392nd Bombardment Group
RAF Wendling

Formation of the 392nd Bombardment Group

As the United States expanded its strategic air offensive against Nazi Germany, new heavy bombardment groups were organized, trained, and deployed to England to strengthen the rapidly growing Eighth Air Force. Equipped with the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, these units were tasked with carrying the war deep into occupied Europe by attacking Germany's industrial capacity, transportation network, oil production, aircraft industry, and military infrastructure. Among these organizations was the 392nd Bombardment Group (Heavy), whose aircrews and ground personnel would become part of one of the largest, longest, and most sustained aerial campaigns in military history. Throughout its combat service, the group distinguished itself through its perseverance, combat effectiveness, precision bombing, and willingness to undertake some of the most difficult and dangerous missions assigned to the Eighth Air Force.

The 392nd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated on 26 January 1943 and trained at several Army Air Forces bases in the United States before deploying overseas. Equipped with the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, the group completed an intensive training program that included high-altitude formation flying, long-range navigation, aerial gunnery, precision bombing, emergency procedures, and combat coordination between aircrews and ground personnel. During these months, pilots, navigators, bombardiers, engineers, radio operators, and gunners learned to operate as highly coordinated combat crews while maintenance personnel mastered the servicing of one of the Army Air Forces' most complex heavy bombers.

Following completion of its combat training, the group departed the United States during the summer of 1943 and crossed the Atlantic by air and sea before assembling in England. Upon arrival, additional training was conducted under operational conditions before the group joined the rapidly expanding Second Air Division of the Eighth Air Force. Its permanent wartime home became RAF Wendling (USAAF Station 118), Norfolk, England, from which the group would conduct nearly all of its combat operations throughout the remainder of the war.

The Crusaders of the Second Air Division

The 392nd Bombardment Group (H) was a B-24 Liberator unit of the Eighth Air Force, assigned to the Second Air Division during World War II. The group operated from England between September 1943 and April 1945 as part of the Allied strategic bombing campaign against Germany and German-occupied Europe. The group adopted the nickname "Crusaders", inspired by the imagery incorporated into its official shoulder insignia. The nickname reflected the determination and sense of purpose with which its personnel approached the strategic air campaign against Nazi Germany and became a source of pride throughout the unit's wartime service.

The 392nd consisted of four operational bomb squadrons—the 576th, 577th, 578th, and 579th Bomb Squadrons—all working together with hundreds of maintenance specialists, armorers, engineers, communications personnel, medical staff, and administrative support personnel. While the aircrews flew the combat missions, the success of every operation depended upon the tireless efforts of the ground crews who maintained the Liberators under demanding operational conditions and often worked around the clock to prepare aircraft for the next day's mission.

Beginning Combat Operations

The group arrived in England between July and August 1943 and flew its first combat mission on 9 September 1943, attacking targets at Abbeville, France. From RAF Wendling the 392nd quickly entered the growing strategic bombing offensive directed against the industrial heart of Nazi Germany. Missions were frequently flown at altitudes exceeding 20,000 feet while crews endured freezing temperatures, oxygen equipment, enemy anti-aircraft fire, and persistent attacks by German fighter aircraft.

The group attacked a wide variety of strategic objectives essential to Germany's ability to continue the war. These included aircraft factories, synthetic oil refineries, transportation networks, railroad marshalling yards, submarine construction facilities, military airfields, steel works, chemical plants, bridges, canals, electrical generating stations, and other key industrial installations. Among the group's important targets were the oil refinery at Gelsenkirchen, the marshalling yards at Osnabrück, the railroad viaduct at Bielefeld, the steel plants at Brunswick, the tank factory at Kassel, gas works at Berlin, and numerous industrial objectives throughout occupied Europe and Germany.

Like all heavy bombardment groups of the Eighth Air Force, the 392nd routinely flew deep penetration missions over heavily defended enemy territory where bomber formations encountered intense anti-aircraft fire and determined attacks by the Luftwaffe. Despite these hazards, the group established an outstanding reputation for maintaining formation discipline and accurately bombing assigned objectives under extremely difficult combat conditions.

Big Week and the Distinguished Unit Citation

One of the most significant operations in the history of the 392nd Bombardment Group occurred during Big Week, the massive Allied air offensive conducted between 20 and 25 February 1944 against Germany's aircraft manufacturing industry. The objective of the campaign was to cripple the Luftwaffe by destroying its aircraft factories and forcing German fighter units into decisive aerial combat with Allied escort fighters.

On 24 February 1944 the 392nd Bomb Group led part of the attack against the Gotha aircraft factory, one of Germany's principal producers of military aircraft. Flying through intense anti-aircraft fire and determined attacks by large numbers of German fighters, the group's crews remained in tight formation and pressed their bombing run with exceptional determination despite sustaining heavy losses. Their courage and devotion to duty enabled the target to be successfully bombed, contributing significantly to the success of the overall operation.

For its extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance during the Gotha mission, the 392nd Bombardment Group was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC). The award recognized the exceptional bravery displayed by both aircrews and supporting personnel during one of the most fiercely contested bombing operations of the European air war.

The Strategic Bombing Campaign

Throughout 1944 and into 1945 the 392nd Bombardment Group continued participating in the Combined Bomber Offensive against Germany. Its B-24 Liberators struck oil refineries that fueled the German armed forces, aircraft factories producing fighters and bombers, transportation systems that moved troops and supplies, submarine facilities threatening Allied shipping, and industrial centers supporting the German war economy.

These operations formed part of the Allied strategy to systematically weaken Germany's ability to wage modern industrial warfare. Repeated attacks on synthetic oil production, railroad networks, and aircraft manufacturing eventually crippled the German economy and significantly reduced the operational effectiveness of the Luftwaffe and German Army during the final year of the war.

Supporting the Liberation of Europe

Like other Eighth Air Force bombardment groups, the 392nd also carried out numerous tactical operations in direct support of Allied ground forces. During the months preceding the Normandy invasion, the group attacked military airfields, transportation centers, coastal defenses, bridges, and German V-weapon launch sites throughout occupied France in preparation for Operation Overlord.

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, the group's B-24 Liberators bombed coastal defenses, transportation choke points, and other military objectives supporting the Allied landings in Normandy. During the Allied breakout from Saint-Lô in July 1944, the group attacked German troop concentrations, defensive positions, and transportation routes to assist the advancing Allied armies.

As the campaign across Western Europe continued, the 392nd bombed rail lines, bridges, communications centers, ammunition depots, and supply routes during the Battle of the Bulge, helping disrupt German reinforcement efforts during the final major German offensive on the Western Front. The group also supported Operation Market Garden in September 1944 by flying supply-dropping missions to Allied airborne forces in the Netherlands and later participated in supply operations supporting Operation Varsity and the Allied crossing of the Rhine in March 1945 by delivering ammunition, food, fuel, and other essential supplies.

Final Combat Operations

During the closing weeks of the European war, the 392nd Bombardment Group concentrated on attacking the remaining transportation systems, oil facilities, military installations, and industrial centers that continued supporting German resistance. As Allied armies advanced rapidly into Germany and Austria, the group's missions increasingly targeted rail centers, bridges, and communications facilities intended to prevent the movement of enemy troops and supplies.

The final combat mission of the 392nd Bombardment Group was flown on 25 April 1945 against targets at Hallein, Austria. The mission came only days before Germany's unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945, marking the conclusion of nearly twenty months of continuous combat operations from RAF Wendling.

Combat Record and Legacy

By the end of World War II, the 392nd Bombardment Group had flown a total of 285 combat missions over occupied Europe and Germany. During this period the group destroyed approximately 144 enemy aircraft in aerial combat while contributing significantly to the destruction of Germany's aircraft industry, synthetic oil production, transportation network, military infrastructure, and industrial capacity. In addition to its strategic bombing achievements, the group played an important role in supporting the Normandy invasion, the liberation of France, Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Bulge, and the final Allied advance across the Rhine into Germany.

The cost of these accomplishments was exceptionally high. The group lost approximately 184 B-24 Liberators in combat and non-combat operations, and more than 1,600 casualties, including those killed, wounded, missing, or taken prisoner. Entire crews disappeared over enemy territory, while many others spent the remainder of the war in German prison camps. Despite these losses, replacement crews continually joined the Group and carried forward the mission begun by those who came before them. Hundreds of officers and enlisted men were killed, wounded, or became prisoners of war during the course of the air campaign. Despite these sacrifices, the "Crusaders" earned a distinguished place in the history of the Eighth Air Force. Their courage, professionalism, and determination under extraordinarily hazardous conditions helped secure Allied air superiority, cripple Germany's capacity to wage war, and contribute decisively to the liberation of Europe and ultimate Allied victory in May 1945.

Wendling Today

Although RAF Wendling returned to agricultural use after the war, portions of its runways and perimeter track remain visible today. Memorials near the former airfield honor the American airmen who served there, while museums and historical organizations preserve photographs, mission records, aircraft histories, and personal accounts of the men of the 392nd Bomb Group. The website www.b24.net continues to preserve thousands of documents, photographs, and oral histories that ensure the story of Wendling and its airmen will never be forgotten.

The Legacy of the 392nd Bomb Group

The history of the 392nd Bomb Group is one of perseverance, professionalism, and sacrifice. Flying thousands of sorties in often terrible weather and against determined enemy defenses, its aircrews and ground personnel played a vital role in achieving Allied air superiority and hastening the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Today, the legacy of the 392nd lives on through the preservation efforts of 392nd BG families, historians, museums, and organizations dedicated to ensuring that future generations remember the courage of those who served at USAAF Station 118, Wendling.

Campaigns

The 392nd Bombardment Group participated in the following campaigns: Air Offensive - Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe.

Decorations

Distinguished Unit Citations (DUC): Gotha, Germany 24 February 1944.

The Cost of Victory

Victory came at a tremendous price. Throughout its combat service, the 392nd suffered the loss of 184 B-24 Liberators and more than 1,600 casualties, including those killed, wounded, missing, or taken prisoner. Entire crews disappeared over enemy territory, while many others spent the remainder of the war in German prison camps. Despite these losses, replacement crews continually joined the Group and carried forward the mission begun by those who came before them.

Wendling Today

Although RAF Wendling returned to agricultural use after the war, portions of its runways and perimeter track remain visible today. Memorials near the former airfield honor the American airmen who served there, while museums and historical organizations preserve photographs, mission records, aircraft histories, and personal accounts of the men of the 392nd Bomb Group. The website www.b24.net continues to preserve thousands of documents, photographs, and oral histories that ensure the story of Wendling and its airmen will never be forgotten.

The Legacy of the 392nd Bomb Group

The history of the 392nd Bomb Group is one of perseverance, professionalism, and sacrifice. Flying thousands of sorties in often terrible weather and against determined enemy defenses, its aircrews and ground personnel played a vital role in achieving Allied air superiority and hastening the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Today, the legacy of the 392nd lives on through the preservation efforts of 392nd BG families, historians, museums, and organizations dedicated to ensuring that future generations remember the courage of those who served at USAAF Station 118, Wendling.

Oversea Burials   392nd Bomb Group Oversea Burials

Airfield:   RAF Wendling England Airfield

Group Web Site   http://www.b24.net