91st BG Memorial Info Sign
Details:
On the right-hand side of the prop monument.
A rectangular board that is rounded on the top inscribed in English in black lettering on a white background. It is supported by a thick metal pole that is inserted into the ground. Printed in black on the top of the plaque are the depiction of a B-17 bomber in side-view and the insignias of the 322nd, 323rd, 324th, and the 91st BG. The info sign gives details of the wartime history of the 91st Bomber Group.
Source of image: Aviation History Around Anglia FB Page
Monument Text:
91st BOMB GROUP (HEAVY)
UNITED STATES ARMY AIR CORPS
From this Bassingbourn, England, site, the men of the 91st Bomb Group (H), participated as part of the 8th Air Force in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) during World War II. After forming and training at Tampa, Florida, and Walla Walla, Washington, U.S.A., they arrived in the ETO in September 1942. Supported by 2,000 ground personnel, 91st officers and enlisted airmen flew 9,591 B-17 combat sorties on 340 missions from 7 November 1942 thru 25 April 1945. In the air battles for freedom, the 91st lost 197 B-17s while destroying 420 of Adolf Hitler's German aircraft. Lost were 1010 combat crewmen (899 killed and 111 missing in action); and more than 960 crewmen became prisoners of war. Two Distinguished Unit Citations were awarded the 91st for missions on 4 March 1943 to Hamm, and 11 January 1944 to Oschersleben Germany. "The Memphis Belle," (first 8th AF bomber to finish 25 missions), and "Nine-O-Nine" (completed a record 140 Missions) were 91st B-17 aircraft.
SUPPORTING UNITS
1st COMBAT BOMB WING 1st STATION COMPLEMENT 18th WEATHER SQUADRON 39th ABGP 206th FINANCE | 243rd MED DISP (AVN) 441st SUB DEPOT 566th ARMY POSTAL UNIT 863rd CWS 982nd MPs NAAFI | 1204th QM 1696 ORDINANCE[sic] 2044th ENG FF ROYAL AIR FORCE RED CROSS |
ERECTED MAY 1992 BY THE 91ST BOMB GROUP MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION INC.
Commemorates:
Units:
1204 Quartermaster Company
1696th Ordnance Supply & Maintenance Company
18th Weather Squadron
1st Combat Wing
1st Station Complement
2044th Engineer Fire Fighting Platoon (Aviation)
206th Finance
243rd Medical Dispensary (Aviation)
39th Airborne Group
441st Sub-Depot
566th Army Postal Unit
863rd Combat Weather Squadron
982 Military Police Company
Red Cross
Royal Air Force (RAF)
Wars:
WWII