History of the 340th Bomb Group

The 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) 1942-1945 was a World War II United States Army Air Forces combat organization. It served primarily in the Mediterranean, African, and The Middle East Theaters of World War II. In the course of its 898 combat missions the 340th group attacked targets in Tunisia, Pantelleria, Lampedusa, Sicily, Italy, Bulgaria, Albania, Yugoslavia, Greece, southern France and Austria.

Throughout its entire combat history the 340th maintained a bombing accuracy record that grew progressively better as each new Mediterranean campaign unfolded. Largely responsible for this result was the intensive training-during combat program instituted by Col. Chapman in March, 1944, and carried through until the end of the war. Twice the group was cited by the War Department as a Distinguished Unit

Training of the 340th Bomb Group

When Col, Willis F. Chapman took command of the 340^th Bomb Group he drew upon training techniques – both conventional and inventive – to achieve the needed goal of increasing bombing accuracy and effectiveness. The following on-site booklet, put together during this period, depicts the making of a film by the 340^th’s 9^th Combat Camera Unit, in conjunction with its Public Relations Unit, as it documented some of these mandatory training skills, creative methods of operation, and enviable results. It’s footage also highlights the custom-made Squirt Gun Turret and provides previously unpublished film of Joseph Heller at work.

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