History

8th Air Force B-17 and B-24 Unit Markings in WW-II

Eight Air Force Tail Identification Markings arranged by Group.

Links within the tables take you to their official web sites on the net. Clicking on the link opens up a new browser window when doing so.

Bomber assembly areas showing splasher beacons and base locations in East Anglia.

1st Combat Wing

First Division

1st Combat Wing 40th Combat Wing 41st Combat Wing 94th Combat Wing
91st Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Bassingbourn
Bassingbourn
92nd Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Podington
Podington
303rd Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Molesworth
Molesworth
351st Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Polebrook
Polebrook
381st Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Ridgewell
Ridgewell
306th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Thurielgh
Thurielgh
379th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Kimbolton
Kimbolton
401st Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Deenthorpe
Deenthorpe

398th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Nuthampstead
Nuthampstead
305th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Chelveston
Chelveston
384th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Grafton Underwood
Grafton Underwood

457th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Glatton
Glatton

SECOND DIVISION (B-24s, some were converted from B-17s)

       
93rd Bomb Group Hardwich 467th Bomb Group Glatton 389th Bomb Group Hethel 445th Bomb Group Tibenham
44th Bomb Group Shipham 446th Bomb Group Bungay

448th Bomb Group
Seething

453rd Bomb Group Old Cuckenham
489th Bomb Group
Halesworth
491st Bomb Group Metfield 492nd / 801St Bomb Group North Pickenham 392nd Bomb Group Wendling
458th Bomb Group Horsham St. Faith 466th Bomb Group Attlebridge 467th Bomb Group

 

34th BG (Converted to B-17s, 3rd Div)      

THIRD DIVISION

45th Combat Wing 13th Combat Wing 4th Combat Wing 93rd Combat Wing
96th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Shetterton
Shetterton Heath
95th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Horham
Horham
94th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Bury St. Edmonds
Bury St. Edmonds
385th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Great Ashfleld
Great Ashfleld
388th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Knettishal
Knettishal
100th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Thorpe Abbotts
Thorpe Abbotts
447th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Rattlesden
Rattlesden
34th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Mendelsham
Mendelsham
452nd Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Deopham Green
Deopham Green
390th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Framlingham
Framlingham
486th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Sudbury
Sudbury
490th Bomb Group Eye
   
487th Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Lavenham
Lavenham
493rd Bomb Group
B-17 unit marking for Debach
Debach

 

Fighter Units

Fighter Units in the 8th Air Force
4th Fighter Group 357th Fighter Group 365th Fighter Group
     
     

"Our two countries, parted long ago by war, were brought together again by war in a unity and under-standing such as we had never known."

"Through long years of endeavor and endurance we shared all things, and though we lost so much we found a lasting friendship. We shall never forget those gallant American soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought with us, some in our own ranks, count-less others from our shores."

"To those who did not return the best memorial is the fellowship of our two countries, which by their valour they created and by their sacrifice they have preserved."
   — WINSTON CHURCHILL

Former Markings

The 486th and 487th, former B-24 groups from the 92nd Combat Wing, joined the 94th and 447th to form the 4th Combat Wing after converting to B-17's In mid-1944. The 34th, 490th, and 493rd also converted to B-17's in mid-1944 to form the 93rd Combat Wing. They were joined by the B-17 385th in early 1945.

B-17 unit marking for AlconburyThe 482nd Bomb Group flew some missions In both B-17's and B-24's, but was essentially a training and experimental bombing unit at Alconbury.

Group markings came from the newsletter of the 398th BG.

Eventually I will convert these into color.

Miscelaneous Units Attached to the 8th Air Force

CarpetBaggers The American unit that flew spies - Both British & U.S.A. OSS agents - using B-26s, B-17s, B-24s, Lysanders plus others, into and out of Europe.

Burtonwood - The massive repair depot created to support aircraft.

B-26 Marauders

The medium bombers all started out as part of the 8th Bomber Command, then after reorganization in September / October 1943 all the mediums were transferred into the 9th.

Pvt Benjamin Leroy Vaughan's site about B-26s lists all the serial numbers of them.

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