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
93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Ted's Travelling Circus
ETO
RAF Hardwick
20TH BOMB WING
396
Missions
B-24
Liberator
100
Aircraft Lost
Named 'Ted's Travelling Circus' for their early deployment to North Africa under Colonel Ted Timberlake. Participated in the Ploesti raid. Flew 396 missions, more than any other bomb group in the 8th Air Force and were the first B-24 group in the ETO.
Squadrons
94th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Bury St Edmunds
4TH BOMB WING
324
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
153
Aircraft Lost
Stationed at Rougham near Bury St Edmunds. Among the first groups to attack Berlin in March 1944. Flew 324 combat missions through some of the most heavily defended airspace in Europe.
Squadrons
95th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Horham
13TH BOMB WING
320
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
156
Aircraft Lost
Flew 320 combat missions from Horham. Participated in the devastating Regensburg shuttle mission of August 1943. The 95th earned three Distinguished Unit Citations - more than any other group in the 8th Air Force.
Squadrons
96th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Snetterton Heath
45TH BOMB WING
321
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
189
Aircraft Lost
Operated from Snetterton Heath and flew 321 combat missions - suffering 189 aircraft lost, among the highest in the 8th. The 96th participated in virtually every major strategic bombing campaign from May 1943 to April 1945.
Squadrons
100th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Bloody Hundredth
ETO
RAF Thorpe Abbotts
13TH BOMB WING
306
Missions
B-17
Flying Fortress
177
Aircraft Lost
The legendary 'Bloody Hundredth' - suffered catastrophic losses on multiple missions, earning a reputation that attracted German fighters. Bucky Egan and Buck Cleven became legends. Immortalized in the 'Masters of the Air' series.
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 Alconbury
PATHFINDER
B-17/B-24
B-17/B-24
The 8th Air Force's pathfinder group - specialized in radar-guided bombing using H2X equipment. Led other bomb groups to their targets through heavy overcast. Operated both B-17s and B-24s from Alconbury.
Squadrons
486th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Sudbury
4TH BOMB WING
188
Missions
B-24/B-17
B-24/B-17
33
Aircraft Lost
Originally equipped with B-24s, the 486th converted to B-17s in August 1944. Flew from Sudbury and participated in the strategic bombing campaigns of the final year of the war.
Squadrons
487th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Gentlemen from Hell
ETO
RAF Lavenham
4TH BOMB WING
185
Missions
B-24/B-17
B-24/B-17
48
Aircraft Lost
Like the 486th, converted from B-24s to B-17s in mid-1944. Flew from the picturesque village of Lavenham in Suffolk. Earned a DUC for a mission against heavily defended targets in Germany.
Squadrons
489th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF Halesworth
20TH BOMB WING
106
Missions
B-24
Liberator
29
Aircraft Lost
Began combat in May 1944. Flew intensive operations through the summer of 1944 supporting the Normandy invasion and breakout. Transferred out of the 8th Air Force in November 1944 after completing 106 missions.
Squadrons
491st Bombardment Group (Heavy)
The Ringmasters
RAF Metfield
RAF Metfield / North Pickenham
14TH BOMB WING
187
Missions
B-24
Liberator
47
Aircraft Lost
Began combat operations in May 1944 and quickly took heavy losses. Transferred from Metfield to North Pickenham during the summer. The Ringmasters earned a DUC for their performance during a mission to Brunswick.
Squadrons
492nd Bombardment Group (Heavy)
ETO
RAF North Pickenham
14TH BOMB WING
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
No units found matching your search.
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
357th Fighter Group
The Yoxford Boys
ETO
RAF Leiston
66TH FIGHTER WING
609
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
The highest-scoring P-51 Mustang group in the 8th Air Force with 609 aerial victories. Produced legendary aces including Kit Carson, Chuck Yeager (who later broke the sound barrier), and Bud Anderson. The Yoxford Boys were an all-Mustang outfit from the start.
Squadrons
359th Fighter Group
ETO
RAF East Wretham
67TH FIGHTER WING
255
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
Operated from East Wretham and flew a mix of escort and ground attack missions. Transitioned from P-47s to P-51s and participated in the intense aerial combat over Germany in 1944-45.
Squadrons
361st Fighter Group
The Yellowjackets
RAF Bottisham
RAF Bottisham / Little Walden
65TH FIGHTER WING
226
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
Known as 'The Yellowjackets' for their distinctive markings. Flew from multiple bases in East Anglia providing bomber escort and conducting fighter sweeps across occupied Europe and into the German homeland.
Squadrons
364th Fighter Group
ETO
RAF Honington
67TH FIGHTER WING
258
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
Started with P-38 Lightnings before converting to P-51 Mustangs. Flew from Honington providing long-range bomber escort and engaging in aggressive air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.
Squadrons
479th Fighter Group
Riddle's Raiders
ETO
RAF Wattisham
65TH FIGHTER WING
155
Aerial Victories
P-51
Mustang
The last fighter group activated in the 8th Air Force. Converted from P-38s to P-51s in late 1944. Known as 'Riddle's Raiders' after their commander Colonel Kyle Riddle. Robin Olds flew with the 479th.
Squadrons
No units found matching your search.
15
Fighter Groups
45+
Squadrons