398th Bomb Group Statistical Reports

From the beginning of combat missions in May 1944 until January 1945, the 398th Bomb Group staff prepared monthly Statistical Reports.

A list of the Reports is as follows:

  1. Statistical Report: 6 May 1944 to 5 June 1944
  2. Statistical Report: 6 June 1944 to 30 June 1944
  3. Statistical Report: 1 July 1944 to 31 July 1944
  4. Statistical Report: 1 August 1944 to 31 August 1944
  5. Statistical Report: 1 September 1944 to 30 September 1944
  6. Statistical Report: 1 October 1944 to 30 October 1944
  7. Statistical Report: 1 November 1944 to 30 November 1944
  8. Statistical Report: 1 December 1944 to 31 December 1944
  9. Statistical Report: 1 January 1945 to 31 January 1945

These reports contain a wealth of data about the 398th Bomb Group, including:

  1. Strength Report
  2. Medical Status Report
  3. Personnel Missing and Killed in Action
  4. Analysis of Mission including names of Group Leader
  5. Bombing Results
  6. Enemy Fighter Kills
  7. Bomb Expenditures
  8. Operational Statistics
  9. Aircraft hours
  10. Training
  11. Lists of Crews at Close of Report and number of mission for individuals
Lists of Crews

Item 11 above provides valuable information about crew makeup. However, it should be noted that these are “official” end of month crew lists that a crew member was assigned to. Throughout the month, a crew member probably flew most or all of their missions with that crew. However, there were regular crew substitutions due to illness or injury, etc. Thus the List of Crews is a good guide, but may not always be 100% accurate as to who was on the crew for missions within the month.