Molesworth england 303rd bomb group patch

Missiles deployed to raf molesworth in 1986, and the 303rd tactical missile wing, supported by the 87th tactical missile squadron, was activated in december that same year. Description great photo of b17 bomber with two glide bombs, part of the 303rd bomb group at raf molesworth, england. In memory of patch for 8th af hells patch for 303rd bg angels 303rd bomb group bomb squadrons 358359360427 and support units 384 combat missions most by any 8th af b17 group molesworth, england 12 sept. Brians wwii surplus and antiques store wwii patch, aaf. Hells angels 303rd bomb group h molesworth, england. Dec 23, 2014 the 303rd bomb group heavy flew a total of 364 missions from raf molesworth, comprising 10,271 sorties. The 303rd would remain at molesworth until shortly after ve day in late may 1945. Arriving at molesworth, england on 9 september 1942, the 303rd was. The 303d bombardment group is an inactive united states air force unit. They dubbed them selves the hells angels,their motto might in flight,flew 364 combat missions. But, the glcm mission was shortlived as in 1987 the united states and the former soviet union signed the intermediaterange nuclear forces treaty, which led to the removal. Usaaf ww2 b17 bomber idaliza crew lt statton 8x10 photo. England air combat units 41st combat wing h headquarters 303rd bombardment group h headquarters 358th bombardment squadron h 359th bombardment squadron h 360th bombardment squadron h 427th bombardment squadron h supported by ground units 3rd station complement squadron 8th dental unit 18th. Army air forces 303rd bombardment group, were the first in the 8th air force to complete twentyfive missions from their base in molesworth, england.

Records are not clear as to when he arrived at molesworth, uk or on what aircraft. The 303rd bg h and 379th bgh, on 25 july 1945, became the first 8th air force groups to be inactivated. Heritage of the 303rd bomb group h molesworth, england. The 303rd bombardment group heavy was activated on 3feb1942 at. The 303rd bombardment group hells angels molesworth airfield, england 1942. Jacket flying type a2 303rd bomb grp hells angels group on rough. Fortress hells angels of the bombardment squadron at raf molesworth. During world war ii, the group was one of the first viii bomber command b17 flying fortress units in england. Eighth air force, 19 january 1942 22 february 1944 viii bomber command, 19 august 1942. Raf molesworth and the 303rd bombardment group heavy. The 303rd bombardment group was activated in february 1942 as a boeing b17 flying fortress heavy bomber group at pendleton field, oregon and assigned the 358th, 359th and 360th bombardment squadrons and the 31st reconnaissance squadron.

Wulf hound on 12 december 1942, a 303rd b17 named wulf hound 4124585 became the first b17. With the departure of the 15th bomb squadron, molesworth was occupied by the b17 flying fortresses of the 358th bombardment squadron, the first of four squadrons that would comprise the 303rd bombardment group. Ive posted this jacket and the story of its owner in my collection thread over in the displays section but wanted to share it here as well. B17f 303rd bomb group knock out dropper molesworth. Backside plaque the 303rd bombardment group h hells angels combat team at molesworth. Nose art and ground crews home about us contact us donate newsletters 8th afhs links faq facebook search personnel aircraft nose art b17 thunderbird ground support uniforms journals more info. These historical pages are dedicated to the 8,960 men who served in the 303rd bombardment group h hells angels during world war ii. Bomb group h molesworth, england the bomb group was an eight air 303rd bomb group h molesworth, england the 303rd bomb group was an eight air force b17 bomber group stationed in england from 4245. Hells angels might in flight 303rd bombardment group h. Usaaf ww2 b17 bomber loaded guide bombs 8x10 photo 303rd bg. Arriving at molesworth on the 9th september 1942, the 303rd were assigned to the. Media related to 303rd bombardment group at wikimedia commons. On 31 may 1945, the 303d bomb group left molesworth, moving to casablanca, french morocco. A2 flying jacket, 303rd bomb group hells angels this a2 flight jacket represents and example from the famous 303rd bombardment group.

Staffsergeant jack e snell of the 303rd bomb group meets the duke and duchess of gloucester and colonel hubert zemke of the 56th fighter group. The 303rd bomb group was an eighth air force, b17 bomber group stationed at molesworth, england from 1942 to 1945. The 303rd bombardment group was formed on 28 january 1942 and the official unit. Raf molesworths ground launched cruise missiles 25 years.

B17g flying fortress 303 bomb group 358 bomb squadron. The 303rd air expeditionary group is a provisional united states air force unit. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. B17f 303rd bomb group knock out dropper molesworth england. Aug 06, 2001 during world war ii, there was a famed b17 aircraft named hells angels. First mission 17111942 to st nazaire, the group went on to complete 364 missions. The true story of the 303rd bomb group in world war ii paperback. This is the 303rd s story, as told by the men who made it what it was. B17g of the 303rd bomb group 359th bomb squadron world war. Col ret eddie deerfield returns to molesworth to talk about his experiences flying 30 missions in b17s during ww2. One of the standout units of this campaign was the legendary 303rd bomb group hells angels. B17g of the 303rd bomb group 359th bomb squadron world. Royal air force molesworth or more simply raf molesworth is a royal air force station located near molesworth, cambridgeshire, england with a history dating back to 1917 its runway and flight line facilities were closed in 1973 and demolished. The 303rd bombardment group was formed on 28 january 1942 and the official unit motto was might in flight.

Air force 303rd bombardment group, heavy usaf veteran locator. Usaaf ww2 b17 bomber hells angels, 48 missions, 8x10 in flight photo, 303rd bg, raf molesworth, england. This cut down officers ike belonged to 2nd lt james fulks who was the co pilot with the 303rd bg. Boeing b17f27bo flying fortress 4124605 303rd bomb group 359th bs knock out dropper molesworth england 1943. On may 31, 1945, the 303d bomb group left molesworth, moving to casablanca, french morocco. Taking its name from a 1930 howard hughes movie, hell s angels was assigned to the 358th bomb squadron, part of the 303rd bombardment group heavy based at molesworth in huntingdonshire, england from 194245. Molesworth u s air force 303rd bomb group at present no image of this war memorial is available for online display. Training for its combat missions took place at alamogordo air base, nm, and biggs field, tx.

Wulf hound on 12 december 1942, a 303rd b17 named wulf hound 4124585 became the first b17 to be. Attached 303rd bombardment group, heavy feb 01, 1943 command. See more ideas about nose art, wwii and ww2 planes. Usaaf flight jackets which were used by airmen who were based in england. The 303rd bomb group lost other men on the same mission. Heritage of the 303rd bomb group h compiled by harry d. The unit was first activated as the 303rd bombardment group in february 1942.

My dad was a b17 pilot in wwii in fact, his tail insignia was triangle c. Molesworth reverted to raf control in 1945 and was closed in 1946. The men who worked together to keep the plane flying over hitlers occupied europe, those of the u. Jan 30, 2017 aircraft and airmen of 8th af 303rd bomb group. During world war ii, the 303rd was one of the first viii bomber command b17 flying fortress units in england. In 2011, it was assigned to united states air forces europe to activate or inactivate as needed. A tired and haggard captain harold stouse in the 427th. The 303rd bombardment group h was constituted on 28 january 1942 at savannah, ga, was activated at pendleton field, pendleton, or, on 3 february 1942, and received its initial staff and training at gowen field, boise, id, on february 1942. It was a group that was to go down in history as one of the most famous bomber units of wwii they were known as the hells angels.

Bomb squadron based in thurleigh, england may via getty images lost on january on a mission to. The ground was activated in the united states in february 1942 with no squadrons, gaining its four squadron in the following month. This b17, assigned to the 427th bomb squadron of the 303rd bomb group hells angels, departed biggs field, texas at 1. The 303rd bombardment group was formed on the 28th january 1942 whose motto was might in flight.

Built in 1940 and extended and improved in 1942, molesworth is most associated with the 303rd bomb group, popularly known as hells angels which moved in with its b17s in september 1942 and remained at the base until june 1945. Molesworth u s air force 303rd bomb group war imperial war. As the title says, this time he looks at the 303rd bombardment group heavy. Its last assignment was to the 303d bombardment wing, being stationed at davismonthan air force base, arizona. The groups hells angels is recognized by the usaf as the first b17 to complete 25 combat missions in the eto on may 1943, six. Attached 358th bombardment squadron, heavy vk feb 01, 1943 command. He brought me a box of old photographs all photos from airmen and officers of the 303rd, part of u. Mar 21, 2008 on may 31, 1945, the 303d bomb group left molesworth, moving to casablanca, french morocco.

Mar 06, 2016 a friend of mine, stationed at raf molesworth, the old airbase of the 303rd bomb group h in the western part of cambridgeshire, came by my office. Oh, hedy lamarr is a beautiful gal, and madeleine carroll is, too. A monument to the 303rd bg stands inside the main entrance and is accessible to the public. The united states army air forces joined with great britains alreadyengaged royal air force to launch a strategic air campaign that ultimately brought the luftwaffe to its knees. Eastman a2 flying jacket, 303rd bomb group hells angels. Great hand painted cartoon character patch from the 360th bomb squadron who were part of the 303rd bomb group based at molesworth during ww2, flying the b17 flying fortress the group known as hells angels flew 10,721 sorties on 364 missions losing 165 aircraft in action. The atc decided that the 8th af support bomb groups were no longer required. In the inventory since the group s beginning, this aircraft was the first heavy bomber in the 8th air force to complete 25 missions. The 303rd bombardment group was a b17 flying fortress group that took part in the eighth air forces strategic bombing campaign from 1942 until the end of the war in europe. Their motto, might in flight, was earned on each of their record 364 combat missions. In january 1944 the 303rd bgh adopted the name of hell s angels in tribute to one of its most famous planes. Usaaf ww2 b17 bomber hells angels 48 missions 8x10 in. The bombers shot down a confirmed 378 aircraft with 104 additional aircraft as probables.

The 303rd was one of the first groups to deploy to england and eventually flew more missions than any other bomb group in the 8th. Their place in history and the legacy they left behind will live forever. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the original hells angels. B17f, 8th air force, 4124577, 303rd bomber group, hells.