385th Bomb Group

Group
The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group. media-395080.jpg FRE 5137 The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5137 - The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.

The 385th Bomb Group, who took the nickname "Van's Valiants" after their first Commanding Officer Col. Elliot Vandevanter, flew B-17s from Great Ashfield, Suffolk. The Group led the famous attack on the Focke-Wolfe aircraft factory at Marienburg on 9 October 1943, during which only two out of one hundred B-17s were lost and all of the buildings on the site were damaged or destroyed. They won two Distinguished Unit Citations. The first, awarded to all 4th Bomb Wing Groups, was for accurately dropping their pay load on an aircraft factory at Regensburg, on 17 August 1943 and the Group's second was awarded after leading a difficult long-range mission to destroy an aircraft repair works at Zwickau, south-west Germany, on 12 May 1944.

Commanding Officers

Lieutenant-Colonel Elliot Vandevanter Jr Commanding Officer of the 385th Bomb Group, signs off a medal recommendation with Lieutenant Wagner and Corporal Joseph Fitzgerald. Passed for publication 1 Nov 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Presentation Of Awards To The Heroic Flyers Of U.S. Eighth Air Force. So many American flyers of the Eighth Air Force have achieved so many high distinctions that the presentation of medals and awards has become a "big business" in England. One of them is Lt.Col. Preston P

Elliott Vandevanter

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-21989
  • Highest Rank: Brigadier General
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer

Connections

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

Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Great Ashfield 28 June 1943 - 4 August 1945

Encompassing

People

Abel S Rebello

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Alvin S Rosenthal

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
First Lieutenant Albert Rummans of the 385th Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed for publication 26 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-13. His ship successfully bombed Regensburg - L/Lt.[sic] Albert Rummans, of Madison, Tenn., about to board his machine at the start of another onslaught on vital enemy targets.' Censor no: 285568. On reverse: Keystone Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Pre

Albert E Rummans

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 551st Bomb Squadron 385th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 14069975 / O-795486
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Alexander Rusecky

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-824894
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Allan M Saarnio

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36827855
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Aircraft

42-30285

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Roundtrip Ticket / Mary Ellen
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 388th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron 563rd Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30336) of the 385th Bomb Group that has crash landed after overshooting the runway. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Overshot landing. R. Bowers.'

42-30336

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Miss Nonalee II
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron

42-30354

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hustlin Hussy
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron

42-30364

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Old Shillelagh II
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
Roundtrip Ticket II

42-30414

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Roundtrip Ticket II
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron

Mission

Revisions

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Contributoracbernstein1
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Contributed courtesy of the 385th BG Association.  https://www.385thbga.com/wp-content/uploads/Fire.pdf 

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Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
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Contributorhermanns
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385th BG website

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Contributorhermanns
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Documented source

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Contributorhermanns
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Documented source

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ContributorEMBLEMHUNTER
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my photo

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ContributorEMBLEMHUNTER
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my photo

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ContributorEMBLEMHUNTER
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my photo

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ContributorEMBLEMHUNTER
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my photo

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ContributorEMBLEMHUNTER
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my photo

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Contributorclunds
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thought I was tagging pic, not group

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Contributorclunds
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Official 385th archive files

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Contributorrossingtonj
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Type added.

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Contributorclunds
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error with name - thought it was going to a pic, not the whole site!

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Contributorclunds
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385th official rosters.

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ContributorAAM
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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)

385th Bomb Group: Gallery (611 items)

Lieutenant Norman L. Weider, Juan J. Porvencio and Douglas Baker of the 385th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Lucky Strike" after a mission. Passed for publication 28 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-22-84. Eager young officers of the Fortress "Lucky Strike" talk over their latest mission on return to their station. (Left to right) Lt. Norman L. Weider, of Richmond Hills, New York - the pilot; Juan J. Porvencio, El Paso, Tex., co-pilot;

Object number: FRE 4937 - Lieutenant Norman L. Weider, Juan J. Porvencio and...

Lieutenant Norman L. Weider, Juan J. Porvencio and Douglas Baker of the 385th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Lucky Strike" after a mission. Passed for publication 28 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-22-84. Eager young officers of the Fortress "Lucky Strike" talk over their latest mission on return to their station. (Left to right) Lt. Norman L. Weider, of Richmond Hills, New York - the pilot; Juan J. Porvencio, El Paso, Tex., co-pilot;

Object number: FRE 4938 - Lieutenant Norman L. Weider, Juan J. Porvencio and...

Captain Ivan Klohe of the 385th Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30096) after a mission. Passed for publication 28 Sep 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '230096.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-21-14. Capt. Ivan Klohe, of San Fransisco is believed to be the youngest Fortress pilot and Squadron Leader in the European Theatre of War. He is just turned 20 and is here seen standing by his Fort on return from a mission.' Censor no: 285781. On

Object number: FRE 4939 - Captain Ivan Klohe of the 385th Bomb Group with...

Lieutenant-Colonel Elliott Vandevanter Jr. commanding officer of the 385th Bomb Group, talks to First Lieutenant Sam Dixon, Second Lieutenant Warren Bock and Technical Sergeant Alford Peterson after a mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress "Lady Susie II". Passed for publication 28 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-35. The young Commander of this youthful Fortress unit returns from a mission which he led. (Left to right) Lt. Col. Elliott Vandevanter Jr., of Was

Object number: FRE 4940 - Lieutenant-Colonel Elliott Vandevanter Jr...

Reverend James Kinsannon of the 385th Bomb Group leads communion before a mission, 5 September 1943 Caption on image: "(GPR-32-2-385) [obscured by censor](5-9-43)(Chapel Service - Communion)." Passed as censored 28 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-32-32a-32b. After having been briefed for another great onslaught on the enemy's vital war industries, the crews taking part from this youthful Fortress unit, attend prayers in the little hut chapel attached to the

Object number: FRE 4941 - Reverend James Kinsannon of the 385th Bomb Group...

First Lieutenant Lyle Fryer, of the 385th Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Mary Ellen III". Passed for publication 28 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-200-201. L/Lt.[sic] Lyle Fryer, of Rochester, Minn., pilot of the Fortress "Mary Ellen III", awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "extraordinary achievement" during a bombing mission over Germany recentl. Lt. Fryer is only 22 years of age, and has already been awarded the Air Medal for

Object number: FRE 4942 - First Lieutenant Lyle Fryer, of the 385th Bomb...

First Lieutenant Wayne watches Master Sergeant Howard Press of the 385th Bomb Group paint a mission marking onto a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Mission Belle". Passed for publication 25 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-21. Crew Chief of the Fortress "Mission Belle" paints up another score against the Nazis - signifying the conclusion of another successful mission. He is Master Sgt. Howard Press of Salem, N.J., watched by the pilot, 1/Lt. Wayne Horr, of Aub

Object number: FRE 4943 - First Lieutenant Wayne Horr watches Master...

Lieutenant Leslie Norgard watches Master Sergeant Howard Press of the 385th Bomb Group paint a mission marking onto a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Mission Belle". Passed for publication 25 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-76. The bombadier[sic] looks on as the crew chief of the Fortress "Mission Belle" paints another bomb on the fuselage signifying another successful mission completed. Crew chief is Master Sgt. Howard Press of Salem, N.J., and bombadier[si

Object number: FRE 4944 - Lieutenant Leslie Norgard watches Master Sergeant...

Captain James O. Kincannon chaplain of the 385th Bomb Group talks toTechnical Sergeant Howard G. Butler, Staff Sergeant Walter F. Stephens and Staff Sergeant Roger D. Palmer in front of their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Mission Belle" before a mission. Passed for publication 25 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-86-85. Before taking off on a mission, the Chaplain has a talk to members of a Flying Fortress crew. Chaplain is 26-year-old James O. Kincannon, po

Object number: FRE 4945 - Captain James O. Kincannon chaplain of the 385th...

First Lieutenant Louis A. Dentoni of the 385th Bomb Group checks the bomb load of his B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Lulu Belle" before a mission. Passed for publication 25 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-49. A Flying Fortress hero - the leading bombadier[sic] of this Flying Fortress group who is only 24 years of age. He is 1/Lt. Louis A. Dentoni, here seen in the bomb bay of his Fort, checking the load before the take-off on another mission in the "Lulu Be

Object number: FRE 4946 - First Lieutenant Louis A. Dentoni of the 385th...

Staff Sergeant Roger D. Palmer of the 385th Bomb Group cleans the machine guns on the top turret of his B-17 Flying Fortress after a mission. Passed for publication 26 Sep 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '1598. L.C. 385.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-15-49a. S/Sgt. Roger D. Palmer, of Grand Island, Neb., a Fortress gunner who has been credited definitely with shooting down 5 Nazis and three more "probables". He is here seen seated on top of ship cleaning up h

Object number: FRE 4947 - Staff Sergeant Roger D. Palmer of the 385th Bomb...

Staff Sergeant Roger D. Palmer of the 385th Bomb Group cleans the machine guns on the top turret of a B-17 Flying Fortress after a mission. Passed for publication 26 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-15-49a. S/Sgt. Roger D. Palmer, of Grand Island, Neb., a Fortress gunner who has been credited definitely with shooting down 5 Nazis and three more "probables". He is here seen seated on top of ship cleaning up his gun for action again.' Censor no: 285528. On reve

Object number: FRE 4948 - Staff Sergeant Roger D. Palmer of the 385th Bomb...