Bomb Group Commanders in the “Bloody Hundredth” with John "Lucky" Luckadoo

How the 100th went from perhaps the worst bomber group to the best bomber group. Why did it have a discipline problem in 1943? Who made the changes that improved the BG performance? Join Glenn in his interview with Heather Thies of the National Museum of the Mighty Eight, Nancy Putman, and John "Lucky" Luckadoo.

Stationed at Thorpe Abbotts in England, the group flew the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress as part of the 8th Air Force, conducting strategic bombing missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. Their nickname stemmed from the extraordinarily high casualties they sustained during some of the war’s most dangerous missions. Despite these losses, the 100th Bomb Group played a crucial role in the air campaign to cripple Germany’s war machine.

The group began combat operations in June 1943, targeting key industrial and military sites in France and Germany. Early missions revealed the dangers of daylight precision bombing, and the 100th often faced fierce resistance from German Luftwaffe fighters and anti-aircraft defenses. The group suffered especially heavy losses during missions to Bremen, Münster, and Schweinfurt, where entire formations were sometimes annihilated. These sacrifices cemented their reputation as one of the most daring but ill-fated bomber units, giving rise to their enduring moniker.

Among the group’s notable members was Harry Crosby, a lead navigator whose experiences offer a deeply personal perspective on the air war. In his memoir, A Wing and a Prayer: The “Bloody 100th” Bomb Group of the U.S. Eighth Air Force in Action over Europe in World War II, Crosby recounts the harrowing missions and extraordinary courage of his comrades. His vivid descriptions capture the chaos of combat, the constant threat of death, and the camaraderie that sustained the men during their darkest hours. Crosby’s navigation skills were critical to the group’s success, helping to guide bombers through perilous skies to their targets and safely back to base.

Despite the staggering losses, the 100th Bomb Group’s resilience never wavered. They participated in pivotal operations such as the bombing campaign during D-Day and attacks on German oil refineries, transportation hubs, and other strategic targets. By the end of the war, their contributions had significantly undermined Germany’s industrial capacity and military infrastructure.

We’re grateful to UPMC for Life and Tobacco Free Adagio Health for sponsoring this event!