379th Bomb Group | American Air Museum in Britain

379th Bombardment Group Insignia Patch

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Personnel of the 379th Bomb Group gather around a heater. A B-17 Flying Fortress is visible in the background. From duplicate print: Ground crewmen of the 379th Bomb Group gather around a stove in a tent near their B-17 Flying Fortress. Passed for publication 8 Jan 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: '379.' Printed caption on reverse: '"Unsung Heroes Of The Air War". Working endless hours in all ki-[obscured] the ground crews of the big B-17 bombers get little cradit[sic] in the constant onslaught from the air on Hitler's European Fortress. Averaging 18 hours a day for many weeks at a time, they seldom get a chance to shave or wash. To be near their work they live in tents pitched near the parking area. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Grouped around the stove in their tent, with their "charge", a B-17 Fortress just visible through the door, are (left to right): M/Sgt. Kenneth Harrison, crew chief, of 734 Commercial St., Danville, Ill.; Pte. John E. Andress, of Greenville, Ala.; Cpl. Bruce Drynan, of 576 Hawthorne Ave., Elmhurst, Ill.; and Sgt. Frank Janish, of 421 Sycamore Street, Buffalo, N.U[sic]. IRV 263742. 8-1-44-Y.' Censor no: 299298. On reverse: Associated Press and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Handwritten caption on reverse: '94.'

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Personnel of the 379th Bomb Group watch a formation of B-17 Flying Fortresses fly past in a tribute to Colonel Short. Printed caption on reverse: ' 71510 AC - 379th Bomb Group pays tribute to Col. Short. Here Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" fly over a formation of men standing at attention at an 8th Air Force base in England. 1 June 1944.'

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Personnel of the 379th Bomb Group transfer a casualty from a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30237) nicknamed "Stump Jumper" in to a waiting field ambulance. Official caption printed on image: '(GPR-190-8-379) (June).' Printed caption on reverse: '71146 AC- A crew member of the 379th Bomb Group who was injured during a mission over Europe is carried from the Boeing B-17 "Stump Jumper" to a waiting ambulance at an 8th Air Force base in England. June 1944. US Air Force Photo.'

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Ground personnel of the 379th Bomb Group inspect the damaged tail of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-39789) nicknamed “Skunkface”. 42-39789 (LF-W) Skunkface. 20th December 1943. Target FW190 plant, Bremen. This photo shows the damage sustained from intense fighter attacks during the mission. Many of the controls were shot out and the pilot showed great skill in bringing her back to Kimbolton. The LW gunner bailed out over Holland and was taken POW. Two other crew members were KIA from the fighter attacks. 2nd Lt William A Elliott P. 2nd Lt Richard W Fisher CP. 2nd Lt James L Rockwell N. 2nd Lt Burton W Cashatt B. Tsgt Arthur C Fawcett RO, KIA. Tsgt Raymond Williams TT. Ssgt Logan D Wikle RW. Sgt Udolphus Payne LW, POW. Ssgt William J Fiorenti, TG, KIA.

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A bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group with their battle damaged B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30720) nicknamed "Nine Yanks and a Rebel!" Printed caption on reverse '71679 AC- Crew members of the 379th Bomb Group leave the Boeing B-17 "Nine Yanks and a Rebel" at an 8th Air Force base in England. 6 February 1944. US Air Force Photo.'

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A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-6915) of the 379th Bomb Group.

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Colonel Lewis E. Lyle of the 379th Bomb Group shares a joke with his fellow airmen: Major Edwin H. Millson and Major James G. Edwards. A veteran has written beneath the image: 'Edwards, Millson, Lyle.' The same veteran has written on the reverse: 'Col Lew Lyle, 379BG Second Co jokes with Maj Ed Millson (centre) & Maj Jim Edwards (left) before a mission, late 1944. Lyle flew 69 missions between Nov 42 and Apr 45, a record surpassed by only one other 8AF pilot. Millson was Bombardier, Edwards Group Navigator.' A second veteran has handwritten on reverse: 'Jim Edwards Sq Navigator, Ed Millson Group Bombardier, Lew Lyle Group CO.'

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A flight of B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 379th Bomb Group.

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A bomber crew of the 379th Bomb Group, and their mascot " Lt Scragg", with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32024) nicknamed "Swamp Fire". Image via Byron Clark. A printed caption has been attached to the reverse: 'Swamp Fire First Crew. Kimbolton, May 1 1944 [handwritten annotation to this says: 'Photo Taken.']. Rear Row, L to R. Berj Bejian- Engineer & Top Turret, Roy Avery- Waist Gunner, Andrew Stroman- Ball Turret, John Rose- Waist Gunner, Elijah Lewis- Tail Gunner, Edward Pryzybyla- Radio Gunner. Front Row, L to R. Matthew Scianameo- Navigator, Byron Clark- Co-Pilot, Joseph Korstjens- A/C Commander, Harvey Harris- Bombardier, Lt Scragg (Ground Crew Mascot). The story I got about Lt Scragg was that he was rescued by the Pilot- Lt Joe Korstjens and he stayed in the Officer's Quarters, hence the rank of Lieutenant and during missions he would be found awaiting a pat on the head from the returning Air Combat Crewmen on Bombardier Lt Harvey "Herk " Harris' bunk. When this Crew finished their tour they gave Lt Scragg to the Maintenance Crew for keeping and good luck. First Heavy Bomber to reach 100 Missions without an abort. Also selected to drop America's first flying bomb during the Grapefruit Mission on 28 May 1944.

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The 379th Bomb Group (H) (heavy), based at Kimbolton, flew more sorties than any other Bomb Group in the Eighth Air Force and dropped a greater bomb tonnage than any other Group. The B-17 Flying Fortress Group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations, the first for operations across the period beginning 28 May 1943 to 31 July 1944. The second was awarded to the 1st Bomb Division as a whole for flying without fighter protection to bomb aircraft factories at Oschersleben on 11 January 1944.

The 379th was comprised of four (4) Bombardment Squadrons (All B-17's)
1) 524th - Squadron Marking: WA
2) 525th - Squadron Marking: FR
3) 526th - Squadron Marking: LF
4) 527th - Squadron Marking: FO

Structure

Part of

1st Bomb Wing

Wing
The First Bomb Wing arrived in the UK in July 1942. The wing command became the 1st Bomb Division in August 1943, while the wing was retitled the 1st Combat Bomb Wing.
1st Combat Bomb Wing

Wing
41st Combat Bomb Wing

Wing

Encompassing

524th Bomb Squadron

Squadron
525th Bomb Squadron

Squadron
526th Bomb Squadron

Squadron
527th Bomb Squadron

Squadron
853rd Air Engineering Squadron

Squadron
The 853rd Air Engineering Squadron was Activated on 15 April 1945 per provisions of HQ 8th Air Force General Orders #52 dated 12 April 1945
Headquarters (379th Bomb Group)

Headquarters
2096th Engineer Fire Fighting Platoon

Platoon
Activated 10 April 1944, assigned to 379th Bomb Grp

Previously was

Not yet known

Became

Not yet known

Missions

VIII Bomber Command 61

29 May 1943
Three primary targets are selected for this mission. The U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are selected as the target for a force of 169 B-17s despatched from: 91BG (23); 92BG (22), 303BG (30); 305BG (25) 306BG (24); 351BG (21) and 379BG (24). This is...
VIII Bomber Command 62

11 June 1943
The harbour facilities, port areas and U-Boat pens at Wilhelmshaven and Cuxhaven, Germany are the primary targets for this mission. This is the largest number of heavy bombers yet despatched on a single mission - 252. This is the first mission flown...
VIII Bomber Command 65

22 June 1943
The German rubber industry (Chemische Werke Hüls AG) at Marl (district Hüls-Nord), Germany, is the primary objective of this mission and is assigned to the Bomb Groups with the most expericence. Also the industrial area of Antwerp, Belgium is assigned...
VIII Bomber Command 66

23 June 1943
A combined force of 172 B-17s is despatched from 91BG (13); 92BG (14); 303BG (22); 305BG (21); 306BG (22); 351BG (20); 379BG (20); 381BG (22); and 384BG (18). Also 8 YB-40 gunships from 92BG are interspersed in the formation. The intention was for 140...
VIII Bomber Command 67

25 June 1943
This mission was intended to be the first major attack on the industrial area of Hamburg, Germany but weather and contrails made fromation flying too difficult and dangerous. As a result, the main formation 197 B-17s from: 91BG (18); 92BG (23); 303BG ...
VIII Bomber Command 68

26 June 1943
The targets for today are all Luftwaffe installations: the Villacoublay air depot SW of Paris, France is the primary; the airfield at Poissy, France is attacked as the secondary because of cloud cover; the airfield at Tricqueville, France; and the...
VIII Bomber Command 69

28 June 1943
The primary specific target for this mission are the lock gates at St. Nazaire, France to be attacked by two separate formations and also another force is despatched to bomb the German airfield at Beaumon Le Roger, France. A formation of 120 B-17s of...
VIII Bomber Command 70

29 June 1943
1st Bomb Wing despatches two formations: one has the air depot at Villacoublay, France as their primary; and one has the Luftwaffe airfield at Tricqueville, France as their primary. ...
VIII Bomber Command 71

4 July 1943
The aircraft factories at Le Mans and Nantes, France and the lock gates and harbour facilities at La Pallice, France are the primary targets for this mission. The mission is comprised of three elements: ...
VIII Bomber Command 72

10 July 1943
German airfields at Caen, Abbeville, and Le Bourget at Paris, France are the primary targets for this mission. 112 B-17s form a combined force from 91BG; 92BG; 305BG; 306BG; 351BG and 381BG to bomb the German airfield (Carpiquet) at Caen, France. Cloud...

Stations

Station	Location	Date
Based	Kimbolton	20 May 1943 – 12 June 1945

Connections

People

James Abbott

Military | Staff Sergeant | Ground crew | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 524BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. Ground crew for 'Swamp Fire' 100 missions no aborts. ETD Awards: WWII Victory, EAME.
M Abbott

Military | 379th Bomb Group
Franklin Abel

Military | Flight Officer | Co-Pilot | 379th Bomb Group
Olen Abernathy

Military | Staff Sergeant | Armorer | 379th Bomb Group
GC/ DFC/ AM w/ 3 Oak Leaf Cluster/ EAME w/2 bronze stars
Robert Ace

Military | Staff Sergeant | 379th Bomb Group
24 missions AM
Robert Acorn

Military | Technical Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 379th Bomb Group
Albert Adakonis

Military | Sergeant | Right Waist Gunner | 379th Bomb Group
Kenneth Adams

Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Pilot | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 527BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. Shot down on 30-Jan-44 in B-17 42-31535, Prisoner of War (POW). MACR 2876 Awards: AM, POW, WWII Victory, EAME.
Lawrence Adams

Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 379th Bomb Group
Assigned to 527BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. Erwin Halvorson crew. ETD Awards: AM, WWII Victory, EAME.
Martin Adams

Military | Master Sergeant | 379th Bomb Group

Aircraft

41-9100 Birmingham Blitzkreig

B-17 Flying Fortress
As 414BS/97BG Polebrook 11/4/42; flew first 8AF bombing mission with Lt. Thomas H. Borders, the Ball turret gunner: Kent West, credited with destruction of 1st German aircraft destroyed, on 17-August 1942; transferred 92BG Bovingdon 24/8/42; CCRC 1/43;...
42-102628

B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 19/3/44; Kearney 14/4/44; Grenier 28/4/44; Assigned 526BS/379BG [LF-P] Kimbolton 13/5/44; Missing in Action Hamburg 18/6/44 with Steve King, Navigator: Don Casey, Bombardier: Chas Henry, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ray Wheeler...
42-102675

B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 25/3/44; Kearney 13/4/44; Grenier 27/4/44; Assigned 525BS/379BG [FR-O] Kimbolton 19/5/44; Missing in Action Merseburg 11/9/44 with Bill Smithdeal, Co-pilot: Henry Bengis, Navigator: Don Huhta, Bombardier: Chas Vevier*, Flight...
42-102961

B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 22/4/44; Kearney 7/5/44; Dow Fd 6/6/44; Assigned 526BS/379BG [LF-T] Kimbolton 28/6/44; Missing in Action French Noball site 17/7/44 with Steve Barish, Co-pilot: Wainwright Twing, Navigator: Art Connors, Bombardier: Joaquin Ponce,...
42-107014 'Lucy'

B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 26/1/44; Kearney 15/2/44; Assigned 527BS/379BG [FO-K] Kimbolton 30/3/44; Missing in Action Zeitz 30/11/44 with Bob Puckett, Don Childes, Chas Ingraham, George Reedy, Bob Salley, Roman Yriarte, Alvin Hirschi, Jarvis Williams, Attilio...
42-107051

B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Tulsa 7/2/44; Rapid City 1/3/44; Dow Fd 21/4/44; Assigned 398BG Nuthampstead 25/4/44; no ops, transferred 525BS/379BG [FR-A] Kimbolton 9/5/44; Missing in Action Trier 11/5/44 with Asa Romberger, Navigator: Harry Loflin, Bombardier: George...
42-107068 'POWERFUL KATRINKA'

B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Tulsa 10/2/44; Gr Island 15/2/44; Grenier 5/3/44; Assigned 525BS/379BG [WA-O] Kimbolton 11/4/44; Missing in Action Toulouse 25/6/44 with Tom Butcher, Co-pilot: Joe Wells, Navigator: Franklin Vita, Bombardier: Dick Daniels, Flight engineer/top...
42-107082 'Lassie Come Home'

B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Tulsa 15/2/44; Presque Is 26/3/44; Assigned 526BS/379BG [LF-N] Kimbolton 23/3/44; Missing in Action Stettin 13/5/44 with Bob Dunn, Co-pilot: Bill Churchill, Navigator: George Krassmer, Bombardier: Harry Jensen, Flight engineer/top turret...
42-107146 Mairzy Doats

B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Tulsa 6/3/44; Gr Island 12/3/44; Dow Fd 14/4/44; ...
42-107175

B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Tulsa 14/3/44; Gr Island 23/3/44; Dow Fd 2/4/44; Assigned 525BS/379BG [FR-Z] Kimbolton 11/4/44; 526BS; on mission to Merseburg 12/5/44 with Ed Burke, Navigator: Leonard Tew (Killed in Action); ...

Citations

None

Date	Contributor	Update
12 May 2019 12:02:06	fremaux3	Changes to media associations
Sources
photo
Date	Contributor	Update
26 March 2018 16:31:04	TennyBelle	Changes to description
Sources
8th AF database
Date	Contributor	Update
27 December 2017 20:07:57	TennyBelle	Changes to motto
Sources
unit patch
Date	Contributor	Update
29 November 2015 12:07:47	cody1947	Changes to nicknames and mission associations
Sources
379th BG History
Date	Contributor	Update
26 November 2015 15:26:31	cody1947	Changes to mission associations
Sources
None
Date	Contributor	Update
26 November 2015 15:25:38	cody1947	Changes to nicknames and mission associations
Sources
379th BG records
Date	Contributor	Update
26 November 2015 00:08:01	cody1947	Changes to nicknames and mission associations
Sources
379th BG records and this aircraft's record card.
Date	Contributor	Update
26 November 2015 00:06:58	cody1947	Changes to nicknames and mission associations
Sources
Placed data on wrong aircraft
Date	Contributor	Update
26 November 2015 00:04:43	cody1947	Changes to nicknames and mission associations
Sources
The records of the 379th BG and this aircraft's record card.
Date	Contributor	Update
29 August 2015 03:34:29	466thHistorian	Changes to nicknames and mission associations
Sources
466th BG Historian
Date	Contributor	Update
19 July 2015 14:16:43	cody1947	Changes to nicknames and mission associations
Sources
Aircraft Record Card & some data from the 379th BG Anthology.
Date	Contributor	Update
27 January 2015 03:51:28	bombercommand	Changes to type, motto, aircraft types and mission associations
Sources
American Air Museum Data Base
Date	Contributor	Update
27 September 2014 18:42:45	AAM	AAM ingest
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)