741st Bomb Squadron
Squadron455th Bomb Group - 741st Bomb Squadron - 15th AF
466th Bomb Group collection
Chris Brassfield Collection
Established as a B-24 Liberator heavy bombardment unit in mid-1943; assigned to II Bomber Command for training. Primarily trained in New Mexico and Utah received deployment orders for the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) in November 1943. Moved to Virginia where the group flew long-range convoy escort missions over the Mid-Atlantic, October–November 1943 while station in Italy was being constructed.
Deployed to Southern Italy in January 1944; entered combat in January 1944, being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force. Engaged in very long range strategic bombing missions to enemy military, industrial and transportation targets in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Yugoslavia, bombing railroad marshalling yards, oil refineries, airdrome installations, heavy industry, and other strategic objectives.
In addition to strategic missions in the Balkans, the group bombed troop concentrations, bridges, marshaling yards, and airdromes during the fall of 1944 to hamper the enemy’s withdrawal from the region. The group also supported ground forces at Anzio and Cassino in March 1944; knocked out gun positions in preparation for the invasion of Southern France in August 1944; and assisted the final Allied drive through Italy in April 1945 by hitting such targets as bridges, gun positions, and troop concentrations.
Remained in Italy after the German Capitulation in May, although unit personnel were demobilized throughout the summer of 1945. Group was inactivated in Italy on 9 September 1945. A B-24 pilot of the 741st was Senator George McGovern.
Reactivated in the Air Force Reserve in 1947 with B-29 Superfortresses. Trained at Hensley Field, Texas. Inactivated in 1949 due to budget restrictions.
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12075556/O-735152
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
- Role/Job: Waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Unit: 741st Bomb Squadron 455th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 19137623 / O-718844
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 741st Bomb Squadron 455th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-817384
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Goona's Garbage Wagon
- Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Big Gas Bird
- Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 455th Bomb Group 741st Bomb Squadron
Related videos and documents
- Media Type: Document
- Object Number: Document 43902
- Description: part one of Jimmy H Smith's World War two adventure with the 741st bomb squadron of the 455th Bomb Group.
- Media Type: Document
- Object Number: Document 43903
- Description: part two of Jimmy H Smith's World War two adventure with the 741st bomb squadron of the 455th Bomb Group.