B-26 41-17750 and Lt Joe McCarthy and 322nd BG crew with RAF 617 Sqn Dam Busters 1943
The 322nd Bomb Group (BG) was a key unit in the 9th Air Force during World War II, initially assigned to the 8th Air Force upon its arrival in England in December 1942. The Group is known for its pioneering role in medium-altitude bombing using the B-26 Marauder and its involvement in major European campaigns.
Key Operations and Assignments:
May 14, 1943: The 322nd BG commenced combat operations with a notable low-level bombing raid on a power station in Holland, an early demonstration of its strategic importance.
July 1943 – October 1943: The Group focused on bombing airfields across France, Belgium, and Holland. It also targeted power stations, railway yards, and other critical infrastructure, contributing to the Allied strategic bombing campaign.
October 1943 – February 1944: The 322nd BG transitioned from the 8th to the 9th Air Force and continued its operations against various strategic targets in occupied Europe.
March 1944 – June 1944: As part of the preparatory bombardment for the Normandy invasion, the Group attacked road and railway bridges, coastal gun batteries, oil tank farms, and V-1 rocket sites, softening up the German defenses ahead of D-Day.
D-Day and Beyond: Following the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, the 322nd BG supported the advancing Allied forces by providing close air support and targeting key logistical nodes. The Group moved to France in September 1944 to remain closer to the frontlines.
Late 1944 – Early 1945: The Group was actively involved in the assault on the Siegfried Line and played a crucial role during the Battle of the Bulge, helping to blunt the German counteroffensive.
March 1945 – April 1945: The 322nd BG moved to Belgium and continued operations until its final combat mission on April 24, 1945.
June 1945: The Group relocated to Germany, where it participated in the dismantling of Luftwaffe equipment. The unit was subsequently inactivated upon its return to the United States in November and December 1945.
Organizational Details:
Squadrons and Codes:
- 449th Bomb Squadron (BS) [PN]
- 450th Bomb Squadron (BS) [ER]
- 451st Bomb Squadron (BS) [SS]
- 452nd Bomb Squadron (BS) [DR]
Bases:
- Rougham (Bury St. Edmunds), Suffolk – Arrival: December 1942
- Great Saling / Andrews Field, Essex – January 1943
- Beauvais-Tille, Picardie – September 1944
- Le Culot, Province de Namur – March 1945
- Various locations in Germany post-war, including Honau/Langendiebach, Frankenburg, Arolsen, and Wickenrode.
Commanding Officers:
- Lt. Col. Robert M. Stillman (March 17, 1943)
- Col. Glenn C. Nye (May 19, 1943)
- Col. John S. Samuel (July 1944)
Aircraft:
- B-26 Marauder: The primary aircraft used by the 322nd BG throughout the war.
Group Markings:
- The 322nd BG did not develop a distinctive group marking for their aircraft tails, instead using squadron codes and call letters positioned near the national insignia. These were typically in RAF Sky color on camouflaged aircraft and black on natural metal finishes. The call numbers were marked in Identification Yellow.
Motto and Sobriquet:
- Motto: “Recto Faciendo Neminem Timeo” (“I Fear None In Doing Right”)
- Sobriquet: “Nye’s Annihilators”
Unit Decorations:
- Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC): Awarded for operations in the European Theater from May 14, 1943, through July 24, 1944.