Aerial Bombing Campaigns

Historical aerial views of bombing campaigns during WWII, revealing the impact on industrial and military targets.

SMOKE COVERS HAMM--Beneath this fountain of smoke, lies the railway marshalling yards at Hamm, about 25 miles south of Munster, attacked by Liberators and Fortresses of U.S. 8th AAF on 25 April 44. Reportedly able to handle 10,000 freight cars a

Columns of smoke rise from industrial area in suburbs of Bremen after 8th Air Force dropped 1200 tons of high explosives and incendiaries. Dec. 20. More than 500 bombers and the largest fighter escort to date participated in this 7th strike against

The Messerschmitt parts factory at Klagenfurt, Austria, was hit by Flying ofrtresses of the 15th AAF on 14 Jan. Here bursts can be seen covering the factory site and the railway yards. (AAF Photo).

France - Casemates Of Three Coast Defense Guns On Pointe De Grave Were Badly Damaged In 14-15 April 1945 Attacks.

The workshops and large hangars disappear from view as bursts from our 500-lb. bombs blot out the target. (For main caption see print 24884 A.C.)

Herewith are pictured incidents of the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, in which Allied bombers destroyed a 22 ship Japaneseanese convoy, with an estimated loss to the enemy of 15,000 lives and 90,000 tons of shipping. 12 of the ships were troop transports and

B-26 Marauders of Major General James H. Doolittle's Bomber Command, Northwest African Air Forces, accurately bombed the airfield at Grezsanise, Italy, on September 5, leaving the entire field well cratered and temporarily useless. Seven

Large industrial and dock area running along the waterfront of Hankow, China during bombing. The attack was launched on 18 December 1944 by B-29s using a mixed all-incendiary load of bombs. Specks of light gleaming through smoke are fires.

The Airdrome, At Neuberg, Austria, Is Covered With Bomb Bursts During The Attack On March 23, 1945 By Consolidated B-24 Liberator Bombers Of The 15Th Air Force.

SMOKE COVERS HAMM--Beneath this fountain of smoke, lies the railway marshalling yards at Hamm, about 25 miles south of Munster, attacked by Liberators and Fortresses of U.S. 8th AAF on 25 April 44. Reportedly able to handle 10,000 freight cars a

Smoke from Messerschmitt Plant-With huge billows of smoke pouring from one section of the plant, more bombs from 8th AAF Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses strike the Messerschmitt experimental and assembly plant at Augsburg during the (13 April 44)

At Bourges, about 50 miles south of Orleans the German airfield and assembly plant there was attacked 25 June 44 by heavy bombers of the 8th USAAF. Two assembly shops, three workshops, three office buildings, an ammunition stores building and seven

Taking altitude, the U.S. Army Air Force plane swings about so the combat camera-man can take a long shot of the camouflaged Japanese transport sinking after the attack by Flying Fortresses.

Low level oblique photographs showing the dropping of supplies to French resistance groups. During the period 16 thru 60 June 44, a total of 318 heavy bombers carried out 8 missions of this kind. Containers dropping toward smoke signal.

Airfield At Bordeaux, France, Left In Smoke And Flames As A Result Of 8Th Air Force Bombing On 27 March 1944. Another Job 'Well Done' By The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Of The 452Nd Bomb Group. Photo Of Airfield Taken Through The Nose Of A "Flying For

Smoke pits have been lighted near the Speyer airfield and factory near Mannheim, Germany, 3 Oct 44, moments before U.S. 8th Air Force Consolidated B-24 Liberators launched their daylight attack. An unfavorable wind (for the Nazis) carries the smoke

Landing Craft Off Corregidor Before The Invasion.

Douglas A-20's head for targets on Corregidor while the invasion is under way. These planes later worked "on call" from ground troops.

The Unusual Sight Of Two Bombs Delivered In A Minimum Altitude Attack On A Japanese Ship, Probably The 1,857-Ton Syuri Maru In Humbolt Bay, Dutch New Guinea, Is Seen (Left) Note (1) Bomb In Air (2) Bomb Traveling Through Water (3) Japaneses Scrambling Aft (4) Gun P

Stazione di Rocca Secca, Italy-After: Starting their dive and releasing bombs the North American A-36s hit an ammunition train which completely wiped out all buildings. The circle of blast damage has a diameter the width of this picture.

EUROPE--Weird shapes are ofrmed by smoke markers for bombing by 8th Air force Consolidated B-24s.

A cloud of smoke rises from the hangars and workshop area of the Luftwaffe airfield at Vechta, Germany, as the Boeing B-17s of the U.S. First Air Division turn away from the target. Vechta was one of a dozen German airfields hit on 24 March 1945.

Flying Fortress of the 8th AAF dropping bombs on target in Germany.

Bombing Of Nazi Naval Base At Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

Aerial View Of The Bomb Damaged Fw 190 Plant At Oschersleben, Germany. 10 May 1945.

Twelve Of The U.S. Army B-25 Medium Bombers Rear Off For Japanesean After Taking Off From The Uss Hornet, April 18, 1942. The Smaller Specks In The Sky Are U.S. Navy Planes Which Took Part In The First Phase Of The Operation. In April, 1942, The United States

In a raid on January 14, Flying Fortresses (Boeing B-17s) of the 15th AAF blasted the airfield at Mostar, Yugoslavia. Bursts can be seen on the installations at the field.

Many hits another the Ploesti Rail Yards, Roumania during 24 April 44 attack by Boeing B-17s and Consolidated B-24s.

Heavy Incendiary Damage To Large Sections Of Urban Area. Yokohama, Japan.

Bombs from U.S. Army 8th Air Force Consolidated B-24 Liberators and Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses strike the heart of Berlin just east of the Templehof railway station. Hitler's Chancellory and the Ministry of Propaganda buildings are believed to

The Volcania munitions...

Oil Refineries Of (A) Rhenania-Ossag Mineralolwerke Ag, And (B) Ebano Asphalt Werke Ag, Hamburg, Germany, Prior To 8Th Air force Attack On 20 June 1944.

Conical Hill Was The Key To Shuri Defenses - Conical Hill, Overlooking Yonabaru On The East Coast Of Southern Okinawa Showing Damage Caused By Mortar, Machine Gun And Artillery Fire, And Bombing. Small White Patches Are Ground Forces Pup Tents Pitched Ov

Bombs cover the important long-range bomber base of Aviano, Italy, during a raid by B-17 Flying Fortress of the 15th AAF on 28 Jan. Hangars, administration buildings, and the landing area were well covered during this raid.

The Pancevo Bridge, near Belgrade, Yugoslaviais shown as the smoke from 15th Air Force bombs partially cleared away.

After bombing of the famous Abbey at Monte Cassino, Italy-As shown in this photo the record bomb load dropped by the AAF resulted in 35 direct hits on the monastery building and inner courtyard. They sufficed to demolish the objective.

The target, a railroad bridge, north of Naples, crossing the Volturno River, takes a plastering. The picture shows all the bombs bursting on the target, completely covering the bridge.

Momote Field on Los Negros Island in the Admiralty Group is now our base, won partly because of Wewak attacks. Runway can be lengthened at left for heavies.

NAZI TRAINING AIRDROME BLASTED--Under a strong protective escort of 8th and 9th Air Force fighters, American heavy bombers attacked several German pilot-training centers in occupied France. Bombs hurtle down onto the Nazi training field at

Thousands Of Pieces Of Shrapnel Scatter In All Directions From Each Of These Innocent-Looking Puffs Of Smoke Over Okinawa, Ryukyu Retto, As Enemy Planes Attack Installations On The Island.

Balikpapan, Borneo, N.E.I.-Cracking plant, secondary target, was hit on 10 October 44 when smoke from paraffin plant hid primary target, Pandansari.

Battle of Wilhelmshaven, Germany

Europe - During One Heavy Attack Against The Wobbly Enemy, One Consolidated B-24 Of The 15Th Af Accidentally Dropped Its Bombs On The Tail Of Its Sister Ship Below It. Photograph Shows Bombs Striking The Tail Of The Sister Ship.

Bombs, Dropped By Consolidated B-24S Of The 8Th Air Force, Explode On Military Emplacements Set Up By The Enemy In Breck-Sur-Mer, France On 3 June 1944, The Day The First Allied Troops Landed On The North Coast Of Occupied France.

ON THE RIGHT BEARINGS-These...

Rabaul--before and after. Dense coils of black smoke mushroom out from the Lakunai airfield, target area, and a veil of smoke covers the surrounding countryside after the bombs hit. General MacArthur's communique today (Oct. 28), describing this

To reach their targets American and French fighting airmen of the First Tactical Air Force must daily brave the leaded skies over "Flak Valley." In the upper Rhine over the Karlruhe area, this French-manned Martin B-26 Marauder spun to earth a few

Martin B-26 Damaged, USAAF Attack on Lille-Vendeville.

Smoke from 5th AF Smoke Bombs obscures Japanese A/A guns on Target Hill, Cape Gloucester area.

Fort. St. Blaise, a German fortification in the Siegfried Line area, is pictured here after an attack by Martin B-26 Marauders of the 9th Bombardemtn Division, 10/8/44. The 9th Air Force medium bombers damaged power installations and made one

Bombs Explode On The Target At Pommerval, Farnce As An Allied Plane Makes Its Turn For The Long Journey Home. 23 Dec 1943.

During Bombing, Prato, Italy-Small but vital yard on the central Italian rail line rec'd tons of bombs on Dec. 26, 1943.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Of The 91St Bomb Group, 8Th Af, And B-24 Liberators Headed Toward Osnabruck, Germany, Fly High Above Heavy Cloud Banks At 25,200 Feet Altitude. 22 December 1943.

GERMANY-This photo taken a few hours after the 26 Sept 44 attack on Bremen industrial targets by U.S. 8th AF bombers, reveals huge conflagrations burning unchecked in a large barracks area near the A.F.V. and M.T. factory there. Estimate of the

A Martin B-26 Marauder Of Major General Samuel E. Anderson'S 9Th Bomb Div. Wings Over Rudolstadt, 20 Miles Southeast Of Erfurt, After Formations Of Medium And Light Bombers Had Carpeted The Nearby Ordnance Depot April 10 1945. The Attack Destroyed Worksh

This picture made from a photographic reconnaissance plane of the U.S. Army Air Forces shows part of the southeastern Sicilian coast, the day the Allies invaded. Scores of our boats can be seen, mostly transports and landing craft. The smaller craft

Two North American B-25'S Of The 42Nd Bomb Group Fly Over The Vicinity Of The Admiralty Islands En Route To Hollandia In Dutch New Guinea. 1944. B-25G Cannon Nose & B-25J Glass Nose.

Aircraft, Burma, India & Bombing,

Planes Of The 57Th Fighter Group, 65Th Fighter Squadron Attacked Enemy Billets Somewhere In Italy, 17 April 1945.

Bombs Follow The Target Marker As They Descend Toward Nazi Installations At Bremen, Germany. 16 Dec. 1943.

A Carpet Of Clouds Covers The Countryside Below As An Armada Of 381St Bomb Group Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Roars Toward The Target In Enemy-Occupied Europe.

Buna "New" Strip #45.

Bombing of Avord Airfield, France.

Lae Airfield Plastered Again-Scene of havoc on Japanese airstrip at Lae, New Guinea, as Australian & U.S. Army Air Forces bombers score with deadly accuracy. Note wrecked Nipponese planes along left side of runway.

After releasing gliders (Waco CG-4's) tow planes (Douglas C-47's) drop the paratroopers which they have carried as well as towing gliders which participated in the 52nd Troop Carrier Wing maneuvers over Sicily in 1943. The gliders were also loaded

Allies Blast Airdromes And Buildings At Romorantin, France, On 6 June 1944. Romorantin Is Near Blois, In The Central Part Of France.

Euskirchen railroad bridge in Germany, object of a number of attacks by Ninth Air Force medium bombers, is shown mantled by smoke during the latest Martin B-26 Marauder assault January 25, 1945. The rail span is a key link in moving enemy supplies

That Air Power Can Choose The Point Of Attack And Impose Its Destructive Force On The Enemy Is Shown In This Picture Of Us 8Th Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Drawing Away On 11 April 1945 From The Smoking Remains Of Donauworth'S Marshalling Yards In German

Bomb Damage Inflicted On The Rocket Fuel Plant At Peenemunde, Germany 23 July 1944.

H-Hour Breaks For The Airborne Army Over Germany As Paratroopers Shower From Troop Carrier Skytrain Into The Rees-Wesel Area. Skytroopers Flown Into Battle By Us Troop Carrier Forces, Spearheaded The British 2Nd Army'S Rhine Crossing. Taken By Sgt. Fred

Aerial View Of Ie Shima, Ryukyu Retto, 5 July 1945.

San Stefano smashed. Bursts of high explosive bombs can be seen directly in the target area, as the B-17's complete their mission of destruction on this vital Axis supply base. Out of aproximately 80 craft of all sizes within the harbor, photo

A Martin B-26 Marauder Of The 9Th Bombardment Division, Its Left Engine Set Ablaze By Enemy Flak, Shown Leaving The Communications Center Of Xanten, Germany, After An Attack Feb 14 1945. The Fire Was Extinguished By Crewmen. Xanten, Astride The Main Hig

Bombing Of Oil Refinery At Almas-Fuzito, Hungary, By The Consolidated B-24 Liberator 'Fertile Myrtle', One In A Formation Of "Liberators" To Bomb Enemy Installations. 15Th Air Force.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses leaving Bremen, Germany (20 Dec 43).

Aircraft, Burma, India & Bombing,

There Were Two Buildings Here Before A 12Th Air Force Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Took One Away. The Missing One Housed An Enemy Strongpoint. Italy.

St. Dizier, France (Oct. 4, 1943).-Starboard engine of Boeing B-17 on fire, possibly rocket or "disc" in foreground.

DELUGE OF BOMBS--Almost hiding the target area from vision, a curtain of bombs shades the German twin-engine fighter base at Dijon in occupied France on the March 28th daylight attack by Fortresses of the U.S. 8th AF. Bases at Chartres, Chateaudun

An aerial view of a Jap dummy airfield in the Clark Field area. Three dummy airplanes, a dummy tower and a marker indicating the end of the runway can be seen in this photo. January 1945.

MARAUDERS of First Tactical Air Force, noted for precision bombing, had for their target on 14 March 44 the Presistina Marshalling Yards in Rome. Photo taken during the raid shows the bombs ploughing up the yards.

Aerial View Of The Bomb Damaged Railroad Yards At Nuremburg, Germany. 16 May 1945.

Bursts Of Flak Dot The Sky During A Bombing Raid On Lutzkendorf, Germany, By Consolidated B-24 Liberators Of The 467Th Bomb Group. 7 July 1944.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 95th Bomb Group leaving trails over Brunswick, Germany.

A City Burns - Reconnaissance Photo

5TH AIR FORCE DEVASTATES JAP AIRDROME AT HOLLANDIA, NEW GUINEA. 189 planes destroyed which was two thirds of the enemy complement. Smoke rises all over the field as planes and installations burn.

Over four hundred planes of...

Smoke from 687 tons by 264 heavies from 19,500 feet, obscures target, Steyr Ball Bearing Plant.

Bombs, Dropped By Bombers Of The 389Th Bomb Group, Explode On The Marshalling Yards At Vienenburg, Germany, During A Raid On 22 Feb. 1945. Note The Smoke Markers Which Have Just Been Dropped By Bombers.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses over Norwegian Fjords.

Aircraft, Burma, India & Bombing,

Schweinfurt, Germany

High Above Dense Carpet Of Clouds, Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Of The 452Nd Bomb Group Head For Their Bomb Runs Over Brunswick, Germany, 9 March 1944. Heavies Of The 8Th Af Struck Deeper And Deeper Into Nazi Territory Paralyzing Supply Lines And Vital

Burning from direct thousand-pound bomb hits, a Japanese cruiser of the Kuma class circles in a desperate effort to evade new blows by a "Bomber Baron" Liberator formation of the 13th AAF, which attacked it in the Sulu Sea Oct 26, 1944. Left burning

Japaneseanese Takanni Class Destroyer (With New Or Temporary Bow) Under Attack By North American B-25's Of The Air Apaches Group Off China Coast. April 6, 1945. 345Th Bomb Group.

Second Air Division Consolidated B-24 Liberators dropped their bombs squarely in the target area of the Dortmund, benzol plant, during the attack by U.S. Eighth Air Force on January 28, 1945. As the bombs exploded in the plant, a Liberator of the

France - Through Intense Flak, 2Nd Bomb Division Consolidated B-24S Saturated Gun Positions Like This One Near Royan On 14 April 1945.

Decimo Airbase, Italy-Striped runway used for the six-abreast take offs and landings is shown here. Width of runway is 1,000 feet. It is divided into the six lanes by the simple expedient of oiling the dirt and gravel surface in strips as shown here.

Unidentified Airdrome in New Guinea.

After second attack on 28 Feb 1944 during which heavy bombers dropped tons of bombs, St. Josse au Bois, France is shown well chewed up in this vertical photo. R-1 and R-2 have disappeared. Only ST, probably explosive storage building is undamaged.

Decending Para-Bombs

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