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 Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.'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 Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.'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
  • 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

People

Major Thomas I Ramsey of the 386th Bomb Group with a B-26 Marauder (RU-Q, serial number 41-34971) nicknamed "Pay Off". Passed as censored 30 Sep 1943, Passed for publication 2 Oct 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'America's "Red Devil" [a censor has omitted 'Red Devil'] Flyers. USP/2247-7. Major Thomas I. Ramsey, Commander of the Black Panther [ammended by censor to say 'Red Devil'] Squadron, is from Palacios, Texas, talks with a slow Texas drawl, is mild mannered but runs an efficient, well disciplined
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-794061
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35462827
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12049993
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 552nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-795504
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group 554th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 386th Bomb Group

Revisions

Date
ContributorDMadsen
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorDMadsen
Changes
Sources

386th Bomb Group records

Date
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
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 (264 items)