398th Bomb Group
Memorial
Association


UK Friends of the 398th Articles Index

From the very beginning, the 398th Bomb Group’s WWII presence and activities at 8th AF Station 131 were blessed with English “friends.” They were the local folks that lived in and about the little English hamlet called Nuthampstead. Indeed, the 398th’s operational air base land area included the village itself and all its inhabitants. Looking back on it now, it is very evident, that all in all, we were good neighbors. And many of them still “remember”- especially the good times. Years after, when “the veterans” (that is what the English friends call us) began returning in ones and twos, and then later in organized tours groups, there was much of this neighborly living together to be discussed, war time memories to be shared and good friendship to be truly enjoyed. It is really unbelievable that so much of the actions and events of the one-year 398th stay in Nuthampstead is still so vividly remembered. This section of the 398th web page is respectfully reserved for stories and contributions from and about those we cherish, and respectfully call our English friends.

Wally Blackwell
President 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association

398th Focus

  1. Origins of the English Friends of The 398th by Malcolm ‘Ozzie’ Osborn
  2. Airmen They'll Never Forget, September 9, 1982 article in The Herts and Essex Oberver on the construction of the 398th Memorial near the old Airfield
  3. A Remembrance of George E Abbott, Togglier 601 Squadron by Wally Blackwell
  4. Bomb Group Station Headquarters by Wally Blackwell
  5. A New View of the Old Base by Wally Blackwell
  6. Keys for the Station 131 by Wally Blackwell
  7. Wilfrid's Reminiscences by Wilfrid Dimsdale
  8. The Chaplain Remembers by Chaplain James Duvall - UK Friend of the 398th
  9. Cambridge Connections by Gail Fisher - August 13, 2000
  10. Veterans Gather to Remember Nuthampstead by Gail Fisher - August 13, 2000
  11. Old Glory Flies at WW II airbase by Gail Fisher - June 12, 2004
  12. Dad piloted a B-17 for Grateful Nation by Gail Fisher - November 10, 2006
  13. A “Strange Presence” at the Old Airfield - Vic and the Ghosts of Station 131 by Vic Jenkins - UK Friend of the 398th
  14. 1977 and All That by Malcolm "Ozzie" Osborn
  15. A Great Day with John Driscoll's Family by Malcolm "Ozzie" Osborn
  16. A Sad Little Hat by Malcolm "Ozzie" Osborn
  17. A Visit With George Cuda by Malcolm "Ozzie" Osborn
  18. Station 131 Main Runway Sign Alert by Malcolm "Ozzie" Osborn
  19. The Humour was Always There – Somehow by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  20. The Sally B Comes to Meet Us - 1982 by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  21. Three Generations Return to AAF Station Once More - June 2008 by Malcolm "Ozzie" Osborn
  22. Through my Old Dad's Eyes by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  23. Madingley - Memorial Day - 28th May 2007 by Malcolm "Ozzie" Osborn
  24. Muspratt, Penn Vicar, Dead at 93 by Allen Ostrom - Flak News Editor
  25. Peggy Remembers B-17 Parked On Family Farm by Allen Ostrom - Flak News Editor
  26. Phoenix Reunion 2007 - Farewell Banquet Speech by Malcolm ‘Ozzie’ Osborn
  27. The Fiddler of Anstey by Allen Ostrom, Flak News Editor
  28. Vic Jenkins Passes by Allen Ostrom - Flak News Editor
  29. Who Were The Young Men Who Saluted by Allen Ostrom, Flak News Editor
  30. Two Hundred, Two Hundred Ninety Two by Tony Weston - UK Friend of the 398th
  31. V2 in the Bomb Dump - 12 December 1944 contributed by Malcolm ‘Ozzie’ Osborn
  32. V1's and V2's at Dassels by Digger Webb - UK Friend of the 398th

Nuthampstead Airfield Research Society
Founded in the early 1970s by Victor Jenkins and Malcolm "Ozzie" Osborn, this organization was the predecessor organization to the English Friends of the 398th, later the UK Friends of the 398th. Following are various research articles and histories produced by this organization.

RAF Focus

Selected Photos from the Malcolm Osborn Collection (note the location of these items may be moved or integrated in other locations at a future time)

  1. Bomb Group Station Headquarters by Wally Blackwell
  2. 398th B-17's Going to War by Wally Blackwell
  3. The 398th's Vultee Vengeance by Wally Blackwell

Note: Articles, Diaries, Pictures, Stories, Tables and other information have been placed on the 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association web site to share our history with a wider audience. You may view, download, print, copy and link to our content as you wish as long as the uses are personal or educational. 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association web page content cannot be used for commercial purposes nor placed on other web sites whether commercial, personal or educational, unless authorized in writing by the 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association Official Board and/or the author.