34th Bomb Group
Group
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 5062 - The insignia of the 34th Bomb Group
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.
Commanding Officers
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer
Connections
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Unit stations
| Station | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
|
Based |
Mendlesham | 2 August 1944 - 18 April 1945 |
Encompassing
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 391st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33488786
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 7th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-767776
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 487th Bomb Group 7th Bomb Squadron 837th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-816278
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 4th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: AO2065527
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator; Bombardier
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 391st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Smitty
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 4th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Me Worry
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Frivolous Sal
- Unit: 34th Bomb Group 4th Bomb Squadron
Mission
Revisions
Personal documents of John A Ferard as provided by his son (Scott 34th7th).
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)
