486th Bomb Group

Group
A diagrammatic layout of AAF Station 174 - the USAAF codename for Sudbury airfield - while the 486th Bomb Group were stationed at the airbase as of the 22 June 1944. media-414515.jpg FRE 8501 A diagrammatic layout of AAF Station 174 - the USAAF codename for Sudbury airfield - while the 486th Bomb Group were stationed at the airbase as of the 22 June 1944. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 8501 - A diagrammatic layout of AAF Station 174 - the USAAF codename for Sudbury airfield - while the 486th Bomb Group were stationed at the airbase as of...

The 486th Bomb Group flew both B-24s and B-17s, swapping from the former aircraft to the latter in late July 1944 after 49 missions. In total the Group flew 292 missions during the war and remarkably the 834th Bomb Squadron lost no aircraft or personnel on its first 100 missions. The Group bombed strategic sites in Germany and in northern France before D-Day, and after 6 June 1944, the Group undertook a greater number of missions in direct support of ground forces in France, Holland and on the Rhine.

Commanding Officers

Glendon P Overing

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th 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

Sudbury 7 May 1944 - 21 April 1945

Encompassing

People

Albert B Falorette

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11008698
The tail of a B-24 Liberator (4N-K, serial number 42-52634) of the 833rd Bomb Squadron, 486th Bomb Group that crash-landed at Sudbury airfield on the 18 May 1944. Official caption on image: "ISAD-18 May 44-1147-(WPU Crash Damage, B-24H 42-52634, Sudbury) PQ." Handwritten caption on reverse: '486th B.G., 8th Air Force.' On reverse: Official Photograph of Photographic Section AAF Station 595 U.S. Army [Stamp, damaged].

Adolph F Fellmeth

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 833rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-811357
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aaron Fulmer

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 833rd Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Nose Gunner

Aaron Fulton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 833rd Bomb Squadron

Abie Goldstein

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

43-37856

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lady V
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 833rd Bomb Squadron 486th Bomb Group

43-37875

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Squadron

43-37883

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Blue Streak
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group 834th Bomb Squadron

43-37891

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Old Man's Folly
  • Unit: 835th Bomb Squadron 486th Bomb Group
B-17 Flying Fortresses, (HH-H, serial number 43-37908) nicknamed "Wolfel Bear" and B-17 (2S-F, serial number 43-37998) of the 486th Bomb Group in flight, during a mission.

43-37908

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wolfel Bear
  • Unit: 835th Bomb Squadron 486th Bomb Group

Mission

Revisions

Date
Contributorhansvonmaltzahn
Changes
Sources

See the article and mission details (1944-1945) of the 486th Bombardment Group called, "Prologue: THE STORIES BEHIND THE NUMBERS," by John C. Albanese, bombardier, 833rd, at the official website of the 486th Bomb. Group: https://486th.org/Mssn/Prologue.htm

The site's official address is: https://486th.org/#

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Removed insignia field text pertaining to associated media

Date
ContributorPaulN
Changes
Sources

Freeman Collection photo/s and various publications. Importance is that the photo of a Square O B-17 is rare and illustrates that the Group, even for a short time retained the B-24 tail marking.

Date
Contributorrossingtonj
Changes
Sources

Type added.

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)

486th Bomb Group: Gallery (174 items)

The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-29490) nicknamed "Gemini ?" of the 486th Bomb Group. The nose art was painted by artist Phillip S. Brinkman.

Object number: FRE 6767 - The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41...

The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-52650) nicknamed "Cancer ?" of the 486th Bomb Group. The nose art was painted by the artist Phillip S Brinkman.

Object number: FRE 6768 - The nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42...

Damaged B-17 Flying Fortresses including (serial number 44-6146) of the 401st Bomb Group, and of the 486th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'IN-R, 401BG.' A veteran has handwritten on reverse: 'Winter of 1944. This plane's bombardier was my best friend in high school. We joined the aviation cadets together in fall of 1942. Plane is from the 486th Bomb Group. It was struck in the rear by another plane in formation and tail gunner fell to his death over Germany. The Germans buried him and sent ph

Object number: FRE 8097 - Damaged B-17 Flying Fortresses including (serial...

One of the nose arts by Phil Brinkman, of one of the eleven Zodiac signs, painted on 486th Bomb Group B-24 Liberators. In this photograph is the B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Scorpio", named after the sign. [See http://www.486th.org/Photos/AC1/Zodiac4.htm]

Object number: FRE 8490 - One of the nose arts by Phil Brinkman, of one of...

One of the nose arts by Phil Brinkman, of one of the eleven Zodiac signs, painted on 486th Bomb Group B-24 Liberators. In this photograph is the B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Sagittarias", named after the 'Sagittarius' sign. [See http://www.486th.org/Photos/AC1/Zodiac13.htm]

Object number: FRE 8491 - One of the nose arts by Phil Brinkman, of one of...

One of the nose arts by Phil Brinkman, of one of the eleven Zodiac signs, painted on 486th Bomb Group B-24 Liberators. In this photograph is the B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Pisces", named after the sign. [See http://www.486th.org/Photos/AC1/Zodiac14.htm]

Object number: FRE 8492 - One of the nose arts by Phil Brinkman, of one of...

One of the nose arts by Phil Brinkman, of one of the eleven Zodiac signs, painted on 486th Bomb Group B-24 Liberators. In this photograph is the B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Capricorn", named after the sign; this aircraft was formerly nicknamed "Ding Dong Daddy from Dixie". [See http://www.486th.org/Photos/AC1/Zodiac1.htm]

Object number: FRE 8493 - One of the nose arts by Phil Brinkman, of one of...

A B-17 Flying Fortress (H8-C) of the 835th Bomb Squadron, 486th Bomb Group at Sudbury airfield. Handwritten caption on reverse: '835 Sqd., 486 B. Gp.' On reverse: Roland A. Andrews [Stamp].

Object number: FRE 8494 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (H8-C) of the 835th Bomb...

A battle damaged B-24 Liberator (3R-J, serial number 42-52644) of the 832nd Bomb Squadron, 486th Bomb Group at Manston, 12 June 1944. Official caption on image: "ISAD 12 June 44 (1523) W.R.U. Battle Damage B-24H - 42-52644 - Manston F.R." Handwritten caption on reverse: '4th Combat Wing, 486th Bomb [damaged: Group].'

Object number: FRE 8496 - A battle damaged B-24 Liberator (3R-J, serial...

A flight of 486th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortresses drop their loads of anti-personnel bombs on the target below. Handwritten caption on reverse: '486BG, Anti-Personnel.'

Object number: FRE 8497 - A flight of 486th Bomb Group B-17 Flying...

B-24 Liberators, including (S2-O), of the 834th Bomb Squadron, 486th Bomb Group during a bombing mission. Handwritten caption on reverse: '496.' .

Object number: FRE 8499 - B-24 Liberators, including (S2-O), of the 834th...

A plaque of thanks from the men of the 486th Bomb Group and 418th Air Service Group to the people of Sudbury for their hospitality in 1944 and 1945 while both Groups were stationed in the area. This plaque was mounted onto the wall of Sudbury town hall on the 25th of August 1945. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On the wall of the town hall, Sudbury. Date 25/8/45.' On reverse: Roland A. Andrews [Stamp].

Object number: FRE 8500 - A plaque of thanks from the men of the 486th Bomb...