| The 381st was
constituted 28 Oct 1942, activated 3 Nov 1942 at Gowen Field, Idaho;
actual organization started at Ephrata, Washington 1 Dec 1942. Training
commenced at Pyote Army Air Base Texas 3 Jan 1943 and was completed at
Pueblo, AAB, Colorado 16 Apr 1943. Ground Echelon moved to Camp Kilmer, NJ
arriving 12 May 1943 and embarked on H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth 27 May 1943
arriving at Greenock, UK 2 Jun 1943. The air echelon flew to Salina,
Kansas early May 1943 and started movement to United Kingdom (England) 15
May 1943 by way of Selfridge Field, Michigan; Bangor Maine; Gander Bay,
Newfoundland; to Prestwick, Scotland. European Theatre of Operations
flight acclimation trained at Bovigdon, England late May 1943. First
combat mission flown 22 Jun 1943 and last mission 25 Apr 1945. A total of
296 missions (Total credit sorties = 9,035) which involved 22,159.5 tons
of bombs and 24 tons of leaflets were dropped on Axis installations. 131
B-17 aircraft were lost in action; enemy aircraft claimed were 223-40-162.
The 381st suffered the highest losses of all the groups
which participated in the first Schweinfurt, Germany mission 17 Aug 1943
in an effort to cripple the vital ball bearing industry. Operations were
chiefly against strategic military targets which included aircraft
manufacturing and assembly plants at Villacoublay, Brussels, Kassel and
Leipzig; Amiens airdrome, the submarine pens at St. Nazaire, U-boat yards
at Kiel, aircraft engine manufacturing plant at LeMans, nitrate works in
Norway, oil refineries at Gelsenkirchen, and industrial areas of Munster.
The group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for it's
performance 8 Oct 1943 when the Bremen shipyards were bombed accurately in
spite of persistent Luftwaffe fighter attacks and extremely heavy and
accurate flak. Second Distinguished Unit Citation was received 11
Jan 1944 for decisive raid on aircraft factories in central Germany.
This group also participated in intensive campaign of
heavy bombers against enemy aircraft plants during "Big Week" 20-25 Feb
1944. Often supported ground troops and attacked targets of interdiction
when not engaged in strategic air attacks. Supported Normandy Invasion in
Jun 1944 by bombing bridges and airfields near the beachhead. Also
attacked enemy positions in advance of Allied ground forces at St. Lo in
July 1944. Assisted airborne assault in Holland Sept 1944. Struck
communications and airfields near battle zone during Battle of the Bulge
Dec 44/Jan 45. Supported Allied crossing of the Rhine River Mar 45 and
then operated against communications and supply transportation in final
push through Germany.
The 381st was re-deployed to USA May/Jun 45. Majority of aircraft left
UK 24 May 45. Ground echelon sailed on H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth 24 Jun 45
and arrived New York 29 Jun 45. Group established at Camp Kilmer, NJ and
after 30 days R & R some personnel assembled at Sioux Falls AAFB, South
Dakota where group was eventually inactivated 28 Aug 45.
The members of the Commemorative Air Force sincerely appreciate the
opportunity to bring this great airplane to the public as part of its'
dedicated program to find, restore and fly combat aircraft of the World
War II period, 1939-45. The CAF program is possible only through the
proceeds of donations, subscriptions, and airshow contributions; we are
extremely grateful for your continuing support. All donations to the CAF
are tax-exempt. Thank you again for your support.
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