93rd Bombardment Group
RAF Hardwick

Formation of the 93rd Bombardment Group

The 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was one of the most distinguished heavy bomber units of the United States Army Air Forces in the European Theater during World War II. Flying the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, the group conducted strategic bombing operations against German industrial, military, transportation, and petroleum targets throughout occupied Europe and Nazi Germany. Throughout nearly three years of continuous combat, the 93rd earned a reputation for courage, flexibility, and combat effectiveness while participating in many of the most significant air operations of the war. The group adopted the nickname "Ted's Travelling Circus", derived from its commanding officer, Colonel Edward J. Timberlake, and the unit's frequent temporary deployments to North Africa and other forward operating bases during major Allied campaigns.

The 93rd Bombardment Group was activated on 15 January 1942 and trained extensively in the United States with the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. During its training period, pilots, navigators, bombardiers, engineers, radio operators, and gunners mastered long-range navigation, high-altitude formation flying, aerial gunnery, precision bombing, and emergency procedures. Ground personnel simultaneously became proficient in maintaining one of the Army Air Forces' most complex heavy bombers under field conditions. By the late summer of 1942 the group had completed its operational training and received orders for overseas deployment.

Deploying to England during September and October 1942, the 93rd became the first B-24 Liberator bombardment group assigned to the Eighth Air Force in the United Kingdom. The group established its permanent wartime headquarters at RAF Hardwick (USAAF Station 104) near Norwich, Norfolk. As the first Liberator group to enter combat with the Eighth Air Force, the 93rd helped pioneer operational tactics and maintenance procedures for the B-24 in the European air war and established a standard for the many Liberator groups that followed.

The First B-24 Group in England

The arrival of the 93rd Bombardment Group marked an important milestone in the development of the Eighth Air Force. While B-17 Flying Fortress groups had already begun combat operations, the B-24 Liberator offered greater range, higher cruising speed, and a larger bomb load, making it particularly well suited for long-distance strategic bombing missions. The experience gained by the 93rd in operating the Liberator under combat conditions would prove invaluable as additional B-24 groups arrived in England during 1943.

Operating from RAF Hardwick, the group quickly became one of the principal heavy bombardment organizations of the emerging Second Air Division. Aircrews routinely flew missions lasting eight to ten hours while enduring freezing temperatures, oxygen equipment, heavy anti-aircraft fire, and persistent attacks from German fighter aircraft.

A Typical 1944 Mission Day

During major operations, dozens of Liberators would be airborne within a relatively short period. A major mission launch from Hardwick involved:

1. Pre-dawn briefing in Group Operations.
2. Ground crews fueling and bomb-loading aircraft.
3. Crews transported to dispersal loops.
4. B-24s taxiing around the perimeter track.
5. Sequential takeoffs from the main runway.
6. Assembly over East Anglia.
7. Joining the larger 2nd Bomb Division formation bound for Germany.

Early Combat Operations

The 93rd flew its first combat mission on 9 October 1942, attacking German industrial targets in occupied France. During its first months of combat, the group concentrated primarily on submarine installations and U-boat facilities located along the Bay of Biscay. These heavily fortified submarine pens were among the most difficult targets attacked by the Eighth Air Force because of their massive reinforced concrete construction and extensive anti-aircraft defenses. By repeatedly striking these bases, the group contributed to the Allied campaign against Germany's U-boat fleet, which threatened vital Atlantic shipping lanes supplying Great Britain.

The group's early combat experience established its reputation for determination and professionalism while helping refine bombing tactics that would later be employed throughout the strategic bombing campaign against Germany.

North African Operations

In December 1942 a large detachment of the 93rd Bombardment Group deployed to North Africa in support of Allied operations following Operation Torch. Operating under difficult desert conditions with limited maintenance facilities and inadequate logistical support, the detachment conducted bombing missions against enemy shipping, ports, transportation systems, airfields, and communication centers throughout North Africa and the central Mediterranean.

Despite shortages of supplies and the demanding operational environment, the group inflicted heavy damage upon Axis shipping and transportation networks that supported German and Italian forces. For its exceptional performance under these difficult circumstances, the detachment received a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC). The operations demonstrated the versatility of the B-24 Liberator and the ability of the 93rd Bombardment Group to rapidly adapt to combat in multiple theaters of war.

The detachment returned to England during February and March 1943 and resumed participation in the strategic bombing campaign against occupied Europe. Until the end of June, the group attacked engine repair facilities, harbors, electrical power plants, submarine installations, industrial complexes, military airfields, and transportation centers throughout France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Operation Tidal Wave - Ploesti

During June and July 1943 another detachment returned to the Mediterranean Theater to support the Allied invasion of Sicily before participating in one of the most famous air operations of World War II—Operation Tidal Wave, the low-level attack against the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, on 1 August 1943.

Ploesti was among the most heavily defended industrial targets in Europe because it supplied much of Germany's petroleum requirements. Flying at treetop height through intense anti-aircraft fire, smoke, and flames, the attacking B-24 formations encountered fierce resistance from alerted German and Romanian defenses.

After inadvertently following another formation that had deviated from the planned route, the 93rd attacked refinery targets originally assigned to other bombardment groups. Despite the confusion and overwhelming enemy opposition, the group's crews successfully bombed vital oil installations while sustaining heavy losses. For its extraordinary courage and outstanding performance during the operation, the 93rd Bombardment Group received its second Distinguished Unit Citation.

One of the greatest acts of heroism during the Ploesti raid was performed by Lieutenant Colonel Addison E. Baker, the group's commander, and Major John L. Jerstad, a former member of the group who had volunteered for the mission. Although their B-24 had been severely damaged and was burning after intense anti-aircraft fire, both men refused to leave the formation or attempt an immediate emergency landing. Instead, they continued leading the group directly over the target, ensuring accurate bombing of the assigned refinery before their aircraft crashed. Their extraordinary courage and devotion to duty earned both men the Medal of Honor posthumously.

Return to England and the Strategic Air Offensive

After returning to England in August 1943, the group flew only two combat missions before another temporary deployment to the Mediterranean supported the Fifth Army during the invasion of Italy at Salerno in September 1943. These operations included attacks against German troop concentrations, transportation systems, ports, and military installations supporting Axis resistance in Italy. The detachment rejoined the remainder of the group in England during October 1943.

From late 1943 through April 1945, the 93rd Bombardment Group concentrated primarily on the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. Flying from RAF Hardwick, the group attacked marshalling yards, aircraft factories, oil refineries, synthetic fuel plants, chemical works, military airfields, bridges, communications centers, industrial complexes, and transportation networks throughout occupied Europe and the German Reich.

The group's B-24 Liberators regularly penetrated deep into Germany, encountering intense anti-aircraft fire and determined attacks by the Luftwaffe. Despite these hazards, the 93rd developed an outstanding reputation for bombing accuracy, disciplined formation flying, and determination in completing assigned missions under the most adverse combat conditions.

Supporting the Liberation of Europe

In addition to strategic bombing operations, the 93rd Bombardment Group carried out numerous tactical missions supporting Allied ground forces. During the weeks preceding the Normandy invasion, the group attacked gun emplacements, transportation choke points, bridges, rail centers, and coastal defenses near Cherbourg in preparation for Operation Overlord.

Following the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, the group bombed German troop concentrations and defensive positions supporting the Allied breakout at Saint-Lô during July 1944. As Allied armies advanced rapidly across France, the 93rd temporarily shifted from bombing missions to logistical support, transporting food, gasoline, water, ammunition, and other essential supplies to advancing ground forces during August and September 1944.

On 18 September 1944 the group participated in Operation Market Garden by dropping supplies to Allied airborne forces fighting in the Netherlands. During the Battle of the Bulge between December 1944 and January 1945, the group attacked enemy transportation centers, bridges, railroads, communications facilities, fuel depots, and supply lines supporting Germany's final major offensive in Western Europe.

Final Combat Operations

During the closing months of the war, the 93rd Bombardment Group continued attacking Germany's rapidly collapsing transportation network, synthetic oil industry, aircraft production facilities, and remaining military infrastructure. These operations contributed directly to the systematic destruction of Germany's capacity to continue organized resistance.

The group flew its final combat mission on 21 April 1945, only weeks before Germany's surrender brought the European war to an end. Following the cessation of hostilities, personnel prepared for redeployment before eventually returning to the United States.

Combat Record and Legacy

By the end of World War II, the 93rd Bombardment Group had flown a total of 311 combat missions throughout occupied Europe and Germany. During these operations the group destroyed approximately 266 enemy aircraft while inflicting extensive damage upon Germany's aircraft industry, oil production, submarine facilities, transportation network, communications system, and military infrastructure. The group earned two Distinguished Unit Citations, one for its operations in North Africa and another for its heroic participation in the Ploesti raid. In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Addison E. Baker and Major John L. Jerstad were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their extraordinary heroism during Operation Tidal Wave.

The cost of these accomplishments was considerable. The 93rd Bombardment Group lost approximately 135 B-24 Liberators in combat and operational accidents, while hundreds of officers and enlisted men were killed, wounded, or became prisoners of war. As the first B-24 Liberator group to serve with the Eighth Air Force, "Ted's Travelling Circus" established a remarkable combat record through courage, innovation, and operational excellence. Its pioneering service helped demonstrate the effectiveness of the B-24 Liberator in the European Theater and secured the 93rd Bombardment Group a permanent place among the most distinguished heavy bombardment units of World War II.

Campaigns
The 93rd Bombardment Group participated in the following campaigns: Antisubmarine - American Theater, Air Combat - EAME Theater, Egypt-Libya, Air Offensive - Europe, Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia; Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe.

Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citations (DUC): North Africa and Mediterranean Operations - December 1942, Ploesti Oil Refineries - August 1943.
Individual Awards: Medals of Honor were posthumously awarded to Addison E Baker and John L. Jerstad for heroism during the Ploesti raid.

RAF Shipdham Airfield:   RAF Hardwick Airfield:

Oversea Burials   93rd Bomb Group Oversea Burials

Group Web Site   https://www.93bg.com/