BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 94th BOMB GROUP (H)

The 94th Bomb Group of the U.S. Army Air Force was formed at McDill Field, FL, on 28 Jan 42 under the command of Col. John G. (Dinty) Moore.

It was moved to Davis Monthan Field, AZ, 28 Oct 42, where a cadre of men were first assigned. On 1 Nov 42, the 94th moved to Biggs Field, El Paso, TX. Phase training was begun here in the B-17 Flying Fortresses.

On 2 Jan 43 the 94th moved to Pueblo, CO, with a full complement of aircraft and crews for final phase training. The group was composed of the 331st, 332nd, 333rd, and 410th Bomb Squadrons. Overseas deployment was initiated in late March 43 and complete in April. Ground support personal were transported by train and ship. The air echelon flew the B-17s to England.

Upon arrival in England, the 331st and 332nd squadrons were assigned to the 91st Bomb Group at Bassingbourn and the 333rd and 410th squadrons to the 306th Bomb Group at Thurleigh for combat indoctrination. They flew six combat missions under supervision of their hosts, the first on 13 May 43 to St. Omer, France.

On 25 May 43 the 94th moved to Earls Colne, its assigned base. But Rougham Field near Bury St Edmunds was better suited for B-17 operations, so on 13 June 43 the 94th exchanged bases with a B-26 unit stationed there. The 94th remained at Rougham until December 1945 when it returned to the USA.

Col. John Moore was replaced as 94th CO by Col. Frederick W. Castle on 13 June 43. A flow of replacement crews maintained combat strength, but losses were high throughout 1943 and the first four months of 1944. The 94th flew to all 8th Air Force targets, including the Regensburg / Africa shuttle and the tragic Schweinfurt raid in October 1943.

On 17 April 44, Col. Charles B. Dougher assumed command of the 94th when Col. Castle moved up to command the 4th Combat Wing. During June and July of 44 (including D-Day) the group had minimal losses, but again had heavy losses in August through October.

Friendly fighter cover improved in 1944, allowing for deep penetration into Germany. On Christmas Eve 1944, Brig. Gen. Frederick Castle rode his flaming B-17 to his death while leading the biggest bombing mission of World War II. He was posthumously awarded the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic action.

On 16 March 45, Colonel Dougher was succeeded by Col. Nicholas T. Perkins, who was in turn succeeded on 3 June 45 by Lt. Col. Ernest B. Maxwell as the group's fifth commanding officer.

Throughout the war, maintenance and support personnel served the 94th with great dedication and courage. The work of the ground maintenance crews was long and hard. The constant requirement for maximum effort aircraft launch in face of battle damage, weather and shortages was most demanding. The maintenance crews displayed great concern for the safety of the air crews and the comradeship was very real. Early morning departures required long hors of night work; fueling repairing and checking aircraft. The armament and munitions people who serviced the weapons and loaded the bombs were often an unsung verse in mission launch.

The flight surgeon, doctors, nurses and hospital personnel were probably exposed to the ugliness of war in a degree second only to the combat crews. The chaplain and his staff were a great confront to all. They provided for our spiritual needs, encompassing the apprehensions of the combat crew through the loneliness of the guy in the motor pool. the quartermaster, transportation, PX, public relations, administration, housekeeping, mess and mail functions were also very important links in this chain.

The 325th and final combat mission flown by the 94th was to Ingolstadt, Germany on 21 April 45.

On 7 May 45 it was announced that Germany had surrendered. On 8 May VE Day (Victory in Europe) was officially announced. There was great excitement throughout England and the world, but for the men of the 94th, the response was clam. They were scheduled for occupation duty in Germany, but that move never materialized.

By late July 45 this once mighty force was gone from Rougham Field. Support personnel remained until December 45, when the last 94th personnel departed.

In 1975 the 94th Bomb Group Memorial Association was organized. The spirit was rekindled. Over 2500 are on the roster of the new 94th, recognized as one of the most active of the post-war 8th Air Force units. Twelve biennial reunions have been held, in Las Vegas, Kansas City, Orlando, Denver, Dallas, Washington, Sacramento, Minneapolis, Dayton, Tucson, San Antonio, Cherry Hill, and New Jersey.

The 94th BGMA publishes a quarterly tabloid newspaper, "Nostalgic Notes." A comprehensive, illustrated history titled" Lingering Contrails of the Big Square A" by Harry E. Slater, Historian, was published and two printings have been sold out.

Many groups of 94th'ers and their spouses have made sentimental journeys to Bury St Edmunds and Rougham Field, since 1976. The places have changed, but the memories are sharp and clear.

Ed Note:
The major part of the historical summary was written by Harry E. Slater and published in Notes (pg. D8) in June 1985. It has been abridged and updated by Preston P. Clark, 94th BGMA Historian.

Many thanks to Preston P. Clark for providing the information for this Web page.