446th Bomb Group 70-year reunion

David Allen (second from right), Jay and Tammy Allen, and Vicki Bailey were in Tucson, Ariz., May 15 -20 to attend the 70th Reunion of the 446th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force. The 8th Air Force was the largest air striking force ever committed to battle by the United States. The 13 veterans pictured above were present, as well as their family members and a few spouses, children and grandchildren of deceased veterans. They enjoyed reminiscing about the past and took part in many tours, including Pima Aircraft Museum, which houses a B24 Bomber like the 446th flew. The 446th Heavy Bombardment Group was started in Tucson in 1943 as part of the 8th Air Force before being based in Bungay, England. It consisted of four squadrons, the 704th, 705th, 706th and 707th. Each squadron consisted of seven to nine B24s with a crew of 10 each. The first mission was on Dec. 16, 1943, the last on April 25, 1945. In total, the group flew 273 missions. Of these 13 veterans, David and two others, each from different squadrons, flew on the final mission of the 446th. David was nose gunner and toggler in the 706th and is the last surviving member of his 10-man crew.