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The 487th Bombardment Group was a heavy bomber unit of the Eighth Air Force, based at Lavenham, Suffolk, from August 1944 until the end of the war in Europe.
The group entered combat in May 1944, operating the B-24 Liberator against targets in northern France. Before the D-Day landings it attacked German airfields, while during the invasion itself it attacked German coastal defences and transport links. During July the group attacked German positions around Caen, during the British attacks on the town, while in August it flew missions to support the attack on Brest.
In August the group converted to the B-17 Flying Fortress, and began to take part in the strategic bombing campaign, attacking targets in Germany from then until March 1945. It also took part in a number of tactic operations, attacking German gun emplacements during Operation Market Garden, supporting the group troops during the Battle of the Bulge and again during the crossing of the Rhine in March 1945. The group returned to the United States in August-September 1945.
September 1943-August 1944: Consolidated B-24 Liberator
August 1944-April 1945: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
14 September 1943 | Constituted as 487th Bombardment Group (Heavy) |
20 September 1943 | Activated |
March-April 1944 | Moved to England to join Eighth Air Force |
May-August 1944 | In combat with B-24 Liberator |
August 1944-April 1945 | In combat with B-17 Flying Fortress |
August-September 1945 | Returned to the United States |
7 November 1945 | Inactivated |
Lt Colonel Charles E. Lancaster: 4 October 1943
Lt Colonel Beirne Lay Jr: 28 February 1944
Colonel Robert Taylor III: 12 May 1944
Colonel William K Martin: 28 December 1944
Lt Colonel Howard C Todt: May 1945
Colonel Nicholas T. Perkins: 3 June 1945
Bruning Field, Nebraska: 20 September 1943
Alamorgordo Field, New Mexico: 15 December 1943-c.13 March 1944
Lavenham, England: 5 April 1944-c.26 August 1945
Drew Field, Florida: 3 September-7 November 1945
836th Bombardment Squadron: 1943-1945
837th Bombardment Squadron: 1943-1945
838th Bombardment Squadron: 1943-1945
839th Bombardment Squadron: 1943-1945
1944: 92nd Bombardment Group; 3rd Air Division; VIII Bomber Command; Eighth Air Force
February 1944-1945: 92nd Bombardment Group; 3rd Air Division; Eighth Air Force; US Strategic Air Forces Europe
1945: 4th Bombardment Wing; 3rd Air Division; Eighth Air Force; US Strategic Air Forces Europe
1945: 14th Bombardment Wing; 2nd Air Division; Eighth Air Force; US Strategic Air Forces Europe