386th Bomb Group

Group
Lieutenant James T. Wilson and Lieutenant Robert J. Owen of the 386th Bomb Group in the cockpit of their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 19 Aug 1943.' [stamp] nand '279545.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT THE US MARAUDERS BASE. The B-26 Marauders, American super medium bombers are operating now from bases in Britain. This series of pictures shows various scenes at the airfield where the ground crew and the fliers work together media-380230.jpg FRE 2253 Lieutenant James T. Wilson and Lieutenant Robert J. Owen of the 386th Bomb Group in the cockpit of their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 19 Aug 1943.' [stamp] nand '279545.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT THE US MARAUDERS BASE. The B-26 Marauders, American super medium bombers are operating now from bases in Britain. This series of pictures shows various scenes at the airfield where the ground crew and the fliers work together to deliver heavy blows against German Airports and industrial targets. Already the German Fighters which have attempted to intercept the Marauders, have felt the deadly sting of their concentrated fire power and many crews are credited with a couple of Jerries. Keystone Photo Shows: Inside a Marauder: Seated in their plane before take off L to R: Lt James T Wilson (South Strafford, Vermont), Lt Robt J Owen (Nashville, Tenn) US Pool/F Keystone.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 2253 - Lieutenant James T. Wilson and Lieutenant Robert J. Owen of the 386th Bomb Group in the cockpit of their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse:...

The 386th Bomb Group flew B-26 Marauders for the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces. Whilst with the Eighth, the Group developed the formation release procedure for the B-26 on missions that targeted aerodromes, marshalling yards and V-weapon sites along the coast of France in the winter of 1943-1944. In October 1944 the Group moved from Great Dunmow, England, to Beaumont-sur-Oise, north of Paris, and on to St. Trond, Belgium in support of the push eastward by ground forces.

Commanding Officers

Colonel Lester J Maitland, commanding officer of the 386th Bomb Group, in his office. A censor has obscured the insignia behind him. Passed as censored 30 Sep 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'At Boxted, Aug 1943. Col L.J. Maitland.' Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICA'S "RED DEVIL" [a censor has omitted 'Red Devil']FLYERS. USP/2247-1. Colonel Lester J. Maitland, Commander of the "Red Devils"[obscured] Marauder Group. He is extremely proud of his group and the record it has set, with no operational

Lester J Maitland

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Highest Rank: Brigadier General
  • Role/Job: Pilot/Commanding Officer

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

3 June 1943 - 10 June 1943

Based

10 June 1943 - 24 September 1943

Based

24 September 1943 - 2 October 1944

Based

2 October 1944 - 9 April 1945

Based

9 April 1945 - 3 May 1945

Encompassing

People

Carmillo Della Barba

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 553rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner

Calvin C Batchelder

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 555th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner

Alvin H Bauer

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 555th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32139354
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Edward B Blaisdell

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 555th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

J H Bowen

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Aircraft

41-31576

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Dinah Might
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 553rd Bomb Squadron
A bomber crew of the 386th Bomb Group with their B-26 Marauder (RG-U, serial number 41-31586) nicknamed "Shadrack". Printed caption on reverse: '552nd B.S. 386th B.G. A/C Name Shadrach, A/C Ser. No. 131586. RG-U RU-J. From front to rear: 1) R/G Howard R. Scholz, 2) A/G Aubrey L. Ruess, 3) E/G Rubin Rosen, 4) B/N Charles J. Cilfone, 5) Pilot Romney J. Spencer, 6 C/P Glenn L. Johnson. (Spencer was the pilot who ditched Margie).' On reverse: From Photo Files Of Chester P. Klier [Stamp].

41-31586

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Shadrack
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group

41-31597

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: The Wolf
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group
A B-26 Marauder (AN-S, serial number 41-31606) nickanmed "Rat Poison" of the 386th Bomb Group, releases bombs over the target. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 29 Sept 1943. [stamp] and '32310.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'FRO-HQ. 43-300 US Army Air Forces Official Photo. Bombs Away: Six 500-pounders start on their quick trip down to a nazi fighter airdrome in Western Europe. US Marauders (B-26 medium bombers) are carrying out a continuous attack against Luftwaffe fighter fa

41-31606

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Rat Poison
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 553rd Bomb Squadron
Major Sherman R. Beaty, a pilot of the 386th Bomb Group with his B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31613) nicknamed "Son of Satan". Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 30 Sep 1943.' [stamp] and'285958.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse has been heavily amended by censor, omissions are shown in parenthesis: AMERICA'S <<"RED DEVIL">> FLYERS. USP/2247-6. Squadron commander Major Sherman Beaty of Hoquiam, Washington strikes a pose beside his ship, "Son of Satan".

41-31613

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Son-of-Satan
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 555th Bomb Squadron

Mission

Related videos and documents

Download File

Document 16677

  • Media Type: Document
  • Object Number: Document 16677
  • Description: L to R Kneeling L-R: Mike Kolar, Loren R. Dunn (?), Gilbert E. Esquidel. Standing L-R: Lt. Larry C Rodgers (?), Lt. Jack F Watson (?), Lt. Reuben "Bud...
Download File

Document 21241

  • Media Type: Document
  • Object Number: Document 21241
  • Description: 386th BG, 554th BS, B-26 crew of Lt. Donald B. Wren, "CLOUD HOPPER II" aircraft number 4131763 The attached JPG file of the B-26 Wren Crew Photo was...
Download File

Document 48871

  • Media Type: Document
  • Object Number: Document 48871
  • Description: "Lt. Joseph D McIntyre USAAF European Theater of Operation June 1943-October 1944"
Download File

UPL 60142

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: Unit histories
  • Object Number: UPL 60142
  • Description: 386th Bomb Group Unit History, complete copy. Resembling a college yearbook, unit histories were an unofficial – and often tongue-in-cheek – record of...
Download File

UPL 69161

  • Media Type: Document
  • Object Number: UPL 69161
  • Description: HEADQUARTERS 9th BOMBARDMENT DIVISION (M) C/GM/4 GENERAL ORDERS...

Revisions

Date
ContributorDMadsen
Changes
Sources

Person Collection of Major Earl H. Madsen, USAF (ret.)

Date
ContributorDMadsen
Changes
Sources

386th Bomb Group records

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources
Date
Contributorwill44
Changes
Sources

Obvious recognition error. Many references available. This aircraft appears to be a A-26C.....note the bombadier nose.

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Stations added with details from:
- "Battle Colors Volume III - Insignia and Tactical Markings of the Ninth Air Force in World War Two' by Robert A. Watkins;

Date
ContributorTanks
Changes
Sources

AAM Photo

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)

386th Bomb Group: Gallery (265 items)

Easton Lodge at Great Dunmow (Little Easton), home of the 386th Bomb Group, 1944. Image via Myers. Written on slide casing: 'Easton Lodge, Gt Dunmow.'

Object number: FRE 10656 - Easton Lodge at Great Dunmow (Little Easton), home...

Nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "The Mad Russian" of the 381st Bomb Group . Handwritten on slide casing: '381st B.G.'

Object number: FRE 10735 - Nose art of a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41...

The nose of a 386th Bomb Group B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Hell's Belle". Handwritten on slide casing: '386th B.G.'

Object number: FRE 10752 - The nose of a 386th Bomb Group B-26 Marauder...

The nose of a 386th Bomb Group B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Lethal Lady" and two crewmen. Handwritten on slide casing: '386th B.G.'

Object number: FRE 10753 - The nose of a 386th Bomb Group B-26 Marauder...

B-26 Marauders of the 386th Bomb Group fly in formation over Boxted airbase.

Object number: FRE 10848 - B-26 Marauders of the 386th Bomb Group fly in...

A B-26 Marauder (YA-V, serial number 41-35358) nicknamed "Sexy Betsy" of the 386th Bomb Group. Image via Rene J Francillon. Printed caption on reverse: '70165 AC- A Martin B-26 "Marauder" of the 386th Bomb Group approaches its target- an enemy installation somewhere in Europe- with bomb-bay doors open during a mission on 1 June 1945. US Air Force Photo, Detachment-5, Hq AAVS.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-26 386th BG. Late June or July 44.'

Object number: FRE 1451 - A B-26 Marauder (YA-V, serial number 41-35358)...

A B-26 Marauder (YA-S, serial number 41-31624) nicknamed "Loretta Young" of the 386th Bomb Group. Image via Rene J Francillon. Printed caption on reverse: '70163 AC- The Martin B-26 "Lorretta Young" of the 386th Bomb Group wings its way towards an enemy installation somewhere in Europe during a raid on June 1 1945. US Air Force Photo, Detachment-5, Hq AAVA (Mac).' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-26 "Loretta Young" 386th BG, 1944.'

Object number: FRE 1452 - A B-26 Marauder (YA-S, serial number 41-31624)...

A B-26 Marauder of the 386th Bomb Group flies over a smoking target near the Rhine. Image stamped on reverse: 'Negatives and Sacred Library OWI London.' Printed caption on reverse: ''NINTH AIR FORCE PHOTO 0766, certified passed by SHAEF censor no. 124. A dense curtain of smoke shrouds the centre of Dinslaken, a steel producing town and an important communications centre, after the March 23 attach by B-26 Marauders and A-26 Invaders of Maj.-Gen. Samuel E Anderson's Ninth Bombardment Division. The town, one

Object number: FRE 1453 - A B-26 Marauder of the 386th Bomb Group flies over...

A-26 Invaders of the 386th Bomb Group fly in formation during a mission. A-26 (RU-S, serial number 43-22366) is visible on the left. Printed caption on reverse: 'b-70171 AC- Formations of Douglas A-26s , attached to the 386th Bomb Group, enroute to bomb enemy installations somewhere in Germany on 20 April 1945. US Air Force Photo Detachment-5 Hq AAVS (mac).' Handwritten caption on revese: '554th Bomb Squadron, 386th Bomb Group.'

Object number: FRE 1454 - A-26 Invaders of the 386th Bomb Group fly in...

Airmen of the 386th Bomb Group write a note to Hitler on a bomb, before loading it into their B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31615) nicknamed "Hell's Angels". Printed caption on reverse: '70270 AC- Two men inscribe a note to Hitler on a bomb which was purchased through the sale of war bonds. Soon this bomb and others will be loaded on the Martin B-26 "Hell's Angels" (background) of the 386th Bomb Group for another devastating raid on an enemy target in Europe. 26 August 1944. Great Dunmow, Essex, England

Object number: FRE 1455 - Airmen of the 386th Bomb Group write a note to...

Airmen of the 386th Bomb Group write a note to Hitler on a bomb, before loading it into their B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-31615) nicknamed "Hell's Angels". Printed caption on reverse: '70270 AC- Two men inscribe a note to Hitler on a bomb which was purchased through the sale of war bonds. Soon this bomb and others will be loaded on the Martin B-26 "Hell's Angels" (background) of the 386th Bomb Group for another devastating raid on an enemy target in Europe. 26 August 1944. Great Dunmow, Essex, England

Object number: FRE 1456 - Airmen of the 386th Bomb Group write a note to...

A bomber crew of the 386th Bomb Group with their B-26 Marauder (RU-A, serial number 41-31658) nicknamed "Privy Donna". A veteran has handwritten on the reverse: ''Boxted Airdrome, Colchester, Essex, England. August/Sept 1943. Rear row: Left- Co Pilot Robt. L Stevenson, 1st Lt (deceased). Centre- Flight Ldr & Pilot, Capt AL Cane. Right- Navigator, 1st Lt Jos D Watzlavick. Middle Row: Left- Radio Gunner S/Sgt Jos Hough. Centre- Flt Engr/ Gunner "Tex" DE Coffman, T/Sgt. Right: Tail Gunner S/Sgt Cliff Bates.

Object number: FRE 1457 - A bomber crew of the 386th Bomb Group with their B...