467th Bomb Group, 2nd Air Division Memorial Library

2nd Air Division Memorial Library, Norwich England

Scrapbook Archive -- Rackheath, Norfolk

467th Bombardment Group

The 467th Bomb Group, known as the Rackheath Aggies, was activated on August 1, 1943 at Wendover Field, Utah. The group assembled at Mountain Home Airfield in Idaho, staying there from September 8 through mid-October. They held the bulk of their training at Wendover Field, leaving in February 1944 for England. The ground crews travelled on the USAT Frederick Lykes, arriving in Great Britain on March 10, while the air crews flew their B24 Liberators via the southern ferry route.

The first mission was flown on April 10, 1944 against Bourges. From that mission through its final mission from Rackheath on April 25, 1945, the 467th flew 212 missions for 5,538 sorties, losing only 29 aircraft in combat.

The 467th was also the only bomb group in the 8th USAAF to have the same commanding officer, Colonel Al Shower, from its arrival in England through the end of hostilities. Witchcraft, one of Rackheath's Liberators, held the 8th USAAF record for B24 aircraft, flying 130 missions with no turnbacks.

In the summer of 1945, the 467th was redeployed to the United States, with the bulk of the aircraft leaving on June 12. The ground crew travelled to New York City via the Queen Mary, arriving on July 11, 1945. The 467th was selected for training on B29 aircraft, moving to Alamogordo, New Mexico then to Nebraska before moving to Clovis Airfield in New Mexico in December 1945. The unit was inactivated on August 4, 1946, although its remaining personnel and squadrons were re-designated the 301st Bomb Group.

Photograph of a B24 Liberator next to farm buildings

Witchcraft on her hardstand, next to farm buildings. From the Peter Bond Scrapbook Vol. 1 (MC 376/299 723x1), Norfolk Record Office.

Photograph of Colonel Al Shower behind his desk

Colonel Al Shower of the 467th Bomb Group. From the Peter Bond Scrapbook Vol. 1 (MC 376/299 723x1), Norfolk Record Office.

Photograph of men working on an engine of a B24

Maintenance on a B24 at Rackheath. From the Peter Bond Scrapbook Vol. 1 (MC 376/299 723x1), Norfolk Record Office.

For more information on the 467th Bomb Group, see the following histories, in addition to the standard works on the 2nd Air Division and the 8th Air Force:

Healy, Allan. The 467th Bombardment Group, September 1943 - June 1945.

The 467th Bombardment Group, September 1943 - June 1945, addendum errata.

Mahoney, James J. and Brian H. Mahoney. Reluctant witness: memoirs from the last year of the European airwar, 1944-1945.