398th Bomb Group
Group
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 5158 - The insignia of the 398th Bomb Group.
The 398th Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Nuthampstead, Hertfordshire on strategic bombing raids over Germany. The Group switched focus in the days before D-Day, when they targeted enemy positions on the Cherbourg peninsula. When the Allies had secured a foothold on the continent, missions became more tactical - supporting ground forces by weakening the enemy's ability to resupply their lines. After the war's end, the Group transported POWs from Germany to France.
Commanding Officers
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-019083
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 1st Combat Bomb Wing 398th Bomb Group 602nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-323131
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Bomb Wing Air Commander and Pilot
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Unit stations
| Station | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
|
Based |
Nuthampstead | 22 April 1944 - 22 June 1945 |
Encompassing
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 600th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32800393
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 600th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 398th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron 601st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34355973
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13172027
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 602nd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Bronx Bomber II
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Here's Hopin
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 600th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 602nd Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Lil 8 Ball
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron 2015th Engineer Fire Fighting Platoon
Mission
Revisions
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)
