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388th Bomb Group

Group

  • The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.

    The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.

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  • Second Lieutenant James E. Zengerle and Second Lieutenant Albert B. Millin of the 388th Bomb Group, talks about their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30793) nicknamed

    Second Lieutenant James E. Zengerle and Second Lieutenant Albert B. Millin of the 388th Bomb Group, talks about their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30793) nicknamed "Tom Paine" to Professor Frank Dobie. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Oct 1943. [stamp] and '289761.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN SERVICEMEN'S TRIBUTE TO TOM PAINE. Associated Press Photo Shows: Left to right: 2nd Lt James E Zengerle, Pilot of the Flying Fortress "Tom Paine" which bears the author's famous words, "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered"; Professor Frank Dobie, Professor of American History at Cambridge University and 2nd Lt Albert B Millin, of Brookville, PA, co-pilot.'

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  • Lieutenant-Colonel Robert B Satterwhite of the 388th Bomb Group presents a plaque of behalf of the United States Eighth Air Force to the Mayor of Thetford, HR Watling, historian Professor Frank Dobie and Sir William Gentle to commemorate Thomas Paine. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.' [stamp] and '289762.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN SERVICEMEN'S TRIBUTE TO TOM PAINE. A Plaque in memory of Thomas Paine, one of the founders of American independence and author of

    Lieutenant-Colonel Robert B Satterwhite of the 388th Bomb Group presents a plaque of behalf of the United States Eighth Air Force to the Mayor of Thetford, HR Watling, historian Professor Frank Dobie and Sir William Gentle to commemorate Thomas Paine. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.' [stamp] and '289762.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN SERVICEMEN'S TRIBUTE TO TOM PAINE. A Plaque in memory of Thomas Paine, one of the founders of American independence and author of "The Rights of Man" was unveiled recently at his birthplace at Thetford. The plaque was purchased by American Servicemen in this country some of whom, fighting men of the 8th Air Force, have named a Flying Fortress in his honour. Associated Press Photo shows: Left to Right: The Mayor of Thetford, MR HW Watling, JP (Receiving the plaque); Professor Frank Dobie, professor of American History at Cambridge University and an authority of Thomas Paine; Alderman Sir William Gentle, of Thetford Council and Lt Col Robert B Satterwhite, of Sebring, Florida, who presented the plaque on behalf on the US 8th Air Force Group.'

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  • Personnel of the 388th Bomb Group walk past a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30625) nicknamed

    Personnel of the 388th Bomb Group walk past a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30625) nicknamed "Joho's Jokers", on their return to base after a mission. Image stamped on reverse: 'News Chronicle.' [stamp], 'Tapsell.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 4 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291415.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Back from the 1,000 [a censor has amended this to say 'Largest'] plane US day raid on Germany. Some of the air crews leaving the aerodrome with a Flying Fortress in the background.'

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  • Ground personnel of the 452nd Bomb Group attend to the wreck of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-107134) nicknamed

    Ground personnel of the 452nd Bomb Group attend to the wreck of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-107134) nicknamed "Round Trip" of the 388th Bomb Group, destroyed by German dive bombers. Image via William C Gaither. Letter from Gaither enclosed with print: ‘These photographers were taken at Poltava, Russia on June 22 1944. On June 21st my group, the 452d and others flew from England to Poltava en route hitting oil refinery at Rhurland, Germany. That night after landing German dive bombers bombed the field destroying ninety or more B-17 aircraft. Our P-51 fighter escort which has landed at another field were denied permission to take off and intercept the German attack planes. My crew and I were assigned to the 730Sq. My aircraft “Borrowed Time”. Was hit by an ME-109 over Yugoslavia. No 4 engine was knocked out and feathered, a hole was put in horizontal tail and hydraulic system damaged. Without brakes I ground looped on landing to stop the ship. There it remained isolated from the other ships which were destroyed that night. PHOTO NO 6: Destroyed aircraft. The Germans directed their attack at the B-17s and not at the crew’s bivouac area. Only later did we learn that we were also a target- butterfly bombs were found in the tent area. Young Russians were used to search and destroy these bombs.’

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  • B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 96th Bomb Group fly in formation with a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 388th Bomb Group during a mission.

    B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 96th Bomb Group fly in formation with a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 388th Bomb Group during a mission.

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  • A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-6587) of the 388th Bomb Group flies in formation with other Fortresses during a mission.

    A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-6587) of the 388th Bomb Group flies in formation with other Fortresses during a mission.

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  • A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97210) nicknamed

    A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97210) nicknamed "Jamaica Ginger" of the 388th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Jamaica Ginger, 563 BS, 388'.

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  • A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5905) nicknamed

    A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5905) nicknamed "Just AG" of the 388th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '561 BS, "Just AG".'

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  • A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8850) of the 388th Bomb Group.

    A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8850) of the 388th Bomb Group.

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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

  • Chester Cox

    Military | Brigadier General | Group Commanding Officer | 388th Bomb Group
    Retired from the USAF with the rank of Brigadier General

  • William David

    Military | Colonel | Commanding Officer | 388th Bomb Group
    AM w/ 3 Oak Leaf Cluster/ DFC w/ 2 Oak Leaf Cluster/ PH w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster/ Silver Star

Structure

Part of
Encompassing
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Previously was
Not yet known
Became
Not yet known

Missions

  • VIII Bomber Command 74

    17 July 1943
    The railroad industry at Hannover, Germany and the aircraft industry at Hamburg, Germany were the intended targets for this mission but weather caused the mission to be cancelled. The element sent to Hannover was a combined force of 207 B-17s from:...

  • VIII Bomber Command 75

    24 July 1943
    Three targets in Norway are the primary targets for this first mission flown by 8th AIr Force to Norway. They are the nitrate works at Heroya and the port areas at Trondheim and Bergen. The first element is a combined force of 180 B-17s from: 91BG (22)...

  • VIII Bomber Command 76

    25 July 1943
    This mission was composed of three elements. The primary targets were the diesel engine works at Hamburg, Germany; the shipyards at Kiel, Germany and the aircraft industries at Warnemude, Germany, but weather frustrated the effort. The first element...

  • VIII Bomber Command 77

    26 July 1943
    The German rubber industry at Hannover, Germany and the U-Boat shipyards at Hamburg, Germany are the primary focus of this mission. In addition, a German ship convoy and targets of opportunity at Wilhelmshaven and Wesermunde are bombed. The first...

  • VIII Bomber Command 78

    28 July 1943
    The German aircraft industry at Kassel (Fieseler works) and Oscherleben, Germany are the primary targets of this mission. 182 B-17s from: 91BG (20); 92BG (17); 303BG (20); 305BG (21); 306BG (24); 351BG (21); 379BG (19); 381BG (20); and 384BG (20) are...

  • VIII Bomber Command 79

    29 July 1943
    The primary targets for this mission are the port facilities at Kiel, Germany and the Heinkel aircraft factories at Warnemunde, Germany. A combined force of 168 B-17s from: 91BG (18); 92BG (14 these included 1 Y-B40 gunship); 305BG (19); 306BG (18);...

  • VIII Bomber Command 80

    30 July 1943
    The aircraft factories at Kassel, Germany are the primary targets for this mission. The mission is flown by two elements of B-17s which attack 15 minutes apart. The firts element is a combined force of 119 B-17s from: 91BG (20); 303BG (23); 351BG (21);...

  • VIII Bomber Command 81

    12 August 1943
    This mission is separated into two elements. The first element is a combined force of 183 B-17s from 1st Bomb Division: 91BG (22); 92BG (19); 303BG (20); 305BG (20); 306BG (20); 351BG (21); 379BG (21); 381BG (20); and 384BG (20) are dispatched to bomb...

  • VIII Bomber Command 82

    15 August 1943
    German airfields in Holland and France are the targets for this mission. All of the attacks were made late in the afternoon just prior to sunset. The mission is composed of two elements. The first element is a combined force of 180 B-17s from: 91BG (20...

  • VIII Bomber Command 83

    16 August 1943
    This mission consists of two elements of B-17s despatched to bomb the German airfields of Le Bourget (Paris), Poix and Abbeville, France. The first element is a combined force of 180 B-17s from: 91BG (21); 92BG (17); 303BG (20); 305BG (20); 306BG (20);...

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Stations

Station Location Date
Based Knettishall 23 June 1943 – 5 August 1945
Detachments sent to Fersfield to conduct Aphrodite missions. Fersfield 12 July 1944

Connections

People

  • Robert Abar

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 388th Bomb Group
    Shot down 8 May 1944 in B-17 #42-107061 'Peg Of My Heart', Prisoner of War (POW). POW

  • John Abernathy

    Military | Technical Sergeant | Engineer | 388th Bomb Group

  • Fred Abigt

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Photographer | 388th Bomb Group
    Fred Abigt was aboard B-17 #44-8302 as a photographer when it crashed on 9 November 1944 near Hern, Germany. He was taken as a Prisoner of War (POW). He was a Corporal at the time of his capture but by the end of the war he held the higher rank of...

  • Carlyle Abrahamson

    Military | Corporal | 100th Bomb Group

  • Irving Abramowitz

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Pilot | 388th Bomb Group
    Shot down 9 April 1944 in B-17 #42-31137 'Classy Chassy'. Landed in Sweden. Interned.

  • Robert Abrams

    Military | Sergeant | Medic | 388th Bomb Group

  • Joseph Achlageck

    Military | 388th Bomb Group

  • Manuel Ackerman

    Military | Ball Turret Gunner | 388th Bomb Group

  • Coyle Acuff

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner | 388th Bomb Group
    Prisoner of War (POW) - shot down by flak and crashed near Paris on 6/27/44 in B-24 #41-29496 POW

  • Bert Adair

    Military | Corporal | Clerk | 388th Bomb Group

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Aircraft

  • 42-102433 Headache for Hitler

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 3/3/44; Gr Island 22/3/44; Grenier 6/4/44; Assigned 562BS/388BG Knettishall 7/4/44; damaged over Kiel 22/5/44 with O’Brien, rest unknown (8 Returned to Duty); Co-pilot: Harold Buck, Radio Operator: Foster Carlson (2KIA- in crash);...

  • 42-102434 Heaven's Above/Panhandle Kid

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 3/3/44; Dorval (Montreal) 10/3/44; Assigned RAF [HB783]; transferred USAAF 26/3/44; Assigned 561BS/388BG [L] Knettishall 22/3/44; battle damaged Merseburg 28/9/44 with Elroy Gierach, Co-pilot: Percy Mead, Navigator: Harry Hobbs,...

  • 42-102435 Double Wallop

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 3/3/44; Dorval 10/3/44; Assigned RAF [HB784]; transferred USAAF 31/3/44; Assigned 562BS/388BG [B] Knettishall 1/7/44; Missing in Action Munich 31/7/44 with Jim Crider, Co-pilot: Fred Gordon, (no Nav), Bombardier: Bill Stewart, Flight...

  • 42-102485 Bare Essentials

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 8/3/44; Gr Island 2/4/44; Dow Fd 28/4/44; Assigned 562BS/388BG Knettishall 12/5/44; Missing in Action Dessau 28/5/44 with Art Codding, Co-pilot: Roger Withers, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bob Berg, Radio Operator: Clyde Waite,...

  • 42-102488

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 8/3/44; Kearney 29/3/44; Dow Fd 6/4/44; Assigned 561BS/388BG Knettishall; with Irving Sainsbury, Co-pilot: John Mehner, Navigator: George Scanlon, Bombardier: Gerald Frost, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Harry Bradick, Radio...

  • 42-102559

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 14/3/44; Gr Island 1/4/44; Grenier 6/4/44; Assigned 561BS/388BG Knettishall 8/4/44 STAR DUST; battle damaged Berlin 26/2/45 with ?; force landed Thionville A/fd, Fr; Salvaged 9/3/45. MY TRUE LOVE.

  • 42-102589

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 17/3/44; Gr Island 6/4/44; Dow Fd 28/4/44; Assigned 561BS/388BG Knettishall 30/4/44; On a local flight 9/7/44 with Doug McArthur, Co-pilot: Stamos Zades, Navigator: George Mille, Bombardier: Chas Meyer, Flight engineer/top turret...

  • 42-102696 'Midge'

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 26/3/44; Hunter 16/4/44; Dow Fd 2/5/44; Assigned 560BS/388BG Knettishall 8/5/44; used on Aphrodite training project; Returned to the USA Bradley 3/7/45; 4168 Base Unit, South Plains, Texas 18/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation ...

  • 42-102946

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 21/4/44; Kearney 2/5/44; Grenier 21/5/44; Assigned 562BS/388BG Knettishall 23/5/44; Missing in Action Krzesinki 29/5/44 with Ray Callahan, Co-pilot: Gene Kivett, Navigator: Jim Russell, Bombardier: John Gerson, Flight engineer/top...

  • 42-102953 Sky Ann

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 22/4/44; Kearney 2/5/44; Grenier 13/5/44; Assigned 563BS/388BG [P] Knettishall 16/5/44; Missing in Action Magdeburg 28/9/44 with Bernard Lord, Co-pilot: Don Trachsel, Navigator: Irving Podolska, Bombardier: Walter Norwicki, Flight...

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Citations

Distinguished Unit Citation - 17 August 1943
Distinguished Unit Citation - 26 June 1943
Distinguished Unit Citation - 12 May 1944
Distinguished Unit Citation - 21 June 1944

Air Force
8th
Type
Combat
Type category
Bombardment
Nicknames
Not yet known
Motto
Not yet known
Insignia
Fortress For Freedom
Aircraft used
  • B-17 Flying Fortress

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
06 March 2021 08:35:35 GuyAllanFarrin@me.com Changes to media associations
Sources

Beau Béte: The true story of a Royal Marine sniper assigned to Ian Fleming's WWII intelligence unit. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08R7XYHXW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_60BCBKV1N...
Date Contributor Update
30 December 2017 02:29:49 466thHistorian Changes to citations and commanding officers associations
Sources

https://www.8thafhs.org/bomber/388bg.htm
Date Contributor Update
30 December 2017 02:25:17 466thHistorian Changes to commanding officers associations
Sources

388th BG History
Date Contributor Update
31 March 2015 10:12:35 rossingtonj Changes to mission associations and stations
Sources

Associated Fersfield.
Date Contributor Update
18 February 2015 19:36:38 Mustang69 Changes to type, insignia and mission associations
Sources

I am the curator of the 388th Collection
Date Contributor Update
26 November 2014 14:54:55 rlhengg Changes to unit part of associations and mission associations
Sources

388th Bomb Group Historian
Date Contributor Update
12 October 2014 21:09:53 Rebecca Barton Lutz Changes to aircraft types and mission associations
Sources

Daughter
Date Contributor Update
27 September 2014 18:42:45 AAM AAM ingest
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)

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