464th Bomb Group

Group
A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-49710) nicknamed "Stevonovitch II (Black Nan)" of the 464th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force explodes and rolls over in midair as a result of a direct flak hit, during a mission over Lugo, Italy, 10 April 1945. media-418273.jpg FRE 8798 A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-49710) nicknamed "Stevonovitch II (Black Nan)" of the 464th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force explodes and rolls over in midair as a result of a direct flak hit, during a mission over Lugo, Italy, 10 April 1945. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 8798 - A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-49710) nicknamed "Stevonovitch II (Black Nan)" of the 464th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force explodes and...

A Consolidated History of the 464th Bomb Group



The 464th Bombardment Group (H), consisting of HQS, the 776th, 777th, 778th and 779th Bombardment Squadrons, was activated at Wendover Field, Utah, on 1 August 1943.

The first temporary change of station was made on 22 August 1943 without personnel or equipment to Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. The first personnel were assigned to the Group on 26 August 1943.

The first training was received at AAFSAT, Orlando, Florida during the month of September, 1943, where Lt. Colonel Marshall Bonner assumed command. Lt. Colonel Sylvan D. Hand joined the Group at Gowen Field as Deputy Group Commander.

The Group arrived at its permanent base, AAB, Pocatello, Idaho on 2 October 1943, where second and third phase combat training was carried on during the months of October, November and December, 1943, and in January and February, 1944.

The Ground Echelon departed by troop train for overseas service on 9 February 1944. The Air Echelon departed by air on 21 February 1944 for the staging area at AAB, Lincoln, Nebraska. From Lincoln, aircraft crews took off singly for their overseas destination, via Morrison Field, Florida, Borinquen, Puerto Rico, Atkinson, British New Guiana, Belem and Natal, Brazil, Dakar, Marrakech and Oudna, Africa. The first aircraft and crew arrived at Oudna on 9 March 1944.

After training at Oudna, the Group flew to temporary Base at Gioia del Cole, Italy on 21 April 1944 and flew their first combat mission on 30 April 1944 with the Marshalling Yards at Castel Maggiore, Italy as the Group's first combat target.

The Group moved by air and truck to its permanent base at Pantanella, Italy on 1 June 1944. Lt. Colonel Sylvan D. Hand, the Deputy Group Commander, was lost on the second combat mission, the target being the Parma West Marshalling Yards, Italy on 2 May 1944. Colonel Marshall Bonner, Group Commander, was lost on combat mission over Vienna, Austria, on 26 June 1944.

Lt. Colonel Charles F. McKenna III, was appointed Deputy Group Commander on 30 May 1944. Colonel A. L. Schroeder was appointed Group Commanding Officer on 30 June 1944.

Colonel Andrew Jackson Byrd replaced Colonel Schroeder early in the winter of '44-'45 remaining in command until the end of hostilities and the deactivation of the group at Waller Field, Trinidad 31 July 1945.

210 completed combat sorties were flown with a loss of 138 aircraft. Fortunately many B-24 type air crews survived to return and fly again unless they were captured or interned in a neutral nation.



This brief history was reproduced with the permission of Tony Schneider, Secretary/NL Editor (464th, 776), from the 464th 2000 Reunion booklet .

Commanding Officers

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Group Commander - Pilot

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Gioia del Colle 21 April 1944 - 1 June 1944

Based

Pantanella 1 June 1944

Based

Pantanella 21 April 1944

Encompassing

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 778th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14062121
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 777th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-691627
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 777th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36758112
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Group Commander - Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 776th Bomb Squadron 464th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 16082792
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Heavy Date
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 777th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Easy Maid
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 779th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: The Ugly Duckling
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 778th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Three Cornered Kid
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 776th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Com-Batty
  • Unit: 464th Bomb Group 776th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

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464th Bomb Group: Gallery (19 items)