44th Bombardment Group
RAF Shipdham

Formation of the 44th Bombardment Group

The 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) was one of the earliest heavy bombardment groups organized by the United States Army Air Forces prior to America's entry into World War II. It was constituted on 20 November 1940 and activated on 15 January 1941 as part of the Army Air Corps' expansion in response to the growing conflict in Europe. The 44th was also the first heavy bombardment group assigned to what would later become the Second Air Division of the Eighth Air Force, making it one of the pioneer B-24 Liberator organizations in the European Theater.

Initially equipped with the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, the group trained extensively throughout the United States in long-range navigation, formation flying, precision bombing, aerial gunnery, and high-altitude combat operations. Before deploying overseas, the unit also performed antisubmarine patrols along the Atlantic coast following the United States' entry into the war, helping protect Allied shipping from German U-boat attacks. These patrols provided valuable operational experience while contributing to the defense of America's eastern seaboard.

The 44th Bomb Group adopted the nickname "Flying Eight Balls", derived from its distinctive tail marking consisting of a large black circle with a white numeral "8," closely resembling the eight-ball used in billiards. The unique insignia quickly became one of the most recognizable markings among Eighth Air Force heavy bomber groups and served as a source of pride throughout the unit's wartime service.

Arrival in England

In October 1942 the 44th Bombardment Group deployed to England and joined the rapidly expanding Eighth Air Force. The group established its permanent wartime headquarters at RAF Shipdham (USAAF Station 115) in Norfolk, England. Flying the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, the unit became the first Eighth Air Force bombardment group equipped with the B-24, introducing the long-range heavy bomber into sustained combat operations over occupied Europe and Germany.

The B-24 Liberator offered greater range, higher cruising speed, and a larger bomb load than many contemporary bombers, making it especially valuable for long-distance strategic missions. Although more difficult to fly than the B-17 Flying Fortress and less able to absorb battle damage, the Liberator became one of the principal heavy bombers of the Second Air Division and played an increasingly important role in the Allied strategic bombing campaign.

Early Combat Operations

The group's initial combat operations consisted primarily of attacks against strategic targets throughout France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Romania, Austria, Poland, and Sicily. During its first months of combat, missions focused heavily on German submarine installations, industrial facilities, aircraft factories, military airfields, harbors, shipyards, and transportation centers supporting the Axis war effort.

As one of the earliest B-24 organizations operating over Europe, the 44th frequently pioneered new bombing routes and tactics while gaining valuable combat experience under increasingly difficult operational conditions. Aircrews routinely encountered intense anti-aircraft fire, severe weather, and determined attacks by German fighter aircraft while flying long-range missions deep into enemy territory.

Distinguished Unit Citation - Kiel

On 14 May 1943 the 44th Bombardment Group carried out one of the most remarkable missions in its history during an attack against heavily defended German naval installations at Kiel. The group's B-24 Liberators carried incendiary bombs designed to ignite fires after three preceding formations of B-17 Flying Fortresses had saturated the target with high-explosive bombs.

Flying in the wake of the main bomber force placed the 44th in an extremely hazardous position. The protective effect of the leading formations had disappeared, leaving the Liberators exposed to concentrated anti-aircraft fire and repeated attacks by German fighter aircraft. Despite these dangers, the crews maintained formation, successfully opened their bomb patterns over the target, and blanketed the naval facilities with incendiaries. Their extraordinary courage, determination, and bombing accuracy earned the group its first Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC).

Mediterranean Operations and the Ploesti Raid

In June 1943 a large detachment of the 44th Bomb Group deployed to North Africa to support the Allied invasion of Sicily. Operating from bases in Libya, the detachment attacked Italian airfields, railroad marshalling yards, ports, and military installations that threatened Allied operations in the Mediterranean.

On 1 August 1943 the detachment participated in the famous low-level raid against the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, known as Operation Tidal Wave. Ploesti supplied much of Germany's petroleum needs and represented one of the most heavily defended industrial complexes in Europe. Flying at extremely low altitude through intense anti-aircraft fire, smoke, and flames, the 44th Bomb Group successfully attacked its assigned objectives despite devastating opposition.

For its outstanding performance during the raid, the group received a second Distinguished Unit Citation. Group commander Colonel Leon W. Johnson displayed exceptional courage and leadership by pressing his attack despite confusion caused by earlier navigational errors and intense enemy defenses. Leading his formation directly through smoke, flames, heavy flak, and determined fighter attacks, Colonel Johnson successfully completed the mission and was subsequently awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism.

Before returning to England, the Mediterranean detachment also bombed an aircraft factory in Austria, supported Allied ground operations in Sicily and at Salerno, attacked airfields in France and the Netherlands, and struck Axis shipping and convoys operating in the North Sea and Mediterranean regions.

The Strategic Bombing Campaign

Following the detachment's return to RAF Shipdham in October 1943, the reunited group resumed full participation in the strategic bombing offensive against Nazi Germany. From November 1943 until April 1945 the 44th Bombardment Group attacked an extensive variety of strategic targets including aircraft factories, synthetic oil plants, military airfields, submarine facilities, marshalling yards, railroad bridges, canals, communication centers, industrial complexes, and transportation networks throughout occupied Europe and Germany.

The group's bombing operations contributed directly to the systematic destruction of Germany's industrial capacity and transportation system while reducing the Luftwaffe's ability to oppose Allied air operations. Missions frequently penetrated deep into Germany where bomber formations encountered fierce resistance from both anti-aircraft defenses and German interceptor aircraft.

Big Week and Support of Allied Ground Forces

The 44th Bombardment Group participated in Big Week, the massive Allied air offensive conducted between 20 and 25 February 1944 against Germany's aircraft manufacturing industry. During these operations the group attacked aircraft factories and supporting industries that were essential to Luftwaffe fighter production. Big Week proved to be a decisive turning point in the air war by severely damaging Germany's aircraft industry while forcing the Luftwaffe into costly defensive battles against Allied escort fighters.

As preparations for the Normandy invasion intensified during the spring of 1944, the 44th shifted part of its effort toward tactical objectives. Airfields, railroads, bridges, transportation centers, and German V-weapon launch sites were bombed in preparation for Operation Overlord. On D-Day and during the weeks that followed, the group attacked German coastal defenses, strongpoints, troop concentrations, and transportation routes behind the invasion beaches to assist Allied forces advancing inland.

Throughout the remainder of the campaign in Western Europe, the 44th continued supporting Allied armies by attacking supply depots, communications centers, bridges, railroad junctions, and military installations that hindered German reinforcement efforts.

Final Operations

During Operation Market Garden in September 1944, the group temporarily shifted from bombing missions to supply operations, dropping food, ammunition, medical supplies, and other essential equipment to Allied airborne forces fighting in the Netherlands. During the Battle of the Bulge between December 1944 and January 1945, the group's Liberators attacked bridges, tunnels, railroads, transportation junctions, communications centers, and choke points supporting the German offensive through the Ardennes.

As Allied forces crossed the Rhine and advanced into Germany during the spring of 1945, the 44th continued striking transportation systems, oil facilities, military headquarters, and industrial targets that remained essential to the German war effort. These operations accelerated the collapse of Germany's transportation network and severely limited the movement of troops and supplies during the final weeks of the war.

The group flew its final combat mission on 25 April 1945 before returning to the United States shortly after Germany's surrender.

Combat Record and Legacy

By the end of World War II, the 44th Bombardment Group had flown a total of 343 combat missions over occupied Europe and Germany. During these operations the group destroyed or was credited with approximately 330 enemy aircraft while inflicting extensive damage upon Germany's aircraft industry, submarine facilities, oil production, transportation network, and military infrastructure. The group earned two Distinguished Unit Citations, one for the attack against Kiel and another for its heroic participation in Operation Tidal Wave, while Colonel Leon W. Johnson received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary leadership during the Ploesti raid.

The cost of these accomplishments was exceptionally high. The 44th Bombardment Group lost approximately 153 B-24 Liberators in combat, the highest combat aircraft loss of any B-24 bombardment group in the Eighth Air Force. Hundreds of officers and enlisted men were killed, wounded, or captured during nearly three years of continuous combat operations. Despite these sacrifices, the "Flying Eight Balls" established one of the most distinguished records of any heavy bombardment group in the European Theater. As the first B-24 group of the Second Air Division, its courage, pioneering spirit, and sustained combat service helped lay the foundation for the Liberator's success in the strategic bombing campaign that ultimately contributed to Allied victory in Europe.

Campaigns
The 44th Bombardment Group received campaign participation credit for the following campaigns: Antisubmarine - American Theater, Air Combat - EAME Theater, Air Offensive - Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe.

Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citations (DUC):
   14 May 1943 - Kiel, Germany,
   1 August 1943 - Ploesti, Romania
Individual Awards:
   Medal of Honor - awarded to Leon W. Johnson for leadership during the Ploesti mission.

RAF Shipdham Airfield:   RAF Shipdham Airfield:

Oversea Burials   44th Bomb Group Oversea Burials

Group Web Site   https://www.44thbombgroup.org