34th Bomb Group

Group
The insignia of the 34th Bomb Group media-395005.jpg FRE 5062 The insignia of the 34th Bomb Group Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5062 - The insignia of the 34th Bomb Group

After forming part of the American defence force, first on America's east coast and then on its west, the Group was assigned to the Eighth Air Force in April 1944 and entered combat in May 1944. The Group helped with the preparation for the Normandy invasion by bombing airfields and coastal defenses in France. It continued to support ground forces as they moved eastwards. The Group did not lose a single bomber to enemy fighter action over enemy territory. After V.E. day, they dropped food supplies into Holland and transported Allied prisoners of war out of Germany.

Commanding Officers

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Mendlesham 2 August 1944 - 18 April 1945

Encompassing

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8309) nicknamed "Ol' Buddy" of the 18th Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group at Mendelsham. Pete Gray was the aircraft's crew chief. Handwritten caption on reverse: '18th B.S. 34th BG. Pete Gray C/C.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 7th Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 391st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11009150
  • Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Crew chief
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 4th Bomb Squadron
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Misery Agent / Tommy Thumper
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 486th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: L.O.N.I. League of Nations, Incorporated
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron
Nose art of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-28851) nicknamed "The Near Sighted Robin" of the 34th Bomb Group.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: The Near Sighted Robin
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 7th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Rough House Kate
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 445th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron 391st Bomb Squadron 702nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Shadrach
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 7th Bomb Squadron

Mission

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Air Force Combat Units of WWII

Date
ContributorScott 34th7th
Changes
Sources

Personal documents of John A Ferard as provided by his son (Scott 34th7th).

Date
Contributorjpstamper
Changes
Sources

Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum

Date
ContributorJasonR
Changes
Sources

34th BG history/records

Date
Contributorbaerc234
Changes
Sources

Unit History

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)

34th Bomb Group: Gallery (196 items)