448th Bomb Group
Group
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 5181 - The insignia of the 448th Bomb Group.
The 448th Bombardment Group was organized on 6 April 1943 and activated on 1 May 1943 at Gowen Field, near Boise, Idaho. The initial training of the air crews took place in Florida. The entire group was assembled Wendover Field, Utah. Both air and ground crews completed their training together at Sioux City, Iowa before transferring to England.
The 448th was stationed at Seething in Norfolk, England from Dec 1943 to Jul 1945. The ground crews arrived in Seething by early Dec 1943 while the air crews arrived by 22 Dec 1943.
The B-24 Liberators were part of the Allied bombing campaign against the Axis countries. Their first mission was Gacabruck, Germany. The 448th flew 262 missions through to 25 April 1945. The Group lost 101 aircraft in action flying 6,774 sorties.
The 448th was redeployed to the United States in the late June and early July of 1945.
The 448th was officially deactivated on 4 August 1946.
Browse 448th Bomb Group photographs and other documents in the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library digital archive here: www.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive/Dashboard/Index/16
Commanding Officers
![Colonel Charles B Westover of the 448th Bomb Group. The image has been signed: 'To Pat, with best regards.[illegible]' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Col Charles B Westover, CO 448 14/11/44-27/5/45 to USA for B-29 training.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380604.jpg.webp?itok=snuK0SsV)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 2nd Air Division 448th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-20746
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer of 448th ; Chief of Staff
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-18221
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot; Commanding Officer of 448th
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group Headquarters (448th Bomb Group)
- Service Numbers: O-017992
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer 448th
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot, Commanding Officer 448th
Connections
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Unit stations
| Station | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
|
Based |
Seething | 30 November 1943 - 6 July 1945 |
Encompassing
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Headquarters
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group 713th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17003831 / O-810982
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group 712th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33399071
- Highest Rank: Corporal
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group 713th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15130316 / O-808492
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group 714th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group 714th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Rum Runner
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group 713th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Sad Sack
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group 714th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: The Prodigal Son
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group 712th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group 714th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Commando
- Unit: 448th Bomb Group 713th Bomb Squadron
Mission
- Date: 4 April 1945
- Date: 11 March 1945
- Date: 24 December 1944
- Date: 26 August 1944
- Date: 16 August 1944
Revisions
2nd Air Division Memorial Library
Seething Control Tower Museum: http://www.seethingtower.org/448-bomb-group.php
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)
![B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-100360) nicknamed "Luck and Stuff" flies in formation with other Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group during a mission. Printed caption on reverse: '52067 USAF- ACHTUNG- SOUNDS AS THESE CONSOLIDATED B-24 LIBERATORS of the Eighth AF fly a tight formation on their way to bomb another vital target deep in the heart of Nazi Germany. Their target on this occasion was Gotha, Germany ME-110 aircraft assembly plant, and components factory. 448th Bomb Group [sic] US Air Force Photo.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-423255.jpg.webp?itok=LVcKvq4y)
