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487th Bomb Group

Group

  • The insignia of the 487th Bomb Group. N.B. The nickname

    The insignia of the 487th Bomb Group. N.B. The nickname "Gentlemen From Hell" has only been used in connection with the Group since the 487th Bomb Group Association was formed in 1967. It was not an official wartime nickname. The "Gentlemen From Hell" patch was used by a very few members of the 487th Bomb Group at Alamogordo, New Mexico during training Jan–Mar 1944, and during the early days of operations at Lavenham, England. Most veterans of the 487th Bomb Group knew nothing about it during the war. This looks like a postwar reproduction. Mr. Freeman probably obtained it from a 487th Bomb Group veteran after 1967. It definitely was not the insignia of the 487th Bomb Group. There was no official 487th Bomb Group insignia.

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  • The nose art of a B-24 Liberator nicknamed

    The nose art of a B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Fluxuatin' Kate" of the 487th Bomb Group.

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  • Lieutenant Colonel Beirne Lay Jr (second from left) assumed command of the 487th Bomb Group at Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico on February 28, 1944. He is pictured here at a party at the base officers club with his wife, Philippa Ludwell Lee, talking to Lieutenant Colonel Frank P. Bostrom (at left), the base commander. Bostrom was famous for flying General Douglas MacArthur from the Philippines to Australia in early 1942. He commanded Alamogordo Army Air Base from November 1943 until April 1944, and later commanded the 490th Bomb Group in England. On the right is Lieutenant Colonel John Veerling, the 487th Bomb Group Executive Officer. Lay was shot down on May 11, 1944, and evaded capture. (Photo also in the collection of Leo M. Burbridge, 487BG Adjutant)

    Lieutenant Colonel Beirne Lay Jr (second from left) assumed command of the 487th Bomb Group at Alamogordo Army Air Base, New Mexico on February 28, 1944. He is pictured here at a party at the base officers club with his wife, Philippa Ludwell Lee, talking to Lieutenant Colonel Frank P. Bostrom (at left), the base commander. Bostrom was famous for flying General Douglas MacArthur from the Philippines to Australia in early 1942. He commanded Alamogordo Army Air Base from November 1943 until April 1944, and later commanded the 490th Bomb Group in England. On the right is Lieutenant Colonel John Veerling, the 487th Bomb Group Executive Officer. Lay was shot down on May 11, 1944, and evaded capture. (Photo also in the collection of Leo M. Burbridge, 487BG Adjutant)

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  • This is Mayfield R. Shilling (16 Jul 1918 – 28 Jul 1997), U.S. Army Air Corps, of Texas. He was a pilot, operations officer, and air leader in the 838th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group (Heavy), based at Army Air Forces Station 137, Lavenham, Suffolk, England, in 1944–1945. On the 8th Air Force mission of December 24, 1944, he was the Deputy Air Leader of the 487th Bomb Group, flying with the crew of Lt John H. Edwards in B-17G 44-8021. The Air Leader was Brig Gen Frederick W. Castle, who flew with the crew of Lt Robert W. Harriman in B-17G 44-8444. Captain Shilling took over the lead of the 487th Bomb Group after General Castle was shot down with Lt Harriman’s crew (Missing Air Crew Report 11552). Captain Shilling was later promoted to Major. After the war he lived at Kerrville, Texas, where he was employed by Ideal Basic Industries. He was also an interim Chairman of the Board of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. He died at Kerrville, Texas, and is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Mayfiled Shilling, Houston, Texas.'

    This is Mayfield R. Shilling (16 Jul 1918 – 28 Jul 1997), U.S. Army Air Corps, of Texas. He was a pilot, operations officer, and air leader in the 838th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group (Heavy), based at Army Air Forces Station 137, Lavenham, Suffolk, England, in 1944–1945. On the 8th Air Force mission of December 24, 1944, he was the Deputy Air Leader of the 487th Bomb Group, flying with the crew of Lt John H. Edwards in B-17G 44-8021. The Air Leader was Brig Gen Frederick W. Castle, who flew with the crew of Lt Robert W. Harriman in B-17G 44-8444. Captain Shilling took over the lead of the 487th Bomb Group after General Castle was shot down with Lt Harriman’s crew (Missing Air Crew Report 11552). Captain Shilling was later promoted to Major. After the war he lived at Kerrville, Texas, where he was employed by Ideal Basic Industries. He was also an interim Chairman of the Board of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. He died at Kerrville, Texas, and is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Mayfiled Shilling, Houston, Texas.'

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  • Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Misch Auer, Mayfield Shilling, Eb Eberhart & Searle' These are four officers of the 487th Bomb Group outside the 838th Bomb Squadron operations room at Station 137, Lavenham, Suffolk, England in 1944. They are (left to right): Edmund F. 'Misch' Auer (lead navigator, 838th Bomb Squadron), Mayfield R. Shilling (air leader, 838th Bomb Squadron), Francis C. 'Eb' Eberhart (Commanding Officer, 838th Bomb Squadron), and Lieutenant Ralph R. Searle (bombardier, 837th Bomb Squadron). Lt Searle was Squadron Bombardier of the 838th Bomb Squadron during training in the States from September to December 1943. He flew overseas as bombardier on the crew of Lt Richard A. Ridlen, 837th Bomb Squadron, and was later transferred to the 418th Bomb Squadron of the 100th Bomb Group. Notice that Edmund Auer and Mayfield Shilling were still Lieutenants when this was taken. They were both promoted to Captain by December 1944. This photo was probably taken soon after the 487th Bomb Group arrived in England in April 1944. I suspect that this photo came from the collection of Doctor (Captain) Isadore Lerner, 838th Bomb Squadron Flight Surgeon.

    Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Misch Auer, Mayfield Shilling, Eb Eberhart & Searle' These are four officers of the 487th Bomb Group outside the 838th Bomb Squadron operations room at Station 137, Lavenham, Suffolk, England in 1944. They are (left to right): Edmund F. 'Misch' Auer (lead navigator, 838th Bomb Squadron), Mayfield R. Shilling (air leader, 838th Bomb Squadron), Francis C. 'Eb' Eberhart (Commanding Officer, 838th Bomb Squadron), and Lieutenant Ralph R. Searle (bombardier, 837th Bomb Squadron). Lt Searle was Squadron Bombardier of the 838th Bomb Squadron during training in the States from September to December 1943. He flew overseas as bombardier on the crew of Lt Richard A. Ridlen, 837th Bomb Squadron, and was later transferred to the 418th Bomb Squadron of the 100th Bomb Group. Notice that Edmund Auer and Mayfield Shilling were still Lieutenants when this was taken. They were both promoted to Captain by December 1944. This photo was probably taken soon after the 487th Bomb Group arrived in England in April 1944. I suspect that this photo came from the collection of Doctor (Captain) Isadore Lerner, 838th Bomb Squadron Flight Surgeon.

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  • Colonel William Kemp Martin. He was Commanding Officer of the 487th Bomb Group from December 28, 1944 to May 29, 1945.

    Colonel William Kemp Martin. He was Commanding Officer of the 487th Bomb Group from December 28, 1944 to May 29, 1945.

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  • The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-29483) nicknamed

    The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-29483) nicknamed "Gashouse Gus" of the 487th Bomb Group.

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  • Captain Edmund F. Auer of the 487th Bomb Group in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Misch' This is Captain Edmund F. 'Misch' Auer, Army serial number O-795170, who was a lead navigator in the 838th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group at Lavenham, Suffolk, England. His buddies in the service called him 'Misch', after the actor Mischa Auer. His good friend Doctor (Captain) Isadore Lerner, the 838th Bomb Squadron flight surgeon, explained:

    Captain Edmund F. Auer of the 487th Bomb Group in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Misch' This is Captain Edmund F. 'Misch' Auer, Army serial number O-795170, who was a lead navigator in the 838th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group at Lavenham, Suffolk, England. His buddies in the service called him 'Misch', after the actor Mischa Auer. His good friend Doctor (Captain) Isadore Lerner, the 838th Bomb Squadron flight surgeon, explained: "His real name was Edmund Auer, but he was quickly tagged as Misch, after a well-known movie comedian who usually portrayed old phony Russian aristocrats. Misch himself was a funny fellow, always in good humor, and never complaining. We joined up as roommates, and became fast friends. He was older than most of the men in the squadron. In fact he was my age, 27." Capt Auer was shot down while flying with the crew of Lt Robert W. Harriman in B-17G 44-8444 on December 24, 1944 (MACR 11552). He survived the war. The identity of Edmund F. Auer in this photo was confirmed by Edward F. Auer, his son, in February 2015.

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  • Roy K Snell of the 487th Bomb Group outside his Nissen hut. Image via Roy K Snell. Snell has handwritten on the reverse: 'Out hut in the 837th. Me after about 25 missions.'

    Roy K Snell of the 487th Bomb Group outside his Nissen hut. Image via Roy K Snell. Snell has handwritten on the reverse: 'Out hut in the 837th. Me after about 25 missions.'

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  • Two ground crewman of the 487th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image via Roy K Snell. Snell has handwritten on the reverse: 'Our ground crew.'

    Two ground crewman of the 487th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image via Roy K Snell. Snell has handwritten on the reverse: 'Our ground crew.'

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The 487th Bomb Group began operations as preparations for D-Day were reaching their crescendo and played their part by bombing airfields in northern France. Like the 486th Bomb Group, the 487th switched to B-17 Flying Fortress for missions from 1 August 1944 and undertook strategic missions against targets in Germany. The Group led the largest Eighth Air Force mission of the war, 24 December 1944, when clear weather led to a concerted attack by more than 2,000 bombers on airfields and communication sites in western Germany.

The nickname "Gentlemen From Hell" has only been used in connection with the Group since the 487th Bomb Group Association was formed in 1967. It was not an official wartime nickname. The "Gentlemen From Hell" patch was used by a very few members of the 487th Bomb Group at Alamogordo, New Mexico during training Jan–Mar 1944, and during the early days of operations at Lavenham, England. Most veterans of the 487th Bomb Group knew nothing about it during the war.

Commanding officers

  • Beirne Lay

    Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Group commander | 100th Bomb Group
    Shot down 11 May 1944 in B-24H #41-29468 'Peg O' My Heart'. Evaded. Lay served as one of the six original staff officers under Gen. Eaker at the beginning of the war and flew in the 97th, 100th and 487th Bomb Groups. He later wrote '12 o'clock high'...

  • Howard Todt

    Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Commanding Officer | 487th Bomb Group
    DFC/ Air Medal w 6Oak Leaf Cluster

  • Nicholas Perkins

    Military | Colonel | Group commander | 487th Bomb Group
    Commanding Officer, 94th Bomb Group, Bury St. Edmunds 16-Mar-1945 to 3-Jun-45; Commanding Officer 487th Bomb Group, Lavenham 3-Jun-45 to 24-Aug-45.

  • Robert Taylor

    Military | Major | Pilot | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
    Graduate of West Point and rose to deputy commander of the 95th BW. On March 1, 1942, Captain Taylor was appointed a Major. In April 1942, Major Taylor became the operations officer of the 44th Bomb Group (Heavy) and in September of that year went with...

  • William Martin

    Military | Colonel | Group commander | 487th Bomb Group

Structure

Part of
Encompassing
Previously was
Not yet known
Became
Not yet known

Missions

  • 347

    9 May 1944

  • 350

    11 May 1944

  • 412

    14 June 1944
    Mission #10. Bombed an airfield south of Brussels. Bob Martin flew in place of Hussong.

  • 412

    14 June 1944
    Mission #10. Bombed an airfield south of Brussels. Bob Martin flew in place of Hussong.

  • 8th Air Force 760

    24 December 1944
    1. Decision. ...

  • 8th Air Force 760

    24 December 1944
    1. Decision. ...

Stations

Station Location Date
Based Lavenham 5 April 1944 – 24 August 1945

Connections

People

  • Emile Abadie

    Military | Sergeant | Waist Gunner | 487th Bomb Group
    Shot down 28 May 1944 in B-24 #4252651. Evaded.

  • Anthony Abatsis

    Military | Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 487th Bomb Group
    Flew on B-24 'Satan's Lady'

  • Frank Abbote

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier, Special, Navigator | 487th Bomb Group
    Killed in Action (KIA) 14 January 1945 PH

  • Bert Abel

    Military | Lieutenant | Supply Officer | 487th Bomb Group

  • James Abercrombie

    Military | 487th Bomb Group

  • Harvin Abrahamson

    Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 487th Bomb Group

  • Jerome Abramowitz

    Military | Lieutenant | Navigator | 487th Bomb Group
    Flew on B-17 #42-98014.

  • Cedric Ackerson

    Military | First Lieutenant | Navigator | 487th Bomb Group

  • James Acocks

    Military | Captain | Flight Surgeon | 487th Bomb Group

  • Thaddeus Adamiec

    Military | 487th Bomb Group

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Aircraft

  • 41-28822

    B-24 Liberator

  • 41-29468 Peg O My Heart

    B-24 Liberator

  • 41-29479 The Big Bad Wolf

    B-24 Liberator
    Initially assigned to 487th Bomb Group, 838th Bomb Sqdn; transferred to 448th Bomb Group, 715th Bomb Sqdn in April 1944

  • 42-102497

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 9/3/44; Hunter 10/4/44; Dow Fd 29/4/44; Assigned 836BS/487BG [2G-A] Lavenham 1/5/44; Missing in Action Darmstadt 24/12/44 with Willard Curtiss, Frank Callaghen, Salvaged Saporito (3 Killed in Action); Tom Collins, Ed Ghezzi, Jim...

  • 42-107188 Ramp Rooster

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Tulsa 18/3/44; Kearney 29/3/44; Dow Fd 6/4/44; Assigned 602BS/398BG [K8-G] Nuthampstead 5/5/44; (42m) Missing in Action Bingen, Ger 29/12/44 with Mahlon Erickson, Navigator: Paul Nachtwey, Radio Operator: Claiborne Graves, Ball turret gunner:...

  • 42-30298 Ragin Red II

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 11/5/43; Gore 24/5/43; Smoky Hill 29/5/43; Dow Fd 3/6/43; Assigned 525BS/379BG [FR-M] Kimbolton 13/6/43 TENDER TIT TILLIE, then RAGIN' RED II; transferred 837BS/487BG [4F] Lavenham 15/7/44; 78th Fighter Wing 24/10/44; transferred...

  • 42-37760 'Avenger'

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Denver 19/8/43; Assigned 532BS/381BG [VE-F] Ridgewell 20/9/43; after 6 missions transferred AFSC, 487BG Lavenham; APH & Azon duties at Knettishall /44. AVENGER.

  • 42-39811

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Long Beach 8/9/43; Assigned 365BS/305BG [XK-C] Chelveston 17/10/43; then to 422NLS [JJ-E] 23/5/44; transferred 838BS/487BG Lavenham; Missing in Action French leaflet drop 6/7/44, with James Brown, Co-pilot: John Mann, Navigator: Carlisle...

  • 42-52444

    B-24 Liberator

  • 42-52577

    B-24 Liberator

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Citations

None

Air Force
8th
Type
Combat
Type category
Bombardment
Nicknames

The Gentlemen From Hell (postwar nickname)

Motto
Not yet known
Insignia
Not yet known
Aircraft used
  • B-17 Flying Fortress
  • B-24 Liberator

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
05 October 2016 10:28:15 Lucy May Changes to nicknames and description
Sources

Added qualifications to nickname after correspondence with Paul Webber, Secretary, 487th Bomb Group Association (http://www.487thbg.org/)
For details see: http://487thbg.org/Stories/487th%20BG%20Insignia%20Memo.pdf
Date Contributor Update
11 March 2015 16:11:11 rossingtonj Changes to type, nicknames, aircraft types, commanding officers associations, mission associations and stations
Sources

487th Bomb Group website: http://www.487thbg.org/BriefHistory.htm
Date Contributor Update
27 September 2014 18:42:46 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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