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445th Bomb Group

Group

  • 445TH Bombardment Group (Heavy) Original artwork did not have tail markings, Those were added by the 445th's unit historian - Mike Simpson

    445TH Bombardment Group (Heavy) Original artwork did not have tail markings, Those were added by the 445th's unit historian - Mike Simpson

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  • Ground personnel of the 445th Bomb Group with a B-24 Liberator nicknamed

    Ground personnel of the 445th Bomb Group with a B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Eloise". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'L-R Harry Riskpo, Don McRae, C.C., M/Sgt Priel, Line Chief + H Davidson. 36 missions.'

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  • A B-24 Liberator (IS-L+, serial number 42-64428) of the 445th Bomb Group. L-Love (IS-L+) 700 Ramblin' Wreck Original - 11/29/44 - CR blew tire T/O - Salvaged Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Nuthampstead Group Credit.'

    A B-24 Liberator (IS-L+, serial number 42-64428) of the 445th Bomb Group. L-Love (IS-L+) 700 Ramblin' Wreck Original - 11/29/44 - CR blew tire T/O - Salvaged Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Nuthampstead Group Credit.'

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  • A B-24 Liberator (MK-S+, serial number 42-100404) nicknamed

    A B-24 Liberator (MK-S+, serial number 42-100404) nicknamed "The Grim Reaper" of the 445th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'USAAF 40.'

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  • A B-24 Liberator (MK-V+, serial number 41-29126) nicknamed

    A B-24 Liberator (MK-V+, serial number 41-29126) nicknamed "Conquest Cavalier" of the 445th Bomb Group. Image via Ian MacTaggart. Handwritten on reverse: '445th BG.'

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  • A bomber crew of the 445th Bomb Group with their B-24 Liberator. Image via Anthony P Hmura. HMmura has handwritten on the reverse: 'Left to right front row: Co-pilot- Lt Alan Goldsmith. Bombardier- Abner Musser, Lt. Pilot- Otto Tauer, Lt. Navigator- ? Forgot his name , Lt. Left to Right top row: Engineer- Morris eisenberg, T. Sgt. Asst Engineer-Anthony P Hmura, Staff Sergeant. Gunner- Jack Wikoff, S.Sgt. Radio Oper- Jack Gregerio, S. Sgt. Gunner- Richard Schultz, S. Sgt. Gunner- Trollimaier, S.Sgt. Later we became lead plane. 445th bomb Group, 703rd Bomb Squadron.'

    A bomber crew of the 445th Bomb Group with their B-24 Liberator. Image via Anthony P Hmura. HMmura has handwritten on the reverse: 'Left to right front row: Co-pilot- Lt Alan Goldsmith. Bombardier- Abner Musser, Lt. Pilot- Otto Tauer, Lt. Navigator- ? Forgot his name , Lt. Left to Right top row: Engineer- Morris eisenberg, T. Sgt. Asst Engineer-Anthony P Hmura, Staff Sergeant. Gunner- Jack Wikoff, S.Sgt. Radio Oper- Jack Gregerio, S. Sgt. Gunner- Richard Schultz, S. Sgt. Gunner- Trollimaier, S.Sgt. Later we became lead plane. 445th bomb Group, 703rd Bomb Squadron.'

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  • Ground personnel of the 445th Bomb Group gather around a B-24 Liberator (I5-B+, serial number 42-110037) after its return to base on D-Day. Printed caption on reverse: '51451- Ground crew swarming around a bomber returning from a D-Day mission for information on the invasion.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Lt Sam Miller's B-24 returning to Tibenham, Norfolk after he and crew completed a 25 mission tour of operations. First crew in the 445th bomb Group to do so.'

    Ground personnel of the 445th Bomb Group gather around a B-24 Liberator (I5-B+, serial number 42-110037) after its return to base on D-Day. Printed caption on reverse: '51451- Ground crew swarming around a bomber returning from a D-Day mission for information on the invasion.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Lt Sam Miller's B-24 returning to Tibenham, Norfolk after he and crew completed a 25 mission tour of operations. First crew in the 445th bomb Group to do so.'

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  • A bomber crew of the 445th Bomb Group. Image via Ian Mactaggart. Various veterans have signed on the reverse: 'Lt Arthur E Barks, S/Sgt. Anders S. Laminand, S/Sgt. Lee Watson, Lt. Vincent E. Frost, Lt. Glenn E. Jorgensen, S/Sgt Frank Saico A.G, S/Sgt. Charles R. Jones, S/Sgt. Paul V. Bertochi, S/Sgt. Herman A. Seliafor, arm gunner.'

    A bomber crew of the 445th Bomb Group. Image via Ian Mactaggart. Various veterans have signed on the reverse: 'Lt Arthur E Barks, S/Sgt. Anders S. Laminand, S/Sgt. Lee Watson, Lt. Vincent E. Frost, Lt. Glenn E. Jorgensen, S/Sgt Frank Saico A.G, S/Sgt. Charles R. Jones, S/Sgt. Paul V. Bertochi, S/Sgt. Herman A. Seliafor, arm gunner.'

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  • Five B-24 Liberators of the 445th Bomb Group fly in formation over Haveringland Hall, Norfolk. The Hall had been requisitioned by the Air Ministry. It would be demolished in 1946-1947.

    Five B-24 Liberators of the 445th Bomb Group fly in formation over Haveringland Hall, Norfolk. The Hall had been requisitioned by the Air Ministry. It would be demolished in 1946-1947.

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  • A B-24 Liberator (IS-P+_) of the 445th Bomb Group flies through flak.

    A B-24 Liberator (IS-P+_) of the 445th Bomb Group flies through flak.

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The 445th Bomb Group flew B-24 Liberators from Tibenham, Norfolk. The crews' first mission was bombing U-boat installations at Kiel on 13 December 1943. The Group continued to hit strategic targets in Germany, including the aircraft components factory at Gotha on 24 February 1944, during USAAF's Big Week of raids against the German aircraft industry, which earned the Group a Distinguished Unit Citation. The Group was awarded the Croix de Guerre
with Palm by the French government for operations in the European theater from December 1943 to February 1945.

Browse 445th Bomb Group photographs and other documents in the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library digital archive here: www.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive/Dashboard/Index/41

Commanding officers

  • Robert Terrill

    Military | Lieutenant General | 445th Bomb Group
    Group CO to July 1944. Transferred to 2BD

  • William Jones

    Military | Colonel | Group Operations Officer, later became Group Commanding Officer

Structure

Part of
  • 2nd Combat Bomb Wing

    2nd Combat Bomb Wing

    Wing

  • 2nd Bomb Wing

    2nd Bomb Wing

    Wing
    The 2nd Bomb Wing arrived in the UK in July 1942. The wing command became the 2nd Bomb Division in August 1943, while the wing was retitled the 2nd Combat Bomb Wing.

Encompassing
Previously was
Not yet known
Became
Not yet known

Missions

  • VIII Bomber Command 154

    13 December 1943
    The port areas at Bremen and Kiel, Germany are the primary targets for this mission. This is the first mission where more than 600 aircraft are despatched. This mission is comprised of 8 elements. The first element consists 182 B-17s from: 91BG (31);...

  • VIII Bomber Command 156

    16 December 1943
    This is a massive mission of 631 heavy bombers directed at the port area of Bremen, Germany. The force of 631 included 1 PFF-equipped B-17s from 482BG dispersed among the attacking formations. The mission is composed of three elements. The first...

  • VIII Bomber Command 159

    20 December 1943
    The port area of Bremen is the target for 546 heavy bombers. The total includes 12 PFF-equipped B-17s from 482BG. All 12 of these are effective on the target and 11 are damaged. The bomber gunners of this element claim 1-1-0 (this total included with...

  • VIII Bomber Command 161

    22 December 1943
    This mission is composed of two forces directed at two separate targets, the communication centers at Osnabruck and Munster, Germany. The force attacking at Osnabruck is composed of two elements. The first element is composed of 227 B-17s (2 are PFF...

  • VIII Bomber Command 164

    24 December 1943
    This mission is directed at V-Weapon sites in the Pas-de-Calaise area of France. The attacks are made between 1330-1510hrs. The mission is composed of three elements. The first element is a force of 277 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division that included: 91BG ...

  • VIII Bomber Command 169

    30 December 1943
    The port area and oil refineries at Ludwigshaven, Germany are the target for this massive attack of 710 heavy bombers. The despatch includes 12 PFF-equipped B-17s from 482BG, 11 of these are effective on the mission, 3 are damaged, and the bomber...

  • VIII Bomber Command 171

    31 December 1943
    This mission is the last heavy bomber operation of 1943. 1943 had been a very "tough" year for the 8th Air Force in the European Theater of Operations (ETO). 23365 B-17s had been despatched on missions and 881 had Failed to Return (FTR) for a loss...

  • 8th Air Force 174

    4 January 1944
    The port area of Kiel, Germany and the railroad marshalling yards at Munster, Germany are the Primary targets of this Mission which is organised as two elements: one going to Kiel and the other to Munster. Roger A. Freeman begins to designate aircraft...

  • 8th Air Force 176

    5 January 1944
    This mission consists of five elements: The first element is a combined force of 131 B-17s are despatched by 1st Bomb Division: 92BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 379BG; 384BG; and 482BG to bomb the shipyards and industrial areas of Kiel, Germany. 119 are...

  • 8th Air Force 178

    7 January 1944
    The industrial areas of Ludwigshaven, Germany are the primary target for this mission. The formation has three elements. The bomber gunners of the entire force claim 30-6-17 of attacking German aircraft. ...

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Stations

Station Location Date
Based Tibenham 4 November 1943 – 28 May 1945

Connections

People

  • William Aaron

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Radio Operator, Top Turret Gunner | 445th Bomb Group
    Killed in Action (KIA) 09/27/44 Shot down on Kassel mission crashed at Krauthausen in B-24 #4251355

  • Frank Aaronson

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 445th Bomb Group

  • Richard Aarvig

    Military | First Lieutenant | Bombardier | 445th Bomb Group

  • Lonnie Abell

    Military | 445th Bomb Group

  • Peter Abell

    Military | Lieutenant | Pilot | 445th Bomb Group
    Shot down by flak and fighters and crashed near Fulda, GR on a mission to Gotha, GR on 24 Feb 1944 in B-24J #42-100335. Prisoner of War (POW). POW

  • John Ablamsky

    Military | 445th Bomb Group

  • Thomas Abode

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Airplane Mechanic | 445th Bomb Group

  • Daniel Abraham

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 445th Bomb Group
    Killed in Action (KIA) 9/27/44 in B-24 'Bonnie Vee' #4295128

  • Marvin Abrams

    Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 445th Bomb Group
    Shot down in flames after fighter attacks and crashed near Einbeck, GR on a mission to Brunswick on 20 Feb 1944 in B-24H #42-7569 'Sky Wolf'. Killed in Action (KIA). AM w/ Oak Leaf Cluster/ PH

  • Frank Abruzino

    Military | 445th Bomb Group

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Aircraft

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Citations

Distinguished Unit Citation for 24 Feb 44 mission to Gotha Germany. The 445th lost 13 of 25 aircraft but successfully bombed the primary with an Excellent in bombing accuracy. The unit fought continuous fighter attacks for some two and a half hours.

Air Force
8th
Type
Combat
Type category
Bombardment
Nicknames
Not yet known
Motto
Not yet known
Insignia
Not yet known
Aircraft used
  • B-24 Liberator

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
09 March 2018 15:20:38 2nd Air Division Memorial Library Changes to description
Sources

2nd Air Division Memorial Library
Date Contributor Update
01 May 2016 01:00:20 B24Mike Changes to citations, commanding officers associations and mission associations
Sources

NARA records of the 445th Unit Historian
Date Contributor Update
25 February 2015 02:59:53 usafdo Changes to mission associations
Sources

A.L. DESTRO II
Date Contributor Update
25 February 2015 02:58:45 usafdo Changes to mission associations
Sources

A.L. DESTRO II
Date Contributor Update
25 February 2015 02:58:39 usafdo Changes to mission associations
Sources

A.L. DESTRO II
Date Contributor Update
25 February 2015 02:57:28 usafdo Changes to mission associations and media associations
Sources

A.L. DESTRO II
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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