The 379th bomb group heavy, based at kimbolton, flew more sorties than any other bomb group in the eighth air force and dropped a greater bomb tonnage than any other group. It is assigned to the 926th wing, and is located at schriever air force base, colorado for most of its existence the unit was designated the 379th bombardment squadron, and was most recently stationed under that name at shilling air force base, kansas, where it was inactivated on 25 march 1965. Feb 1, 2017 aircraft and airmen of the 8th af 379th bomb group. Original wwii army air forces aafsquadron patches page 2. Air force bomb squadron patches air force squadron patches flying tigers surplus page 2. The compass was damaged and they were flying deeper over enemy territory instead of heading home to kimbolton. The 100th bomb group foundation is dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of firsthand historical accounts of the men, missions and machines that fought in the skies over europe during wwii. Activities include periodic reunions for its members, the designation and institution of permanent memorials that will retain a legacy. This aircraft flew 58 accreted missions for the 526th bs of the 379th bg beginning on 26 november 1943 and ending in april of 1944. Nov 29, 2019 the 379th bomb group h heavy, based at raf kimbolton, flew more sorties than any other bomb group in the eighth air force and dropped a greater bomb tonnage than any other group. Air force 379th bombardment group, heavy usaf veteran locator.
Find people you served with from 379th supply squadron. The b17 flying fortress group was awarded two distinguished unit citations, the first for operations across the period beginning may 28 1943 to jul. Patch with 379th bombardment squadron emblem, 379th bombardment squadron emblem. Click image to zoom 349th bomb squadron 100th bomb group beautifully embroidered 5 inch diameter patch. The 379th bomb group was activated november 26, 1942, at gowen field, boise, idaho.
Upon activation, the unit was bestowed the honors, history and colors of the world war ii eighth air force 379th bombardment group. Us army air force, corps wwii squadron patch insignia pictures. The b17 flying fortress group was awarded two distinguished unit citations, the first for operations across the period beginning 28 may 1943 to 31 july 1944. For the first four months it was occupied with flight training in the b17. Assignments 15 jan 1941 44th bombardment group, attached 25 feb 1942 assigned 28th composite later bombardment group ca. A group of b17s from the 524th and 525th bomb squadrons, 379th bomb group. The 379th combat support group, including six squadrons bearing the same. Air force 379th bombardment group, heavy usaf veteran. The 379th bomb group wwii association is organized to perpetuate the history the 379th bomb group h ww ii, to remember and honor the memory of lost comrades, and to educate present and future generations. Pacific commands continuous bomber presence cbp missions. Ww2 army air corps air force unit records research ww2. It consisted of four squadrons of b17s, the 524th, 525th, 526th and 527th.
Click on the mission number for details of the aircraft, crew and memoirs of the incidents. It was last assigned to the 379th bombardment wing at homestead air force base, florida, where it was inactivated on 9 january 1961, when its parent wing converted to the boeing b52h stratofortress. Sawyer air force base, michigan, where it was inactivated on 1 february 1963 when strategic air command replaced its majcon wings with wings that could continue a heritage. Wwii aac aaf squadron insignia patch page 2 units above 200. B17 flying fortress serial number 4337755, lfz nicknamed everybodys baby of the 526th bomb squadron, 379th bomb group after making a forced landing near ciney, belgium on september 1944. My father was a colonel in the usaf and collected patches from every air force, army, navy and marine unit he visited. B17 bomber flying fortress the queen of the skies b17s which have completed 100 missions or more. After initial organization, a cadre moved to wendover field, utah to begin training as a heavy bomber unit with the boeing b17 flying fortress. All our military license plates and military license plate frames are made in the usa at our facility in scottsboro, alabama.
Constituted 312th bombardment squadron light on jan 1942. Sergent volkening flew 30 missions as a tail gunner and waist gunner from december 11, 1943 to june 8, 1944. The 547th bombardment squadron heavy was activated on 1 december 1942, at gowen field, idaho, as a unit of the 384th bombardment group heavy. At the start of the operations, it was remarkable to see a b17 flying fortress complete 25 and later 35 missions. The 379th bomb group holds the record for the most tonnage dropped of any u. Original wwii aaf usaf squadron patch collection for sale lost worlds collection a2, a1, g1, b2, b3, anj4 us wwii leather flight jackets aaf, usmc, usn vintage hyde corp. Air force photo frf douglaslong beach b17f25dl flying fortress sn 4231 525th bs, 379th bg, 8th af lost on may 29,1943 mission to bomb the sub pens at st. Oct 29, 20 the 379th bomb group was activated november 26, 1942, at gowen field, boise, idaho. The 527th bombardment squadron is an inactive united states air force unit. Army air force bomb group operating from the united kingdom 26,459 tons of ordnance.
See more ideas about nose art, wwii and the mighty eighth. Original wwii squadron patches 2 lost worlds collection. The b17 flying fortress group was awarded two distinguished unit. His b17 was called ye old pub and was in a terrible state, having been hit by flak and fighters. B17 aircraft, airmen and nose art of the 379th bombardment group wwii. Six b1bs from the 37th ebs, 28th bomb wing from ellsworth air force base, south dakota, are currently deployed to andersen afb, guam in support of u. Please select any of the units below to submit a research inquiry to ww2 researcher bill beigel. Unit records are useful in piecing together stories about a unit or group, as well as about individuals. Constituted 388th bombardment squadron light on january 28, 1942. Wwii squadron patch insignia pictures collection of patches. Group, 5th aaf p38 pacific 26th recon squadron, air corps us army s. The 379th bombardment wing traces its history back to 1942 when the 379th bombardment group was established november 3rd at gowen field, boise, idaho.
Usaaf squadron patches these squadron patches are beautifully hand embroidered, just like the original theatre made examples from wwii. Additional costs may incur for euro, south america and african. The 379th was comprised of four 4 bombardment squadrons all b17s 1 524th squadron marking. Flew more sorties than any other bomb group in the 8th af dropped a greater bomb tonnage than any other group lower abortive rate than any other group in action from 1943. This is a list of the missions i flew with the 379th bomb group, 526th squadron out of kimbolten england. The 526th bombardment squadron is an inactive united states air force unit. The 379th space range squadron is an air force reserve unit. The 379th bomb group flew its first 300 missions in less time than any other heavy bombardment group. Bomb squadron b17 bomber flying fortress the queen of. Motto of the 379th bomb group h 8th air force kimbolton, england b17sthe 379th bomb group was activated november 26, 1942, at gowen field, boise, idaho.
Records indicate mission numbers 47, 48, 53, 56, 57. On may 1943, the 379th bomb group was assigned to kimbolton, england, where it was stationed for the next two years. Raf kimbolton and the 379th bombardment group heavy. She was next added to the usaaf inventory on 16 january 1944. If you do not see the name of the unit you are searching for, you may click on any unit and type the correct name into the form that follows. The 379th bomb group h heavy, based at raf kimbolton, flew more sorties than any other bomb group in the eighth air force and dropped a greater bomb tonnage than any other group. This photograph was taken by charles sohier a belgian eyewitness.
Charlie brown was a b17 flying fortress pilot with the 379th bomber group at kimbolton, england. Air force 379th supply squadron usaf veteran locator. The 379th bomb group h heavy, based at kimbolton, flew more sorties than any other bomb group in the eighth air force and dropped a. The squadron was first activated at geiger field, washington in november 1942 as one of the four original squadrons of the 379th bombardment group. Original wwii 379th bomb group b17 whirlaway tail gunner. Pretty cool 37th expeditionary bomb squadron patch. The 379th bomb group h heavy, based at kimbolton, flew more sorties than any other bomb group in the eighth air force and dropped a greater bomb tonnage than any other group. On may 1943, the 379th bomb group was assigned to kimbolton, england, where it was. The b17 flying fortresses of the following list prove that they can be more than 100 missions.
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. B17s which have completed 100 missions or more b17. Overseas movement began in april, and in may the 379th arrived at kimbolton, england, aaf station 117. My father was a colonel in the usaf and collected patches from every air force, army. Then came the 379th bomb group heavy, with its famous trianglek markings on the vertical stabilizers of the b17s, which would operate from raf kimbolton until the end of the war.
She arrived overseas in scotland on 27 january 1944 and was immediately assigned to the 524th bomber squadron of the 379th bg kimbolton, england. B, salinas, california 1942 27th bomb group, 27th fighter bomber group, 27th fighter group 29th bomb squadron, 40th bomb group b24 31st troop carrier sq. The 379th holds the record for most missions flown. It was placed under the command of captain maurice s dillingham and commenced training at wendover, utah, on. Pioneered the 12plane formation that became standard during 1944 ol gappy a b17g flew 157 missions, probably more than any other in the 8th af. Constituted 371st bombardment squadron heavy on january 28, 1942. Second air force, 4 september 19416 october 1943 ii bomber command, 3 november 1942 apr.