453rd Bombardment Group - RAF Old Buckenham

The 453rd Bombardment Group (H) was a heavy bomber unit equipped with Consolidated B-24 Liberators and stationed in England from late 1943 to May 1945. It took part in the strategic daylight bombing campaign against Germany as well as tactical support operations during major Allied offensives in Western Europe.

The group arrived in England in December - January 1944 and flew its first combat mission on 5 February 1944 with attacks on an airfield in Tours, France. The group functioned chiefly as a strategic bombardment organization with targets including a fuel depot at Dulmen, marshaling yards at Paderborn, aircraft assembly plants at Gotha, railroad centers at Hamm, an ordnance depot at Glinde, oil refineries at Gelsenkirchen, chemical works at Leverkusen, an airfield at Neumunster, a canal at Minden, and a railroad viaduct at Altenbeken. The 453rd Bomb Group took part in the concentrated attack against the German aircraft industry during Big Week, 20 - 25 February 1944.

Beginning 31 March 1944, Hollywood actor James Stewart served as Group Operations Officer (S-3) and later also functioned as Group Executive Officer. In addition to strategic operations, the group engaged in support and interdictory missions such as bombing V-weapon sites, airfields, and gun batteries in France prior to the invasion of Normandy in June 1944. On D-Day, shore installations between Le Havre and Cherbourg and other enemy positions farther inland were bombed. Enemy troops were attacked in support of the Allied breakthrough at St Lo in July 1944. The group bombed German communications during the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944 - January 1945. In addition, cargo containing gasoline, blankets, and rations were delivered to France in September 1944, as well as ammunition, food, and medical supplies near Wesel during the airborne assault across the Rhine in March 1945. The group flew their last combat mission 12 April 1945 by bombing rail transportation facilities in Germany,

By the end of the war the group had flown a total of 259 combat missions and destroyed approximately 73 enemy aircraft. The group lost 75 aircraft in combat and non-combat operations.

Campaigns
The 453rd Bombardment Group participated in the following campaigns: Air Offensive - Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe.

Oversea Burials   453rd Bomb Group Oversea Burials

Group Web Site   http://www.453museum.com