The group flew their first mission on the 22nd december 1943 and over the next eighteen months the air crews flew 262 missions over occupied europe. Commanding officer 44th bomb group the flying eightballs commanding officer 44th bomb group from 3september 1943 to 3december 1943 while serving tdy with the 9th air force at oudna, tunisia. Feb 27, 2014 aircraft and airmen of the 8th af 448th bomb group. The 448th supply chain management group is an inactive united states air force unit. Bill is an expert in locating records of downed flyers from fighter groups, fighter squadrons, bomb groups, bomb squadrons, reconnaissance units, combat cargo. Historical database containing names,missions,aircraft and personal biographies of the men and women that served in the 44th bomb group durring world war ii. The 8th af was primarily engaged in the bombardment of strategic targets in europe. See 91st bgma reunion photos from the may 2018 rollout of the memphis belle in dayton, ohio. The 448th flew b24 liberators as part of the eighth air forces strategic bombing campaign. The 448th bombardment group was organized on 6 april 1943 and activated on 1.
See more ideas about the mighty eighth, aircraft and d day invasion. The eighth air force archive is the result of the efforts of james hill, the editor of the 8th af news. Group, h to bombardment group, heavy, as well as organiza tional changes that. The 448th flew b24 liberators as part of the eighth air forces strategic. B24 liberator units of the united states army air forces. Add the 334 bomb squadron, 95 bomb group, 8th air force patch to your favorite shirt, vest, cap, or jacket. The airfield was opened on 1 december 1943 and was used by the united states army air forces eighth air force 448th. Visit our 8th air force honor project with rosters of servicemen who served in the groups of the 8th. The eighth air force archive documents both the fighter and bomber groups that served in europe and africa during world.
The group enered combat on 22 december 1943, and until april 1945 served primarily as a strategic bombardment organization, hitting such targets as aircraft factories in gotha, ballbearing plants in berlin, an airfield at hanau, uboat facilities at kiel, a chemical plant at ludwigshafen, synthetic oil refineries at politz, aircraft engine plants at rostock, marshalling yards at cologne, and a buzz. Was primary heavy bombardment air force in the european theater of operations. Volunteers are transcribing servicemen names and their awards from general orders that we are publishing on this website for enthusiasts, families and researchers of genealogy and world war ii history. Vintage original wwii ww2 usaaf 8th army air force air corps patch. First 8th air force bomb groups to be equipped with b24 liberators. Air force 448th bombardment group, heavy usaf veteran locator. This group is dedicated to the research and remembrance of the 712th, 7th, 714th, and 715th squadrons of the 448th bomb group of the mighty eighth air. Its last assignment was to the 448th fighterbomber wing, stationed at hensley field, texas. Air force 448th bombardment group, heavy usaf veteran. Primary strategic bombardment air force of the mediterranean theater of operations mto operating from airfields in southern italy. Sustained highest losses of aircraft of any b24 group in 8th air force. Make offer vintage original wwii ww2 usaaf 8th army air force air corps patch.
The 448th bomb group was a b24 liberator group that flew out of seething, norfolk. During world war ii, its predecessor unit, the 448th bombardment group was an eighth air force. Hill began collecting papers, audiovisual materials. Hill passed away in 1998, and the 8th air force memorial museum foundation 8afmmf currently.