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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 M6AQ0VRijDCRBQzIRoM2yk2LT5+3mJQ2/BmaH6Vwq2aGHnpbkFnZrtpdGCI+4+pT
 NYUAxp5LHtZEK8JW50velg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001198272-04-000080.txt : 20041019
<SEC-HEADER>0001198272-04-000080.hdr.sgml : 20041019
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041019140838
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001198272-04-000080
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041014
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041019
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041019

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Drucker Myra R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001304322

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-05133
		FILM NUMBER:		041084936

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		617-292-1000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PUTNAM INVESTMENTS
		STREET 2:		ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02109

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PUTNAM HIGH INCOME BOND FUND
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000810943
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000]
		IRS NUMBER:				046562068
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0831

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE POST OFFICE SQ
		STREET 2:		MAILSTOP A 14
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02109
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8002251581

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PUTNAM LLC
		STREET 2:		ONE POST OFFICE SQ
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02109

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PUTNAM HIGH BOND FUND
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	20021107

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	PUTNAM HIGH INCOME CONVERTIBLE & BOND FUND
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-14</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000810943</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PUTNAM HIGH INCOME BOND FUND</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>pcf</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001304322</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Drucker Myra R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>PUTNAM INVESTMENTS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02109</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Closed-End Fund</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>100</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Myra R. Drucker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>myraconfirm.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONFIRMING STATEMENT
<TEXT>


Confirming Statement

As Reporting Person pursuant to Section 30(h) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, of each of the Putnam Closed-End Funds
(Issuer) of Putnam Investment Management, LLC and/or Putnam, LLC, the
Issuer's Investment Adviser and Indirect Parent Holding Company,
respectively, I hereby authorize and designate each and every Managing
Director, Senior Vice President and Vice President in the Legal and
Compliance Department of Putnam Investment Management, LLC to file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission Exchange Act Forms 3, 4 or 5 on
my behalf until further notice in electronic format pursuant to Rule
101(b)(4) of Regulation S-T.

- ---------------------------

/s/  Myra R. Drucker



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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