack became the highest-scoring group in the ETO by combined air and ground kills. Produced legendary aces including Gabby Gabreski and Robert S. Johnson.
Squadrons
78th Fighter Group
The Duxford Eagles
ETO
RAF Duxford
66TH FIGHTER WING
338
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
Stationed at the legendary RAF Duxford. Transitioned from P-47s to P-51 Mustangs and escorted bombers deep into Germany. Produced several notable aces during the air superiority campaign of 1944.
Squadrons
339th Fighter Group
ETO
RAF Fowlmere
66TH FIGHTER WING
235
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
All-Mustang group that flew from Fowlmere near Duxford. Provided bomber escort and conducted aggressive fighter sweeps across Germany. The 339th participated in the intense air battles of 1944-45.
Squadrons
352nd Fighter Group
The Blue-Nosed Bastards of Bodney
ETO
RAF Bodney
67TH FIGHTER WING
519
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
The 'Blue-Nosed Bastards of Bodney' - named for their distinctive blue nose markings and aggressive reputation. One of the top-scoring fighter groups in the 8th with 504 aerial kills. Produced ace George Preddy, the top Mustang ace in Europe.
Squadrons
353rd Fighter Group
The Slybird Group
RAF Raydon
RAF Raydon / Metfield
67TH FIGHTER WING
330
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
Transitioned from P-47s to P-51s and flew escort missions deep into Germany. Participated in ground attack missions during the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge support operations.
Squadrons
355th Fighter Group
The Steeple Morden Strafers
ETO
RAF Steeple Morden
66TH FIGHTER WING
356
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
Became legendary for their aggressive ground strafing attacks on Luftwaffe airfields. The Steeple Morden Strafers destroyed more enemy aircraft on the ground than any other group in the 8th Air Force.
Squadrons
356th Fighter Group
ETO
RAF Martlesham Heath
67TH FIGHTER WING
201
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
Flew from Martlesham Heath in Suffolk, transitioning from P-47 Thunderbolts to P-51 Mustangs. Conducted bomber escort, fighter sweeps, and ground attack missions throughout 1944 and 1945.
Squadrons
357番目 戦闘機群
ヨックスフォード・ボーイズ
ETO
英国空軍レイストン基地
第66戦闘航空団
609
空中での勝利
P-51
ムスタング
第8空軍で最も多くの空中戦勝利数（609機撃墜）を誇るP-51ムスタング部隊。キット・カーソン、チャック・イェーガー（後に音速の壁を破る）、バッド・アンダーソンなどの伝説的エースを輩出した。「ヨックスフォード・ボーイズ」は最初から全機ムスタングで編成された部隊であった。
Squadrons
359番目 戦闘機群
E.T.O.
RAFイースト・レザム
第67戦闘航空団
255
空中戦果
P-51
ムスタング
イースト・レザムから出撃し、護衛任務と地上攻撃任務を組み合わせて遂行した。P-47からP-51に移行し、1944年から45年にかけてのドイツ上空での激しい空中戦に参加した。
Squadrons
第361回 戦闘機群
イエロージャケッツ
RAF ボッティシャム
ラフ・ボッティシャム／リトルウォルデン
第65戦闘航空団
226
空中戦果
P-51
ムスタング
独特の模様から「イエロー・ジャケッツ」の愛称で知られる。東アングリアの複数の基地から出撃し、占領下のヨーロッパ全域とドイツ本国への爆撃機護衛と戦闘機掃討を行った。
Squadrons
364番目 戦闘群
ETO
RAFホーニントン
第67戦闘航空団
258
空中戦果
P-51
ムスタング
P-38 ライトニングから始まり、後にP-51 ムスタングに機種転換した。ハニントンから出撃し、長距離爆撃機の護衛や、積極的な空対空戦闘、空対地戦闘に従事した。
Squadrons
479回目 戦闘機群
リドルの襲撃者
ETO
ワティシャム空軍基地
第65戦闘航空団
155
空中戦での勝利
P-51
ムスタング
第8空軍で最後に編成された戦闘機群。1944年後半にP-38からP-51に転換された。司令官カイル・リドル大佐にちなんで「リドルズ・レイダーズ」として知られる。ロビン・オールズは第479戦闘機群で飛んだ。
Squadrons
No units found matching your search.
15
戦闘機グループ
45歳以上
飛行隊