1 Reply Latest reply on Jun 17, 2019 9:57 AM by Becca Simons

    Seeking mission reports of XXI Bomber Command, 73rd Bombardment Wing, WWII

    Kimberly Albertson Newbie
    Kimberly Albertson Jun 6, 2019 2:32 PM

      Looking to research mission reports regarding the XXI Bomber Command, 73rd Bombardment Wing, located on Saipan in the Mariana Islands for the time frame 1944-1946. Would these records be available through the National Archives or would I need to reach out to the Air Force directly to research their records?

        • Re: Seeking mission reports of XXI Bomber Command, 73rd Bombardment Wing, WWII
          Becca Simons Scout
          Becca Simons Expert Jun 17, 2019 9:57 AM (in response to Kimberly Albertson)

          Dear Ms. Albertson,

           

          Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

           

          We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the World War II Combat Operations Reports, 1941-1946 in the Records of the Army Air Forces (Record Group 18) that includes 64 records of the XXI Bomber Command and 184 records of the 73rd Bomb Wing. For access to these records, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov.

           

          We also located 276 records of the XXI Bomber Command between January 1944 and December 1946 and 11 records of the 73rd Bomb Wing in the Air Force History Index. Read the brief Abstract to determine which records you are interested in and click on the specific PDF icon. In the PDF listing, the IRISREF is the microfilm reel number and note the FRAME and FRAMELST numbers for the location on the reel. If the reel number begins with A, B or C, please contact RDT2 for access to them.


          If the reel number begins with D - Z, the microfilm is still security classified and RDT2 will not be able to make the reel available to you. The original paper copy from which the film was created is still in the custody of the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) and has been declassified. For access to these records, please contact AFHRA, 600 Chennault Circle, Building 1405, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL  36112-6424. The web site is https://www.afhra.af.mil/.

           

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



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