92nd Bomb Group
Group
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 5075 - The insignia of the 92nd Bomb Group.
The 92nd Group sometime after arrivial in the UK converted to the role of in-theater combat crew indocrination and training. For this role, the Group traded its B-17F complement and obtained the B-17E, mostly from the 97th BG which was departing for Africa.
Circa May, 1943 the Group made preparations for its return to the combat bombardment role and was re-equipped with F series B-17 and modified YB-40 escort Flying Fortress. YB-40s were B-17s modified to fly as a heavily armed escort for other bombers. These conducted escort missions between May and July, 1943. The escort bombers composed the Group's 327th Bomb Squadron. It was the only Eighth Air Force squadron to fly YB-40s in combat.
Between May 1943 and February 1944, the Group, nicknamed 'Fame's Favoured Few', mainly flew missions attacking strategic targets across occupied Europe culminating in the missions of Big Week, 20-25 February 1944.
The Group's missions continued to support POINTBLANK objectives through the invasion and in flew missions in support of gound objectives. The missions transitioned to transportation and oil objectives until April, 1945.
The Group flew 308 missions using 8,633 sorties and dropped 20,829 tons of bombs. The Group lost 154 aircraft MIA.
CLAIMS TO FAME
First 8th AF Bomb Group to make a non-stop Atlantic flight to the United Kingdom
327th Bomb Squadron was the only unit equipped with the YB-40 for combat
Flew the secret Disney rocket-bomb (TV guided) experimental mission early in 1945
Acted as VIII Bomber Command's Combat Crew Replacement Center Aug-42 to May 43
Led the last 8th AF mission of the war.
Commanding Officers
![Lieutenant-Colonel Baskin Lawrence, Lieutenant Chauncey Hicks and Staff Sergeant Willaim Zeigler of the 91st Bomb Group visit Technical Sergeant James Osborne, who was injured when their B-17 Flying Fortress (LL-Y, serial number 42-29797) nicknamed "Old Ironsides" crashed into the Channel on return from a mission over Germany. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 21 Jun 1943 [censor has added 'also passed U.S.']' [stamp] and '271235' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: 'SAIDMAN. ILLUS. 2](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-379155.jpg?itok=U1CsAGHP)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 482nd Bomb Group 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron 329th Station Complement Squadron
- Highest Rank: Brigadier General
- Role/Job: Pilot

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-18122
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Commanding Officer; Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-22174
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant General
- Role/Job: Pilot

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: Major General
- 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 |
Bovingdon | 18 August 1942 - 11 January 1943 |
Based |
Alconbury | 11 January 1943 - 15 September 1943 |
Based |
Podington | 15 September 1943 - 9 July 1945 |
Encompassing
![B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 92nd Bomb Group fly in formation over countryside. The aircraft, from left to right, are B-17G (NV-P, serial number 44-8354), B-17G (NV-U, serial number 42-97288) nicknamed "Flag Ship" and an unknown B-17G (NV-E) from the 325th Bomb Squadron. Image stamped on reverse: 'The R.L. Cavanagh Photo Collection' [stamp]. Handwritten caption on reverse: '48354, Little Runt. PFF.' [Caption refers to another B-17 nicknamed"Little Runt" either B-17G (NV-P, serial number 42-97515) or B-17](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_650x650/public/freeman/media-379200.jpg?itok=13evRoKf)
- 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: 92nd Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12164391
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 327th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-761861
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: B17-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31207719
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner; Bombardier; Togglier
Aircraft

- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group

- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 301st Bomb Group 305th Bomb Group 482nd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 325th Bomb Squadron 813th Bomb Squadron

- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: All American
- Unit: 301st Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 353rd Bomb Squadron 414th Bomb Squadron

- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Black Diamond Express
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 95th Bomb Group 326th Bomb Squadron 359th Bomb Squadron

- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Virgin Sturgeon Honey Chile II
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 341st Bomb Squadron
Mission
- Date: 10 February 1945

- Date: 24 December 1944

- Date: 16 August 1944

- Date: 15 August 1944

- Date: 24 July 1944
Revisions
Associated YB-40 B-17 Flying Fortresses as per list in Freeman, Mighty Eighth War Manual, p 155
Air Force Combat Units of WWII
Lee Cunningham 15-Nov-2014. Statistics: http://www.usaaf.com/8thaf/bomber/92bg.HTM
Lee Cunningham 6-Nov-2014. http://www.usaaf.com/8thaf/bomber/92bg.HTM
Lee Cunningham 4-Nov-2014. Commaders: http://www.usaaf.com/8thaf/bomber/92bg.HTM
1st Air Division records (1AD HQ Historical Society)
1st Air Division records (1AD HQ Historical Society)
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)