Unit History

The  381st BG was assigned to the 1st Combat Wing along with the 91st BG, the 351st BG (lost Dec 1943), and the 398th BG (gained April 1944).  The 1st Combat Wing was in turn assigned to the 1st Air Division, of the Eighth Air Force.  381st BG was based at Ridgewell, England, designated Station 167. 

381st Bombardment Group (Heavy)

Squadrons; 532, 533, 534, 535

432nd Air Service Group (formed April 1945)

Commands absorbed by the 432nd ASG:

448th Sub-Depot

7th Station Complement

1207th Quartermaster Company

2021st Fire Platoon, EAFFP

1142nd Military Police Company (AVN)

1775th Ordnance Supply and Maintenance

242nd Medical Dispensary (AVN)

Not absorbed:

Detachment "A", 881st Chemical Company (AO)

Other elements at Ridgewell:

1050th Sig (Signals Support Maintenance Company)

18th Weather Squadron

2003rd Fire (Platoon)

2965th Finance Detachment

630th Service Squadron

312th Service Group

82nd Service Group cadre

858th Air Engineering Squadron 

682nd Air Material Squadron

The 381st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and its associated commands have a very rich history.

War time documents; War Diaries, Loading Lists, Microfilm, etc.

Photos; Gallery, CD

Databases and indexes; Personnel Roster, Casualties, POWs, MACRs, Aircraft Serials, Aircraft Nicknames

Published work; Books, Electronic, Video

Ridgewell Museum and Memorial

Forum

Personal Stories of 381st Veterans

Researching 381st or associated command personnel can be a challenge.

We offer general research tips on the USAAF of World War II in our Research Guide, as well as specific pointers for researching our units.  

The 381st Forum can be very helpful to any research effort since it brings the collective knowledge of the 381st right to you.