Bomb/Air Group Histories

The 73rd Air Service Group was activated 11 May 1944 at the Air Service Command Training Center, Fresno Fairgrounds, Fresno, California. Its mission was to support one bombardment group. It was the new type service group—capable of operating a base complete with finance services, fixed communications, medical dispensary, interior guard, internal security, utilities, firefighting, motor pool, etc.

The 29th Bomb Group was activated on February 1, 1940 at Langley Field, Virginia. It was comprised of the 6th, 43rd, 52nd, and 411th bomb squadrons. The 411th inactivated on May 20th 1944. On April 1, 1944, the 29th Bomb Group (H) was redesignated as the 29th Bomb Group (VH).

Constituted as the 40th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 22 Nov 1940. Activated in Puerto Rico on 1 Apr 1941. Redisgnated 40th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in May 1942. Patrolled the Canbbean and Pacific, using B~I7, B-18, and B-24 aircraft. Operated first from Puerto Rico and later from the Panama Canal Zone. Moved to the US in Jun 1943. Redesignated 40th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Nov 1943.

HISTORY OF THE 346th
By Glenn Carman
When I originally contacted the Air Force Archives in 2004 I learned that a fire in St. Louis in 1973 destroyed all the records on the 316th. Sad thing. As a result we have had to piece together the history from a variety of sources, most importantly from the members of the unit.

History 463rd Bombardment Squadron (VH)
Activation to March 1, 1946
Compiled By Captain H. Eldridge
Squadron Intelligence Officer
Digitized and Edited by Glenn Carman
Historian 316th Bombardment Wing

Constituted as 497th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) on 19 Nov 1943 and activated on 20 Nov. Prepared for overseas duty with B-29's. Moved to Saipan, Jul-Oct 1944, and assigned to Twentieth AF. Began operations in Oct 1944 with attacks against Iwo Jima and the Truk Islands. Took part in the first attack (24 Nov 1944) on Japan by AAF planes based in the Marianas.