page_title: 94th Operations Group
section_title: World War II
hierarchical_section_title: 94th Operations Group / History / Operational history / World War II
caption_attribution_description: English: B-17s of the 410th Bomb Squadron, 94th Bomb Group, based at RAF Bassingbourn in England, on a mission over Europe.
context_page_description: The 94th Operations Group is the flying component of the 94th Airlift Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Reserve. The group is stationed at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia.
  During World War II, its predecessor unit, the 94th Bombardment Group was an Eighth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress unit in England, stationed at RAF Bury St. Edmunds. The group flew 324 combat missions and was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations, 17 August 1943: Operations over Regensburg, and 11 January 1944 over Brunswick. Its last mission was flown on 21 April 1945.
context_section_description: Activated 15 June 1942 at McDill Field FL. Nucleus established Pendleton Field, Ore, on 29 June 1942 and engaged in initial training. Detailed training at Davis-Monthan Fielf in Arizona between 28 August 1942 and 31 October 1942 and at Biggs Field Texas between 1 November 1942 and 2 January 1943. Final phase training at Pueblo Colorado on January 1943 to the end of March 1943. Air echelon began movement overseas on 1 April 1943. The ground element left for Camp Kilmer, New Jersey on 17 April 1943 and sailed on the Queen Elizabeth on 5 May 1943, and arriving in Greenock on 11 May 1943. The 94th was assigned to the Eighth Air Force 4th Combat Bombardment Wing, and the group tail code was a "Square-A".
  The 94th flew its first mission on 13 June 1943, bombing an airfield at Saint-Omer. After that, the group attacked such strategic objectives as the port of St Nazaire, shipyards at Kiel, an aircraft component parts factory at Kassel, a synthetic rubber plant at Hanover, a chemical factory at Ludwigshafen, marshalling yards at Frankfurt, oil facilities at Merseburg, and ball-bearing works at Eberhausen.
  The group withstood repeated assaults by enemy interceptors to bomb an aircraft factory at Regensburg on 17 August 1943, being awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for the mission. Braving adverse weather, heavy flak, and savage fighter attacks, the group completed a strike against an aircraft parts factory in Brunswick on 11 January 1944 and received a 2d DUC for this operation. This DUC was especially meaningful, as it was given for a mission where the bomb group ignored a recall order from headquarters, and proceeded to the target alone, the other assigned groups having turned back as ordered. The 94th made the first pass over the target and realized that cloud cover obscured the target (the reason for the recall). The group performed a difficult formation turn over the intensely defended target and approached from a different direction, where favorable drop conditions were found. Expecting to be reprimanded on their return, the group was astonished to find that they were singled out for distinction for their courage and tenacity under fire. This incident was reflected in the script for the movie "Twelve O'Clock High" where the fictional bomb group performed a similar feat, similarly claiming radio reception difficulties as the reason for the missed recall.
  The 94th took part in the campaign of heavy bombers against the enemy aircraft industry during Big Week, 20–25 February 1944. Sometimes operated in support of ground forces and flew interdictory missions. Prior to D-Day in June 1944, helped to neutralize V-weapon sites, airfields, and other military installations along the coast of France. On 6 June the group bombed enemy positions in the battle area to support the invasion of Normandy. Struck troops and gun batteries to aid the advance of the Allies at Saint-Lô in July and at Brest in August. Covered the airborne attack on the Netherlands in September. Hit marshalling yards, airfields, and strong points near the combat area during the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944 – January 1945. Bombed transportation, communications, and oil targets in the final push over the Rhine and across Germany.
  Scheduled for occupational air forces in Germany but plans changed in September 1945. Remained in the United Kingdom during latter part of 1945 flying 'Nickle' Project missions-dropping leaflets over former occupied countries and to displaced persons in Germany. Assigned 1 AD, on 8 August 1945. In November 1945 Forty Five aircraft returned to the US or transferred to other units, and the squadrons were inactivated. Remaining personnel left Bury St. Edmunds on 11 December 1945. The group inactivated Camp Kilmer on 21 December 1945.
caption: B-17s of the 410th Bomb Squadron on a mission over occupied Europe
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