873rd Chemical Company, Air Operations

[Mikkel Plannthin]

I am researching a Danish-American serviceman, Ingvardt Marinus Smitsdorff (1907-1976), who served in the above mentioned unit at Herbert Smart Airport, when naturalized as a US citizen in January 1943.

As far as I can find out this unit was attached to 53rd Service Group at Chipping Ongar and 387th/391sr BG in England at a later stage.

Does anyone have an idea about possible sources on this unit and it's activities in the UK?

Mikkel

[RSwank]

The 391st has a website and a page which mentions the 873rd several times.

https://www.391bombgroup.org.uk/53SvGpHist.php

If you search for 873 on the page you find several entries related to their duties.

For example, one entry states:

"In addition to their regular duties of handling and storing Chemical Ammunition, these men assisted the Service Group Ordnance Company and the Ordnance Sections of the Bomb Squadrons in handling and loading planes with Ordnance Ammunition."

Another series of entries for June 1944 mentions duties as follows:

2. The organization performed usual camp duties for the month of June, which consist of the following:

a. Regular inspections to determine any discrepancies in the organization

b. Storing, handling, and shipping of Chemical Ammunition.

c. Testing and handling of leaking Mustard Bombs.

d. Assisted in the loading of planes to perform missions.

[Leendert]

Mikkel,

Some newspaper clippings with Ingvardt Smitsdorff:
https://www.newspapers.com/article/t...tle/156310758/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/t...ting/83307445/
https://www.newspapers.com/article/t...ardt/43902474/

Regards, Leendert

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Thank you both. Highly appreciated, I had not realised the level of detail at the 391st BG site.

Mikkel