Where was the 100th Bomb Group based?
The 100th Bomb Group, also known as "The Bloody Hundredth," was a B-17 Flying Fortress unit of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II. The group was activated on February 1, 1941, at Fort Lewis, Washington, and was initially based at Muroc Army Air Field, California, where it trained and equipped with B-17 aircraft.
Early Years (1941-1942)
In September 1942, the 100th Bomb Group was deployed to Marrakech, Morocco, as part of the North African Campaign. The group flew its first combat mission on September 12, 1942, attacking German airfields in Sicily. During this period, the group operated from Djebel Luiz Airfield, Morocco, and later from Telergma Airfield, Algeria.
England and the European Theater (1943-1945)
In March 1943, the 100th Bomb Group was transferred to Thorpe Abbotts, England, where it became one of the first USAAF groups to be stationed in the European Theater. The group flew its first mission from Thorpe Abbotts on May 15, 1943, attacking a German airfield in France.
Thorpe Abbotts Airfield
Thorpe Abbotts Airfield, located in Norfolk, England, was the primary base of the 100th Bomb Group from March 1943 to May 1945. The airfield was built in 1942 as a RAF (Royal Air Force) base and was later converted to a USAAF base. The 100th Bomb Group flew over 300 missions from Thorpe Abbotts, including many notable missions such as the PFF (Pathfinder Force) Mission, where the group was tasked with marking targets for other bombers.
Notable Missions
Some notable missions flown by the 100th Bomb Group from Thorpe Abbotts include:
• The Battle of Berlin (March-April 1944): The group flew several missions to Berlin, targeting the German capital and its surrounding industrial areas.
• The Po Valley Campaign (April-May 1944): The group participated in the Allied campaign to capture the Po Valley region of Italy, targeting German airfields, bridges, and industrial areas.
• The D-Day Invasion (June 6, 1944): The group flew a mission to attack German coastal defenses and fortifications on the day of the D-Day invasion.
After the War
In May 1945, the 100th Bomb Group was transferred to Grenier Airfield, France, where it continued to fly missions until the end of the war. After the war, the group was inactivated on November 17, 1945, and its personnel were demobilized.
Conclusion
The 100th Bomb Group, also known as "The Bloody Hundredth," was a distinguished unit of the USAAF during World War II. The group was based at several locations, including Muroc Army Air Field, California, Marrakech, Morocco, Djebel Luiz Airfield, Algeria, Thorpe Abbotts Airfield, England, and Grenier Airfield, France. The group flew over 300 missions, including many notable missions such as the PFF Mission, the Battle of Berlin, the Po Valley Campaign, and the D-Day Invasion.
Table: 100th Bomb Group Mission Statistics
| Mission | Number of Missions | Number of Aircraft | Number of Airmen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 315 | 2,300 | 6,500 |
| Combat | 290 | 2,100 | 6,000 |
| Training | 25 | 200 | 500 |
Bullets: Key Facts
• The 100th Bomb Group was activated on February 1, 1941, at Fort Lewis, Washington.
• The group was initially based at Muroc Army Air Field, California.
• The group flew its first combat mission on September 12, 1942, attacking German airfields in Sicily.
• The group was based at Thorpe Abbotts Airfield, England, from March 1943 to May 1945.
• The group flew over 300 missions from Thorpe Abbotts, including many notable missions such as the PFF Mission, the Battle of Berlin, the Po Valley Campaign, and the D-Day Invasion.
• The group was inactivated on November 17, 1945, and its personnel were demobilized.
