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Constituted as 392d Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 15 Jan 1943 and activated on 26 Jan. Trained with B-24's. Moved to England, Jul-Aug 1943, and assigned to Eighth AF. Began combat on 9 Sep 1943 and engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic objectives on the Continent until Apr 1945. Attacked such targets as an oil refinery at Gelsenkirchen, a marshalling yard at Osnabruck, a railroad viaduct at Bielefeld, steel plants at Brunswick, a tank factory at Kassel, and gas works at Berlin. Took part in the intensive campaign of heavy bombers against the German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20-25 Feb 1944, being awarded a DUC for bombing an aircraft and component parts factory at Gotha on 24 Feb. Sometimes supported ground forces or carried out interdictory operations. Bombed airfields and V-weapon sites in France prior to the Normandy invasion in Jun 1944 and struck coastal defenses and choke points on D-Day. Hit enemy positions to assist ground forces at St Lo during the breakthrough in Jul 1944. Bombed railroads, bridges, and highways to cut off German supply lines during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Dropped supplies to Allied troops during the air attack on Holland in Sep 1944 and during the airborne assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission on 25 Apr 1945, then carried food to the Dutch. Returned to the US in Jun. Inactivated on 13 Sep 1945.
Redesignated 392d Bombardment Group (Very Heavy). Allotted to the reserve. Activated on 30 Jul 1947. Redesignated 392d Bombardment Group (Light) in Jun 1949. Inactivated on 10 Nov 1949.
Squadrons. 576th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949. 577th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949. 578th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949. 579th: 1943-1945; 1947-1949.
Stations. Davis-Monthan Field, Ariz, 26 Jan 1943; Biggs Field, Tex, 1 Mar 1943; Alamogordo AAB, NM, 18 Apr-18 Jul 1943; Wendling, England, Jul 1943-15 Jun 1945; Charleston AAFld, SC, 25 Jun-13 Sep 1945. Barksdale Field, La, 30 Jul 1947-10 Nov 1949.
Commanders. Col Irvine A Rendle, 26 Jan 1943; Col Lorin L Johnson, 21 Jun 1944; Lt Col Lawrence G Gilbert, 27 May 1945-unkn.
Campaigns. Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citation: Gotha, Germany, 24 Feb 1944.
Data from Air Force Combat Units of World War II By Maurer, Maurer, Published 1986
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Historical Artifacts: We are looking for photos, documents and other types of artifacts including uniforms, medals, insignia, gear, manuals, and training material. We accept electronic/scans or originals of pictures and paper records. A General Order could be an award document that contains information on many servicemen. Special Orders may contain transfers or other information. Flight records, accident reports, maintenance logs, after action reports, pilot encounter reports, diaries and biorgraphies; all of these types of documents help us support or mission: preserving your history! Contact us today for instructions on sending us this material. Contact Today
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