91st Bomb Group

91st Bomb Group

The 91st Bomb Group was a United States Army Air Forces strategic bombing unit active in the European Theater of World War II, noted for long-range operations from England against targets in Nazi Germany, Occupied France, and Germany. Operating heavy bombers from RAF Bassingbourn and flying missions during campaigns such as Big Week, Operation Overlord, and the strategic bombing offensive, the group worked alongside formations like the 8th Air Force and engaged German Luftwaffe defenses during the Combined Bomber Offensive.

History

Constituted as part of the rapid expansion of the United States Army Air Forces in 1942, the group trained in the United States at bases such as Salt Lake City Army Air Base and MacDill Field before deploying to the European Theater and taking station at RAF Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire. During the unit’s formative period it integrated personnel from training commands including Second Air Force and coordinated with transatlantic ferry operations via agencies such as the Air Transport Command. Throughout 1943–1945 the group participated in major strategic campaigns including the Strategic Air Offensive against Germany and missions supporting ground operations like Operation Cobra and the Battle of the Bulge.

Organization and Units

The group was organized into four primary bombardment squadrons that formed the combat core and supported command elements tied to higher headquarters including VIII Bomber Command and later 1st Bombardment Division (United States). Unit squadrons included the 322d, 323d, 324th, and 401st Bombardment Squadrons, which coordinated with maintenance and service groups from formations such as the 401st Service Group and worked within the logistics networks of Eighth Air Force Service Command. Leadership interacted with theater-level commanders from commands like USSTAF and liaised with British organizations including Royal Air Force station authorities. Notable personnel who served in or interacted with the group included commanders and airmen recognized by awards such as the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) and the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States).

Aircraft and Equipment

The principal aircraft flown by the group was the Consolidated B-24 Liberator, a four-engine heavy bomber developed by Consolidated Aircraft and employed broadly across USAAF units for long-range strategic missions. The group maintained a fleet including early and later production B-24 variants, supported by auxiliary equipment like the SCR-287 radio, Norden bombsights produced by Carl L. Norden, and armament such as .50-caliber Browning machine guns manufactured by Colt's Manufacturing Company. Maintenance and overhaul depended on spare parts chains tied to manufacturers like Packard Motor Car Company for engines and subcontractors across the United States industrial mobilization network. Ground support included towing vehicles and firefighting apparatus supplied through wartime procurement offices in Washington, D.C..

Combat Operations

Deployed to England under Eighth Air Force control, the group flew strategic raids against targets including oil refineries in the Ruhr, aircraft factories in the Hamburg and Leipzig areas, and transportation hubs across Germany and Occupied Europe. Participation in coordinated operations such as Big Week targeted the German aircraft industry in the face of Luftwaffe opposition commanded by leaders like Hermann Göring. Missions often required rendezvous and formation flying with heavy groups like the B-17 Flying Fortress units of 1st Bombardment Division (United States), encountering air combat against fighters fielded by units of the Luftwaffe and suffering losses from flak defenses organized by the Flak network. The group supported tactical operations including the air campaign preceding Operation Overlord and interdiction during the Battle of the Bulge, cooperating with allied naval forces participating in Operation Neptune and coordinating target intelligence from organizations such as RAF Bomber Command and Combined Bomber Offensive planners.

Postwar Activities and Legacy

After VE Day the group returned to the United States and was involved in demobilization activities overseen by the Army Air Forces Training Command and Air Transport Command until inactivation. Veterans and heritage organizations preserved the unit’s history through museums and memorials at locations including RAF Bassingbourn and American aviation museums, contributing artifacts like restored B-24 components and crew archives to institutions such as the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The unit’s operational record influenced postwar doctrine developed by the United States Air Force upon its establishment in 1947 and is commemorated in literature, oral histories maintained by the Veterans History Project (Library of Congress), and scholarly works on the Strategic bombing during World War II.

Category:Bombardment groups of the United States Army Air Forces