Front Row (viewer's left to right):

  1. Captain Jean B. Miller, Assistant Group Operations, with hand in pocket
  2. Colonel Frank P. Hunter, 398th CO, with flying boots
  3. General William Gross, 1st Bombardment CO, speaking with Colonel Hunter
  4. Colonel Earl J. Berryhill, 398th Group Excecutive Officer, with sunglasses

It is thought that most of the men to the left are ground crew members.

 

From a Harold Brown letter and telephone conversation about the 398th's first Mission and also a Keith Anderson discussion:

"The photo was taken on 6th May 1944. We were running late, almost an hour, due to transport and armament loading problems. A "stand down" was discussed but we did get off, and by going directly to the departure point we got into the bomber stream, only to find the target obscured! Brought the bombs home... not our finest day. I do know that Colonel Hunter was upset, but blamed himself more than others for any problems..... he was heard to say to General Gross who had arrived on the scene with some Operations people from the 91st...... "relieve me of my post"."

See also:

  1. Gross, Hunter, Miller, Gray, Strickrott, and Brown - 398th First Mission - 6 May 1944
  2. 398th Mission: 6 May 1944 - Sottevast

Comments:

  1. 398th Mission No. 1 Sottevast, France 6 May 1944
  2. Aircraft in photo: unknown, only propeller is in view
  3. Photo Date: 6 May 1944. While the photo is labeled 7-5-44 First Mission (7 May 1944), extensive research and input from Harold L. Brown, 398th Group Navigator at the time indicates that 7 May 1944 was the date the photo was processed. The 398th's first mission was 6 May 1944 to Sottevast. Keith Anderson who flew on the 6 May mission indicates that the above event took place after their return and after the pilots went to briefing.
  4. Photo Location: Nuthampstead
  5. Photo Reference No. 398th First Mission 01
  6. Colonel Hunter flew on the 398th's first mission to Sottevast, France on 6 May. However, the 398th did not drop their bombs due to bad weather, as clouds obstructed the target.
  7. Information compiled by UK Friends of the 398th with thanks to Keith Anderson, Lee Bradley, Harold Brown, Ruthanna Doerstler, Dave Jordan, Allen Ostrom, Bruce Peirce, and Geoff Rice
  8. If you would like to add information about this photograph, or can identify any of the additional men, please contact our Crew Photos Coordinator. Please mention the title and photograph date.