388th Bomb Group

Group
The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group. media-395085.jpg FRE 5142 The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5142 - The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.

The 388th Bomb Group flew strategic bombing mission from Knettishall, Suffolk from June 1943 to the end of the war. During this time, though, detachments were sent to Fersfield, Norfolk to conduct Aphrodite missions. In these Aphrodite missions veteran B-24 bombers were filled with explosives and radio-controlled from another aircraft to crash-land on a specific target.

Commanding Officers

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group Headquarters (388th Bomb Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-396383
  • Highest Rank: Brigadier General
  • Role/Job: Group Commanding Officer
Colonel WB David of the 388th Bomb Group stands beneath a B-17 Flying Fortress. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Col WB David, Co 388BG.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Commanding Officer

Connections

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Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Knettishall 23 June 1943 - 5 August 1945

Other

Detachments sent to Fersfield to conduct Aphrodite missions.

Fersfield 12 July 1944

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6147823
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Quarterback
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed ""Li'l" One" of the 562nd Bomb Squadron, 388th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '388.' Printed caption on reverse: 'B-61555 AC - The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Li'L One" at an airbase in England, 19 September 1943. 562nd Bomb Sqdn., 388th Bomb Gp. U.S. Air Force Photo.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lil One
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30214) nicknamed "Iza Angel" of the 388th Bomb Group in flight, 14 September 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '14/9/43 C. 384. B-17. 230214 'Iza Angel' 388BG.' On reverse: Stewart P. Evans [Stamp].
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Iza Angel II
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 802nd Reconnaissance Group (SP) 560th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources
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Contributor466thHistorian
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Contributor466thHistorian
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388th BG History

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Contributorrossingtonj
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Associated Fersfield.

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ContributorMustang69
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I am the curator of the 388th Collection

Date
Contributorrlhengg
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388th Bomb Group Historian

Date
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Daughter

Date
ContributorAAM
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Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / The Mighty Eighth. A History of the Units, Men and Machines of the US 8th Air Force.' by Roger A. Freeman (1989). 'Air Force Combat Units of World War II' compiled by the Department of the US Air Force, edited by Maurice Maurer (1983). / Units in the UK from ETOUSA Station List, as transcribed by Lt. Col. Philip Grinton (US Army, Retired) and extracted by IWM; air division data from L.D. Underwood, based on the 8th Air Force Strength Report of 6th August 1944, as published in 'The 8th Air Force Yearbook' by Lt. Col. John H Woolnough (1980)

388th Bomb Group: Gallery (426 items)