SKY SCORPIONS: STORY OF THE 389th BOMB GROUP IN WORLD WAR II

The 389th Bomb Group was unique among all Groups assigned to the Eighth Air Force because it actually commenced operations in July 1943 out of North Africa that culminated in the infamous Ploesti mission on 1st August. After returning to England in September, the combat crews joined in on the grim duty of hammering Nazi Germany's industrial resources. By April 1945, 321 missions had been flown, during which over 17,000 tons of ordnance was dropped. The cost was 153 B-24s missing in action or lost over England. Known as the "Sky Scorpions" from their detachment in North Africa, the Hethel-based unit also provided the initial numbers of PFF-equipped aircraft for the 2nd Bomb Division.