He spoke and wrote extensively about the work and the missions of the b17 crews in. The 8th army air force, 96th bomb group h association united states 8th air force, wwii. S memorials foundation dedicated to preserving the legacy of the 95th bomb group h, 19421945, and the men who so valiantly served. Entered combat in may 1944 with b14 aircraft but soon converted to b17s. The 95 th flew their first mission from horham on 22 nd june 1943 against an industrial target at huls in germany, the first of a total of 300 missions that would claim a total 3 aircraft lost while flying from horham. Aug 30, 2017 a ball turret gunners daughter talks about her fathers experiences with the mighty eighth air force in east anglia during world war ii and why volunteers keep the story of the 95th bomb group. Welcome to the 96th bombardment group h station 8 snetterton, england. The first, shared by all four bomb wing groups, was for the bombing of an aircraft factory under intense enemy fire at regensburg on 17 august 1943. Although it is a component of the 55th operations group, main flying operations are conducted from raf mildenhill, united kingdom and souda bay, crete. Air force patches jim buchanan jbmilart military art. Eighth air force, 95th bomb group, and the 334th bomb squadron flew from horham.
The 95th bombardment group was a b17 group that took part in the eighth air forces strategic bombing campaign over europe as well as supporting the allied armies fighting in europe after dday. I have posted twelve photos of the book, showing the good and the notasgood. The 95 th were the first us group to bomb berlin in daylight, and became the only unit to receive three distinguished unit. Jul 20, 2007 he played a little golf and fished, but mostly col. Jul 01, 2012 the wild blue yonder and beyond is the first book to cover a world war ii bomb group from its inception through the present day. A pows story local news for bismarckmandan, north dakota. For most of the war, the 95th bg flew out of a base in horham, england.
After ve day, transported liberated prisoners and displaced persons from austria to france and england. During world war ii its predecessor, the 95th bombardment group, was a boeing b17 flying fortress unit in england, stationed at raf horham. Army air corps 8th air force, 95th bomb group, 334th squadron based in horham, suffolk, england, harris told the audience of nearly 200 family, friends, and. This version of the 95th bomb squadron patch is weathered to give it a well worn and used patch.
The friendly invasion in the east of england visit. The first combat unit arrived in october 1942 but it was on june 15th 1943 that the 95th bombardment group landed with their b17 flying fortresses. The group flew over 3,500 sorties, mostly single ship missions. Peek shipped overseas to england as part of the 336th bomb squadron. Most were from station 119, near the village of horham, england. The 95th bomb group heritage association is working hard to promote the memory of the men and women who served at horham with the 95th. The 334th bombardment squadron is an inactive united states air force unit. Mumford stayed active in the 95th bomb group association. Ernest anders erickson 95th bomb group air corps 1942 1945 pvt.
The 95th reconnaissance squadron 95 rs is a united states air force reconnaissance unit based at offurtt air force base, near omaha, nebraska. Moved to england in mar 1944 and assigned to eighth af. Dedicated to the memory of the 95th bomb group h based at horham, suffolk, england, from june 1943 until june 1945. The americans arrival at horham airfield had a huge impact on surrounding villages. Eighth air force bomb group markings molesworth, england. The large site straddled the parishes of denham, horham and hoxne. No financial support is received from any commercial or nonprofit organization. The official facebook group of the 95th bomb group u. Usaaf ww2 b17 bomber sandys refueling boys copilot 8x10. Jim stratton, pilot, 17th bomb group, 95th bomb squadron.
Reunions this website is supported by the webmaster. Mort harris receives french legion of honor medal patch. The 95th bomb group was the only eighth air force group to be awarded three. During world war ii, its predecessor unit, the 95th bombardment group heavy was an eighth air force b17 flying fortress unit in england, stationed primarily at raf horham. It was also hq for the th combat bombardment wing of the 3rd bomb division which was in charge of not only the 95th bomb group but also the 100th bg at thorpe abbotts. Ernest anders erickson 95th bomb group 334th squadron may 24th, 1944 berlin, germany. A bomber crew of the 95th bomb group outside a nissen hut briefing room at horham, august 1944. During the second world war the east of england became home to thousands of american air force.
This first letter is from a man in nj, directed to our local newspaper, seeking the whereabouts of jim, my first husband. The 95th bg flew b17s which were deemed heavy bombers. Air force 486th bombardment group, heavy usaf veteran locator. The 95th bg adopted the slogan justice with victory which was represented on their official patch at that time. The friendly invasion 95th bomb group, horham youtube. Starting in may of 1943, the 95th bomb group flying the b17 aircraft, completed over 300 missions. Squadron codes 331 bs qe 332 bs xm 333 bs ts 410 bs gl. The squadron arrived in england equipped with late model b17f aircraft equipped. Raf horham usaaf station 119 geograph britain and ireland. The 95th bomb group heritage association has faithfully restored air base buildings to keep alive the memory of the. During world war ii the 95th bombardment group was a boeing b17 flying fortress unit in england, stationed at raf horham. Visit the other 95th bomb group heritage association sites. The 95th led the first 8th air force daylight raid on berlin, and was the only eighth air force.
A pictorial history of the 95th bomb group h, 8th united states army air force, horham, england, 19431945 hardcover reprint. Contentsshow usaaf use planned originally for raf use, horham airfield was provided to the united states army air forces eighth air force in 1942. See more ideas about wwii, ww2 planes and ww2 aircraft. An accounting of the 25th bomb group rcn, sp was written and produced by members assigned to the group. Operated chiefly against strategic objectives in germany until may 1945. An accounting of the 25th bomb group rcn, sp, 8th air force. For most of the war, the 95th bg flew out of a base in horham. The 336th bomb squadron was one of the four bomb squadrons of the 95th bomb group. Great photo of b17 bomber sandy s refueling boys with copilot lt.
You can join us and help as we continue to build on what many think is the friendliest and best bomb group museum in the uk. There is also another museum which was formerly the air bases. Albert keeler, part of the 95th bomb group at raf horham, england. For those who want to have their new patch aged without waiting for years to get their patch that 60 year old look. The right chest carries a brown leather name tag jim shepard above a painted leather squadron patch 95th bomb group.
The 95th bomb group returned to sioux falls aaf south. The entire 95th group moved to raf horham in june, where they replaced the 323d bombardment group, which departed the previous day. A world war ii airfield, raf horham, was located at horham. Constituted as 486th bombardment group heavy on 14 sep 1943 and activated on 20 sep. Frank gustaf severin erickson 308th infantry lost battalion 1917 1919 pfc. See more ideas about san antonio rose, i miss you everyday and the mighty eighth. The 95th bomb group was the only eighth air force group to be awarded three distinguished unit citations. B briefing room, 95th bomb group h horham, england full house crew. From september 1943 to 6 august 1945, horham was also the headquarters for the th combat bombardment wing of the 3d bomb division, which was in charge not only of the resident 95th but also of the 100th bomb group bg at thorpe abbotts in south norfolk link and the 390th bg at framlingham parham.
Overpaid, oversexed and over here remembering americas. It was the only eighth air force group awarded three distinguished unit citations, with the highest total claims of enemy aircraft destroyed of all eighth air force bomb groups. For a list of all the reunions held by the 384th bomb group since the first one in 1967, visit 384th bg inc. Raf horham is a world war ii era airfield in england. While he was stationed at the temporary base of parham, there was an accidental, disastrous explosion of the 412th bomb squadrons b17s at alconbury. The 95th bomb group based in horham in suffolk from june 1943 until the end of the war was famously the first us group to bomb berlin in daylight during ww2 the last b. Welcome to the 96th bombardment grouph station 8 snetterton, england. The 95th was one of five new b17 groups to become operational in may 1943, greatly increasing the power of the eighth air force the number of. This is the george dancisin crew, 412th bomb squadron. Utilizing interviews with nearly a hundred air war veterans, dozens of unpublished crew memoirs, all the bomb groups official mission reports from the national archives, and nearly a hundred other sources, author. Though put up for a puc, wars end resulted in the recommendation dropping through the cracks. It was last assigned to the 95th bombardment wing at biggs air force base.
They flew 321 missions from horham until august 1945 when the airfield was returned to the raf. It was the only eighth air force group awarded three distinguished unit citations, with the highest total claims of enemy aircraft destroyed of all eighth air force bomb. Sep 18, 2016 an engineering graduate, peek also had a commercial flying license by the time he joined the 95th bomb group in october 1942. The 95th bombardment group consisted of the 334th, 335th, 336th and 412th bombardment squadrons. Ernest julius erickson 361st infantry meuse argonne offensive 1917 1918. Dec 25, 2008 honoring the men who flew out of horham, england in world war two, and showing the town and the air base as they exist today, along with some vintage shots. World war ii usaaf clothing grouping including a b15 flight jac. The red feather club has been restored and a world war ii museum is in the same building. After short stays at alconbury and framlingham the 95th bomb group finally arrived at horham on june 15th 1943 and station 119 was to be its home for more than two years. May 22, 2011 in memory of the men of the 95th bombardment group who served at horham airfield and those who gave thier lives in the cause of freedom 19431945 334th 335th 336th and 412th bomb squadrons and supporting units headquarters th combat bomb wing united states 8th airf orce dedicated 19th sept 1981. Raf horham airfield 47th bomb group, 95th bomb group, 323rd.
1166 577 203 1572 1253 13 954 1031 363 316 1317 762 202 1143 819 563 11 833 871 1482 753 1643 1536 449 944 224 47 998 393 844 837 787 430 348 1096 213