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U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe

Constituted as VIII Bomber Command on Jan. 19, 1942.
Activated on Feb. 1, 1942.
Redesignated Eighth AF on Feb. 22, 1944.
Bomber Command: VIII Bomber 1942-44

The structure of the AF in Europe can be a bit confusing. Essentially, USSAF and VIII Bomber Command (Eighth AF) crossed histories.
Mission: Moved to England, May-Jun 1943, and engaged primarily in bombardment of targets in Europe. Redesignated US Strategic Air Forces in Europe on Feb. 22, 1944. Afterward, coordinated AAF activities in the EAME Theater, exercising some operation control over both Eighth AF and Fifteenth, and some administrative control over Eighth AF and Ninth.

Mission: An advanced detachment was established in England on Feb. 23rd and units began arriving from the US during the spring of 1942. The command conducted the heavy bombardment operations of Eighth AF from Aug. 17, 1942 until early in 1944. Redesignated Eighth AF on Feb. 22, 1944. Afterward, engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic targets in Europe. Transferred, without personnel, equipment, and combat elements, to Okinawa on July 16, 1945. Although some personnel and combat units were assigned before V-J Day, the Eighth did not participate in combat against Japan.

8th Air Force Bomber Command had 3 Divisions
All Divisions had 4 Wings
All Wings had 3 Groups

• 1st Division had a triangle on tail- All B-17's
  1st Wing
  --91st BombGroup(Triangle A)
  --381stBombGroup(Triangle L)
  --398BombGroup(Triangle W)
  40th Wing
  -92nd BG (Triangle B)
  -305th BG (Triangle G)
  -306th BG (Triangle H)
  41st Wing
  -303rd BG (Triangle C)
  -379th BG (Triangle K)
  -384th BG (Triangle P)
  94thWing
  -351st BG (Triangle J)
  -401st BG (Triangle S)
  -451st BG (Triangle U)
• 2nd Division had a circle on tail - All B-24's
  2nd Wing
  -389th BG (circle C)
  -445th BG (circle F)
  -453rd BG (circle J)
  14th Wing
  -44th BG (circle A)
  -392nd BG (circle D)
  -492nd BG (circle U)
  20th Wing
  -93rd BG (circle B)
  -446th BG (circle H)
  -448th BG (circle I)
  96th Wing
  -458th BG (circle K)
  -466th BG (circle l)
  -467th BG (circle P)
• 3rd Division had a square on tail - All B-17's
  4th Wing
  -94th BG (Square A)
  -447th BG (Square K)
  -486th BG (Square W)
  -487th BG (Square P)
  13th Wing
  -95th BG (Square B)
  -100th BG (Square d)
  -390th BG (Square J)
  45th Wing
  -96th BG (Square C)
  -388th BG (Square H)
  -452nd BG (Square L)
  93rd Wing
  -385thBG (Square G)
  -34th BG (Red Stabilizer)
  -490th BG (Square Red Stripe on Tail)
  -493rd (Red Stripe)

"Hamburg Raid"

"Hamburg Raid"
By: Floyd Davis
LIFE Magazine artist