390th Bomb Group

Group
The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group. media-395095.jpg FRE 5152 The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5152 - The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.

The 390th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Framlingham, Suffolk, between July 1943 and the end of the war in Europe. The Group was engaged in strategic missions until the invasion of Europe when its role became more of a tactical one. This tactical role was more attuned to the needs of ground forces. For instance, the Group bombed the coast near Caen fifteen minutes before the landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944. The Group also carried out humanitarian missions, dropping food supplies for the Dutch in the final weeks of the war. The only man to fly 100 missions, Hewitt "Buck" Dunn, did so with the 390th Bomb Group.

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Framlingham 14 July 1943 - 4 August 1945

Encompassing

People

Albert A Lundberg

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Abraham Marcus

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron

Adolph J Matthias

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aaron E Mickelson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist gunner

Albert Milburn

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 458th Sub-Depot
  • Role/Job: Ground Echelon

Aircraft

42-30223

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Norma J, Rick-O-Shay
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
Personnel of the 390th Bomb Group meet local civilians in North Africa during a mission. Their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30246) nicknamed "Spot Remover" is visible in the background. First handwritten caption on reverse: 'NA, 390 BG.' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '"Local natives gather around, slightly scared but still avid to acquire American cigarettes" 390 BG.'

42-30246

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Spot Remover
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
Lieutenant John G Winiant Jr of the 390th Bomb Group taxies a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Wittan's Wallopers" at Framlingham. Passed as censored 15 Aug 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo Shows: The Fortress piloted by Lieut. John G. Winant Jnr. arriving back at the dispersal, at his station somewhere in England. G. Aug 1943. PN.' Censor no: 278785 . On reverse: Planet News Ltd., US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].

42-30262

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Tech Supply
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 390th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron 568th Bomb Squadron

42-30265

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Pinky
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron

42-30266

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wild Children, Lucky Strike
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group

Mission

Revisions

Date
ContributornieceBarb
Changes
Sources

Niece Barb

Date
ContributorEMBLEMHUNTER
Changes
Sources

my photo

Date
ContributorTim Brett
Changes
Sources

Tim Brett
Chairman Parham Airfield Memorial Museum

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)

390th Bomb Group: Gallery (480 items)

A ground crew man of the 390th Bomb Group climbs into a B-17 Flying Fortress to install a camera. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 27 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘281031.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ' PHOTO MEN SERVE WITH FLYING FORTRESSES. When it comes to bombing, pictures tell the story. Skilled photographers serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Group are trained to get the pictures, process them and send prints and negativ

Object number: FRE 1616 - A ground crew man of the 390th Bomb Group climbs...

Ground crew of the 390th Bomb Group fit a camera inside a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 27 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘281030.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ' PHOTO MEN SERVE WITH FLYING FORTRESSES. When it comes to bombing, pictures tell the story. Skilled photographers serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Group are trained to get the pictures, process them and send prints and negatives to higher Headq

Object number: FRE 1617 - Ground crew of the 390th Bomb Group fit a camera...

Sergeant Milton C Schwermer and Staff Sergeant Willis St Paul of the 390th Bomb Group pass their new dog mascot "Eager" through the waist gun position of their B-17 Flying Fortress to their fellow airman Sergeant Swen A Zetterberg. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Aug 1943.' [stamp] and '280607.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'REGENSBURG RAIDERS RETURN FROM NORTH AFRICA - BOMBING BORDEAUX EN ROUTE. United States Eighth Air Force Flying Fortresses

Object number: FRE 1618 - Sergeant Milton C Schwermer and Staff Sergeant...

Ground crew of the 390th Bomb Group load cameras into a Jeep before fitting them to a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 27 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘281021.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ' PHOTO MEN SERVE WITH FLYING FORTRESSES. When it comes to bombing, pictures tell the story. Skilled photographers serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Group are trained to get the pictures, process them and send prints a

Object number: FRE 1619 - Ground crew of the 390th Bomb Group load cameras...

Mechanics of the 390th Bomb Group repair a combat camera. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 27 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘281034.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ' PHOTO MEN SERVE WITH FLYING FORTRESSES. When it comes to bombing, pictures tell the story. Skilled photographers serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Group are trained to get the pictures, process them and send prints and negatives to higher Headquarters - all on split

Object number: FRE 1620 - Mechanics of the 390th Bomb Group repair a combat...

A ground crewman of the 390th Bomb Group unloads a combat camera from a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 27 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘281018.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'PHOTO MEN SERVE WITH FLYING FORTRESSES. When it comes to bombing, pictures tell the story. Skilled photographers serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Group are trained to get the pictures, process them and send prints and negatives to

Object number: FRE 1621 - A ground crewman of the 390th Bomb Group unloads a...

Ground crew of the 390th Bomb Group fits a combat camera inside a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 27 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘281020.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ' PHOTO MEN SERVE WITH FLYING FORTRESSES. When it comes to bombing, pictures tell the story. Skilled photographers serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Group are trained to get the pictures, process them and send prints and negatives to high

Object number: FRE 1622 - Ground crew of the 390th Bomb Group fits a combat...

A photographic officer of the 390th Bomb Group inspects negatives of combat photographs. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 27 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘281024.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ' PHOTO MEN SERVE WITH FLYING FORTRESSES. When it comes to bombing, pictures tell the story. Skilled photographers serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Group are trained to get the pictures, process them and send prints and negatives to hig

Object number: FRE 1623 - A photographic officer of the 390th Bomb Group...

Ground crew of the 390th Bomb Group unloads a camera from a Jeep before fitting it into a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30332). Image stamped on reverse: ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 27 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘281016.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ' PHOTO MEN SERVE WITH FLYING FORTRESSES. When it comes to bombing, pictures tell the story. Skilled photographers serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Group are trained to get the pictures, p

Object number: FRE 1624 - Ground crew of the 390th Bomb Group unloads a...

Photographic officers of the 390th Bomb Group deliver combat film to the laboratory for processing. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 27 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘281017.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'PHOTO MEN SERVE WITH FLYING FORTRESSES. When it comes to bombing, pictures tell the story. Skilled photographers serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Group are trained to get the pictures, process them and send prints and negati

Object number: FRE 1625 - Photographic officers of the 390th Bomb Group...

A ground crewman of the 390th Bomb Group unloads a combat camera from a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 27 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘281019.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'PHOTO MEN SERVE WITH FLYING FORTRESSES. When it comes to bombing, pictures tell the story. Skilled photographers serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Group are trained to get the pictures, process them and send prints and negatives to

Object number: FRE 1626 - A ground crewman of the 390th Bomb Group unloads a...

Photographic officers of the 390th Bomb Group select a combat camera for the next mission. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 27 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘281022.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'PHOTO MEN SERVE WITH FLYING FORTRESSES. When it comes to bombing, pictures tell the story. Skilled photographers serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Group are trained to get the pictures, process them and send prints and negatives to hi

Object number: FRE 1627 - Photographic officers of the 390th Bomb Group...