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446th Bomb Group

Group

  • A flight of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group fly in formation above the clouds.

    A flight of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group fly in formation above the clouds.

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  • A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-50365) nicknamed

    A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-50365) nicknamed "Susu" of the 707th Bomb Squadron, 446th Bomb Group. Image via J Moulin. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-24H-25-CF. 42-50365, "Susu". 707 BS, 446 BG- 8th AF. Nice 1945.'

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  • Private First Class Ed Bowens with a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-50618) nicknamed

    Private First Class Ed Bowens with a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-50618) nicknamed "Arkansas Traveller" of the 446th Bomb Group. Image via a US Army veteran and friend of Ed Bowens. A veteran (Fred) has handwritten on the reverse: ' 705 Bomb Sq, 446th Bomb Gp. Dear Roger, Keep this pic. I took it en-route home in June '45 at Goose Bay. I rode this plane home as a "ground crew" passenger- one of ten, in addition to the 10 man crew. The chap in PFC Ed Bowen of Indiana, my buddy. He was with the 84th Infantry Div. When his leg was rugged by a German mortar, then he was sent to work on the ground in the 8th AF. Fred.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-24J-I-FO (42-50618)

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  • A P-51 Mustang of the 352nd Fighter Group, 487th Fighter Squadron, coded HO-G,

    A P-51 Mustang of the 352nd Fighter Group, 487th Fighter Squadron, coded HO-G, "Lilli Marlene", s/n 43-7139, Pilot Lt Cyrus Greer flies over French countryside in Hall 1944 in an image taken by an aircraft of the 446th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse of print: 'Over France? 9/44 taken by 446BG, 352FG or 359FG'. N.B. This aircraft never flew with the 359th Fighter Group.

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  • B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group drop bombs over their target. Image stamped on reverse: 'US Official Photograph.' [stamp], 'Sacred.' [stamp] Handwritten caption on reverse: 446 BG led by

    B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group drop bombs over their target. Image stamped on reverse: 'US Official Photograph.' [stamp], 'Sacred.' [stamp] Handwritten caption on reverse: 446 BG led by "Ronnie" unloading demolition + incendiaries on Rheine Marshalling Yards, 9 March 1945.'

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  • Arthur J Evans and Carl J G Jelhaug, co-pilot and pilot of the 446th Bomb Group near Flixton Hall. A veteran has handwritten on the reverse: 'Winter 44/45 probably Feb 45. Carl J G Jelhaug, right- 1st pilot age 20, Arthur J Evans, left- Co Pilot Age 21. Taken outside the office crew barracks 446 BG, adjacent to Flixton Hall (in woods), 707 BS Flixton Estate.'

    Arthur J Evans and Carl J G Jelhaug, co-pilot and pilot of the 446th Bomb Group near Flixton Hall. A veteran has handwritten on the reverse: 'Winter 44/45 probably Feb 45. Carl J G Jelhaug, right- 1st pilot age 20, Arthur J Evans, left- Co Pilot Age 21. Taken outside the office crew barracks 446 BG, adjacent to Flixton Hall (in woods), 707 BS Flixton Estate.'

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  • B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group bomb a German airfield. Handwritten caption on reverse: '446BG Liberator observing bomb damage to German airfield.'

    B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group bomb a German airfield. Handwritten caption on reverse: '446BG Liberator observing bomb damage to German airfield.'

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  • A formation of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group enroute to Europe. Printed caption on reverse: '71049 AC- A formation of Consolidated B-24

    A formation of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group enroute to Europe. Printed caption on reverse: '71049 AC- A formation of Consolidated B-24 "Liberators" of the 2nd Bomb Division, roars over Europe en route to the target area. 24 November 1944. US Air Force photo.'

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  • A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-50318) of the 446th Bomb Group drops its load over the target area in Orleans, France during a mission with fellow Liberators. Printed caption on reverse: '81185 AC- Consolidated B-24's drop tons of bombs on the Nazi airdrome at Orleans, France during a raid on 14 June 1944.'

    A B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-50318) of the 446th Bomb Group drops its load over the target area in Orleans, France during a mission with fellow Liberators. Printed caption on reverse: '81185 AC- Consolidated B-24's drop tons of bombs on the Nazi airdrome at Orleans, France during a raid on 14 June 1944.'

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  • A formation of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group led by a pathfinder Liberator during a mission.

    A formation of B-24 Liberators of the 446th Bomb Group led by a pathfinder Liberator during a mission.

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The 446th Bomb Group, who came to be known as "the Bungay Buckaroos" after the name of their Suffolk base, flew B-24 Liberators on strategic, support and interdictory missions over Europe. The Group led the Eighth Air Force and 2nd Bomb Division on the first heavy bomber mission on D-Day, 6 June 1944, and continued to support the ground forces move eastwards, dropping airborne troops into Wesel, north-west Germany, as part of the advance across the River Rhine.

Browse 446th Bomb Group photographs and other documents in the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library digital archive here: www.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive/Dashboard/Index/15

Structure

Part of
  • 20th Combat Bomb Wing

    20th Combat Bomb Wing

    Wing
    Prewar bombardment wing in the northwest. Moved to England, May–June 1943, for duty with Eighth Air Force. Received its first groups in November 1943 and served in combat in the European theater from December 1943 until April 1945. Returned to the US...

Encompassing
Previously was
Not yet known
Became
Not yet known

Missions

  • VIII Bomber Command 156

    16 December 1943
    This is a massive mission of 631 heavy bombers directed at the port area of Bremen, Germany. The force of 631 included 1 PFF-equipped B-17s from 482BG dispersed among the attacking formations. The mission is composed of three elements. The first...

  • VIII Bomber Command 159

    20 December 1943
    The port area of Bremen is the target for 546 heavy bombers. The total includes 12 PFF-equipped B-17s from 482BG. All 12 of these are effective on the target and 11 are damaged. The bomber gunners of this element claim 1-1-0 (this total included with...

  • VIII Bomber Command 161

    22 December 1943
    This mission is composed of two forces directed at two separate targets, the communication centers at Osnabruck and Munster, Germany. The force attacking at Osnabruck is composed of two elements. The first element is composed of 227 B-17s (2 are PFF...

  • VIII Bomber Command 164

    24 December 1943
    This mission is directed at V-Weapon sites in the Pas-de-Calaise area of France. The attacks are made between 1330-1510hrs. The mission is composed of three elements. The first element is a force of 277 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division that included: 91BG ...

  • VIII Bomber Command 169

    30 December 1943
    The port area and oil refineries at Ludwigshaven, Germany are the target for this massive attack of 710 heavy bombers. The despatch includes 12 PFF-equipped B-17s from 482BG, 11 of these are effective on the mission, 3 are damaged, and the bomber...

  • VIII Bomber Command 171

    31 December 1943
    This mission is the last heavy bomber operation of 1943. 1943 had been a very "tough" year for the 8th Air Force in the European Theater of Operations (ETO). 23365 B-17s had been despatched on missions and 881 had Failed to Return (FTR) for a loss...

  • 8th Air Force 174

    4 January 1944
    The port area of Kiel, Germany and the railroad marshalling yards at Munster, Germany are the Primary targets of this Mission which is organised as two elements: one going to Kiel and the other to Munster. Roger A. Freeman begins to designate aircraft...

  • 8th Air Force 176

    5 January 1944
    This mission consists of five elements: The first element is a combined force of 131 B-17s are despatched by 1st Bomb Division: 92BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 379BG; 384BG; and 482BG to bomb the shipyards and industrial areas of Kiel, Germany. 119 are...

  • 8th Air Force 178

    7 January 1944
    The industrial areas of Ludwigshaven, Germany are the primary target for this mission. The formation has three elements. The bomber gunners of the entire force claim 30-6-17 of attacking German aircraft. ...

  • 8th Air Force 182

    11 January 1944
    Three aviation industry targets in Germany are bombed. The bomber force consists of 291 B-17s despatched from 1st Bomb Division in two elements, one element of 177 B-17s is despatched to Oschersleben, Germany as the primary target, the other 1BD...

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Stations

Station Location Date
Based Bungay 4 November 1943 – 5 July 1945

Connections

People

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Aircraft

  • 41-28814

    B-24 Liberator
    Assigned to 705BS, 446BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) supply mission to Wesel with Dale Beasley crew; shortly after supplies dropped and while at 300ft, A/C hit by 20mm AAA flak, causing fire to break out between No. 1 and 2 engines. Bail out...

  • 41-29124 Connie

    B-24 Liberator
    Damaged by AAA on mission to Genshagen/Marienfelde, Germany 21 June 1944 and crashed at Hoofddorp. MACR 6159.

  • 41-29137 Dry Run

    B-24 Liberator

  • 41-29140 Banger

    B-24 Liberator

  • 41-29151 Joker

    B-24 Liberator

  • 41-29177 Ginger

    B-24 Liberator
    Hit by by AA over Ludwigshafen, Germany 26 August 1944, MACR 8471, managed to stay airborne until Saarbrücken, Germany where after coming under further AA fire, was abandoned by its crew and crashed near Schoeneck, France. The SS executed four of the...

  • 41-29292

    B-24 Liberator

  • 42-100231

    B-24 Liberator

  • 42-100282 Stormy Weather

    B-24 Liberator

  • 42-100288 'Maj. Hoople'

    B-24 Liberator

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Citations

None

Air Force
8th
Type
Combat
Type category
Bombardment
Nicknames

Bungay Buckaroos

Motto
Voler Venger Vaincre (Fly, Avenge, Vanquish)
Insignia
http://www.aviationmuseum.net/ImageLibrary/446BG/Unit%20emblems/446P.jpg
Aircraft used
  • B-24 Liberator

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
09 March 2018 15:23:06 2nd Air Division Memorial Library Changes to description
Sources

2nd Air Division Memorial Library
Date Contributor Update
07 February 2015 20:05:23 AZ MAC Changes to insignia and mission associations
Sources

http://www.aviationmuseum.net/ImageLibrary/446BG/Unit%20emblems/446P.jpg
Date Contributor Update
07 February 2015 19:36:55 AZ MAC Changes to motto and mission associations
Sources

The Story of the 446th Bomb Group -Edited by Edward H. Castens.
The History of the 446th Bomb Group (1989) - Compiled by Harold E. Jansen
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)

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