456th Bomb Group (Heavy) "Steed's Flying Colts" | 744th BS, 745th BS, 746th BS & 747th BS | theater made patches

[walika]

456th Bomb Group (Heavy) "Steed's Flying Colts" | 744th BS (H), 745th BS (H), 746th BG (H) & 747th BG (H)


The 456th Bomb Group (Heavy) operated B-24 Liberator aircraft and was known unofficially as "Steed's Flying Colts", after its commander Col. Thomas W. Steed. The unit completed advanced training at Muroc AAB, CA (now Edwards Air Force Base) before deploying. Steed received the Distinguished Flying Cross in May 1941, as a member of the first flight of B-17s from Hamilton Field, California, to Hickam Field, Hawaii.

Activated in June 1943 as a heavy bombardment group. Trained with B-24 Liberators for duty overseas. Moved to Italy, December 1943 – January 1944. Began combat with Fifteenth Air Force in February 1944, operating chiefly against strategic targets until late in April 1945. Early operations included attacks against such objectives as marshaling yards, aircraft factories, railroad bridges, and airdromes in Italy, Austria, and Romania.

The 456th Bomb Group flew 249 bombing missions from Italy while assigned to the Fifteenth Air Force. Its members earned two Presidential Unit Citations for valor in combat and participated extensively in the strategic bombing campaign against oil production targets including Ploieşti, Romania, that resulted in high bomber losses.

Inactivated at the end of the war and allotted to the Air Force Reserve, the group was reactivated twice as a bomb and troop carrier group, and later had its lineage and history bestowed on a like-numbered wing of the United States Air Force.

 

 

456th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

 

Theater made. Italian embroidery.

 

456th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

 

Theater made. Incised leather, hand-painted.

 

 

 

456th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

 

Theater made. Incised leather, hand-painted.

 

 

In typical style for Fifteenth Air Force patches, squadrons proudly emblazoned their unique emblem on full-sized patches, as well as on a patch that combined both the group and squadron insignia on one patch.

 

 

744th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) | "Deliverators"

 

Theater made. Incised leather, hand-painted.

 

 

 

 

 

745th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) | "Lardassarus Rex"

 

Theater made. Incised leather, hand-painted.

 

 

 

746th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)

 

Theater made. Incised leather, hand-painted.

 

 

 

747th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)

 

Theater made. Incised leather, hand-painted.

 

 

Constituted as 456th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 14 May 1943. Activated on I Jun 1943. Trained with B-24’s for duty overseas. Moved to Italy, Dec 1943-Jan 1944. Began combat with Fifteenth AF in Feb 1944, operating chiefly against strategic targets until late in Apr 1945. Early operations included attacks against such objectives as marshalling yards, aircraft factories, railroad bridges, and airdromes in Italy, Austria, and Rumania. Received a DUC for performance at Wiener Neustadt on 10 May 1944: when other groups turned back because of adverse weather, the 456th proceeded to the target and, withstanding repeated attacks by enemy interceptors, bombed the manufacturing center. Helped to prepare the way for and supported the invasion of Southern France during Jul and Aug 1944.

At the same time, expanded previous operations to include attacks on oil refineries and storage facilities, locomotive works, and viaducts in France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, and the Balkans. Received second DUC for a mission in Hungary on 2 Jul 194 when the group braved severe fighter attacks and antiaircraft fire to bomb oil facilities at Budapest.

In Apr 1945 bombed gun positions, bridges, roads, depots, and rail lines to support US Fifth and British Eighth Army in their advance through Italy. Transported supplies to airfields in northern Italy after V-E Day. Returned to the US in Jul 1945. Redesignated 456th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) in Aug. Inactivated on 17 Oct 1945.

SQUADRONS. 744th: 1943-1945. 745th: 1943-1945. 746th: 1943-1945. 747th: 1943-1945.

STATIONS. Wendover Field, Utah, 1 Jun 1943; Gowen Field, Idaho, 14 Jul 1943; Bruning AAFld, Neb, c. 30 Jul 1943; Kearns, Utah, c. 11 Sep 1943; Muroc AAB, Calif, Oct-Dec 1943; Cerignola, Italy, Jan 1944; Stornara, Italy, Jan 1944-JU1 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, I Aug 1945; Smoky Hill AAFld, Kan, 17 Aug-17 Oct 1945.

CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley.

 

 

Maurer. Air Force Combat Units of World War II.

 

 

 

 

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745bs456bg15aaf

746bs456bg15aaf

747bs456bg15aaf

 

 

[katieony]

Some really nice and rare patches...thank you for posting the images!

[Bill Scott]

Rick as always great insignia to enjoy looking at and learn from.Thanks for allowing us a peek at your collection.Scotty

[The Iron Brigade]