Army Air Forces in Europe

world war II

482nd Bomber Group

8th Air Force 482nd BG


Squadrons of the 482nd BG

812th Bombardment Squadron - Heavy
813th Bombardment Squadron - Heavy
814th Bombardment Squadron -Heavy

Assigned 8th AAF:20 August 1943.

Wing/Command Assignment

VIII BC 1 BD: 20 Aug 1943
1 BD: 8 Jan 1944
VIII AFCC: 14 Feb 1944
VIII FC: 1 Oct 1944
1 AD: 1 Jan 1945

Combat Aircraft:

812BS: B-17F and G H2X, B-17G Eagle.
813BS: B-17F H2S and Oboe; B-17G H2X
814BS: B-24H and J H2X, B-24L, APS-15A and B-24M Eagle.

Stations

ALCONBURY 20 August 1943 - 24 June 45

Group COs

Col Baskin R. Lawrence Jr: 20 August 1943 - 1 December 1943
Col Howard Moore: 1 December 1943 - 14 December 1944.
Lt Col Clement W. Bird: 15 December 1944 - 21 May 1945
First Mission: 27 September 1943
Last Mission: 22 March 1944
Total Bomb Tonnage: 497 Tons
Aircraft MIA: 7

Major Awards:

Distinguished Unit Citation: 11 Jan. 44 (all 1 BD groups).

Claims to Fame
Pioneered radar bombing devices for USAAF.

Early History:

Activated 20 August 1943 at Alconbury. Original personnel specially selected crews from VIII BC plus a few key men who had been involved with 329BS Gee experiments. Ground crews formed from the disbanded 479th Anti-Sub. Group. Initial experiments under auspices of 92BG, which also provided personnel. Unit had a three-fold mission: combat operations; to develop technique and test radar devices; train pathfinder crews. As lead aircraft, 482BG B-17s and B-24s usually flew missions from stations of other groups, and some key personnel of host group flying in the PFF aircraft. Unit ceased regular operations late in March but continued to undertake special operations, notably D-Day when 18 crews were provided to lead bomb groups.Transferred Composite Command Feb. 1944 when emphasis shifted to training radar operators. Initially with RAF instructors, and courses begun on 21 February 1944. Training and experimentation remained its chief role for the remainder of war. From August 1944 to April 1945, and conducted 202 radar scope and 'pickling' sorties over hostile territory without loss: 45 tons bombs.

Subsequent History:

Redeployed to the US in May of 1945. The aircraft departed between 27-30 May 1945. The ground unit sailed on the Queen Elizabeth from Gourock on the 24 June 1945. The group re-established at Victorville AAF, Ca. on the 5 July 1945, but inactivated on the 1 September 1945

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