93rd Bombardment Group

The 93rd Bomb. Group was formed in 1942 at Barksdale Field, Louisiana with core personnel from the 44th Bomb. Group. After training at Barksdale, the group moved to Ft. Myers, Florida, where it continued training and flew anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico. They were credited with 3 U-Boats. After three months, the group moved to Grenier Field, New Hampshire and prepared to move overseas. They arrived in England in late September 1942, ground personnel traveling on the Queen Elizabeth, and flew the first B-24 combat mission from England on October 9, 1942. In November, 1942, three squadrons were deployed to North Africa to support Operation Torch, returning to their new base at Hardwick in February, 1943. They flew missions from England through May, then were taken off operations to train for low-level bombing. In June 1943, the 93rd, along with the 44th BG and the newly arrived 389th BG were again deployed to North Africa. All three groups, plus two from the North Africa based 9th Air Force, conducted the famous low level raid on Ploesti, Romania on 1 August 1943. After three more missions from Libya, the group returned to England, only to be sent back to North Africa two weeks later. After several missions to Italy and Austria, the group again returned to England in October 1943 and went on to fly 396 combat missions (including 43 from North Africa), the highest total missions of any 8th Air Force bomb. group.

For a more complete history, including much more about the Ploesti mission, click on "History".

Also on this site, you will find the story of the 93rd nickname, "Ted's Travelling Circus", the Roll of Honor listing the 670 93rd men lost in combat from March, 1942 to May, 1945, photos of 93rd BG Memorials, crew photos and information on upcoming reunions.

The 93rd BGA newsletter - Ball of Fire Quarterly Express - is now available via email to members of the 93rd BG Association. If you would like to receive it by email, send your email address to joyridecp@msn.com

The latest news from Colin Mann about the museum at Hardwick is now on the 93BG Museum - UK page.

93rd Bomb Group
Reunion 2009
October 22 - 26
Shreveport & Barksdale AFB, LA

"Back to the Beginning"
Where the 93rd Bomb Group was formed in 1942!

Our reunion plans are beginning to come together and we need your help. There are two things you can do now that will assist our planning tremendously.

First - Make hotel reservations now but not later than October 1st to obtain the group rate. For registration:

Call: 1-800-225-5466

The hotel’s address and phone number are:
Homewood Suites, Hilton
5485 Financial Plaza
Shreveport, LA 71129
(318) 549-2000

Please give the following group name/group code to the reservation agent when making reservation: “93rd Bomb Group”. State and local taxes of 13.1% (at this time) are additional. Total cost including taxes is shown in the table below:

Room Style	Daily Rate	Tax (13.1%)	Per Day Total
Studio King Suite	$99	$12.97	$111.97
1 Bedroom King Suite	$109	$14.28	$123.28
1 Bedroom 2 Queen Suite	$115	$15.07	$130.07
2 Bedroom 1 King, 2 Queen	$139	$18.21	$157.21

Rates are available for 3 days prior and 3 days after the meeting dates beginning on October 19th and ending on October 29th.
Room rates include:

Studio, one- and/or two-bedroom suites feature separate living and sleeping areas
Fully equipped kitchen, refrigerator, microwave, stove, dishwasher
Two remote control TVs
Complimentary high speed internet access
Reception/light meal Thursday evening
Hot Breakfast every morning
Shuttle to and from the Airport and locations within 5 miles

Second, tell us that you are coming to the reunion and how many will be in your group. Simply mail, call or email Joe and Phyllis so we can estimate how many people will be attending. You can change your mind at any time before the formal registration conducted in August – September when we know the total cost of the transportation, rooms and fees.

Joe and Phyllis Duran
309 E. Santa Paula St
Santa Paula, CA 93060
Phone: (805) 525-4681
Email: dogpatchraider@gmail.com

Plan to join us for a great time going “Back to the Beginning” at Barksdale AFB. We hope you’ll be there, too!