Description

397th BOMB GROUP (M)
9th Bombardment Division • IX Bomber Command, Ninth Air Force • World War II • 130 pages scanned. Instant PDF download.

Document Overview
Compiled and edited by Major Henry C. Beck, Jr. and published in 1946, this unit history traces the 397th Bomb Group (Medium) from its activation at MacDill Field, Florida on April 20, 1943 through its combat record in the European Theater to its final mission on April 20, 1945. Illustrated with official and personal photographs of missions, personnel, and bases, this listing is a digital download of a scanned copy of the original commemorative volume.

Campaigns: Normandy • Northern France • Rhineland • Ardennes-Alsace • Central Europe

Commanders: Lt. Col. John F. Batjer (July 17, 1943 – October 9, 1943) • Col. Coiner, Group Commanding Officer (October 9, 1943 – July 23, 1945)

Unit newspaper: unknown

Table of Contents
Activation at MacDill Field
Training and Stateside Maneuvers
Movement Overseas
Rivenhall, England
D-Day and the Normandy Campaign
Bridge-Busting Missions
The 100th Mission
Advance to the Continent
Mons-en-Chaussée Operations
The Battle of the Bulge
Distinguished Unit Citation
Preparing and Flying a Mission
Ground Crews and Mechanics
Ceremonies and Awards
Crews and Roster

“Without the Mechanic, no bomb would have reached out to destroy the enemy on his home ground, for without the Mechanic, we could not take to the air.”
— 397th Bomb Group (M) Unit History, 1946