1 Reply Latest reply on Jul 27, 2018 9:48 AM by Rebecca Collier

    Looking For 1942-1943 Mission Lists For 44th, 93rd, & 389 Bomb Groups, 8th Air Force

    David Klaus Newbie
    David Klaus Jul 26, 2018 8:07 PM

      Need 1942-1943 mission lists for the three main 8th Air Force B-24 bomb groups in existence at that time: the 44th, 93rd, and 389th Bomb Groups. Specifically looking for the:

       

      • date,
      • target,
      • # aircraft,
      • # lost
      • for each mission during this period.

       

      Have already checked many websites and dozens of books (expected to find it in one of Freeman's books, but did not), but can find only pieces of this information--not all of it.   I'm hoping to avoid slogging through all the individual mission folders for these three groups at NARA!

       

      Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks much!

        • Re: Looking For 1942-1943 Mission Lists For 44th, 93rd, & 389 Bomb Groups, 8th Air Force
          Rebecca Collier Navigator
          Rebecca Collier Expert Jul 27, 2018 9:48 AM (in response to David Klaus)

          Dear Mr. Klaus,

          Thank you for posting your request to History Hub!

          We searched the World War II Combat Operations Reports, 1941-1946 (also called Mission Reports) in RG 18 and located the file unit listings for the 44th Bomb Group (1942 & 1943); the 93rd Bomb Group (1942 & 1943); and the 389th Bomb Group (1943 only). Sometimes the title of the file units includes the target of the mission.

          Instead of looking at the mission reports, you may want to look at the histories for each bomb group. Unit histories and supporting documents of Army Air Force units are in the custody of the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA), 600 Chennault Circle, Building 1405, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL 36112-6424.  You should call (334) 953-2395 or write to that office for further information concerning these records. The web site is https://www.afhra.af.mil/.

          Since some of the histories have been microfilmed, please use the index to the Air Force History microfilm available at https://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/. If the IRISREF number begins with A, B or C, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov for copies or access to the rolls. Any other letter or number, please contact AFHRA as indicated above.

          We hope this information is helpful. Best of luck with your research!

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