This Week on History Happy Hour: The 381st Bomb Group went into action over the skies of Europe in June 1943, and flew 297 missions before the end of the war. Based out of Ridgewell, UK, their story is the story of the 8th Air Force and the daylight bombing of Europe – hours of frozen monotony, moments of sheer terror over target, horrifying casualties, and ultimate victory.

Chris and Rick will dig into their story with Paul Bingley, co-author of the book “Bomb Group: The Eighth Air Force's 381st and The Allied Air Offensive Over Europe.”

Paul Bingley has worked in aviation for the past 30 years. He most recently helped market the world’s heaviest aircraft, the Antonov AN-225 'Mriya'. He is the current chairman of the Ridgewell Airfield Commemorative Museum in Essex and regularly delivers talks on the history of Ridgewell, and its long-term tenants, the 381st Bomb Group.