93rd Bombardment Wing (Second World War)

History - Aircraft - Time Line - Commanders - Main Bases - Component Units - Assigned To

History

The 93rd Bombardment Wing was a heavy bomber wing within the Eighth Unit that entered combat just before D-Day and supported the Allied invasion before taking part in the strategic bombing campaign for the rest of the war. The wing also helped support the Allied armies during the Battle of the Bulge.

The wing controlled three heavy bombardment groups during its period in combat - the 34th, 490th and 493rd. All three of these groups operated the B-24 Liberator when they joined the group, but converted to the B-17 Flying Fortress during the year.

Of these three groups the 34th Bombardment Group had been constituted in 1940 and had been active in the United States, while the 490th and 493rd Bombardment Groups were new. The 34th had flow some patrols off the US coast, but its combat debut came in May 1944, as did that of the 493rd. The 490th was one month behind, and made its debut in June 1944.

The wing only had two commanding officers - Brigadier General Walter R Peck who led it while it was preparing for combat, and Brigadier General John K Gerhart, who took over in April 1944 and commanded the wing for its entire combat career.

Aircraft

1944: Consolidated B-24 Liberator
1944-45: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Timeline

Commanders (with date of appointment)

Brig Gen Walter R Peck: c. 27 Dec 1943-11 Jan 1944
Brig Gen John K Gerhart: Apr 1944-23 May 1945.

Main Bases

Horsham St Faith, England: 1 Nov 1943
Elveden Hall, England: c. 10 Jan 1944
Mendlesham, England: c. 30 March 1944-11 July 1945
Sioux Falls AAFld, SD: c. 27 Jul-28 Aug 1945.

Component Units

Assigned To

1943-44: 2nd Air Division; VIII Bomber Command; Eighth Air Force
1944-45: 3rd Air Division; Eighth Air Force; US Strategic Air Forces Europe

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