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Group
The insignia of the 34th Bomb Group
Personnel of the 34th Bomb Group queue alongside a B-17 (serial number 43-38216) nicknamed "Tempest Turner" that was named after the Hollywood actress Lana Turner, for the world premiere of her latest film: 'Marriage is a Private Affair', held at Mendelsham. Image stamped with SHAEF press censor and London News Agency copyright. Handwritten caption on reverse: '16/10/44.' '303 EXTRA.' '34 BG.' ' 4596.' This photograph was taken at Debach Airfield, home of the 493rd BG on Sunday October 15th 1944, and not at Mendlesham, when "Marriage is A Private Affair" premiered. It was taken outside Hangar #1. The film was premiered at the 493rd BG thanks to S/Sgt Milton Elder, Ball gunner on the John Lewis crew. S/Sgt Elder, of the 862nd BS, had been a cameraman at MGM studios prior to being inducted for training as a heavy bomber gunner. His last film featured Miss Turner. 43-38216 "Tempest Turner" did not transfer to the 34th BG Until late January 1945.
![An airman of the 34th Bomb Group, stands with a B-17 Flying Fortress at Mendelsham. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Oct 1944 'R' M[illegible].' Appears to be the name of the aircraft or airman depicted. Stamped on reverse: 'Malcolm Corum'. A Bombardier from the 34th Bomb Group.](http://www.americanairmuseum.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/freeman/media-379044.jpg?itok=ajI2YiYW)
An airman of the 34th Bomb Group, stands with a B-17 Flying Fortress at Mendelsham. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Oct 1944 'R' M[illegible].' Appears to be the name of the aircraft or airman depicted. Stamped on reverse: 'Malcolm Corum'. A Bombardier from the 34th Bomb Group.
Ground personnel work on the battle damaged engines of a B-24H Liberator (serial number 41-29567) nicknamed "Bambi" of the 34th Bomb Group at Leiston, 19 July 1944. Official caption printed on image: 'I SAD 19 JULY 44 (1958)(WPU, BATTLE DAMAGE, B24 H 4129567, LEISTON) FA.' Handwritten caption on reverse: '93rd Bomb Grp 20th Combat Wing 2nd Div.' Caption refers to the 'B' painted on the aircraft's tail, which is this aircraft's radio call letter. Circle B was the tactical marking of the 93rd Bomb Group.
Nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-28851) nicknamed "The Near Sighted Robin" of the 34th Bomb Group.
A B-24H Liberator (serial number 42-94824) nicknamed "Umbriago" of the 34th Bomb Group at Dunsfold following an engine failure, 3 July 1944. Official caption printed on image: 'I SAD 3 JULY 44 (WPU ENGINE FAILURE, B24 H 42-94824 DUNSFOLD) FA.' First handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-24H-20-F0, S/N 42-94824, Umbriago.' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '34 BG 8th Air Force.'
A battle damaged B-24J Liberator (serial number 44-40468) nicknamed "Mean Kid" of the 34th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-24J-165-CO S/N 44-40468.'
Ground crew of the 7th Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group stand beneath the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Sweet Seventeen" at Mendelsham. Image via Jim Martin 7BS 34th BG. Handwritten on reverse: 'Black - (3rd from left) with Ground Crew'
A Pilot of the 391st Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group looks out the cockpit of his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8327) nicknamed "Goom-Bah!!" Image via Malcolm Corum Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-176 - B/N 85-BO 'R', S/N 4338327 391st Sq 34th BG, Mendlesham, STA - 156, Lt. Joseph Schaws Crew 101.'
A B-24 Liberator of the 34th Bomb Group is seen flying above the clouds from the tail gun position of another B-24.
After forming part of the American defence force, first on America's east coast and then on its west, the Group was assigned to the Eighth Air Force in April 1944 and entered combat in May 1944. The Group helped with the preparation for the Normandy invasion by bombing airfields and coastal defenses in France. It continued to support ground forces as they moved eastwards. The Group did not lose a single bomber to enemy fighter action over enemy territory. After V.E. day, they dropped food supplies into Holland and transported Allied prisoners of war out of Germany.
Constituted as 34th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Using B-17’s, trained and participated in maneuvers until Dec 1041. Flew Patrol missions along the east coast after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Later became part of the defense force for the west coast. Served as a replacement training unit from mid-1942 until the end of 1943, and then began preparing for overseas duty with B-24’s. Moved to England in Apr 1944 for operations with Eighth AF. Entered combat in May 1944. Helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by bombing airfields in France and Germany, and supported the landing in Jun by attacking coastal defenses and communications. Continued to take part in the campaign in France by supporting ground forces at St Lo, 24-25 Jul, and by striking V-weapon sites, gun emplacements, and supply lines throughout the summer of 1944. Converted to B-17’s and engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic objectives from Oct 1944 to Feb 1945. Targets included marshalling yards in Ludwigshaven, Hamm, Osnabruck, and Darmstadt ; oil centers in Bielefeld, Merseburg, Hamburg, and Misburg; factories in Berlin, Dalteln, and Hannover; and airfields in Munster, Neumunster, and Frankfurt. During this period the group also supported ground forces during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. In Mar 1945, with few industrial targets remaining and with Allied armies advancing across Germany, the 34th turned almost solely to interdicting enemy communications and supporting Allied ground forces. After V-E Day it carried food to flooded areas of Holland and transported prisoners of war from German camps to Allied centers. Returned to the US in the summer of 1945. Inactivated on 28 Aug 1945.
Military | Colonel | Commanding Officer
Wackwitz was appointed commanding officer of the 34th Bomb Group in January 1944 when the group was destined for service in the UK. He retained the post until September 1944.
Military | Major | Commanding Officer | 34th Bomb Group
Col. Crer succeeded Col Ernest Wackwitz, Jr as CO of the Group and AAF Station 156 including the units of attached arms and services in Sept 1944. Creer led 17 missions as Combat Command Pilot.
Retired as Major General
Wing
Although equipped with B-24 aircraft, I believe that association with 2nd BD/AD is in error. Moreover, the Group had converted to B-17 before the designation of the 2nd Air Division. The Group carried 3rd Bomb Division markings throughout its combat...
Squadron
Squadron
Squadron
Squadron
Headquarters
9 May 1944
11 May 1944
14 June 1944
Mission #10. Bombed an airfield south of Brussels. Bob Martin flew in place of Hussong.
6 July 1944
15 August 1944
Airfields in NW Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium are the primary targets for this mission. 8th Air Force despatches a total of 932 aircraft. The raid is coordinated with 1,000 Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers and Mosquitos attacking 9 airfields...
24 December 1944
1. Decision.
...
23 March 1945
Narrative - Official Air Force Mission Description
...
| Station | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Based | Mendlesham | 2 August 1944 – 18 April 1945 |
Military | 34th Bomb Group
Military | 34th Bomb Group
Military | First Lieutenant | Pilot | 34th Bomb Group
35 combat missions over Europe as Pilot of B-17 'Lucky 13. ' Required to make forced landing at an advanced fighter base near Antwerp, Belgium with 2 engines out on January 18, 1945. Three missions to Berlin.
DFC/ AM w/ 2 Oak Leaf Cluster
Military | Major | Group Navigator | 34th Bomb Group
Shot down on 8/7/44 in Sunshine Rose Prisoner of War (POW)
...
Military | 34th Bomb Group
Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 34th Bomb Group
Prisoner of War (POW) Shot down by flak and crashed near Wesermunde on 8/5/44 in B-24 Shadrach #4129557
POW
Military | Second Lieutenant | Pilot | 34th Bomb Group
Shot down 29 May 1944 in B-24 #42-94796. Landed in Sweden. Interned.
Military | Staff Sergeant | Crew chief | 34th Bomb Group
Assigned to 18BS, 34BG, 8AF USAAF. ETD
Awards: GC, WWII Victory, EAME.
Military | 34th Bomb Group
Military | 34th Bomb Group
B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator 41-28838 was originally assigned to the 486th Bomb Group and nicknamed "Tommy Thumper". The aircraft flew 7 missions with the 486th Bomb Group from 8 May 1944, before being transferred to the 34th Bomb Group and being renamed "Misery...
B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
B-24H-15-CF
Original overseas complement of 34th BG, Project Number 92537.
B-24 Liberator
B-24H 41-29557 E/L "Shadrach". Missing in Action Flak believed near Vagdeburg. Crashed at Wesermunde with 7BS. Pilot: Terry. Missing Air Crew Report #7697. 1 Killed in Action, 8 or 9 Prisoner of War.
B-24 Liberator
Assigned to 18BS, 34BG, 8AF USAAF. 5 x combat missions. Returning from Tourres, A/C shot down by intruder, Ju88 7-Jun-44. 7 x RTD, 3 x KIA. MACR 6725
B-24 Liberator
P-47 Thunderbolt
B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
None
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 22 August 2019 09:47:34 | Emily | Changes to insignia, us air force combat units of world war ii description, person associations and commanding officers associations |
| Sources | ||
Air Force Combat Units of WWII |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 26 March 2017 07:23:24 | Scott 34th7th | Changes to media associations |
| Sources | ||
Personal documents of John A Ferard as provided by his son (Scott 34th7th). |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 02 June 2015 00:47:48 | jpstamper | Changes to motto and mission associations |
| Sources | ||
Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 02 May 2015 20:32:22 | JasonR | Changes to aircraft types and mission associations |
| Sources | ||
34th BG history/records |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 22 November 2014 15:42:25 | baerc234 | Changes to type, description, aircraft types, unit encompassing associations and mission associations |
| Sources | ||
Unit History |
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| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 27 September 2014 18:42:45 | AAM | AAM ingest |
| Sources | ||
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / The Mighty Eighth. A History of the Units, Men and Machines of the US 8th Air Force.' by Roger A. Freeman (1989). 'Air Force Combat Units of World War II' compiled by the Department of the US Air Force, edited by Maurice Maurer (1983). / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980) |
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