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100th Bomb Group

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100th Bomb Group
100th Bomb Group
U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere · Public domain · source
Unit name100th Bomb Group
Dates1942–1945
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Army Air Forces
TypeBomber
RoleStrategic bombing
SizeGroup
GarrisonThorpe Abbotts
Nickname"The Bloody Hundredth"
BattlesWorld War II, European Theater of Operations, United States Army
Notable commandersNeil B. Harding, John B. Kidd
Aircraft bomberBoeing B-17 Flying Fortress

100th Bomb Group was a Bomber formation of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Renowned for its heavy losses and combat effectiveness, it operated Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft from Thorpe Abbotts in England as part of the Eighth Air Force. The group earned the enduring nickname "The Bloody Hundredth" for its high casualty rates during the Combined Bomber Offensive against Nazi Germany.

History

The group's history is defined by its service in the European Theater of Operations, United States Army from 1943 to 1945. It was assigned to the 13th Combat Bombardment Wing of the 3rd Air Division and participated in major air offensives. Its story gained lasting fame through post-war accounts and the Masters of the Air television series, cementing its place in the legacy of the Mighty Eighth.

Formation and Training

Activated in June 1942 at Gowen Field in Idaho, the unit was originally designated the 100th Bombardment Group (Heavy). Its initial cadre trained on the B-17 Flying Fortress at various bases including Walla Walla Army Air Base and Kearney Army Air Field. Final combat preparation occurred at Podington in England during the spring of 1943 before it commenced operations from its permanent station at RAF Thorpe Abbotts.

Combat Operations

The group entered combat in June 1943, targeting strategic objectives such as U-boat pens, Luftwaffe airfields, and industrial centers across Occupied Europe. It faced fierce opposition from German fighter aircraft and Flak defenses, suffering devastating losses on missions to Regensburg, Münster, and Berlin. These operations were critical to the Allied effort to achieve Air supremacy over the Third Reich.

Notable Missions and Events

A defining early mission was the Second Schweinfurt raid in October 1943, where the group lost a significant portion of its aircraft. The infamous "Black Thursday" raid on Münster in October 1943 saw only one of thirteen aircraft return to Thorpe Abbotts. The group also participated in pivotal support missions for Operation Overlord and the Battle of the Bulge, and its personnel included notable figures like Gale Cleven and John Egan, whose experiences were widely documented.

Legacy and Heritage

The group's legacy is preserved by the 100th Bomb Group Foundation and the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. Its base, RAF Thorpe Abbotts, houses a museum dedicated to its history. The "Bloody Hundredth" moniker endures as a symbol of sacrifice, popularized by historian Harry Crosby and the Masters of the Air miniseries. The unit was inactivated in December 1945 and later redesignated the 100th Air Refueling Wing, which continues its lineage in the United States Air Force.

Category:United States Army Air Forces bomber groups Category:Military units and formations of the United States in World War II