397th Bomb Group

Group
A B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-96191) nicknamed "The Milk Run Special" of the 397th Bomb Group at Steeple Morden, 1945. Image by Alexander "Cal" Sloan. Written on slide casing: '296191, 397 BG.' media-396091.jpg FRE 7365 A B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-96191) nicknamed "The Milk Run Special" of the 397th Bomb Group at Steeple Morden, 1945. Image by Alexander "Cal" Sloan. Written on slide casing: '296191, 397 BG.'
Flown overseas by Lt. George Overbey and assigned to him in the 597th squadron. Roger Freeman Collection

Roger Freeman Photo description

Object Number - FRE 7365 - A B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-96191) nicknamed "The Milk Run Special" of the 397th Bomb Group at Steeple Morden, 1945. Image by Alexander "Cal"...

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Unit stations

Station Location Date

Based

Gosfield 5 April 1944 - 15 April 1944

Based

Rivenhall 15 April 1944 - 4 August 1944

Based

Hurn 4 August 1944 - 30 August 1944

Based

Gorges 30 August 1944 - 11 September 1944

Based

Dreux 11 September 1944 - 6 October 1944

Based

Péronne 6 October 1944 - 25 April 1945

Based

Venlo 25 April 1945

Encompassing

People

William D Collins

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-693635
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-pilot

William Parker Cook

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 599th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-749470
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Frederick C Cook

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 598th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13050429 / O-743568
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Arthur E Coyne

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 598th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15170012 / O-741241
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Douglas H Cramer

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 598th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-741482
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

42-96142

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Dee Feater
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron

42-96143

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron

42-96144

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Bank Nite Betty
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron

42-96148

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Uncle Bills Flak House
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron

42-96152

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Missouri Mule II
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron

Mission

Revisions

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Stations added with details from:
- "Battle Colors Volume III - Insignia and Tactical Markings of the Ninth Air Force in World War Two' by Robert A. Watkins;

Date
Contributorrossingtonj
Changes
Sources

Associated with Gosfield.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / 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)

397th Bomb Group: Gallery (85 items)

An airman of the 397th Bomb Group with a B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-96142) nicknamed "Dee Feater". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Dee Feater, 42-96142. 397BG, 596BS.'

Object number: FRE 9617 - An airman of the 397th Bomb Group with a B-26...

A B-26 Marauder ('U2', serial number 42-96193) of the 598th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group in flight. Handwritten caption on reverse: '397BG, 598BS, 42-96163.'

Object number: FRE 9619 - A B-26 Marauder ('U2', serial number 42-96163) of...

A formation of 397th Bomb Group B-26 Marauders from above over the English Channel on their way to raid France. Handwritten caption on reverse: '397BG. 596BS - X2, 598BS - U2. On way to France - 397BG, 9AF. Credit USAAF.'

Object number: FRE 9627 - A formation of 397th Bomb Group B-26 Marauders...

A formation of 397th Bomb Group B-26 Marauders flies over part of the invasion armada in the English Channel on D-Day. Handwritten caption on reverse: '397BG, 6/6/44.'

Object number: FRE 9628 - A formation of 397th Bomb Group B-26 Marauders...

A bomber crew of the 387th Bomb Group point to the nose art of a B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Mammy Yokum II". Handwritten caption on reverse: '387BG.'

Object number: FRE 9629 - A bomber crew of the 397th Bomb Group point to the...

The burning wreck of a B-26 Marauder (X2-V, serial number 42-96093) of the 596th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group at Rivenhall, 28 July 1944. Offical caption on image: '(GAD-18-397-2)(28 July 44)(452-96093-B-26 B55).' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-26B; 42-96093 (X2-V); 596BS/397BG, Rivenhall 28/7/44; (Image) Col. James Snow via K. Fisher.'

Object number: FRE 9630 - The burning wreck of a B-26 Marauder (X2-V, serial...

The operations board of the 397th Bomb Group, based at Rivenhall airfield, is updated by a crewman. The board shows the last three numbers of the squadrons' aircraft's serial numbers. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Operation Board, 397 BG; Last three serial; Rivenhall; (Image) Col. James Snow via K. Fisher.'

Object number: FRE 9631 - The operations board of the 397th Bomb Group...

An aerial photograph of the 397th Bomb Group's home at Rivenhall airfield. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Rivenhall; Airfield; 397BG; Note B-24 minus tail; (Image) Col. James Snow, via K. Fisher.'

Object number: FRE 9632 - An aerial photograph of the 397th Bomb Group's...

A line of B-26 Marauders of the 397th Bomb Group taxiing on Rivenhall airfield readying to take off. Handwritten caption on reverse: '397BG, B-26B; Taxi out; Rivenhall; (Image) Col. James R. Snow via K. Fisher.'

Object number: FRE 9633 - A line of B-26 Marauders of the 397th Bomb Group...

A B-26 Marauder (U2-J, serial number 42-96158) of the 598th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '397BG, 598BS.'

Object number: FRE 9634 - A B-26 Marauder (U2-J, serial number 42-96158)...

Lieutenant M.B. Gleis, pilot of the 597th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group, leans on a propeller of his B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-96125). He would be promoted to Captain after this photograph was taken. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-26B-55-MA; 42-96125; 597BS/397BG; Capt. M.B. Gleis a/c; (Image) Col. James M. Snow.'

Object number: FRE 9635 - Lieutenant M.B. Gleis, pilot of the 597th Bomb...

The remains of a 599th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb Group B-26 Marauder (6B-H, serial number 42-96078) that crashed on the 17 June 1944. Official caption on image: "(GAD-9-397-1) (17 June 44) (42-96078 - B-26B-55) Restricted." Handwritten caption on reverse: '397BG, 599BS.'

Object number: FRE 9636 - The remains of a 599th Bomb Squadron, 397th Bomb...