The 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated 15-January-1942 at McDill Field, Florida and equipped with B-24Cs. The Group moved to Barksdale Field, Louisiana and acted as a training unit for the 90th 93rd and 98th Bomb Groups and flew anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico; the Group claimed 1 U-Boat destroyed. On 26-July-1942 the Group moved to Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma to prepare for overseas deployment. The Ground echelon sailed for the UK on the Queen Mary on 4-September-1942. The air echelon moved to Grenier Field, New Hampshire and in late September was re-deployed to the UK.

Assigned to 8th Air Force at Cheddington from 11-Sep-1942 to 28-Jun-1943. The Group was known as the 'Flying Eight-Balls' and each B-24 Liberator it flew was decorated with a winged bomb cartoon of an 8-Ball (pool ball) over which were superimposed eyes and the nose of a bomb in the squadron colour. The Group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for an extremely hazardous mission against naval installations at Kiel on 14 May 1943. This mission involved drop incendiaries on the target from an unprotected position behind B-17 formations that had dropped high explosives. The Group lost five of its seventeen Liberators in the target area.

The group was transferred TDY to the 9th Air Force at Benina Main, Libya from 28-Jun-43 to 25-Aug-43. They provided support for Operation HUSKY, the invasion of Sicily, during July 1943. They also participated in the famous 1-Aug-43 raid on the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania dubbed operation TIDAL WAVE. The unit was awarded another Distinguished Unit Citation for this action in which 11 of the 37 B-24s it despatched were MIA. Col Leon Johnson, Group Commanding Officer was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his leadership in this action. Afterwards the 44th returned to Shipdham for a very short respite from 25-Aug-43 to 17-Sep-43 at which time the Group was again sent TDY to North Africa at Oudna, Tunisia where the they shared the base with a B-17 Bomb Group, the 99th to support the invasion of Italy. On 1-Oct-1943 the 44th participated in a mission to bomb the Messerschmidt plant a Weiner-Neustadt, Austria where they met intense anti-aircraft fire and hordes of German fighters. The Group lost 8 B-24s of the 25 they sent to the target. On 4-Oct-1943 the Group was sent back to Shipdham for the remainder of the war.

Between October 1943 and June 1945, the Group flew strategic bombing missions over occupied Europe. These were daylight raids that put the bomber crews in great danger from enemy aircraft and anti-aircraft fire. In all the 44th flew 343 missions in 8,009 sorties and dropped 18,980 tones of bombs. The Group lost 153 aircraft MIA.

CLAIMS TO FAME
First 8th Air Force Bomb Groups to be equipped with B-24 Liberators
Operated from England for a longer period than any other B-24 Group
Sustained highest losses of aircraft of any B-24 Group in 8th Air Force
Claimed more enemy aircraft than any other 8th AF B-24 Group 153.
First Bomb Group to be awarded a DUC for 14-May-43 Kiel
CO Col Leon W. Johnson awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor 1-Aug-43 Ploesti.

Browse 44th Bomb Group photographs and other documents in the 2nd Air Division Memorial Library digital archive here: www.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive/Dashboard/Index/42

US Air Force Combat Units of World War II Description

Constituted as 4th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 20 Nov 1940. Activated on 15 Jan 1941. Trained with B-24’s. Became an operational training unit in Feb 1942. Also served on antisubmarine duty. In Jul 1942 began intensive preparations for combat. Moved to England, Aug-Oct 1942, for service with Eighth AF. Operations consisted primarily of assaults against strategic targets in France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy Rumania, Austria, Poland, and Sicily. Pounded submarine installations, industrial establishments, airfields, harbors, shipyards, and other objectives in France and Germany, Nov 1942-Jun 1943. Received a DUC for an extremely hazardous mission against naval installations at Kiel on 14 May 1943: with its B-24’s carrying incendiaries to be dropped after three B-17 groups had released high explosive bombs, the 44th flew in the wake of the main formation; thus the B-24’s were particularly vulnerable because they had no protection from fire power of the main force, and this vulnerability increased when the group had to open its own formation for the attack; but the 44th blanketed the target with incendiaries in spite of the concentrated flak and continuous interceptor attacks it encountered. Late in Jun 1943 a large detachment moved to North Africa to help facilitate the invasion of Sicily by bombing airfields and marshalling yards in Italy. The detachment also participated in the famous low-level raid on the Ploesti oil fields on 1 Aug 1943. The group was awarded a DUC for its part in this raid and its commander, Col Leon Johnson, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his daring and initiative in leading his men into smoke, flame, and alerted fighter and antiaircraft opposition over the target, which already had been bombed in error by another group. Before returning to England at the end of Aug, the detachment bombed an aircraft factory in Austria and supported ground forces in Sicily. In Sep the group struck airfields in Holland and France and convoys in the North Sea. Also in Sep, a detachment was sent to North Africa to support the Salerno operations. The detachment returned to England in Oct and from Nov 1943 to Apr 1945, the entire group carried out operations against targets in western Europe, concentrating on airfields, oil installations, and marshalling yards. Took part in the intensive campaign of heavy bombers against the German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944. Sometimes flew support and interdictory missions. Struck airfields, railroads, and V-weapon sites in preparation for the Normandy invasion; supported the invasion in Jun 1944 by attacking strong points in the beachhead area and transportation targets behind the front lines. Aided the Caen offensive and the St Lo breakthrough in Jul. Dropped, food, ammunition, and other supplies to troops engaged in the airborne attack on Holland in Sep. Helped to check the enemy offensive during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945, by striking bridges, tunnels, choke points, rail and road junctions, and communications in the battle area. Attacked airfields and transportation in support of the advance into Germany, and flew a resupply mission during the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Jun 1945.

Commanding officers

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  Eugene Snavely

  Military | Colonel | Commanding Officer | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
  8th Air Force, G-3 Staff, September 1942 ...

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  Frank Robinson

  Military | Colonel | Commanding Officer | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
  Commanding Officer 44th Bomb Group 1-April-1942 to 4-January-1943.

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  Frederick Dent

  Military | Colonel | Command Pilot; Commanding Officer
  Commanding Officer 44th Bomb Group from 4-December-1943 to 29-Mar-44.

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  James Posey

  Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Pilot; Commanding Officer | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
  Commanding Officer 44th Bomb Group from 3-September 1943 to 3-December 1943 while serving TDY with the 9th Air Force at Oudna, Tunisia. 1 August 1943, led Blue Target formation to Ploesti where they inflicted severe damage on the oil refineries.

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  Leon Johnson

  Military | Brigadier General | Pilot, Commanding Officer | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
  Superior leadership during the Ploesti raid 1 August 1943 in B-24 #41-23817 'Suzy Q. ' ...

• 

  Vernon Smith

  Military | Colonel | Commanding Officer
  Commanding Officer 44th Bomb Group from 13-Apr-45 to 1 Jun-45.

Structure

Part of

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  14th Combat Bomb Wing

  Wing

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  201st Combat Bomb Wing

  Wing

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  2nd Combat Bomb Wing

  Wing

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  2nd Bomb Wing

  Wing
  The 2nd Bomb Wing arrived in the UK in July 1942. The wing command became the 2nd Bomb Division in August 1943, while the wing was retitled the 2nd Combat Bomb Wing.

Encompassing

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  506th Bomb Squadron

  Squadron

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  66th Bomb Squadron

  Squadron

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  67th Bomb Squadron

  Squadron

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  68th Bomb Squadron

  Squadron

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  Headquarters (44th Bomb Group)

  Headquarters

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  2033rd Engineer Fire Fighting Platoon

  Platoon
  Departed New York POE on 5 Nov 1943. Arrived in ETO 22 Nov 1943

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  The Writing 69th

  Misc
  In February 1943 the Eighth Air Force sponsored a group of eight civilian and military journalists to undergo training to fly missions aboard bombers for promotional purposes. A week long training session took place at Bovingdon, where the journalists...

Previously was

Not yet known

Became

Not yet known

Missions

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  VIII Bomber Command 16

  7 November 1942
  A combined bomber force of 56 B-17s are despatched by 91BG, 301BG and 306BG to bomb the U-Boat pens at Brest, France. This is the first mission flown by 91st Bomb Group. This element is joined by 12 B-24s from 93BG. To aide the attacking bomber force,...

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  VIII Bomber Command 18

  9 November 1942
  The U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are the target of this mission conducted by a combined force of 33 B-17s from 91BG and 306BG together with a combined force of 14 B-24s from 44BG and 93BG. The B-24 formation bombs from altitudes between 17,500 ft...

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  VIII Bomber Command 19

  14 November 1942
  The U-Boat pens of La Pallice, France are the Primary(P) target for a combined bomber force of 21 B-17s from 91BG (14) and 306BG (7); 93BG also joins the raid with 13 B-24s. However, La Pallice is completely clouded over, so instead, the bombers attack...

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  VIII Bomber Command 20

  17 November 1942
  The U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are the Primary (P) target for a combined force of 49 B-17s despatched from 91BG (20), 303BG (16) and 306BG (13). Another element of 14 B-24s despatched from 93BG also joins the bombing force on St. Nazaire. The...

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  VIII Bomber Command 21

  18 November 1942
  The U-Boat pens at Lorient and La Pallice, France are the Primary (P) targets for this mission. However, those at St. Nazaire, France are attacked by 21 B-17s of 303BG when they are mistaken for those of Lorient. The force attacking Lorient is composed...

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  VIII Bomber Command 24

  6 December 1942
  The German airfield of Drucat at Abbeville, France is the primary target for 19 B-24s despatched from 44th Bomb Group but are recalled. One squadron of 6 does not hear the recall and proceeds to the target, 1 B-24 MIA. ...

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  VIII Bomber Command 25

  12 December 1942
  This mission is composed of two elements. First element: The German air depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, France is the Primary (P) target for a force of 78 B-17s despatched from 91BG (19), 303BG (20), 305BG (21) and 306BG (18). However, the target is...

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  VIII Bomber Command 26

  20 December 1942
  The German Air Depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, France is the Primary (P) target for a combined force of 80 B-17s despatched by 91BG (17), 303BG (21); 305BG (23) and 306BG (19). 60 B-17 are effective on the target, but 7 are MIA and 1 is DBR. ...

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  VIII Bomber Command 28

  3 January 1943
  The U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are once again the target for this mission. This is proving to be a particularly difficult target to destroy due to its massive, reinforced concrete design. It consists of 14 individual pens connected together in...

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  VIII Bomber Command 29

  13 January 1943
  The primary target for this mission is the Atclier d'Hellemmes locomotive works, associated steel works and the railroad marshalling yards at Lille, France. The attacking force is composed of 72 B-17s from: 91BG (13); 303BG (19); 305BG (23) and 306BG ...

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Stations

Station	Location	Date
Based	Cheddington	11 August 1942 – 9 October 1942
Based	Shipdham	10 October 1942 – 15 June 1945

Connections

People

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  Anthony Abad

  Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
  Assigned to 67BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Brunswick mission 8-Apr-44 in B-24 42-7767 'Shack Rabbit'; Shot down by fighters, baled out. Prisoner of War (POW). MACR 3849. Awards: POW, WWII Victory, EAME.

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  Gilbert Abell

  Military | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs

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  Albert Abercrombie

  Military | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs

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  Abe Aberjanian

  Military | Engineer | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
  Joined 7/6/44. Completed tour 12/31/44. Pilot: Van Dyke.

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  Robert Abernethy

  Military | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs

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  Howard Abeshouse

  Military | Staff Sergeant | Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
  Joined 3/5/44. Transferred to 66th BS 7/1/44. Pilot: Torell.

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  Isaac Abeyta

  Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
  ETO/ Queen Mary 9/5/42. ...

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  Vanig Abrahamian

  Military | Flight Engineer | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
  Joined Sqd 7/6/44. Completed tour 12/11/44. Trans to ZOI 12/21/44. Pilot: Zerman.

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  Ernest Abrahamson

  Military | Airplane Propeller Specialist | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs
  Joined Sqd 5/14/42. ETO/Queen Mary 9/5/42. Home/Queen Mary 6/16/45

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  Bernard Abrams

  Military | 44th Bomb Group The Flying Eightballs

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Aircraft

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  41-23690

  B-24 Liberator
  B-24D SN # 41-23690, from the 8th Air force in Britain, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 68th Bomb Squadron, was on a mission to bomb the naval installation at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. The pilot was unable to find the target because of weather and...

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  41-23776 Spirit of 76

  B-24 Liberator
  On 27-Jan-43 B-24D 41-23776 "Spirit of 76" was on a mission to bomb the naval installation at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. The pilot was unable to located the target due to weather and navigation problems. The aircraft was attacked by fighters and shot down...

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  41-23777 Maisie

  B-24 Liberator
  B-24D-5-CO 41-23777 was assigned to the 44th Bomb Group/66 Bomb Squadron at Shipdham, UK. On 26-Feb-43 the aircraft was despatched to bomb the shipyards at Bremen, Germany but the target was obscured by clouds so the aircraft diverted to the secondary...

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  41-23778 'Lady Luck' - 'Jenny'

  B-24 Liberator
  The B-24D Liberator bomber, SN #41-23778 renamed 'Lady Luck' from 'Jenny' - Survived Operation Tidal Wave over Ploesti Romania, August 1, 1943. ...

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  41-23779 '4Q2'

  B-24 Liberator
  A/C flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid, returning safely to Libya. ...

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  41-23784 'Miss Dianne'

  B-24 Liberator
  B-24D-5-CO - #41-23784, named, "Miss Dianne" was assigned to the 44th Bomb Group, the 67th Bomb Squadron. On March 8, 1943 the aircraft was dispatched on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rouen, France. The aircraft sustained...

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  41-23786

  B-24 Liberator
  B-24D 41-23786 was assigned to 44th Bomb Group, 68th Bomb Squadron at Shipdham. Shot down by German fighters 6-December-1942 on a mission to bomb the German airfield Drucat at Abbeville, France. 10KIA. First loss for 44th Bomb Group. MACR 2920. ...

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  41-23794 Railway Express

  B-24 Liberator
  B-24D 41-23794 "Railway Express" 44BG/67BS was despatched on 15-Feb-43 to bomb the port facilities and Dunkirk, France. The aircraft was damaged by flak over the target and crashed into the sea off the coast at Dunkirk, France. 11KIA MACR 16003. ...

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  41-23804 Sad Sack

  B-24 Liberator
  B-24D-5-CO 41-23804 "Sad Sack" was assigned to the 44BG/66BS at Shipdham, UK. The aircraft was despatched on 26-Feb-43 to bomb the docks at Bremen. However, cloud cover obscured the target and the formation diverted to Wilhelmshaven as a target of...

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  41-23807 'Little Beaver'

  B-24 Liberator
  Assigned to 67BS, 44BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Kiel with Chester Phillips crew; crashed north of Kiel 14-May-43. 7 x KIA, 4 x POW MACR 2748. ...

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Citations

Distinguished Unit Citation: 14-May-1943 Keil
Distinguished Unit Citation: 1-Aug-1943 Ploesti