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398th Bomb Group

Group

  • The insignia of the 398th Bomb Group.

    The insignia of the 398th Bomb Group.

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  • Master Sergeant George Cuda of the 398th Bomb Group.

    Master Sergeant George Cuda of the 398th Bomb Group.

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  • A pathfinder B-17 Flying Fortress (N8-U, serial number 42-97975) of the 398th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: '(0398/174-1)(30 Mar 45)(8811-6 3/6

    A pathfinder B-17 Flying Fortress (N8-U, serial number 42-97975) of the 398th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: '(0398/174-1)(30 Mar 45)(8811-6 3/6 " 24600)(Bremen) (Conf).'

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  • An airman of the 398th Bomb Group at work.

    An airman of the 398th Bomb Group at work.

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  • The damaged nose of a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 398th Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Etablissement Cinématographique et Photographique des Armées (ECPA).'

    The damaged nose of a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 398th Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Etablissement Cinématographique et Photographique des Armées (ECPA).'

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  • Snowy crew tents and an army hut of the 398th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '1/45.'

    Snowy crew tents and an army hut of the 398th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '1/45.'

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  • An airman stands inside the severely-damaged nose of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8811) of the 398th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: 'A/C 44-8811, (GAD- 144-4-398)(8-4-45)(Flak Damage & Crash Landing).'

    An airman stands inside the severely-damaged nose of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8811) of the 398th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: 'A/C 44-8811, (GAD- 144-4-398)(8-4-45)(Flak Damage & Crash Landing).'

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  • The damaged tail of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8811) of the 398th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: '(GPD)-144-1-398)(8-4-45)(Tail shot away- a/c 44-8811).'

    The damaged tail of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8811) of the 398th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: '(GPD)-144-1-398)(8-4-45)(Tail shot away- a/c 44-8811).'

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  • An airman of the 398th Bomb Group with murals painted in a crew hut.

    An airman of the 398th Bomb Group with murals painted in a crew hut.

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  • A B-17 Flying Fortress (K8-S, serial number 42-97810) of the 398th Bomb Group.

    A B-17 Flying Fortress (K8-S, serial number 42-97810) of the 398th Bomb Group.

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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

  • Frank Hunter

    Military | Colonel | Command Pilot | 398th Bomb Group
    Commander, 398th Bomb Group from 1 March 1943 to 23 January 1945. Killed in Action at Heerdt in B-17 #44-8224.

  • Lewis Ensign

    Military | Lieutenant Colonel | Bomb Wing Air Commander and B-17 Pilot | 398th Bomb Group
    Commanding Officer, 398th Bomb Group, 25th January to 17th April 1945. ...

Structure

Part of
Encompassing
Previously was
Not yet known
Became
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Missions

  • 8th Air Force 250

    6 March 1944
    The industrial areas of Berlin and Genshagen, Germany are the primary targets for this mission. A combined force of 730 heavy bombers are despatched from 1st, 2nd and 3rd Air Divisions. The despatch from 3rd Air Division bombs Targets of Opportunity in...

  • 8th Air Force 262

    16 March 1944
    The two primary targets for this mission are: the industrial areas of Augsburg, Germany and Friedrichshafen, Germany. A combined force of 720 heavy bombers are despatched from 1st, 2nd and 3rd Air Divisions. The bomber gunners of the combined despatch...

  • 410

    13 June 1944

  • 484

    20 July 1944
    A rough one. Bombed an oil refinery near Leipzeig. Flak put several holes in the plane; ine in number 3 gas tank. Came back on 3 engines.

  • 8th Air Force 554

    15 August 1944
    Airfields in NW Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium are the primary targets for this mission. 8th Air Force despatches a total of 932 aircraft. The raid is coordinated with 1,000 Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers and Mosquitos attacking 9 airfields...

  • 725

    26 November 1944

Stations

Station Location Date
Based Nuthampstead 22 April 1944 – 22 June 1945

Connections

People

  • Floyd Aaron

    Military | Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) | Flight Engineer - Top Turret Gunner | 398th Bomb Group
    Missing in Action (MIA) 13 April 1945 Neugmunster, Germany. Bombs from one of our planes in the formation exploded in mid-air after release and damaged this aircraft.

  • Donald Aasen

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 398th Bomb Group
    Assigned to 601BS, 398BG, 8AF USAAF. 35 x combat missions. ETD Awards: AM (5OLC), AFCM, WWII Victory, EAME (3 x Battle Stars).

  • George Abbott

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Togglier/ Bombardier | 398th Bomb Group
    He had been a waist gunner in training to take over the Bombardier role and was in the nose. A German 88 anti aircraft shell had exploded in his lap, killing him instantly. The plane with its nose blown off and up into the windshield made it back to...

  • John Abernathy

    Military | Staff Sergeant | 398th Bomb Group
    35 missions

  • Arthur Abraham

    Military | Flight Officer | Navigator | 398th Bomb Group

  • Robert Abresch

    Military | First Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 398th Bomb Group
    Oak Leaf Cluster

  • Joseph Aceto

    Military | First Lieutenant | Navigator | 398th Bomb Group

  • Edward Adamek

    Military | Sergeant | 398th Bomb Group

  • Anthony Adams

    Military | Captain | Squadron Navigator | 398th Bomb Group
    oak leaf cluster

  • Chambers Adams

    Military | First Lieutenant | Bombardier | 398th Bomb Group
    Flew 32 missions in 77 days Distinguished Flying Cross (July 1944)

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Aircraft

  • 41-24418 'Mickey Finn' 'Special Delivery II'

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Assigned 352BS/301BG Westover 12/7/42; Chelveston 9/8/42; flew group's first mission 5/9/42; Tafaraoui 26/11/42; as MICKEY FINN 11m; transferred 32BS and renamed SPECIAL DELIVERY II total 79m; Returned to the USA Rapid City 398BG (training) 10/11/43;...

  • 42-102391

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 27/2/44; Gt Falls 2/3/44; Hunter 15/3/44; Grenier 9/4/44; Assigned 601BS/398BG [3O-B] Nuthampstead 26/4/44; (18m) Missing in Action Hamburg 18/6/44 with Willard Hadjes, Co-pilot: Homer Kuck, Navigator: Dick Howell, Bombardier: John...

  • 42-102445

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 4/3/44; Kearney 22/3/44; Dow Fd 5/4/44; Assigned 601BS/398BG [3O-R] Nuthampstead 26/4/44; (23m) Missing in Action Noball V-1 sites 8/7/44 with George Wilson (KIA – went down with ship); Tail gunner: Reg Ferguson (evaded capture); Co...

  • 42-102463

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 5/3/44; Kearney 5/4/44; Dow Fd 19/4/44; Assigned 601BS/398BG [3O-Z] Nuthampstead 28/4/44; transferred 602BS [K8-Z]; (17m) Missing in Action Toulouse 25/6/44 with John Godwin, Co-pilot: Bill Freeman, Bombardier: Ed Seward, Flight...

  • 42-102467 Agony Wagon III

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 5/3/44; Gr Island 27/3/44; Grenier 7/4/44; Assigned 600BS/398BG [N8-J] Nuthampstead 27/4/44; on training mission 4/5/44 with Lt E. Ford in mid-air collision with 42-107191, damaged left wing but returned safely; Missing in Action...

  • 42-102476

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 7/3/44; Kearney 5/4/44; Dow Fd 14/4/44; Assigned 603BS/398BG [N7-B] Nuthampstead 28/4/44; (18m) Missing in Action Munich 16/7/44 with Ray Gallagher, Co-pilot: Harry Castleman, Navigator: Bill Berry, Bombardier: Wendell Davis, Flight...

  • 42-102498 Tailend Charlie

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 9/3/44; Gr Island 29/3/44; Grenier 20/4/44; Assigned 600BS/398BG [N8-W] Nuthampstead 5/5/44; (7m) Missing in Action Dessau, Ger 30/5/44 with Tom Thompson, Ball turret gunner: Ernie Pennell, Waist gunner: Vic Frisbie (3 Killed in...

  • 42-102506 'Contrary Mary'

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 9/3/44; MacDill 28/3/44; Grenier 20/4/44; Assigned 602BS/398BG [K8-L] Nuthampstead 8/4/44; force landed continent 15/10/44 with Van Opdorp but ret. 20/11/44; Missing in Action Plauen, Ger 23/2/45 with Womeldurf, one crewman badly inj...

  • 42-102508

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 9/3/44; Gr Island 29/3/44; Grenier 6/4/44; Assigned 603BS/398BG [N7-J] Nuthampstead 24/4/44; (17m) Missing in Action Leipzig 7/7/44 with Boyd Nisewonger, Co-pilot: Max Becker, Navigator: Bill MacFerran, Bombardier: Lloyd Ebert,...

  • 42-102511

    B-17 Flying Fortress
    Delivered Cheyenne 10/3/44; Gr Island 27/3/44; Dow Fd 6/4/44; Assigned 602BS/398BG [K8-P] Nuthampstead 27/4/44; (24m) Missing in Action Lechfeld 19/7/44 with Dallas Hawkins, Co-pilot: Earl Hart, Navigator: Joe Doglio, Bombardier: John Loomis, Flight...

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Citations

None

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

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
23 November 2020 03:53:32 Von_L Changes to description, commanding officers associations and stations
Sources

398BG data updated by Von_L
Date Contributor Update
10 April 2015 08:07:42 EMBLEMHUNTER Changes to mission associations and media associations
Sources

my photo
Date Contributor Update
13 March 2015 15:18:19 rossingtonj Changes to type and mission associations
Sources

Type added.
Date Contributor Update
01 October 2014 12:32:33 President398th Changes to motto, aircraft types, commanding officers associations and mission associations
Sources

www.398th.org
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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