Bomber Bases of WW2 3rd Air Division, 8th Air Force USAAF, 1942-45
Bomber Bases of WW2 3rd Air Division, 8th Air Force USAAF, 1942-45

Author: Martin W. Bowman

Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Published: 2009-01-01

Total Pages: 241

ISBN-13: 1844158284

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"The 3rd Air Division: Elveden Hall was the Headquarters of this division of the 8th US Army Air Force. Broadly speaking it flew B17 Flying Fortresses out of Suffolk, but included some bases in Norfolk. Some units had short periods flying B24 Liberators. The famous 'Bloody Hundredth', based at Thorpe Abbotts was typical of the units within the 3rd Air Division. From June 1943 to January 1944 it concentrated its efforts against airfields, submarine facilities and aircraft industries in France and Germany. January through May 1944, the Group bombed enemy airfields, industries, marshalling yards, V-1 missile sites, including participation in the Allied campaign against enemy aircraft factories during Big Week, February 20-25, 1944. Participated in the first daylight raid against Berlin (March 4, 1944) and completed a series of attacks against Berlin March 6, 8, 1944 for which the 100th Bomb Group was awarded a second Presidential Unit Citation. In the summer of 1944 oil installations became the major target. In October through December 1944, the Century Bombers attacked transportation, oil refineries and ground defenses in the drive against the Siegfried Line. They were involved in the December 24, 1944 mission to attack communication centers and airfields in the Ardennes sector during the Battle of the Bulge. January to April 1945, the Group concentrated on marshalling yards, bridges, factories, docks, oil refineries and ground support. Airfields included are Bury St Edmunds, Debach, Deopham Green Eye, Framlington, Great Ashfield, Horham, Knettishall, Lavenham, Mendlesham, Rattlesden, Snetterton Heath, Sudbury and Thorpe Abbots, which has one of the finest aviation museums in England. This book looks at the history and personalities associated with each base, what remains today and explores the favourite local wartime haunts where aircrew and ground crew would have sought well-deserved entertainment and relaxation. Other museums and places that are relevant are described and general directions on how to get them included"--Publisher's website.

2nd Air Division Air Force USAAF 1942-45
2nd Air Division Air Force USAAF 1942-45

Author: Martin Bowman

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2007-04-19

Total Pages: 204

ISBN-13: 1844155471

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As part of the AHT series, the airfields and interest in this book are concentrated in a particular area - in this case Norfolk and Suffolk. The Second Air Division's first bombing mission was flown on November 7, 1942; the last on April 25, 1945. A total of 95, 948 sorties were flown in 493 operational missions by the division's B-24s, dropping 199,883 tons of bombs. Targets attacked ranged from Norway in the north, as far east as Poland and Romania, while several Mediterranean countries were reached from temporary bases in North Africa. Six 2nd Air Division groups received special presidential citations for outstanding actions and five airmen received the Medal of Honor (highest US award for bravery), four posthumously. In combat the 2nd Air Division gunners claimed 1,079 enemy fighters destroyed against losses of 1,458 B-24s missing in action and many others lost in accidents. This book looks at the history and personalities associated with each base, what remains today and explores the favourite local wartime haunts where aircrew and ground crew would go.

2nd Air Division Air Force USAAF 1942-45
2nd Air Division Air Force USAAF 1942-45

Author: Martin W. Bowman

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2007-04-19

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 1473812585

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As part of the AHT series, the airfields and interest in this book are concentrated in a particular area—in this case Norfolk and Suffolk. The Second Air Division's first bombing mission was flown on November 7, 1942; the last on April 25, 1945. A total of 95, 948 sorties were flown in 493 operational missions by the division's B-24s, dropping 199,883 tons of bombs. Targets attacked ranged from Norway in the north, as far east as Poland and Romania, while several Mediterranean countries were reached from temporary bases in North Africa. Six 2nd Air Division groups received special presidential citations for outstanding actions and five airmen received the Medal of Honor (highest US award for bravery), four posthumously. In combat the 2nd Air Division gunners claimed 1,079 enemy fighters destroyed against losses of 1,458 B-24s missing in action and many others lost in accidents. This book looks at the history and personalities associated with each base, what remains today and explores the favourite local wartime haunts where aircrew and ground crew would go.

Combat Squadrons of the Air Force; World War II.
Combat Squadrons of the Air Force; World War II.

Author: United States. USAF Historical Division

Publisher:

Published: 1969

Total Pages: 856

ISBN-13:

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This collection of squadron histories has been prepared by the USAF Historical Division to complement the Division's book, Air Force Combat Units of World War II. The 1,226 units covered by this volume are the combat (tactical) squadrons that were active between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Each squadron is traced from its beginning through 5 March 1963, the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the 1st Aero (later Bombardment) Squadron, the first Army unit to be equipped with aircraft for tactical operations. For each squadron there is a statement of the official lineage and data on the unit's assignments, stations, aircraft and missiles, operations, service streamers, campaign participation, decorations, and emblem.

Air Base England: the Mighty Eighth in World War Two
Air Base England: the Mighty Eighth in World War Two

Author: Ken Delve

Publisher:

Published: 2017-12-21

Total Pages: 210

ISBN-13: 9781973454120

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HOME FROM HOME?From small beginnings in late 1942 to the mighty daylight air armadas of 1945, the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) campaigns from bases in the United Kingdom were proof of the commitment of the US to the Allied strategy of 'Germany First'. The destruction of Hitler's regime was the key, and US air power became a dominant factor in the European campaigns. Not in itself war-winning, it was only one element of overall Allied air power, and air power was also not an isolated weapon of war, and victory ultimately came from 'boots on the ground' from D-Day in June 1945 to the hard-fought battles into Germany and the final German collapse in May 1945.However, the impact of the USAAF's Eighth and Ninth Air Forces was without doubt significant; it was also costly and at times at risk. It was seldom at risk of total failure, even with high loss rates the sheer amount of men and material available was too great, if commanders were determined enough to keep going. As with the RAF's bombing campaign, losses could have been reduced if some decision had been made differently, if training had been more appropriate, and commanders, in some cases, less dogmatic and fixated. This book will provide an overview of the campaigns of the Eighth Air Force, but that is only a brief overview with some key events and decisions. The book focuses on the operational air bases from which the Bomber Groups and their Little Friends, the Fighter Groups, flew on an almost daily basis.

Screwball Express
Screwball Express

Author: Kenneth H. Cassens

Publisher: Turner Publishing Company

Published: 1992-06-15

Total Pages: 247

ISBN-13: 1681621436

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A detailed biography of a B-17G Flying Fortress assigned to the 379the Bomb Group at Kimbolton, England, during WWII.