Mission Log

The 487th Bombardment Group flew 185 missions from Station 137 between May 1944 and April 1945. This page documents their operational record, compiled in partnership with the 487th Bomb Group Association.

The 487th Bombardment Group flew 185 missions from Station 137 between May 1944 and April 1945. This is their operational record.

The 487th began combat operations on 7 May 1944, bombing German airfields in France as part of the preparatory campaign ahead of the Normandy landings. Their final mission was flown in April 1945. In between, the Group attacked targets across occupied France, the Low Countries, and deep into Germany — oil refineries, factories, marshalling yards, and V-weapon sites.

The mission log below draws on records held by the 487th Bomb Group Association. We are grateful to the Association for their ongoing support of this archive. Where records are incomplete, entries are marked accordingly. If you hold additional records, photographs, or can correct any entry, please contact us.

Selected Missions — 487th Bomb Group, Station 137

Date Mission No. Target Country Aircraft Type Notes
7 May 1944 001 Airfields, Northern France France B-24 Liberator First combat mission from Station 137
11 May 1944 002 Marshalling yards, Mulhouse France B-24 Liberator  
19 May 1944 003 Airfields, Belgium Belgium B-24 Liberator  
24 May 1944 004 Coastal defences, Normandy France B-24 Liberator Pre-invasion support
6 Jun 1944 012 Coastal batteries, Normandy France B-24 Liberator D-Day missions — multiple sorties
18 Jul 1944 038 German positions near Caen France B-24 Liberator Close support for British Army at Caen
25 Aug 1944 061 Gun emplacements, Brest France B-24 Liberator Support for Allied siege of Brest
17 Sep 1944 075 Flak positions, Arnhem area Netherlands B-17 Flying Fortress Support for Operation Market Garden
28 Sep 1944 080 Oil refinery, Merseburg Germany B-17 Flying Fortress First mission to Merseburg — heavily defended
2 Nov 1944 098 Oil refinery, Merseburg Germany B-17 Flying Fortress Return to Merseburg
26 Nov 1944 107 Factories, Hanover Germany B-17 Flying Fortress  
12 Dec 1944 115 Oil refinery, Mannheim Germany B-17 Flying Fortress  
24 Dec 1944 121 Airfields, Western Germany Germany B-17 Flying Fortress Christmas Eve mission
14 Jan 1945 133 Marshalling yards, Cologne Germany B-17 Flying Fortress  
3 Feb 1945 142 Berlin Germany B-17 Flying Fortress One of the largest 8th AF raids on Berlin
22 Feb 1945 152 Transport network, Germany Germany B-17 Flying Fortress Operation Clarion — simultaneous strikes across Germany
18 Mar 1945 165 Marshalling yards, Berlin Germany B-17 Flying Fortress  
Apr 1945 185 [Final Mission — details being researched] Germany B-17 Flying Fortress Final combat mission from Station 137

This is a representative selection of missions from the Group’s operational record. The complete log is being compiled in partnership with the 487th Bomb Group Association. If you have records, crew diaries, or photographs that could help complete this archive, please contact FOLA.

The Four Squadrons

The 487th Bomb Group comprised four bombardment squadrons, each with their own aircraft, crews, and identity:

  • 836th Bombardment Squadron
  • 837th Bombardment Squadron
  • 838th Bombardment Squadron
  • 839th Bombardment Squadron (originally the 8th Anti-Submarine Squadron, redesignated and assigned to the 487th in October 1943)

All aircraft carried the white ‘P’ on their tail fins — the 487th’s group identifier within the 4th Combat Wing of the 3rd Air Division.  Can be seen on this B-17G from 837th squadron (#44-8023):

(photo courtesy of 487th Bomb Group website)