Friends of the 398th Articles

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

 

Friends of Nuthampstead Airfield/English Friends of the 398th

  1. Keeping the Special Relationship in their Sights - Tracing Anglo-American relationships through the life and times of the 398th Bomber Group by Lynn Marie Alexander, Doctoral Student, University of Missouri-Kansas City, March 2009
  2. Origins of the English Friends of The 398th by Malcolm ‘Ozzie’ Osborn
  3. 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
  4. A Remembrance of George E Abbott, Togglier 601 Squadron by Wally Blackwell
  5. Bomb Group Station Headquarters by Wally Blackwell
  6. A New View of the Old Base by Wally Blackwell
  7. Keys for the Station 131 by Wally Blackwell
  8. Wilfrid's Reminiscences by Wilfrid Dimsdale
  9. The Chaplain Remembers by Chaplain James Duvall - UK Friend of the 398th
  10. Cambridge Connections by Gail Fisher - August 13, 2000
  11. Veterans Gather to Remember Nuthampstead by Gail Fisher - August 13, 2000
  12. Old Glory Flies at WW II airbase by Gail Fisher - June 12, 2004
  13. Dad piloted a B-17 for Grateful Nation by Gail Fisher - November 10, 2006
  14. A “Strange Presence” at the Old Airfield - Vic and the Ghosts of Station 131 by Vic Jenkins - UK Friend of the 398th
  15. 1977 and All That by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  16. 325th Station Complement Squadron by Malcolm ‘Ozzie’ Osborn
  17. A Famous Ceiling by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  18. A Great Day with John Driscoll's Family by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  19. A Quiet And Very Personal Pilgrimage by Malcolm ‘Ozzie’ Osborn
  20. A Sad Little Hat by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  21. A Visit With George Cuda by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  22. Hell from Heaven Men by Malcolm ‘Ozzie’ Osborn. Input requested for more info on exactly how and when the Group insignia was designed. Contact Ozzie.
  23. Madingley - Memorial Day - 28th May 2007 by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  24. Madingley - Memorial Day - 26th May 2009 by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  25. Nene Valley Harley Davidson Biker's Club at Nuthamptead - 31 May 2009 by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  26. Phoenix Reunion 2007 - Farewell Banquet Speech by Malcolm ‘Ozzie’ Osborn
  27. Station 131 Main Runway Sign Alert by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  28. The Humour was Always There – Somehow by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  29. The Sally B Comes to Meet Us - 1982 by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  30. Three Generations Return to AAF Station Once More - June 2008 by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  31. Through my Old Dad's Eyes by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  32. V2 in the Bomb Dump - 12 December 1944 contributed by Malcolm ‘Ozzie’ Osborn
  33. Muspratt, Penn Vicar, Dead at 93 by Allen Ostrom - Flak News Editor
  34. Peggy Remembers B-17 Parked On Family Farm by Allen Ostrom - Flak News Editor
  35. The Fiddler of Anstey by Allen Ostrom, Flak News Editor
  36. The Flag Still Flies At Station 131 by Allen Ostrom, Flak News Editor
  37. Vic Jenkins Passes by Allen Ostrom - Flak News Editor
  38. Who Were The Young Men Who Saluted by Allen Ostrom, Flak News Editor
  39. Two Hundred, Two Hundred Ninety Two by Tony Weston - UK Friend of the 398th
  40. 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, and the current Friends of Nuthampstead Airfield. Following are various research articles and histories produced by this earlier organization.

  1. Photographic Collection - The Vic Jenkins HALS collection by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  2. The First Days in the History of AAF Station 131 - May 1943 thru November 1943
  3. Ozzie Remembers Major Braddock of the 325th Station Complement by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  4. History of the 478th Sub-Depot - January 1944 thru April 1945 by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  5. History of the 860th Chemical Warfare Company - Air Operations - April 1942 thru April 1945 by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  6. History of the 1142nd Military Police Company (Aviation) Detachment ‘A - April 1944 thru April 1945 by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  7. History of the 1226th Quartermaster Company (Service Group) - November 1943 thru April 1945 by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn
  8. The Longest Mission by Malcolm 'Ozzie' Osborn

RAF Focus

  1. The Guinea Pig Club - by Ken Wright

Selected Images

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

Other Links

  1. Articles by Malcolm ‘Ozzie’ Osborn