Bomb Groups the the Second Air Division

44th Bomb Group:   http://www.44thbombgroup.com/ The Flying Eight Balls maintain an active site with a number of unique features, including original scanned squadron histories and a link to a database with a fairly comprehensive roster. They also publish the latest edition of their newsletter on-line here.

93rd Bomb Group:   http://www.93rdbombardmentgroup.com/ With one of the most active associations around, the Traveling Circus seems to have found a permanent home on this informative website. Fifteen years of archived newsletters make for interesting reading and researching. Also has a complete listing of 93rd aircraft.

389th Bomb Group #1: http://www.389thbombgroup.com There is not enough room here to describe what is available on this well-organized and graphically pleasing site. And it's still under development! Future plans include a virtual tour of Hethel, but until then, you'll find a lot to keep you occupied, including a nicely laid out aircraft list (by squadron), a comprehensive and detailed mission list, and 10 combat diaries. A researcher/artist does this site, and it shows. Keep your eye on this site.

389th Bomb Group #2: http://www.389thbg.net/ The Green Dragons/Sky Scorpions are blessed with two fine sites. This one, again, has some unique features. There is a very nice section on Operation Tidalwave, with a number of extras. The site has one of the better book lists, for anyone looking for books on the 389th. You can also order the original unit history, "The Blue Book", on CD. (See also the link to the 389th Memorial Exhibition Museum Hethel, under "Eighth Air Force Bases and Related Sites".

392nd Bomb Group: http://www.b24.net/ The subtitle on this site says "Second Generation Research", and it isn't kidding. Again, not enough room here to do it justice, but... A fascinating, thorough look at Wendling, home of the Crusaders; a missions list, with complete loading list for each plane, each mission, and text for each mission; stories, books, and patches and...o.k., enough. Just check out. (Well, one more: Tremendous section on POW's and each camp. Don't miss it.)

445th Bomb Group: http://www.445bg.org/ Respectfully developed and maintained by the son of a 445th BG member, this site recently migrated to this new address. For more information, click on the "about us" section for the stor of webmaster Mike Simpson (reprinted in Heritage Herald #40).

Kassel Mission Historical Society: http://kasselmission.com/ The outstanding Kassel Mission website. In 1944, the 445th Bomb Group suffered the worst group loss in a single day's battle in history. Of 39 B-24's, only 4 made it safely back. 40 years later, Germans and Americans unite in a search for truth about what happened on that day. First-hand stories, interviews, pictures, message board, PX, more.

446th Bomb Group: http://www.446bg.com/ Another inspired site, this one for the Bungay Buckaroos. The site features a well-organized, comprehensive roster and a wonderfully presented mission list and information. The most recent issues of the group's newsletter, "Beachball Echo". Updated regularly. (See also the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, under "Eighth Air Force Bases and Related Sites".

448th Bomb Group: http://www.pastonroot.co.uk/golds/448.html There are a lot of very fine websites dedicated to maintaining the history of the Eighth Air Force, but the Second Air Division groups seem be especially blessed with those of very, very high quality. This UK-based site is one of them. The driving force behind this site was 5 years old when our boys moved in near her village. With this site, they won't be forgotten. (See the related link below, "Seething Airfield".)

453rd Bomb Group #1: http://www.453rd.com/ Very nice site, clearly dedicated to service. They have made the original unit history, "Liberator Men of Old Buc" available as as downloadable .pdf file. Further, they are working on a second work, "In Search of Peace". Very strong on stories, this page is in active development, and bears frequent visits.

453rd Bomb Group #2: http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/aprilskies/264/oldbuck.html# Like this 389th, the 453rd has two websites. This one has a complete mission list, some crews, photos, stories, and diaries. Warning: The site is hosted by a commercial site, so be prepared for lots of ads, including a very irritating (though short) audio ad you can't turn off. The number of ads almost caused us not to list the link here.

458th Bomb Group: http://www.458 Another nice site, with comprehensive plane list and crews listed by squadron. The mission list is unique, in that some of the missions contains a link to a scanned document that appears to be from the official combat record of the group. The 458th was home of the Azon mission, covered in an especially well-done section-outstanding work.

466th Bomb Group: http://www.466bg.com/ This is a new site, with almost nothing on it, so we'll have to see how it comes along. For many years, the 466th's site was hosted by web-birds.com, home to number of groups and a high-quality site dedicated to aviation history. However, web-birds has mysteriously disappeared. Until it is restored, or the new 466th site is developed, you can find the 466th's newsletter through this link: http://www.post52.com/466BG/

467th Bomb Group #1: http://www.467bg.com/ This is the official site of the 47th, though they clearly work in consort with the second site. An Honor Roll, list of planes assigned to the group, and some back newsletters are among the features. Updates appear rare.

467th Bomb Group #2: http://www.the467tharchive.org/ Officially called "467th BG (H) Online Archive", this UK-based site has a wealth of information and is regularly updated. Although clearly organized, the site map can be helpul in navigating around the various pages here The two websites for the 467th make a great complement for anyone looking for information on the Aggies.

489th Bomb Group: http://www.eastanglianmilitaryheritagegroup.org.uk/489th_bg.htm Hosted by the East Anglian Military Heritage Group, the Friends of the 489th are building their site. Contact information is listed, and the secretary is very responsive to inquiries. (There is also a new site, http://www.489bg.com/. This is formatted the same as the new 466th site, and is noted to be "a project of the Army Air Corps Library and Museum." We can hope that this is an effort to fill the void left by the demise of web-birds.

491st Bomb Group: http://www.491st.org/ Active page for an active Association. Very nice picture gallery and one of the best on-line unit histories available (written by Allan Blue). Homepage lists updates, so it's easy to keep track of what's new.

492nd Bomb Group: http://www.492ndbombgroup.com/ This is another of the top group sites available. (Disclaimer: This writer is a member of the "Happy Warriors".) An innovative site, done by two brothers, one a historian and the other a web wizard. This innovative homepage is exceptionally easy to navigate, with individual crew pages and aircraft pages cross-linked with missions. Ranks with the best in terms of the completeness of its supplementary information and a remarkable personnel index. Several fine articles, stories, and diaries. Updated so regularly, the webmaster gave up trying to keep a list on the site.

Fighter Groups of the Second Air Division

4th Fighter Group: http://www.fourthfightergroup.com/ The on-line home of the Eighth's highest scoring group has many unique features. Among these are a personnel listing of ground unit's attached to the 4th, as well as profiles of at least 114 of the groups aircraft and a fine section on nose art. The 4th's roots in the Eagle Squadrons are also well-covered. Links are also provided to several on-line gaming sites where virtual 4th FG pilots still fly.

56th Fighter Group: Surprisingly and unfortunately, the 56th has no homepage of its own. (There is a VERY active virtual group that, like its real-world parent, well-organized and high-scoring.) The best site for information on the REAL group, however, is, not surprisingly, at the UK's "Little Friends". Check out the 56th's gallery at: http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=56 (There is a separate link to the 56th FG database.)

355th Fighter Group: The 355th also fell victim to web-birds loss (although some history is available on the Davis-Monthan AFB site). Little Friends to the rescue again: http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/355thfg.php. (Note: Every Eight Air Force group is well-covered on Little Friends with a database and gallery.)

361st Fighter Group: http://www.361fg.com/ The 361st does have its own site, and it's a pretty good one. There is an active message board and updated news, as well. A photo section for each squadron supplies a wealth of information through detailed captions.

479th Fighter Group: "Riddles Raiders" are represented on the web only through a virtual group gaming site, and at Little Friends: http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/479thfg.php. (Note: The 479th virtual group clearly honors memory of the original group, with period music and historical sketches.)

All Bomb/Fighter Groups:  POW research: Stalag Lufts 1,3,4,6,7a,13d,17b

Eighth Air Force Bases and Related Sites

In England, the history of the Eighth Air Force is alive and well. A number of groups, frequently affiliated with the old bases, provide outstanding websites and regular events. A common characteristic is the dedication of the people who maintain the museums and websites, providing welcoming information to those who would like to visit. Some of these are presented below. We plan on regularly expanding these links. Please contact us via the guestbook with requests to be included here.

Airfields & Aviation Memorials by Richard Flagg: http://www.airfields.fotopic.net
He titles his work Remembering the past - "Airfields & Aviation Memorials" - researching old airfields and aviation memorials of the UK

Seething Airfield:  http://www.station146.talktalk.net/
Home of the 448th BG, and the Station 146 Tower Association. An active association and museum; EXTENSIVE collection of links to other English airfields and information for tourists, an overall excellent resource.

East Anglian Military Heritage Group:  http://www.eastanglianmilitaryheritagegroup.org.uk
"A Web guide to Military Heritage Sites and Museums Around East Anglia; A new website, under construction, but already with many valuable links to affiliated groups. Excellent site for well-known, but even more importantly, lesser known museums and sites. Also with links to many active RAF museum sites.

Halesworth Airfield Museum:  http://www.halesworthairfieldmuseum.org.uk/museum/  
Home of the 489th Bomb Group (and early home of the 56th FG). (Please note:  a comprehensive list of contacts for the Friends of the 489th is available through a link at the East Anglian Military Heritage Group, above.)

389th Memorial Exhibition Museum Hethel:  http://www.hethel389.co.uk/
From the wartime home of the Sky Scorpions; Exceptionally active museum and association, well-known for a beautifully restored chapel, but also regular monthly events. Bonus: Photos of the volunteers who make it all happen. Our thanks to you all.

Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum:  http://www.aviationmuseum.net/
From Flixton, home of the 446th Bomb Group. Another active museum and association. This website is exceptionally well-organized, with well-written articles to supplement the museum materials.

Silvertop's England:  http://www.silvertopsengland.net/
Biographical information and wartime memories of Alan Green, who grew up near the airfields in World War II. Wonderful stories, with a great deal of supplemental graphics, including a large number of wartime advertisements. Alan also works on many of the sites above, especially the Seething Airfield site. A special talent for finding links of interest and utility.

Control Towers:  http://www.controltowers.co.uk/8%20list%201.htm
Specialty site with everything you can think of related to UK airfield control towers during World War II. Special links to photos for all U.S.-related fields, as well as extensive information about control tower design and construction. Regularly updated.

General Aviation and 8th Related Sites

Chuck's United States Army Air Forces in World War II http://www.usaaf.net

USAAF Second Air Division Memorial Library - Norfolk:  http://www.2ndair.org.uk

Ranger Wing of the Confederate Air Force:  www.rangerwing.com

8th Army Air Force in Europe:  collectorsnet.com/milhist

Headquarters, 8th Air Force:  131.10.254.80/8af/index.html

Air Force Association:  www.afa.org

American WWII Orphans Network:  http://www.awon.org

Air Combat Command:  www.acc.af.mil

US Army Air Force Bombardment Groups of WWII  http://www.heavybombers.com/

Bomber Operations: England 1944  http://www.skywardpress.com/4bomber.htm

Military and Museum Sites

Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum:  http://www.mighty8thmuseum.com/

8th Air Force Museum (Barksdale AFB):  www.barksdale.af.mil/generalinfo/8afmuseum

8th Air Force Museum, Barksdale: http://www.8afmuseum.net/

Air Force Historical Research Agency:  www.au.af.mil/au/afhra

American Air Museum in Britain (Duxford):  www.iwm.org.uk/america.htm

American Battle Monuments Commission: www.abmc.gov

Arlington National Cemetery:  www.arlingtoncemetery.com

Kansas Aviation Museum:  http://www.saranap.com/kam.html

Maxwell AFB (Air University):   www.maxwell.af.mil

Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins:  http://www.museumofaviation.org

National Air and Space Museum:  www.nasm.si.edu

National Personnel Records Center:   www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/

Naval Aviation History Office:  www.history.navy.mil/branches/nhcorg4.htm

Oral History WWII web site: http://www.tankbooks.com/

Planes and Pilots of WWII site:  http://home.att.net/~C.C.Jordan/

Royal Air Force Museum:  http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/

Thameside Aviation Museum:  http://www.aviationmuseum.co.uk

U.S. Air Force:  www.af.mil

U.S. Air Force Museum:  www.wpafb.af.mil/museum

U.S. Army Center of Military History:  http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/

WWII U.S. Veterans Website:   ww2.vet.org/

Heavy Bombers:  http://www.armyairforces.com