Aerial Bombings During World War II

Historic images capturing aerial bombardments on targets in Italy and Romania, showcasing the destruction caused by U.S. Army Air Forces.

The explosions of bombs dropped by the 463rd Bomb Group, 772nd Bomb Squadron destroy Ploesti Oil Refinery, Rumania on 10 August 1944.

Graphic evidence of the devastating accuracy of U.S. Army Air Forces bombardiers is shown in this picture of the bombing of Grottaglie Airdrome, a mile and a half outside the town of the same name, which is located in the "heel" of the Italian

The explosions of bombs dropped by the 463rd Bomb Group, 772nd Bomb Squadron destroy Ploesti Oil Refinery, Rumania on 10 August 1944.

North American B-25 Mitchells of the Mediterranean Allied Air Force Tactical Air Force and the destruction they are leaving in Axis-held territory is vividly depicted here as the medium bombers fly in smart box formation over the target. The target

Railroad Yards At Kwanshuishih, China, 75 Miles North Of Hankow On The Ping-Han R.R., Were Hit By B-25S Of The Chinese-American Composite Wing's 'Avenger' Bomb Squadron With 88 Percent Of The Bombs Exploding On The Target Area. Tracks Were Completely Des

At Nancy, near Metz, U.S. 8th AF bombers attacked the airfield installations on 18 August 44. Minutes after the bomber attack, 8th AF fighter planes strafed the field which was laden with parked aircraft. Of the 51 aircraft on the ground, 31 were

8th USAAF heavies dropped concentrations of bombs on the P-plane launching site at Beaumetz-Les-Aires in the Pas de Calais, France, area, 6 July 44.

Bombs, Dropped From Allied Planes, Spell Doom For Nazi Installations At Quackenbruck, Germany. 17 April 1944.

Bombing of Tienho Airdrome, Canton, China, 1/1/43.

German airfield at Ettingshausen, near Frankfurt, is almost covered by erupting bombs during the U.S. 8th Air Force heavy bomber assault 24 Dec 44.

Aircraft, Burma, India & Bombing,

The accuracy of American...

A Ninth Air Force Tactical Reconnaissance Base, Belgium: This Exception Photo, Snapped At A Dangerously Low Altitude By 1St Lt. Raymond N. Niehouse, Jr., 9Th Af 363Rd 'Tac Recce' Pilot From Camp Hill, Pa., Shows A Heavy German Anti-Aircraft Concentration

Bombs Dropped By Boeing B-29 "Superfortresses"' Of Major General Curtis E. Lemay's 20Th Bomber Command Burst On Shipping And The Tientsin-Pukow Railroad Terminal On The East Bank Of The Yangtze River Across From The City Of Nangking, China.

A Half A Dozen Bombs Dropped By B-29 Superfortresses Just Miss The Floating Drydock At The Singapore Naval Base. Malay Peninsula.

Drohobycz, Poland during attack, by 8th AAF Fortresses during the shuttle from Soviet bases to Italy on 26 June 1944, following the flight from England to USSR. Smoke rises from hits on the refinery by leading flights as bombs from following

With installations burning fiercely, this is the picture presented by the night-fighter base at Munster during the attack on 15 August 44, by U.S. 8th AF bombers. This base is located about 90 miles northwest of Kassel, Germany.

Bomb Damage At The Otaka Oil Refineries In Japan.

Tatoe airfield, near Athens, Greece, before it was blasted by Flying Fortresses of the Northwest African Air Forces in a raid on October 10.

Paratroopers from a Douglas C-47 descend on devastated Corregidor, Philippine Islands, February 1945.

After bombing raid on Brussels/Evere Airfield, Belgium 9/7/43. (3 1/2 miles N.E. of Brussels).

Bombing of Luxembourg...

Fighter-Pilot training base at St. Jean D'Angel, France-Pattern east end of field. Fighters destroyed and damaged.

Pr Oct 10, 1943 -- All Buildings Damaged, Three Major Units Destroyed, Heavy Damage To Other Plants, To City And To Railroad.

Bombs from US Army 8th Air Force Raiders hit an industrial target in Berlin during the 6 March 1944 daylight raid.

Smoke rises from Trapani Milo Airdrome, Sicily, after bombs, dropped by planes of the 97th Bomb Group, 340th Bomb Squadron, 15th Air Force, strike their target at this vital enemy installation. 10 May 1943.

U.S. heavies hit airdrome--A line of bursting bombs is laid across the landing strip at the German airdrome at St. Andre de L'Eure in Northern France on 13 June 44 by U.S. 8th AAF heavies as they continued to support ground troops by making enemy

Bombs from attacking Boeing B-17s point the way to the rail marshalling yards below at Darmstadt, Germany during the U.S. 8th Air Force daylight assault on 12 Dec 44. Smoke billows up from fires started by earlier hits.

Synthetic oil plant of Braunkohle-Benzin A.G. at Bohlen, Germany, during attack by 8th Air Force, 12 May 1944.

Direct Hits Scored By Republic P-47 Thunderbolts Thunderbombers Of The 12Th Air Force Cut This Bridge Near Burgnato, North Of La Spezia, Italy, On 4 February 1945. Bombers Of The 12Th Air Force Have Been Jabbing At The Hun'S Communications And Supply L

BOMBS AWAY--Early in the attack on the German oil plant at Sterkrade, Germany, January 22, 1945 by U.S. Eighth Air Force heavies, bombs from the attackers head down in a compact cluster.

Sfax, Tunisia-Light bombers of the 15th Bomb Squadron heavily attacked Sfax landing ground. This aerial photograph shows bombs bursting on Sfax south landing ground, which was beaten up by three formations of light bombers. It was attacked again

Considerable damage to Braunkohle Synthetic Oil Works at Magdeburg/Rothensee resulted from the 16 Aug 44 bombing. GERMANY.

Another Hun Bridge Falls Beneath Bombs From Martin B-26 Marauders Of The Tactical Air Force. This Time Its The Railroad Bridge At Arles, France.

This photograph was taken during a daylight bombing attack on 8/13/43 by Liberators of Ninth Bomber Command U.S. AAF, at Wiener Neustadt, Austria. In the center of the picture black smoke is seen arising from fires and bomb bursts among the buildings

Aircraft, Burma, India & Bombing,

German Island Garrison that pounded St. Malo, France, is hit by Consolidated B-24 Liberators-When the smoke clears, the battered island is lifeless. The tell-tale smoke from the St. Malo shelling hangs in the sky even after the island garrison has

Ostermoor, Germany, after the U.S. Heavy bomber attack.

During Bombing of Orly A/F former French Dirigible center, converted to a GAF Base and Storage Depot.

Medium altitude precision bombing at its best is illustrated by the 28 February 1945 strike by French Martin B-26's of the Franco-American 1st Tactical Air Force on a converted German brewery which was producing components for tanks and submarines at

At least 150 feet of the viaduct at Chantilly, about 30 miles north of Paris, has been smashed by the attack of 8th USAAF heavy bombers on 14 June 44.

Taken April 11, 1945 By 1St Lt. Arnett Fraser Tait, 505 N. Division St., Ann Arbor, Mi, Photo Shows A Luftwaffe Base On The Outskirts Of Leipzig-Mockau Burning After An Attack By Bomb-Laden 9Th Af Lockheed P-38 Lightning Fighter-Bombers.

Barges are shown in Borgen Bay, New Britain, with shadows of attacking Martin B-26s above. Note how, in vertical photo, natural camouflage causes them to blend with the foliage.

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

U.S. 8th AF planted heavy concentrations on the ordnance plant in the Spandau area at Berlin 6 Oct 44. Bombs mushroom on the target area.

In a surprise attack on the Ciampino airfield, near Rome, on 9/17/43, planes of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force destroyed a large number of German Aircraft parked on the field. Here are the bombs falling on the field as seen from a Flying

Bombs Dropped By North American B-25 Mitchells Of The 12Th Air Force Explode On Railroad Bridge Near Sassuolo, Italy.

Bombs from Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses fall towards the railroad yards and bridges at Bolzano, Italy. Hits were made on approaches to the yards and on the road and railroad bridges, hampering the movement of German troops to or from Italy through

The Huns Rebuilt The Spans Of The Cecina River Bridge On The West Coast Of Italy, Some Two Months After It Was Cut The First Time. Two Days After The New Span Was Up, The Martin B-26 Marauders Of First Tactical Air Force Paid Another Visit To This Target

Aircraft, Burma, India & Bombing,

Aircraft, Burma, India & Bombing,

Bomb Damage To Bucine Viaduct, Italy, After An Attack By Planes Of The 15Th Air Force.

Despite The Ingenious Use Of Terrain Cover By The Nazis To Hide Their Vehicles Withdrawing From The Bulge (See Upper Left Hand Corner) And Bad Flying Weather, Pilots Of The Xix And Xxix Tac Made Impressive Strafing Kills At Schaudtheim, Germany.

SIX DAYS THAT SHOOK GERMANY-When the six days ended, every one of the factories attacked had been seriously injured, and some of the most important ones had been all but obliterated. Bombers of the U.S. Army 8th Air Force hit the Nazi ball-bearing

U.S. AIR FORCE RAIDS NAPLES. .. This is how Naples, Italy, looked recently as heavy bombardment craft of the United States Army Ninth Air Force rained bombs with monotonous accuracy on harbor installations and shipping. Hits were observed

Strike Attack - Nagoya, Japan - 14 May 1945.

Parma/West railbridge, Italy after Shoran bombing. Shadow cast by bridge shows four spans out. With experienced crews bomb runs can be cut down.

PHILIPPINE STRIKE: A direct hit on enemy installations at Licanan in the Philippines. This is the first picture released to the press of an air strike on the Philippines. As a result of this raid, many of the enemy supply dumps, airstrips, and other

Consolidated B-24 Liberators attack oil depot at Sens, France. Succeeding wave covers the target, August 1944.

Bendorf Rail Yards, Target For 9Th Af Martin B-26 Marauder Bombers On April 11 1945. This Strik Photo Of Their Attack Was Taken By North American P-51 Mustang Tact. Reconnaissance Pilot, 1St Lt. Miguel R. Rodriguez, San Marino, Calif. In Addition To The

Bombs Destroy The Milbertshoven Ordnance Depot In Munich, Germany On 19 July 1944 After A Mission By The 97Th Bomb Group, 340Th Bomb Squadron.

Le Bourget Airfield (near...

Bomb Damage In Otaka, Japan.

Following The Same Path As The 'Marker' Bomb, High Explsoives Dropped By Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Of The 452Nd Bomb Group Cascade Into A Dense Layer Of Clouds Over The Target, Frankfurt, Germany, On 20 March 1944. The Bomber Formation Remained Above

Villacoublay Airfield, 14 July 1943. 92nd Bomb Group.

Top - An Enemy Plane Burns On The Luftwaffe'S Airfield At Wesendorf, Germany, As The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Of The Us 8Th Air force Approach The Target On Their Bomb Run. Parked Near The Broad Runway, The German Plane Was Probably Hit In A Strafing Attack

Black smoke rises thru a smoke screen after bombing attack by Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 99th Bomb Group, 15th Air Froce on oil refinery at Ploesti, Rumania. 10 August 44. (Taken by Jack McKenna).

Kiska Island, Aleutians, August 10, 1942.

Bomb Damaged To Railroad Somewhere Between Rome And Florence After Attack By Martin B-26 Marauders Of The 12Th Air Force, On 11 May 1944.

In the battle area every house is a target and this house on the Sangro ridge between Lanciano and Fossacesia was no exception. This picture shows the house before it was bombed by A-20 Boston bombers of the12th Air Force.

Well Smeared Are The Yards At The Important Rail Junction Of Orte, Just Above Rome. Theses Yards Were Hit First By Maauders Of The 12Th U.S. Aaf Six Days Before The Allied Landings On January 22; And Hit Again By B-25 Mitchells Six Days Agfter The Landin

Bomb Plaster The Important Shinchiku Airdrome On The Island Of Formosa.

JET NEST---During and after-U.S. 8th Air Force heavy bombers attack airfield at Hopsten, Germany, March 21, 1945.

Japanese airplanes caught on the ground at the Shinchiku Airdrome, formosa, as they were attacked by the first wave of U.S. Army 14th Air force fighters during the Thanksgiving Day (November 25, 1943) visit to the Japanese Island. Our bombers of the 341st Bomb

The Volcania munitions...

Aerial View Of Control Tower Of The 381St Bomb Group At 8Th Air Force Station 167, Ridgewell, Essex County, England.

1,029 GP bombs, 500 pounds each, on 24 August.

Aerial view of the 17th Station Hospital serving Air Force personnel on Owi Island, Padaido Islands, Netherland East Indies.

Aircraft, Burma, India & Bombing,

Bombs, Dropped By Bombers Of The 492Nd Bomb Group, Explode On An Important Rail Junction At Angers, France During A Raid On 6 August 1944.

Fires rage in the rail marshalling yard area at Ludwigshafen near Mannheim, Germany 11/5/44, as U.S. 8th Air Force heavies bombed installations there. Repair shops, roundhouses and rolling stock were under the concentrations.

When the smoke cleared away, the great damage at Jesselton airdrome was visible to reconnaissance cameramen who followed the Fightin' 13th AAF's "Long Ranger" Consolidated B-24 Liberator formation. The craters running down the concrete runway knocked

Aircraft, Burma, India & Bombing,

Bombing Of Railroad Yards At Florence, Italy, By Martin B-26 Marauders Of The 12Th Air Force, On 24 October 1944. Note Hospital And Hospital Train Undamaged

A Consolidated B-24 Liberator of the U.S. 8th AF goes down in a mass of flames over the target at Magdeburg, Germany 15 Aug 44.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. Aerial recording. To see its explosions during bombing. You can also see craters from earlier inserts. 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Pinpoint bombing by the Martin B-26 Marauders of the first tactical Air Force blasted this bridge at Lasbufalara, six miles southwest of Rome on the Tiber River.

Bombs Dropped By Consolidated B-24 Liberators Of The 15Th Af Explode On The Marshalling Yards At Miramas, France. A Liberator Flies Over The Smoking Target.

Aircraft, Burma, India & Bombing,

Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomb-strikes on Tokyo, Japan. 16.7 square miles of the city are shown destroyed in this picture. The destroyed areas were industrial centers in the city. Widespread damaged was the only effective way to knock-out

Leipheim Airfield, Germany, heavily damaged.

Bomb loads from Boeing B-29 Superfortresses of Maj. Gen. Curtis E. LeMay's 20th Bomber Command plaster the Japaneseanese arsenal at Mukden, Manchuria.

Atomic Bomb Damage To Nagasaki - Shaded Areas On This Aerial Photograph Of Nagasaki, Japan, Represent The Damaged Areas Assessed By Air Force Intelligence On The Atomic Bomb Strike Made By A B-29 Of The 20Th Air Force, August 9, 1945. The Force Of The Bl

A few hours after. .. This reconnaissance photo shows the battered remains of one of the key bridges at Orleans, France, on 8 June 44 a few hours after it had been attacked successfully by U.S. 8th AF heavy bombers.

At Chateaudun, France, 30 miles northwest of Orleans, the often-hit bomber and reconnaissance airbase there was attacked 14 June 1944. More and more bombs may be seen plummeting earthward during the attack.

Aircraft, Burma, India & Bombing,

Bombs From A Formation Of Boeing B-29 Superfortresses Explode Among The Buildings At Shinchiku Airdrome, Island Of Formosa.

Tons of bridge bursters pointed for the Pontecurone rail bridge, behind the German Gothic Line in northern Italy, are pin pointed smack on their target in an excellent concentration. This is one of the many communications links that B-26 Marauders of

Aircraft, Burma, India & Bombing,

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

Aircraft Plant On Honshu -- Smoke Billows Up From The Large Hiro Naval Aircraft Plant In The Kure Area On The Main Japanese Island Of Honshu During Attack By B-29's Of Major General Curtis E. Lemay's Xxist Bomber Command. The Strike Is Made At Midday Wit

of 3