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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 uFWHaO/UWPphPEI/EPcnDQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001198272-05-000085.txt : 20050906
<SEC-HEADER>0001198272-05-000085.hdr.sgml : 20050905
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050906141527
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001198272-05-000085
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050831
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050906
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050906

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KUENSTNER DEBORAH F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001198300

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-05133
		FILM NUMBER:		051069953

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PUTNAM LLC
		STREET 2:		ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE L5
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02109
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-08-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001198300</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KUENSTNER DEBORAH F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O PUTNAM LLC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE POST OFFICE SQUARE L5</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02109</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>former Officer at Putnam</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Deborah F. Kuenstner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-09-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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