379th Bomb Group

Group
The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group. media-395065.jpg FRE 5122 The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5122 - The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.

The 379th Bomb Group (H) (heavy), based at Kimbolton, flew more sorties than any other Bomb Group in the Eighth Air Force and dropped a greater bomb tonnage than any other Group. The B-17 Flying Fortress Group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations, the first for operations across the period beginning 28 May 1943 to 31 July 1944. The second was awarded to the 1st Bomb Division as a whole for flying without fighter protection to bomb aircraft factories at Oschersleben on 11 January 1944.



The 379th was comprised of four (4) Bombardment Squadrons (All B-17's)

1) 524th - Squadron Marking: WA

2) 525th - Squadron Marking: FR

3) 526th - Squadron Marking: LF

4) 527th - Squadron Marking: FO

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Kimbolton 20 May 1943 - 12 June 1945

Encompassing

People

A C Bana

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Beltram

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 42nd Station Complement Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant

Abram Earl Birch

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15080111 / O-736083
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Adolph N Brocato

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Carnock

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 42nd Station Complement Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Private
  • Role/Job: AA Detachment

Aircraft

An airman of the 379th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress. Handwritten caption on reverse: '161.' Press caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp].

41-9100

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Birmingham Blitzkreig
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 414th Bomb Squadron 525th Bomb Squadron

42-102628

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron

42-102675

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron

42-102961

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron

42-107014

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lucy
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron

Mission

835

  • Date: 19 February 1945

833

  • Date: 16 February 1945
Ground crew attend to a crashed P-51 Mustang nicknamed "Baby Jo" of the 357th Fighter Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: ' Lt Noel Breen ran out of fuel 9 Feb '45.'

824

  • Date: 9 February 1945

672

  • Date: 11 October 1944

590

  • Date: 30 August 1944

Related videos and documents

UPL 40001

  • Media Type: Video
  • Object Number: UPL 40001
  • Description: Sept. 1, 2019 dedication of a war memorial in Angeren, The Netherlands, honoring the 8th USAAF 379th/524th crew of B-17F 42-29746 that crashed near...
Download File

Document 15814

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: William L Beigel Collection
  • Object Number: Document 15814
  • Description: Extract from Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) for Staff Sergeant Kenneth T Herr of the 379th Bomb Group researched by historian Bill Beigel...
Download File

Document 15932

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: William L Beigel Collection
  • Object Number: Document 15932
  • Description: Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) for Staff Sergeant Charles E Roberts of the 379th Bomb Group researched by historian Bill Beigel. The file...
Download File

Document 20134

  • Media Type: Document
  • Object Number: Document 20134
  • Description: Frank (NMI) Garst 5-25 Bomb Squadron, 379 Bomb Group (heavy)
Download File

Document 30687

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: Air Force Historical Research Agency
  • Object Number: Document 30687
  • Description: General Orders #66, 1st Air Division, 3 May 1944
Download File

Document 30688

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: Air Force Historical Research Agency
  • Object Number: Document 30688
  • Description: General Orders #42, 1st Air Division, 4 February 1944 (Partial)
Download File

Document 30697

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: Air Force Historical Research Agency
  • Object Number: Document 30697
  • Description: General Orders #41, 1st Air Division, 3 February 1944
Download File

Document 31109

  • Media Type: Document
  • Object Number: Document 31109
  • Description: The Official Report of Aircraft Accident (A.A.F. Form No. 14) for B-17G 42-31083, Tenny Belle on 11 April 1944. Lists all crew members, reports from...
Download File

Document 39809

  • Media Type: Document
  • Object Number: Document 39809
  • Description: Local Newspaper cutting telling Richard Ritter's story. Image Alan Jasper/Geoff Burke, Via Mitch Peeke.
Download File

Document 40016

  • Media Type: Document
  • Object Number: Document 40016
  • Description: Edited Field Order #506: Madgeburg Sep. 28, 1944 describing The Lost Angel (a/c 42-38183) returning to base with no incident.

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

http://www.379thbga.org/memorials.htm

Date
Contributorfremaux3
Changes
Sources

photo

Date
ContributorTennyBelle
Changes
Sources

8th AF database

Date
ContributorTennyBelle
Changes
Sources

unit patch

Date
Contributorcody1947
Changes
Sources

379th BG History

Date
Contributorcody1947
Changes
Sources

None

Date
Contributorcody1947
Changes
Sources

379th BG records

Date
Contributorcody1947
Changes
Sources

379th BG records and this aircraft's record card.

Date
Contributorcody1947
Changes
Sources

Placed data on wrong aircraft

Date
Contributorcody1947
Changes
Sources

The records of the 379th BG and this aircraft's record card.

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date
Contributorcody1947
Changes
Sources

Aircraft Record Card & some data from the 379th BG Anthology.

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

American Air Museum Data Base

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
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)

379th Bomb Group: Gallery (456 items)

Object number: UPL 40001 - Sept. 1, 2019 dedication of a war memorial in...

Flying helmet owned by 1st Lt. George E. Sandall, 379th Bomb Group, 527th Bomb Squadron.Type B-6 Sheepskin-lined Leather Flying Helmet. Fitted with ear telephones and jack-plug.

Object number: EQU 4574 - Flying helmet owned by 1st Lt. George E. Sandall...

Two crewmen of the 379th Bomb Group assemble a M-26 parachute flare at their home airbase on the 18th of December 1943. Official caption on image: "B-71322A." Printed caption on reverse: 'AC - Men assemble an M-26 parachute flare at a 379th Bomb Group base in England. 12/18/43. U.S. Air Force Photo.'

Object number: FRE 10188 - Two crewmen of the 379th Bomb Group assemble a M...

A 526th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-29889) nicknamed "Rocky" returns from the January 11th 1943 raid with one engine on the wing nearest the camera shot out and another on the far wing shot up and on fire. Passed for publication 12 Jan 1944. Printed caption on reverse: 'Fortress Returns From Toughest Day Raid With One Of Its Engines On Fire. Some of the fiercest air battles of the War were fought yesterday, January 11, when Fortresses and Liberators attacked vita

Object number: FRE 10443 - A 526th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group B-17...

Two airmen of the 379th Bomb Group go for a walk in a field near Kimbolton. Written on slide casing: 'Kimbolton.'

Object number: FRE 10662 - Two airmen of the 379th Bomb Group go for a walk...

The nose of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3325) nicknamed "Paddy Gremlin" of the 379th Bomb Group. Handwritten on slide casing: '379th B.G.'

Object number: FRE 10731 - The nose of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number...

B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 379th Bomb Group flying in formation.

Object number: FRE 10732 - B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 379th Bomb Group...

The brightly-painted 'assembly ship' B-17 Flying Fortress of the 379th Bomb Group on the 24th of July 1944. Official caption on image: "71524 A.C." Handwritten caption on reverse: '379BG.' Printed caption on reverse: 'A-71524 A.C. - This gaily painted leadship is used at an 8th Air Force base somewhere in England to organize formations as Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" of the 379th Bomb Group take off on missions over enemy territory. 24 July 1944. U.S. Air Force Photo.'

Object number: FRE 10918 - The brightly-painted 'assembly ship' B-17 Flying...

Lieutenants P.F. Brown, Herbert T. Myers and Howard C. Francis of the 379th Bomb Group plot the route for their next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30866) nicknamed "Pistol Packin' Mama". Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 6 Feb 1944.' [stamp] and '303600.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"Pistol Packin' Mama". Associated Press Photo Shows: Pilot and co-pilot check route of flight with navigator before take-off. L to R Co-pilot

Object number: FRE 1224 - Lieutenants P.F. Brown, Herbert T. Myers and...

Personnel of the 379th Bomb Group transfer a casualty from a B-17 Flying Fortress in to a waiting field ambulance. Official caption printed on image: '(GPR-162-1-379)(24-2-44).'

Object number: FRE 1225 - Personnel of the 379th Bomb Group transfer a...

Personnel of the 379th Bomb Group transfer a casualty from a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30237) nicknamed "Stump Jumper" in to a waiting field ambulance. Official caption printed on image: '(GPR-190-8-379) (June).' Printed caption on reverse: '71146 AC- A crew member of the 379th Bomb Group who was injured during a mission over Europe is carried from the Boeing B-17 "Stump Jumper" to a waiting ambulance at an 8th Air Force base in England. June 1944. US Air Force Photo.'

Object number: FRE 1226 - Personnel of the 379th Bomb Group transfer a...

Personnel of the 379th Bomb Group study official bomb strike photos following a raid. Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and Passed 22 Feb 1944.' [stamp], '307063.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '2,000 planes strike at Reich again. For the first time, an all-American air force numbering 2,000 bomber and fighter aircraft took the air on Monday Feb 21st when they launched a massive raid on German air factories and aerodrome repair depots at Brunswick and North West Germany. Photo shows:- Viewing

Object number: FRE 1227 - Personnel of the 379th Bomb Group study official...