Official WWII 8th AAF 398th BG Historical Data
Official WWII 8th AAF 398th BG Historical Data can be obtained at the U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) located at 600 Chenault Circle, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama 36112-6424.
The AFHRA has fourteen 16mm microfilm rolls made directly from the paper documents that now reside in the U.S. National Archives in Washington, DC. Copies of the microfilm are also available for purchase from the AFHRA at $35 per roll. This information is labeled "398th Bomb Group Records" and it has existed for many years at the AFHRA. The 398th BG Memorial Association appreciates the outstanding cooperation of the AFHRA and its personnel in making this type of information and additional research services available to the 398th. There are many other WWII AAF units that receive similar assistance. Additional information about the Air Force Historical Research Agency can also be found on their web site.
The details on the AFHRA microfilm roll numbers pertaining to the 398th BG with a brief content description is as follows. Note the date format is European style. For example, 23/5/44 is day/month/year or May 23, 1944.
| Roll No. | Unit | Dates | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| BO476 | 398BG | to Aug 44 | 500 frames of 2000 |
| BO477 | 398BG | Sep 44 to 7/5/45 | BO476 and 477 about Group but not much personal material. |
| BO478 | Ukn | - | - |
| BO479 | 398BG | 23/5/44 - 6/6/44 | Detailed individual mission reports. Lots of statistics. |
| BO480 | 398BG | 6/6/44 - 21/6/44 | Detailed individual mission reports. |
| BO481 | 398BG | 21/6/44 - 8/7/44 | Detailed individual mission reports. |
| BO481-A | 398BG | 19/7/44 - 25/7/44 | Detailed individual mission reports. |
| BO482 | 398BG | 25/7/44 - 24/8/44 | Detailed individual mission reports. |
| BO483 | 398BG | 24/8/44 - 17/9/44 | Detailed individual mission reports. |
| BO483-A | 398BG | 19/9/44 - 2/10/44 | Detailed individual mission reports. |
| BO484 | 398BG | 3/10/44 - 30/12/44 | Detailed individual mission reports. |
| BO485 | 398BG | 31/12/44 - 7/3/45 | Detailed individual mission reports. |
| BO486 | 398BG | 8/3/45 - 11/4/45 | Detailed individual mission reports. |
| BO487 | 398BG | 13/4/45 - 25/4/45 | Detailed individual mission reports. |
CD - Statistical History of the 398th Bomb Group
The 398th BG Memorial Association has obtained unqualified permission from AFHRA to have the above mentioned 14 rolls of 398th BG microfilm scanned and placed on a set of two CDs. These CDs contain over 30,000 page images, including such items as awards, loading lists, mission reports, debriefings, crew narratives, etc. The CD would be generally more convenient and cost effective; however, information about the original microfilms has been provided for those wishing to pursue their research via that medium.
Note: The 398th PX used to carry the CDs of this data. Restocking is under future consideration.