Constituted as 458th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943.
Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Prepared for combat with B-24's. Moved to
England, Jan-Feb 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Flew diversionary
missions on 24 and 25 Feb 1944 to draw enemy fighters from German targets
being attacked by other AAF bombers. Began bombardment on 2 Mar 1944, and
afterward operated primarily against strategic objectives in Germany. Hit
such targets as the industrial area of Saarbrucken, oil refineries at
Hamburg, an airfield at Brunswick, aircraft factories at Oschersleben, a
fuel depot at Dulmen, a canal at Minden, aircraft works at Brandenburg,
marshalling yards at Hamm, and an aircraft engine plant at Magdeburg.
Carried out some interdictory and support operations in addition to the
strategic missions. Helped to prepare for the invasion of Normandy by
striking gun batteries, V-weapon sites, and airfields in France; hit
coastal defenses in support of the assault on 6 Jun 1944; afterward,
bombed bridges and highways to prevent the movement of enemy materiel to
the beachhead. Attacked enemy troops to aid the Allied breakthrough at St
Lo in Jul. Ceased bombardment during Sep 1944 to haul gasoline to
airfields in France. Struck transportation lines during the Battle of the
Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Attacked enemy airfields to assist the Allied
assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr
1945. Returned to the US, Jun-Jul 1945. Redesignated 458th Bombardment
Group (Very Heavy) in Aug 1945. Trained with B-29's. Inactivated on 17 Oct
1945.
Squadrons. 752d: 1943-1945. 753d: 1943-1945. 754th: 1943-1945. 755th:
1943-1945.
Stations. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Jul 1943; Gowen Field, Idaho, 28 Jul
1943; Kearns, Utah, 11 Sep 1943; Wendover Field, Utah, 15 Sep 1943;
Tonopah AAFld, Nev, 31 Oct-29 Dec 1943; Horsham St Faith, England, Jan
1944-14 Jun 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 12 Jul 1945; Walker AAFld, Kan,
25 Jul 1945; March Field, Calif, 21 Aug-17 Oct 1945.
Commanders. Lt Col Robert F Hardy, 28 Jul 1943; Col James H Isbell, 16
Dec 1943; Col Allen F Herzberg, 10 Mar 1945; Capt Patrick Hays, 13 Aug
1945; Maj Bernard Carlos, 17 Aug 1945; Maj V R Woodward, 22 Aug 1945; Lt
Col Wilmer C Hardesty, 3 Sep-17 Oct 1945.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland;
Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. None. Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986 |
