391st Bomb Group

Group
An airman of the 391st Bomb Group wearing a service dress jacket and kilt. Written on slide casing: '391 BG.' media-396062.jpg FRE 7336 An airman of the 391st Bomb Group wearing a service dress jacket and kilt. Written on slide casing: '391 BG.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 7336 - An airman of the 391st Bomb Group wearing a service dress jacket and kilt. Written on slide casing: '391 BG.'

"The heaviest losses sustained by the 391st Bombardment Group in a single operation occurred on 23 December 1944, after an attack on the railroad viaduct at Ahrweiler, Germany (11). Upon completion of the second bomb run, the formation was attacked by an estimated fifty to seventy-five FW-19Us and ME-109's. As a result, sixteen aircraft were missing in action, and the returning planes were badly battle-damaged. Despite the morning losses, all available aircraft flew on the afternoon of the same day against the communications center at Neuerberg, Germany, which was vitally important to the German forces fighting in the Ardennes Bulge. Interpretation of the strike photos credited the Group with destruction at the road intersection and with damage to three main highways leading into the intersection."

Extract from : http://www.b26.com/page/391/assignments.htm

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Matching 25 January 1944 - 19 September 1944

Based

Roye / Amy 19 September 1944 - 16 April 1945

Based

Asch 16 April 1945

Encompassing

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 573rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19102402 / O-751078
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 575th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19101923 / O-746676
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Bombardier / Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 573rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19062484
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 32028640 / O-1575734
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 575th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16136624 / O-824081
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: The Black Death
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 575th Bomb Squadron
A B-26 Marauder of the 391st Bomb Group in flight over French countryside. Image via Alvaro Sousa. Written on slide casing: '"Wing Man Below" 391st, 575 B Sqdn, France 1944.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Panchita Del Rio
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 575th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Jinx, Snakes Revenge
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 574th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 575th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 573rd Bomb Squadron

Revisions

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
Changes
Sources
Date
Contributorrossingtonj
Changes
Sources

Type added.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / 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)

391st Bomb Group: Gallery (54 items)