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The 44th Bomb Group of the 8th AF in the E.T.O.


44th Bombardment Group (H) circle A
"The Flying Eightballs"
Assigned Eight AF: September 1942

Wing & Command Assignments:
VIII BC, 2BW               09.1942
VIII BC, 2BW, 201 PCBW  25.03.1943
VIII BC, 2BW, 202 PCBW  02.09.1943
VIII BC, 2BD, 14 CBW    13.09.1943
2 BD, 14 CBW            08.01.1944
2 AD, 14 CBW            01.01.1945

B24D "Ruth-Less" 41-24282 of 506BS of 44th BG
Bombardment Squadrons (H):

• 66th "WQ" "L"
• 67th "NB" "L"
• 68th "GJ" "L"
• 506th "QK" "L+" (from march 1943 with 44th BG)

Combat Aircraft:
B24D (Block1)
B24E
B24H
B24J
B24L
B24M
B24M Eagle

Stations:

• Cheddington 11.09.1942 - 09.10.1942
• Shipdham, Norfolk 10.10.1942 - 15.06.1945
Temporary in North Africa:
• Benina Main, Libya: 28.06.1943 - 25.08.1943
• Ounda no.1, Tunis: 19.09.1943 - 04.10.1943

Group COs:

• Col. Frank H. Robinson 01.04.1942 - 04.01.1943
• Col. Leon W. Johnson 04.01.1943 - 02.09.1943
• Lt.Col. James T. Posey 03.09.1943 - 03.12.1943
• Col. Frederick R. Dent 04.12.1943 - 29.03.1944
• Col. John H. Gibson 29.03.1944 - 15.08.1944
• Col. Eugene H. Snaveley 15.08.1944 - 13.04.1945
• Col. Vernon C. Smith 13.04.1945 - 01.06.1945

First Mission    : 07.11.1942
Last Mission     : 25.04.1945
Total missions   : 343 (of which 18 at night)
Bomb tonnage     : 18,980 tons
Aircraft MIA     : 153
Other losses     : 39
Major Awards     : Two Distinguished Unit Citations:
                   14.05.1943 Kiel (66th, 67th, 506th BS)
                   01.08.1943 Ploesti
Medal of Honor   : Col. Leon W. Johnson 01.08.1943