398th Experiences

Training

Before leaving for Nuthampstead, England in 1944-45, crews needed to be trained. The training generally took place in the USA, though there was also some follow-on training in England. There was training for pilots, navigators, bombardiers, engineers, gunners, mechanics, officers, and logistical support. As follows is information about the training and preparation.

Air Cadet Pilot Training Phases
  1. Pre-Flight
  2. Primary Training on the PT-19A or equivalent
  3. Basic Training on the BT-13A or equivalent
  4. Advanced Training on the Twin Engine
Air Cadet Training Locations (partial list)
  • California
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • Texas
    • Pre-Flight Training: San Antonio
    • Primary: Gibbs Field, Fort Stockton, Texas
    • Basic Training: Goodfellow Field, San Angelo, Texas
    • Advanced Training: Lubbock Army Air Field, Lubbock, Texas
  • Other locations to be added as they become known.
Gunnery Schools Locations (partial list)
  • Indian Springs Gunnery School in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Other locations to be added as they become known.
B-17 Training
  • Rapid City: The Initial crews began training in Rapid City in June 1943. Here they spent about a year, adding crews, growing in size, practicing formation flying and making simulated bombardment runs. In April 1944 they began the journey to their new base in England.
  • Later many other AAB bases provided the B-17 training. After training, crews were assigned to the various 8th Air Force bomb groups as needed. A partial list where various 398th crews trained is as follows:
    • Alexandria AAB, Louisiana
    • Avon Park AAB, Florida
    • Dalhart AAB, Texas
    • Gulfport AAB, Mississippi
    • Kansas City AAB, Kansas
    • McDill AAB, Florida
    • Rapid City AAB, South Dakota
    • Tampa AAB, Florida
    • Topeka, Kansas
  • Crew photos were taken during B-17 Training. A listed of some of the Training photos can me found at our 398th Training Photos Collection.

The following 398th web site articles include information about Training Activities. Note that in some cases the information may be just a few sentences within a story. However, even though just a few sentences or paragraphs, the reader will begin to get a feel for various training activities. Arranged alphabetically by author.

  1. Walter E. Boland: My Personal History by Walter E. Boland (includes experiences at the Indian Springs Gunnery School in Las Vegas, Nevada)
  2. My 398th Career by Bob Bowen (describes pilot training at Nuthampstead).
  3. Why I Should have been Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by Lew Burke, Co-Pilot, 603rd
  4. A Night to Remember by Tom Dougherty (includes training experiences in New Mexico)
  5. Donald Dunn, 398th Tail Gunner/Spot Jammer - 603rd Squadron Video Interview Transcription
  6. Bebe - Boeing B-17 # 43-37982 N7-K by Dallas Ebest, Ground Crew, 603rd Squadron
  7. Dick Frazier, 398th Pilot - 602nd Squadron Video Interview Transcription
  8. T/Sgt. Armand Fugge's Diary for April 27 to May 5, 1944
  9. George Graham, 398th Radio Operator - 600th Squadron Video Interview Transcription
  10. S/Sgt. Ken Green's Diary for July 26 to September 2, 1944 (short entry on the Wash)
  11. S/Sgt. James Holloway's Diary Introduction
  12. Phil Jones WWII Recollections by Phillip H. Jones, Tail Gunner
  13. Lt. Edward C.Jordan - The War Years by Dave Jordan (see Army Air Corp Flight Training Chapter)
  14. S/Sgt. Chilton J. Jorgenson's Dary for April 24 to May 5, 1944
  15. Arthur Laughlin, 398th Pilot - 601st Squadron Video Interview Transcription
  16. Alles ist kaputt! The end of Hitler's war - Interview with Harry Mazer 398th, 602nd Squadron, Waist Gunner by Patrick Timothy Mullikin
  17. 2nd Lt. Charles J. Mellis, Jr. - Co-Pilot, 603rd Squadron Many instances of practice flight in England while not flying combat missions.
  18. Hamilton Mero, 398th Pilot - 600th Squadron Video Interview Transcription
  19. A Brief Visit Home by Jack Olson, a story about Jack's cadet training and a the day he buzzed the family farm in a B-24. Note the story is a downloadable pdf file. Jack Olsen was not in the 398th but is the creator of the 398th's famous Clearing and Colder painting. His experiences during training are similar to those experienced by many in the 398th and thus is included here.
  20. The Extra Mission by Joe K. Mansell (describes his early training)
  21. Wartime Experiences - June 6, 1944 D-Day by Paul Roderick (link is to a training experience in Rapid City)
  22. Paul Roderick, 398th Pilot - 602nd Squadron Video Interview Transcription
  23. Philip Stahlman, 398th Pilot - 601st Squadron Video Interview Transcription
  24. Thirty Four to Go by Ernest H. Walthall (several paragraphs describe pilot training, count down 13 paragraphs)
  25. The Tallest Gunner in the Air Force by Ralph F. Will, Flight Engineer