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The 92nd Bombardment Wing went through two incarnations during the Second World War, both as heavy bomber wings of the Eighth Air Force.
In its first incarnation it contained two B-17 groups, the 351st and 401st, was commanded by Col Julius K Lacey and based at Polebrook. On 15 December this version of the wing was renumbered as the 94th Bombardment Wing, which inherited both groups, Col Lacey and the Polebrook base. The 351st had already entered combat with the 1st Bombardment Wing, while the 401st made its combat debut on 26 November. The 92nd Wing flew its first official mission on 11 December, but within a few days this first version of the wing became the 94th.
The new 92nd Bombardment Wing was formed at Camp Blainey in December 1943, but it didn't receive a new commander until April 1944. At the same time its two new groups, the 486th and 487th were crossing the Atlantic, reaching their new bases in March and April. These were both B-24 Liberator groups, and they both entered combat in May 1944.
The two group converted to the B-17 in June-August 1944 and operated that aircraft for the rest of the war. They operated under the control of the 92nd Bombardment Wing until February 1945 when both groups were moved to the 4th Bombardment Wing. During its operational period the wing took part in the strategic bombing campaign, supported the fighting in Normandy and northern France and helped repel the German attack during the Battle of the Bulge.
1943: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
May 1944-August 1944: Consolidated B-24 Liberator
August
1944 onwards: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
25 October 1943 | Constituted as 92nd Combat Bombardment Wing (Heavy) |
1 November 1943 | Activated in England |
11-15 December 1943 | First period of combat |
15 December 1943 | Groups redesignated |
May 1944 | Resumed combat with new groups |
February 1945 | Groups removed |
July 1945 | To United States |
28 August 1945 | Disbanded |
Col Julius K Lacey: 24
Nov-12 Dec 1943
Col Harold Q Huglin:
c. 1 Apr-19 Nov 1944
Col Hunter
Harris Jr: c. 12 Feb-11 May 1945
Polebrook, England: 1 Nov
1943
Camp Blainey, England: c. 12 Dec
1943
Sudbury, England: c. 2 Mar 1944
Bury St Edmunds, England: c. 18 Nov
1944
Elveden Hall, England: 12 Feb-c.
13 Jul 1945
Sioux Falls AA Fld, SD: 23 July-28 August 1945
Group | Dates | Aircraft Used | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
351st Bombardment Group | 1943 | Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress | ||||
401st Bombardment Group | 1943 | Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress | ||||
486th Bombardment Group | 1944-45 | Consolidated B-24 Liberator Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress |
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487th Bombardment Group | 1944-45 | Consolidated B-24 Liberator Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress |
1943: 1st Air Division; VIII Bomber Command; Eighth Air Force
1944: 3rd Air Division; VIII Bomber Command; Eighth Air Force
1944-45: 3rd Air Division; Eighth Air Force; US Strategic Air Forces Europe