401st BG

• Formation and Nickname: The 401st Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated on 1 April 1943 at Ephrata Army Air Base, Washington. It was often nicknamed "The Big Ass Bird." • Aircraft Used: The group was equipped with the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, a heavy bomber renowned for its durability and firepower. • Combat Theater: The 401st BG served in the Eighth Air Force, operating out of Deenethorpe, England, and flew strategic bombing missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. • First Combat Mission: The group flew its first combat mission on 26 November 1943, targeting Bremen, Germany. • Total Missions: The 401st completed 254 combat missions before the end of World War II, dropping over 17,000 tons of bombs. • Accolades: The group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations for its performance during missions over Oschersleben, Germany (11 January 1944), and Leipzig, Germany (20 February 1944). • Markings: The 401st's aircraft were easily recognized by their distinctive triangle "S" tail marking. • Losses and Survival Rate: The group lost 94 B-17s in action, but it was noted for having one of the lowest loss rates in the 8th Air Force, thanks to its disciplined flying and effective leadership. • Support for D-Day: On June 6, 1944, the group supported the Normandy invasion by bombing coastal defenses and transportation targets. • Postwar Fate: After the war, the 401st BG returned to the United States and was inactivated on 28 August 1945 at Sioux Falls Army Air Field, South Dakota.