452nd Bomb Group

Group
The insignia of the 452nd Bomb Group. media-395129.jpg FRE 5186 The insignia of the 452nd Bomb Group. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5186 - The insignia of the 452nd Bomb Group.

The 452nd Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Deopham Green, Norfolk, from January 1944. The air crews hit strategic sites in Germany but also supported the movement of ground forces across Europe after D-Day. On 6 June 1944 itself, the Group bombed coastal defences before the landings. The 452nd Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for bombing a jet fighter base at Kaltenkirchen, northern Germany, on 7 April 1945, under intense pressure from enemy fighters and anti-aircraft flak.

Commanding Officers

Herbert O Wangeman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 452nd Bomb Group 729th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-22805
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot/Commanding Officer

Marvin F Stalder

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Group commander
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert B Satterwhite of the 388th Bomb Group presents a plaque of behalf of the United States Eighth Air Force to the Mayor of Thetford, HR Watling, historian Professor Frank Dobie and Sir William Gentle to commemorate Thomas Paine. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.' [stamp] and '289762.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN SERVICEMEN'S TRIBUTE TO TOM PAINE. A Plaque in memory of Thomas

Robert B Satterwhite

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Staff
Colonel TC Odom, Group commander of the 352nd Bomb Group christens a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 43-37817) nicknamed "Mollita". Image via Walt Cochrek. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ground commander Col TC Odom christens his "Ship".

Thetus C Odom

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: US Strategic Air Forces 452nd Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Deopham Green 3 January 1944 - 5 August 1945

Encompassing

People

Alfred L Battaling

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Alexander N Bebenin

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 731st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O786212
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Albert K Becker

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17166412
  • Highest Rank: Corporal
  • Role/Job: Airplane Mechanic

Albert Bettinazzi

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 730th Bomb Squadron

Adam G Bomba

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 731st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16168967
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Aircraft

42-102397

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Cest La Guerre
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 729th Bomb Squadron

42-102514

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 729th Bomb Squadron

42-102535

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lovely lady
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 729th Bomb Squadron
B-17G 42-102541

42-102541

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Aint Miss Behavin II
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron

42-102572

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Why Worry II
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron

Mission

A mission log for Lieutenant Colonel Paul Chryst of the 91st Bomb Group, 3 August 1944 -15 December 1944. Image via Lieutenant Colonel Paul Chryst, 91st Bomb Group.

519

  • Date: 5 August 1944

Related videos and documents

UPL 31064

  • Media Type: Video
  • Object Number: UPL 31064
  • Description: Talked to my dad's bombardier Jame K. Rees a few years ago...
Download File

Document 15875

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: William L Beigel Collection
  • Object Number: Document 15875
  • Description: Extract from Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) for Staff Sergeant Clarence F Palmeter of the 452nd Bomb Group researched by historian Bill...
Download File

Document 25003

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: 452nd Bomb Group collection
  • Object Number: Document 25003
  • Description: missions where Steve Andrychuk boarded the aircraft
Download File

Document 25004

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: 452nd Bomb Group collection
  • Object Number: Document 25004
  • Description: report on missions flown by Steve Andrychuk, along others in the same aircraft
Download File

Document 25051

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: 452nd Bomb Group collection
  • Object Number: Document 25051
  • Description: A biography of Wilbur J. Derr
Download File

Document 25289

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: 452nd Bomb Group collection
  • Object Number: Document 25289
  • Description: List of 452nd Bomb Group Association members
Download File

Document 25527

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: George H Keating collection
  • Object Number: Document 25527
  • Description: Unit Citation for 452nd Bomb Group for mission 931
Download File

Document 25664

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: 452nd Bomb Group collection
  • Object Number: Document 25664
  • Description: 452nd BG official history
Download File

Document 25665

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: 452nd Bomb Group collection
  • Object Number: Document 25665
  • Description: 452nd BG history microfilm roll 2 of 4
Download File

Document 25666

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: 452nd Bomb Group collection
  • Object Number: Document 25666
  • Description: 452nd BG history microfilm roll 3 of 4
Download File

Document 25667

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: 452nd Bomb Group collection
  • Object Number: Document 25667
  • Description: roll 4 of 4 microfilm of 452nd BG History
Download File

Document 33851

  • Media Type: Document
  • Collection Name: 452nd Bomb Group collection
  • Object Number: Document 33851
  • Description: *1st/Lt James A. Compton piloted the B-17, 42-31368. The crew were 730th BS. The pilot, and Co-pilot, 1st/Lt. Alexander M Marva; *2nd/Lt Theadore E...
Download File

Document 47905

  • Media Type: Document
  • Object Number: Document 47905
  • Description: Missions flown by Gerald D. Flanagan with 452nd BG, 729th BS.
Download File

Document 47907

  • Media Type: Document
  • Object Number: Document 47907
  • Description: Missions flown by Walter William Mount with 452nd BG, 729th BS. (This list shows his name as Walter M. Mount which is probably incorrect).
Download File

Document 47908

  • Media Type: Document
  • Object Number: Document 47908
  • Description: Missions flown by Alvin G. Russell Jr. with 452nd BG, 729th BS.

Revisions

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ContributorPete
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Sources

452nd Bomb Group Assoc.

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452nd Bomb Group Assoc.

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ContributorPete
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452nd Bomb Group Assoc.

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452nd Bomb Group Assoc.

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Type added.

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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)

452nd Bomb Group: Gallery (435 items)

Object number: UPL 31064 - Talked to my dad's bombardier Jame K. Rees a few...

8th Air Force Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses of the...

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-83684) of the 452nd Bomb Group on October the 3rd 1970. Handwritten on front of slide casing: 'Oct. 3, 1970, Farmer.' Handwritten on reverse of slide casing: 'B-17, 452nd B.G.'

Object number: FRE 10748 - Post war B-17G Flying Fortress (serial number 44...

Surplus B-17 Flying Fortresses, including 452nd Bomb Group aircraft, at Kingman airbase in Arizona after the end of the war. Handwritten on slide casing: '452nd B.G., P/W[post-war].'

Object number: FRE 10749 - Surplus B-17 Flying Fortresses, including 452nd...

A crashed B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-37950) nicknamed "Dinah Might" of the 452nd Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '452BG.'

Object number: FRE 10920 - A crashed B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42...

The wreck of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-37950) nicknamed "Dinah Might" of the 452nd Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '452BG.'

Object number: FRE 10921 - The wreck of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number...

The tail section of a crashed 452nd Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-37950) nicknamed "Dinah Might". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Dinah Might, 452BG.' On reverse: Dutch 'Rijksdienst Voor De Ijsselmeerpolders' Copyright [Stamp].

Object number: FRE 10922 - The tail section of a crashed 452nd Bomb Group B...

The remains of a crashed 452nd Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-37950) nicknamed "Dinah Might". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Dinah Might, 452BG.' On reverse: Dutch 'Rijksdienst Voor De Ijsselmeerpolders' Copyright [Stamp].

Object number: FRE 10923 - The remains of a crashed 452nd Bomb Group B-17...

A bomber crew of the 452nd Bomb Group on their return from the Romilly mission to France. Image via Walt Chochrek. A veteran has handwritten on the reverse: 'On just returning from Romilly, France, their first mission and the Group's second for a repeat performance. Original members of the "Punched Fowl". crew # 48, lead crew 730th Sqdn, 452nd Bomb Gro. Front row from left are Flight Officer Leon B Slobodzian, Bombardier; and S/Sgts George W Haggerty, Right Waist Gunner; Everett L Wales, Radio Operator, a

Object number: FRE 1808 - A bomber crew of the 452nd Bomb Group on their...

Everett L Wales, George W Haggerty and James J Doherty of the 452nd Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "The Punched Fowl". Image via Walt Chochrek. A veteran has handwritten on the reverse: '[Asterisks indicate airman is deceased] Three original members of "The Punched Fowl" crew, 452nd Bomb Grp, 730th Sqdn, Pilot James H Valee*. Left to Right- Everett L Wales* Raidio OP. George W Haggerty*- Rt Waist, James J Doherty- tail gunner.'

Object number: FRE 1809 - Everett L Wales, George W Haggerty and James J...

Colonel TC Odom, Group commander of the 352nd Bomb Group christens a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 43-37817) nicknamed "Mollita". Image via Walt Cochrek. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ground commander Col TC Odom christens his "Ship".

Object number: FRE 1811 - Colonel Thetus C Odom, Group commander of the...

The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "The Punched Fowl" of the 452nd Bomb Group. Image via Walt Chochrek

Object number: FRE 1813 - The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed...