Following recent government announcements the museum is currently closed, there is plenty to explore in our online archive.
The American Air Museum is a charity - Find out how you can support us
Group
The insignia of the 452nd Bomb Group.
Personnel of the 96th Bomb Group and the 452nd Bomb Group receive briefing against the wall of a bombed-out railway building in Poltava, Russia during Operation Frantic in summer 1944. Image via M.L. Gibson. Official caption printed on image: 'USEC, Russia 1944.'
Technical Sergeant Everett L Wales and Staff Sergeant James J Doherty of the 452nd Bomb Group debrief in a Nissen hut after the Romilly mission. Image via Walt Chochrek. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Crew members of "The Punched Fowl" 452nd B Grp, 730 Sqdn. [asterisk indicates the airman in deceased] Left T/Sgt Everett L Wales*- Radio operator, Right S/Sgt James J Doherty- tail gunner. Photo taken Feb 4 (2-6-44) Debriefing in the Nissen hut for the Romilly, France mission. Our first mission. The group's second. Doherty and Haggerty shot down ME-201, 6 O'clock level- a ball of smoke.'
![Airmen inspect a battle damaged B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-107091) of the 452nd Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: 'ISAD-9-May-44-1011 (WPU, Crash Battle Damage, B17G-42-107091, Rattlesden) FA.' Image stamped on reverse: 'Official Photograph US Photographic section.' [stamp]](https://www.americanairmuseum.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/freeman/media-380639.jpg?itok=HY862CWh)
Airmen inspect a battle damaged B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-107091) of the 452nd Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: 'ISAD-9-May-44-1011 (WPU, Crash Battle Damage, B17G-42-107091, Rattlesden) FA.' Image stamped on reverse: 'Official Photograph US Photographic section.' [stamp]
A B-17 Flying Fortress of the 452nd Bomb Group flies over the Tempelhof Airport in Berlin during a raid. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Berlin 29/4/44. 452 BG.'
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97904) nicknamed "Lady Jeanette" of the 452nd Bomb Group drops bombs over the target. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Stuttgart 5 Sept 44. 452 BG Mott A/C.'
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-39973) nicknamed "Inside Curve" of the 452nd Bomb Group. Printed caption on reverse: '61673 AC- Boeing B-17 "Inside Curve", part of a formation of Flying Fortresses of the 452nd Bomb Group, heads for its bomb run over Berlin, Germany. Heavies of the 8th Air Force struck deeper and deeper into Nazi territory, paralyzing supply lines and vital war industries in direct support of the grinding offensives on the ground east to west. 9 March 1944. Please credit: Official US Air Force Photo.'
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31334) nicknamed "Three Cads and a Lad" of the 452nd Bomb Group.
The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Lady Stardust" of the 452nd Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '452nd BG # 297345 29 April 45.' The caption is incorrect. B-17G 42-97345 was silver with a chin turret. This is an "F" model.
The insignia of the 452nd Bomb Group and the 728th, 729th, 730th and 731st Bomb Squadrons. Image via Walt Chochrek. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'How's this for Yankee insignia Roger?'
The 452nd Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Deopham Green, Norfolk, from January 1944. The air crews hit strategic sites in Germany but also supported the movement of ground forces across Europe after D-Day. On 6 June 1944 itself, the Group bombed coastal defences before the landings. The 452nd Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for bombing a jet fighter base at Kaltenkirchen, northern Germany, on 7 April 1945, under intense pressure from enemy fighters and anti-aircraft flak.
Military | Colonel | Pilot/Commanding Officer | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
I am Proud Herb (1st C/O of the 452nd B-17 Heavy) , and all the military men and women that have got us to be the nation we are today .
...
Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Group commander | 452nd Bomb Group
Group Commanding Officer: 28 February 1944-29 March 1944.
Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Staff | 388th Bomb Group
Military | Colonel | Commanding Officer | 452nd Bomb Group
Col. Odom was CO 452nd BG at DEOPHAM GREEN 3 March 44 – 24 July 44.
He was acting Group Leader 11 April 1944 towards Rostock when A/C #42-39995 ‘COW TOWN BOOGIE’ had to make a forced landing in Sweden.
Squadron
Squadron
Squadron
Squadron
Headquarters
5 February 1944
German airfield in France are the targets for this mission. All three Bomb Divisions despatch aircraft. The combined bomber gunner's claims of all three Bomb Divisions were 5-0-5 (displayed with Chateauroux element of 1BD). Summary as follows:
...
6 February 1944
German airfields and V-Weapon sites in France are the primary targets of this mission. A combined force total of 642 heavy bombers are depatched from 8th Air Force 1st, 2nd and 3rd Bomb Divisions. The primary targets of 1st Bomb Division were the...
6 February 1944
German airfields and V-Weapon sites in France are the primary targets of this mission. A combined force total of 642 heavy bombers are depatched from 8th Air Force 1st, 2nd and 3rd Bomb Divisions. The primary targets of 1st Bomb Division were the...
8 February 1944
1st Bomb Division: The railroad marshalling yards at Frankfurt, Germany are the primary target for a combined force of 120 B-17s from: 92BG; 303BG; 305BG; 306BG; 379BG; 382BG; and 482BG. 51 aircraft are effective on the target and another 39 attack...
10 February 1944
This mission is a despatch of two separate formations. One formation is a combined force of 169 B-17Fs from 3rd Bomb Division: 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG; 447BG; and 482BG despatched to bomb the industrial areas of Brunswick, Germany....
13 February 1944
17 V-Wepons sites in France are the primary targets for this mission. The mission is divided into two separate forces: one force of B-24s from 2nd Bomb Division and one force of B-17s from 3rd Bomb Division. Mission summary follows:
...
20 February 1944
This mission is the opening salvo of the Allied Combined Bomber Offensive known officially as "Operation Argument" but remembered in 8th Air Force History as "BIG WEEK". The immediate strategic objective of this six-day operation is the degradation of...
21 February 1944
Day 2 of BIG WEEK is another maximum effort by 8th Air Force to bomb 6 airfields in Germany as primary targets: Diepholz, Gütersloh, Lippstadt, Werl, Achmer and Handorf. In addition the industrial areas of Brunswick city are included as a primary...
22 February 1944
The German aircraft industry is again targeted in Day 3 of BIG WEEK. A combined total od 789 bombers (maximum effort) are despathed from 1st 2nd and 3rd Air Divisions. Fighter opposition is heavy and bomber losses in 1st Air Division are massive - 39...
24 February 1944
BIG WEEK resumes with full intensity against the German aircraft industry. Bomber tactics are changed slightly in that each Air Division will be directed at more widely dispersed primary targets whoch it is thought will frustrate concentration...
| Station | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Based | Deopham Green | 3 January 1944 – 5 August 1945 |
Military | Sergeant | 452nd Bomb Group
Martin Aaland served with the 452nd Bomb Group. He re-enlisted after the war ended for one more year's service and served with the 40th Bomb Squad., 6th Bomb Group from the 1 November 1945 until 27 January 1947.
Military | 452nd Bomb Group
Military | Staff Sergeant | Right Waist Gunner, Waist Gunner | 452nd Bomb Group
Hit by flak over the target of Chateaudon airfield, FR on 28 Mar 1944, B-17G #42-97200 broke apart, exploded, and crashed S of the target. Prisoner of War (POW).
POW
Military | Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) | waist gunner, toggelier, B-17 | 452nd Bomb Group
Military | Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) | waist gunner, nose gunner, toggelier B-17 | 452nd Bomb Group
Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 452nd Bomb Group
Shot down 9 April 1944 in B-17 #42-39936. Killed in Action (KIA).
AM/ Oak Leaf Cluster/ PH
Military | Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) | Radio operator/gunner | 452nd Bomb Group
Military | First Lieutenant | bombardier | 452nd Bomb Group
Military | First Lieutenant | navigator | 452nd Bomb Group
Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 452nd Bomb Group
Shot down by fighters on a mission to Erkner, Berlin on 8 Mar 1944 in B-17G #42-37954 'Hank from Dixie'. Killed in Action (KIA).
PH
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 27/2/44; Hunter 15/3/44; Dow Fd 10/4/44; Assigned 730BS/452BG Deopham Green 20/4/44 MUGWUMP; Missing in Action Hamburg 17/1/45 with Maylan Skoglund, Co-pilot: Don Horning, Navigator: John Samos, Bombardier: Leroy Krug, Flight...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 10/3/44; Gr Island 30/3/44; Dow Fd 8/4/44; Assigned 729BS/452BG [M3- ] Deopham Green 11/4/44; destroyed by enemy aircraft at Poltava, with Jim Nelson Rus 21/6/44; Salvaged 2/7/44.
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 12/3/44; Gr Island 29/3/44; Dow Fd 4/4/44; Assigned 729BS/452BG Deopham Green [M3-Q] 8/4/44; Missing in Action Munich 31/7/44 with Mason Williams, Co-pilot: Clyde Wells, Bombardier: Bob Gamble, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Russ...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 12/3/44; Gr Island 2/4/44; Grenier 29/4/44; Assigned 728BS/452BG [9Z-Z] Deopham Green 3/5/44; on return from Royan Afd complete with bomb load 19/6/44 with Oliver Wright, Co-pilot: Bob Merryman, Navigator: Alfd Turner, Bombardier:...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 15/3/44; Gr Island 1/4/44; Dow Fd 28/4/44; Assigned 728BS/452BG [N] Deopham Green 30/4/44; Missing in Action Karlsruhe 27/5/44 with Milton Mard, Co-pilot: Joe Atlas, Navigator: Tom McDonald, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: George...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 16/3/44; Gr Island 1/4/44; Grenier 7/4/44; Assigned 731BS/452BG Deopham Green 10/4/44; battle damaged Rechlin 25/8/44 with ?; o/s runway, all OK;
...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 18/3/44; Kearney 13/4/44; Dow Fd 29/4/44; Assigned 728BS/452BG Deopham Green 30/4/44; 729BS; force landed RAF Woodbridge with John Clifford 18/12/44; damaged over Augsburg 15/1/45 with Walter Green, Co-pilot: Walter Waite, Navigator:...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 19/3/44; Hunter 9/4/44; Dow Fd 29/4/44; Assigned 728BS/452BG [9Z- ] Deopham Green 1/5/44; destroyed by enemy aircraft at Poltava with Edward Armm 21/6/44; Salvaged 2/7/44. Borrowed Time: The ball turret gunner on this plane, John F....
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 24/3/44; Hunter 16/4/44; Grenier 25/4/44; Assigned 728BS/452BG Deopham Green 3/5/44; Missing in Action Berlin 21/6/44 with Ed Armm, Bill Stooks, Glen Swing, Jim Dozier, Arthur Kaule, John Clark, Joe Outrander, Bob James, George Thut ...
B-17 Flying Fortress
Delivered Cheyenne 26/3/44; Kearney 13/4/44; Grenier 29/4/44; Assigned 728BS/452BG [9Z- ] Deopham Green 3/5/44; damaged by enemy aircraft at Poltava with Joe Antol 21/6/44; repaired & re-ass 15AF Italy 29/9/44; Assigned 346BS/99BG Tortorella 11/12/44;...
Received a Distinguished Unit Citation for action on 7 Apr 1945 when, despite vigorous fighter attacks and heavy flak, it accurately bombed a jet-fighter base at Kaltenkirchen.
1st Lt Donald Gott and 2d Lt William E Metzger Jr were each awarded the Medal of Honor for remaining with their aircraft (crippled during a mission over Germany on 9 Nov 1944) in an attempt to save a wounded crew member who was unable to bail out; the men were killed when the B-17 exploded in midair.
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 17 May 2015 19:52:14 | Pete | Changes to mission associations |
| Sources | ||
452nd Bomb Group Assoc. |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 17 May 2015 19:39:27 | Pete | Changes to motto, insignia, aircraft types and mission associations |
| Sources | ||
452nd Bomb Group Assoc. |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 17 May 2015 19:37:53 | Pete | Changes to citations, commanding officers associations and mission associations |
| Sources | ||
452nd Bomb Group Assoc. |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 17 May 2015 19:16:02 | Pete | Changes to mission associations |
| Sources | ||
452nd Bomb Group Assoc. |
||
| Date | Contributor | Update |
| 13 March 2015 15:19:39 | rossingtonj | Changes to type and mission associations |
| Sources | ||
Type added. |
||
| 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) |
||
