History of the 382nd Bombardment Group (VH)
August 1945

The following is a retyping of part of the official history of the 382nd Bombardment Group (VH), in its final monthly report provided for August 1945. This history is taken from AFHRA Microfilm Roll B0372, starting with frame 1646. Each page from the report is separated by a horizontal rule. All but the appendix of documents is provided.

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I. PERSONNEL

     The total strength of the Air Echelon as of 31 August 1945 was 392 officers and 929 enlisted men. This represents an increase of 14 officers and a decrease of 32 enlisted men during the month. As of 31 August 1945 the unit of the 382nd Bomb Group (VH) contained the following personnel: 1/

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1/ WD Form 127 (Air Echelon) dated 31 August 1945 (Headquarters, 420th Squadron, 464th Squadron, 872nd Squadron)

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     The only change in the Key Peronnel of the 382nd Bomb Group (VH) was the loss of Captain Bruce W. Gordon, Group Navigator, who was transferred pending separation. Lt. George A. Moline was appointed to fill the vacancy.

     The organizational chart of the 382nd Bomb Group (VH) as of 31 August 1945 was as follows: 2/

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2/ Headquarters 382nd Bomb Group (VH) Air Echelon Roster of Officers dated 31 August 1945.

* With the 382nd Bomb Group (VH) overseas

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II. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

     From 8 August to 10 August 1945 the Air and Flight Echelons of the 382nd Bomb Group (VH) were subjected to the Final POM Inspection by a POM team sent out by Headquarters Continental Air Forces, Bolling Field, Washington D.C. This team was headed by Lt. Col. Willliam P. Thorington. Except for a few minor discrepancies, everything was found to be satisfactory.

     During August 1945 the Flight Echelon moved to Kearney Army Air Field, Kearney, Nebraska for the purpose of staging prior to overseas movement. The 420nd Squadron moved on 23 August /3, the 464th Squadron on 28 August 4/, and the 872nd planned to follow on 1 September 5/

     It was also determined during the month that the Air Echelon would go overseas by boat rather than by Air Transport Command. Those scheduled to go by boat remained at Harvard Air Field, Harvard, Nebraska.

     After the Flight Echelon left the balance of the enlisted men were consolidated by squadrons in three barracks for purposes of better control. The three squadron orderly rooms were also moved into one building.

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3/ SO 233, Par 5, Hq, AAF, Harvard, Nebraska, dated 21 August 1945
4/ SO 237, Par 7, Hq, AAF, Harvard, Nebraska, dated 25 August 1945
5/ SO 239, Par 43, Hq, AAF, Harvard, Nebraska, dated 27 August 1945

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III. TRAINING

     Prior to the Declaration of Peace on 14 August 1945 the 382nd Bomb Gp. (VH) continued flying Wing Missions with the 383rd Bomb Gp. (VH) stationed at Walker AAF Walker, Kansas. It was felt that these missions provided the nearest approach to actual combat conditions possible in this country and that the formation experience gained was excellent.

     All flying training was stopped after 14 August. However, most of the minimum training requirements had been set by this date. 6/

IV. MAINTENANCE

     All maintenance training was completed as of 5 August 1945. Squadron Engineering sections were reorganized during the month to reassign crews to 12 aircraft instead of 15 as originally authorized per squadron.

     Inasmuch as B-29 flying was terminated 14 August 1945, there was very little work for the maintenance personnel for the remainder of the month. Some assistance was given the Base Unit in preparing 5 aircraft for transfer to Topeka.

     Crew Chiefs, Assistant Crew Chiefs and a few Key Maintenance Men were selected to accompany the Flight Echelon.

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6/  1. Chart, 382nd and 383rd Bomb Groups (VH), Subject: Comparison of Accomplishments, dated 18 August 1945
     2. Chart, 382nd Bomb Group (VH), Subject: Percent of Flying Training Complete, dated 18 August 1945
     3. Chart, 382nd Bomb Group (VH), Subject: Percent of AAF Minimum Requirements Complete, dated 18 August 1945
     4. Chart, 2AF, Subject: Crew Progress Chart, Flying Training, (VH) dated 31 August 1945
     5. Chart, 2AF, Subject: Crew Progress Chart, Technical Training (VH), Post Phase, dated 1 September 1945

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V. SUPPLY AND EQUIPMENT

     During the month of August 1945, 12 Flyaway B-29's were received. These ships were assigned to the 420th Squadron.

     The combat crews processed and turned in all excess and non-servicable clothing and equipment and crew combat servicable clothing and all overwater flying equipment as well as combat gear. New parachutes were issued.

VI. FACILITIES

     The only changes in the facilities at Harvard Army Air Field were changes for the worse. Transportation continued to be intermitant and grossly inadequate. The Enlisted Men's Mess Hall was overcrowded. The Service Club is entirely too small to accommodate the number of people who use it. The quality of food served in the Officers Mess was considerably lower than at any previous time. OQ's were almost completedly neglected. Floors remained uncleaned, beds unmade for days at a time and no attempt was made to change sheets for period of two and three weeks. The unsanitary conditions of the latrine was perhaps more noticeable than any other items. It was a common occurancy for officers to take care of their own quarters and build the fires for the hot water. Conditions were such that all officers without exception felt that the rendering of a BOQ fee was a complete injustice. There is not enough athletic equipment available on the Field to support a suitable recreational program.

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     At Kearney AAF the facilities were a definite improvement over those at Harvard AAF. The officers club was better, so was the food. Thre was plenty of athletic equipment so that a very enjoyable voluntary physical training program was instituted by the 382nd Bomb Group (VH).

VII. MORALE

     Until 14 August 1945 the morale of the 382nd Bomb Group (VH) continued at a very high level. On 9 August 1945 the last officers Group party was held in the Officers Club at Harvard Army Air Field. A buffet dinner with refreshments was served to all officers and their guests. Later there was music and dancing. An enjoyable evening was had by all.

     After peace was proclaimed the morale of the Group dropped noticeable - chiefly because of the uncertainty as to ultimate disposition of the Group. A great many were looking forward to resuming their lives as of the time the outbreak of war disrupted the normal course of events. As a flying unit the 382nd was ready and willing to go to the man as the war was in progress; not so, however, when it was no longer necesssary.

This is the end of the August 1945 report for the 382nd Bomb Group (VH).

Return to the tribute page for the 382nd Bombardment Group

Transcribed by Kevin Anderson on 31 December 2005 (with corrections 2 January 2006)
Original typographic errors were left in.
All remaining transcription errors are my own.