492nd Bomb Group

Group
A B-24D Liberator 'Carpetbagger' - extensively modified for specialised operations - taxiis on the perimeter track at Harrington airfield. Printed caption on reverse: 'A Carpetbagger B-24D taxiing on the perimeter at Harrington. Photo - "Red" Monaghan.' media-414497.jpg FRE 8483 A B-24D Liberator 'Carpetbagger' - extensively modified for specialised operations - taxiis on the perimeter track at Harrington airfield. Printed caption on reverse: 'A Carpetbagger B-24D taxiing on the perimeter at Harrington. Photo - "Red" Monaghan.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 8483 - A B-24D Liberator 'Carpetbagger' - extensively modified for specialised operations - taxiis on the perimeter track at Harrington airfield. Printed...

The 492nd Bomb Group, after flying similar missions to other heavy bomb groups until the late summer of 1944, took up 'Carpetbagger' missions, transporting agents, supplies and propaganda leaflets to southern France. The Group was taking on the role of the 801st Bomb Group (Provisional), which it superseded. In September 1944, the Group was also involved in supplying ground forces with petrol as they moved across France and into Belgium. In a very varied war service, the Group also conducted night bombardments in February and March 1945. The Group then resumed 'Carpetbagger' missions, this time over Germany, winning a Distinguished Unit Citation for their courageous efforts.

Commanding Officers

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 801st Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-022617
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer, Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-19467
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer; Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 490th Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-363826
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Headquarters (384th Bomb Group) 492nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-395147
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Harrington 13 August 1944 - 7 July 1945

Previously was

Encompassing

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 801st Bomb Group 406th Bomb Squadron 858th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 16108322
  • Role/Job: Engineer, Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 490th Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group 850th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-703598
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 482nd Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: 38130795
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Corporal
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 801st Bomb Group 854th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Photographic Laboratory Operator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 36th Bomb Group 389th Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group 564th Bomb Squadron 856th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Georgia Peach
  • Unit: 801st Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group 330th Bomb Squadron 406th Bomb Squadron 858th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 801st Bomb Group 788th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
Ground personnel of the 453rd Bomb Group attend to a crashed B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-52196) nicknamed "War Bride". Official caption printed on image: 'ISAD-2-3-453)(2-2-44)(A/C 42-52196)(B-24 H).'
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: War Bride, Crupper-5
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Aries
  • Unit: 486th Bomb Group Base Air Depot 2 834th Bomb Squadron 856th Bomb Squadron 857th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Removed the nickname from the unit name.

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Air Force Combat Units of WWII

Roger Freeman, The Mighty Eighth

Harrington Museum

492nd Bomb Group: Gallery (36 items)