Aviation and Airfield Operations

Historic images documenting the construction and operation of airfields, showcasing aircraft readiness and the impact of aviation in military strategies.

Wreckage Of The Lockheed P-38 (A/C 67987) Of The 364Th Fighter Group, 67Th Fighter Wing, Which Crashed At Its 8Th Air Force Station F-375, Honnington, England. 2 May 1944.

Men Of The 834Th Engineer Aviation Battalion Lay Wire Matting During The Construction Of An Airfield At St. Pierre Du Mont, Normandy, France.

Lockheed P-38S Roll Down The Stirp For Take Off From An Airfield Somewhere In Germany. Note The Douglas C-47S Parked Alongside The Strip. 20 Apri 1945.

Easter Service of the 9th Air Force in North Africa. 1943.

These 8th Air Force Boeing B-17s on Poltava Airfield, Ukraine, Russia, having just completed their first shuttle-bombing msision from England, were destroyed on the ground in a perfectly timed and well executed attack by the German Air Force on the

Wreckage Of The Lockheed P-38 (A/C 67987) Of The 364Th Fighter Group, 67Th Fighter Wing, Which Crashed At Its 8Th Air Force Station F-375, Honnington, England. 2 May 1944.

These 8th Air Force Boeing...

Aircraft, Burma, India & INDIA,EQUIPMENT War

An Aaf Bulldozer Disposes Of A Ju 88 From An Advanced Airfield. Cologne, Germany.

These 8th Air Force Boeing...

Heavy Trucks Carrying Equipment Of Company B, 1878Th Engineer Aviaiton Battalion, Arrive At New Camp Area On Okinawa, Ryukyu Retto. May 1945.

An Air Compressor Truck Is Parked Next To The Office Of Company 'A', 1878Th Engineer Aviation Battalion At Coral Pit No. 4 On Okinawa, Ryukyu Retto. 17 May 1945.

Photographs depicting military activities in France, May - June 1940. Included photographs of Rommel, Guderian, Dreuz, Bottcher, Italian General Garaboldi, Lucie Rommel, shots of Rommel with Hitler. Photographs of equipment and troops arriving and in action, from the personal collection of Rommel.

French Workers Make Repairs In The Runway At A Base Of The 9Th Air Force From Which Northrop P-61 "Black Widows" Make Sorties Against The Germans. 27 September 1944.

Republic P-47S Lined Up On An Airfield Somewhere In France.

Japaneseanese Aichi 99 "Val" is dragged up on a New Guinea Beach by Natives, "Bongs" for Technical Intelligence Officers.

Chinese Working On The Runway At A-5, China.

Three Pilots Of Vultee L-5's Walk Toward Their Planes, Parked On The Line At Cub Field No. 10 On Okinawa, Ryukyu Retto. These Planes Of The 163Rd Liaison Squadron Are Attached To The 10Th Army. 1945.

England - Martin B-26 In Flight.

U.S. plane damaged during...

Bomb Damage To Hangar On Aaf Base, 385Th Bomb Group, England. Note Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" In Background.

A Vultee L-5 Of The 163Rd Liaison Squadron Taxies Down Strip For Take-Off From Cub Field No. 7 On Okinawa, Ryukyu Retto. This Squadron Is Attached To The 10Th Army. 1945.

Control Tower of fire truck. Operation crews anxiously awaiting return of bombers from their mission in Germany.

A French Worker At A 9Th Air Force Base Somewhere In France Runs A Roller Over A Repair Made In A Bomb Hit On A Runway. 27 September 1944.

Trolley loads of bombs ready for loading on fighter bombers at an advanced landing ground in Tripolitania. (Curtiss P-40's). The activities of fighter bombers have been the principal feature of Allied air attacks in the present offensive in Libya.

Enemy Planes In Front Of Hangars At Wels Airdrome In Wels, Austria. May 1945.

Men Of The 364Th Fighter Group, 67Th Fighter Wing, Repair A Portion Of The Runway At 8Th Air Force Station F-375, Honnington, England. 5 November 1944.

The first plane to land at Seppingen airdrome, Balikpapan, Borneo, comes in smoothly a few minutes after Australian engineers filled the last bomb craters on the strip, the plane was a "Jungle Air Force" Catalina flying boat piloted by Lt. Keith W.

Their Wings Don'T Stay Clipped Long! With The Aid Of A Truck Borne Crane, Workers Remove The Outboard Wing Section Of A Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" And Begin Work On The Sheared Cables Inside. England, 401St Bomb Group, 2 June 1944.

The skin they love to touch: Counting the planes as soon as they appear mere dots on the horizon, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt crew chiefs sweat their aircraft home, climb aboard and ride the wing as pilots taxi their planes to the revetments.

Members Of The 78Th Fighter Group Inspect A North American P-51 Which Crash Landed At 8Th Air Force Station F-357 In Duxford, England. 23 September 1944.

Fuselages of Italian aircraft riddled with splinters lie derelict on the edge of Benina airfield, near Bengasi, Cirenaica, Libya.

Once a hydrochloric acid plant, this twisted mass of wreckage at Balikpapan was evidence of the potent "Jungle Air Force" bombings that softened the Borneo oil center for invasion. The 13th AAF dropped more than 2,000 tons of explosives and fire

A glider of the 9th Air force Troop Carrier Command is shown where it cracked up on landing somewhere in France.

Heavy Equipment, Operated By Men Of The 833Rd Engineer Aviation Battalion, Levels Off An Area During Construction Of An Airfield Somewhere In France. July 1944.

Parking area for Republic P-47 "Thunderbolts" on an airfield on Mindoro, Philippine Islands. August 1945.

Aircraft, Burma, India &Fields & Installations,CONSTRUCTION,Air Fields War

After many successful missions, this North American B-25 of the 12th Bomber Command was hit by enemy flak and fire in a sweep over Tunis, North Africa, and was forced to make a crash landing. The airplane is shown here being salvaged. 13 February

Armorers Of The 91St Bomb Group Load 1,000 Lb. Bombs On The New External Bomb Rack, Under The Wing Of A Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" At The 91St Bomb Group Base In Basinbourne, England. 14 September 1943.

While the pilot, Lt. Alfred W. Martin, of Detroit looks on, servicemen of the 8th AF Service Command give this Republic P-47 a complete service job. These soldier-technicians are refueling, rearming, and checking the ground support planes at air

Collection of World War I Photographs, 1914-1918 that depict the military activities of British and other nation's armed forces and personnel during World War I.

Hard standing adjacent to 130 degree runway near main repair depot at Garbutt Field, Townsville, Australia. 13 December 1943.

When U.S. Airmen took over enemy landing grounds in the Western Desert they captured many of these German Cargo-Gliders which the Germans used for transporting artillery and troops.

Aircraft, Burma, India &Fields & Installations,CONSTRUCTION,Air Fields War

Aircraft, Burma, India &Troops &Paratroops

Martin B-26 Marauders Are Parked In A Dispersal Area At A Base Near Chipping Ongar, Essex, England. Note The Shadow Of The Plane Which Is Flying Overhead. M 1943.

Portable Antenna Assembly For Vhf Fighter-Control Radio Set Up Of The 364Th Fighter Group, 67 Fighter Wing At 8Th Air Force Station F-375, Honnington, England. 16 May 1945.

CONSTRUCTION OF A CHINESE AIRFIELD: A Consolidated B-24 splatters mud as it takes off from the same area.

Salvage Crews Prepare To Move A Curtis P-40 Which Crashed During A Forced Landing At A 14Th Air Force Base In China. 15 November 1944.

A wrecker hauls away the damaged motor of a Douglas C-47 at a base near Port Moresby, New Guinea.

Leaving A Trail Of Dust Behind, A Republic P-47 Takes Off From The Newly Constructed Airfield At St. Pierre Du Mont, Normandy, France.

Construction Of Kadena Airfield, Okinawa, Ryukyu Retto, By Company A, 1878Th Aviation Engineers Bn. 17 May 1945.

A Wrecked North American B-25 Of The 310Th Bomb Group Is Lifted By A C-2 Crane Onto A Semi-Trailer To Be Hauled To A Salvage Depot In Berteaux, North Africa. 4 March 1943.

Wrecked U.S. Planes After Japanese Air Attack On Yontan Airfield, Okinawa, Ryukyu Retto, On The Night Of 24 May 1945. Some Of The Damage Was Caused By The Demolition Squadron Of Japaneses That Poured Out Of Suicide 'Sally' - The Only One That Got Close To The Fiel

Aircraft, Burma, India &Strafing &Combat War

From Behind His Gun Mount On A Half Track, A Guard Watches A Formation Of Republic P-47 'Thunderbolts' Take Off On Another Mission Against The Japaneses. Ryukyu Retto, 1945.

On 10 January 1945, These Two Feaf Douglas A-20S Take Part In Extensive Attacks On Jap Railroad Lines On Southern Luzon, P.I.

Thw Wreckage Of The Douglas C-46 (A/C O55) Of The 1333Rd Aaf Base Unit, Air Transport Command, Which Crashed Somewhere In India.

First Consolidated B-24 Of The 7Th Aaf'S 494Th Bomb Group Lands On Anguar Island, Palau Islands, Caroline Group.

Working Quickly And Efficiently, With Up-To-Date Equipment, Fire-Fighters Of The 91St Bomb Group At Bassingboure, England, Fight Hazardous Flames Which Enveloped A Crashed Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" And Threatened Other Aircraft Nearby. With Modern Eq

Lockheed P-38 of the 1st...

Maintenance Men Haul Away A Curtiss P-40 Warhawk Of The 79Th Fighter Group, Based At Capodichinio, Italy, After It Made A Crash Landing. The Landing Hear Had Been Shot Away During A Dog Fight.

The 3874th Quartermaster Gasoline Supply Company dispersing area (shown here) supplied all units south of Manila, Luzon, Philippine Islands, with all types of fuel and lubricants. 31 May 1945.

Colonel Duncan Inspects Men Of The 353Rd Fighter Group At An Airbase In England On 22 June 1945.

A Fortress Crew Of The Air Force, Bomber Command, Have Tea Before Taking Off On A Mission. The American Crew Of This U.S. Army Air Corps, Boston Bomber, Now In Action Aganist The Nazis, Enjoy A Cup Of Tea From A Y.M.C.A. Tea Car. Sgt. W.T. Evans Of Hatt

Douglas C-47s lined up for the morning take-off on the parking strip near the tower on the North Strip at Myitkyina, Burma. 16 December 1944.

Low Altitude Reconnaissance Photograph Of Bernburg, Germany.

These crew chiefs and men are "sweating it out" by the fire built on the cold windy terrain as another squadron of Republic P-47s taxi up for a take-off on a bombing mission. France.

FRANCE--Their job finished, these Aviation Engineers are ready to move on to another site for their next job.

Training course, Rohatyn Flame-thrower attack; Galicia; photographer: Deutsche Südarmee.

NC-4

Various Types Of Planes In The Parking Area On Wideawake Field, Ascensionisland. 7 May 1944.

Information office radio broadcaster Dutch Guinea. construction neiuwe road heavy terrain, bulldozer solution. heavy boulders cleared way. September 1956. Guinea

Syracuse's Coastal Defences Change Hands -- Coastal defence positions commanding Syracuse harbour and the surrounding seas, were overcome by Commandos. The guns were in firing order and are now being manned by British coastal defence battery under the command if Major J.V. Kelly, D.S.O. July 28, 1943. (Photo by British Official Photo)

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Training Infantry Depot Knil Rantepao (Celebes). Rantepao, a town in the middle Celebes capital of the Toradja countries has received some name by the training institute that is located there. A lot of attention is paid to unarmed self-defense by the recruten. They also learn to crawl to the side immediately after a jump from the moving truck to look for cover. November 4, 1948. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Operations Officers of a P-47 Fighter Group of the First Tactical Air force, guide the actions of these plane as they peel off to land after returning froma mission.

Completed Fighter Strip At Korao, Aitape, Dutch New Guinea, Which Was Reconstructed From An Old Japaneseanese Strip. 30 April 1944.

These 8Th Air Force B-17S On Poltava Airfield, Ukraine, Russia, Having Just Completed Their First Shuttle Bombing Mission From England, Were Destroyed On The Ground In A Perfectly Timed And Well Executed Attack By The German Air Force On The Night Of 21 J

Aircraft, Burma, India &Ceremonies& Decorations,INSPECTIONS &REVIEWS War

Looking East From The South Operations Tower Along A Strip At Kadena Airfield On Okinawa, Ryukyu Retto, Air Transport Command Doulgas C-54S Of The 13Th Air Cargo Re-Supply Squadron, Stretch Out Into The Distance. 17 August 1945.

Aircraft, Burma, India &Fields & Installations, War

President Franklin D. Roosevelt is shown seated in his jeep during an inspection of Air Force troops in Sicily, while standing at attention on either side are six ranking officers who have been presented the Distinguished Service Cross by the

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Gading and Plajen, action by mountain field. Action in the direction of Gading, Plajen and Wonosari. The infantry raised at night to close the area, which gangs were signaled, the purification started in the morning. The airport at Gading on Central Java was blocked by the fact that trenches were dug across the stamps. After a few days of hard work, aircraft could be landed again, albeit half cargo. Dakotas are released, the load is transferred to grobaks, which ensure further transport. March 9, 1949. Indonesia, Java, Dutch East Indies

Republic P-47 'Thunderbolts' Which Act As Escorts Are Parked On The Line At A 379Th Bomb Group Base In England. 31 August 1943.

Photographs depicting military activities in France, May - June 1940. Included photographs of Rommel, Guderian, Dreuz, Bottcher, Italian General Garaboldi, Lucie Rommel, shots of Rommel with Hitler. Photographs of equipment and troops arriving and in action, from the personal collection of Rommel.

The 831St Engineering Company At Work At An Army Air Force Station In England. 27 July 1944.

Photographs depicting military activities in France, May - June 1940. Included photographs of Rommel, Guderian, Dreuz, Bottcher, Italian General Garaboldi, Lucie Rommel, shots of Rommel with Hitler. Photographs of equipment and troops arriving and in action, from the personal collection of Rommel.

A North American P-51 Of The 353Rd Fighter Group, Burns Furiously After Crashing At Its Base In England On 10 January 1945.

A Cargo Ship Roars Over The Remains Of A Torn-Down Chinese Village Preparing To Land On An American Air Base Just Beyond. This Village, Until A Short Time Ago, Had Scores Of Mud-Brick Houses Inhabited By Several Hundred Farm Families. But More Room Was

Philippine Is.-"Live" entertainers are a rare treat in the jungles. Usually, it's a movie that brings 13th AAF men their sole relaxation of the day. The L-5s carry the precious film from island to island. It's a lonely haul, so Sgt. Gilder takes his

Bomb Damage To The Marshalling Yards At Florence, Italy. These Yards Were Wrecked During Bombing By The 42Nd Bomb Wing On 26 September 1944.

Photographs depicting military activities in France, May - June 1940. Included photographs of Rommel, Guderian, Dreuz, Bottcher, Italian General Garaboldi, Lucie Rommel, shots of Rommel with Hitler. Photographs of equipment and troops arriving and in action, from the personal collection of Rommel.

A line of trucks at Bizerte, Tunisia. 17 November 1943.

German Prisoners Quartered On The Landing Field At Bad Abling Airdrome, Germany. May 1945.

Members of the 28th...

Airbourne Reserves For The Battle Of Meiktila - Reserves For Seventeen Division Were Flown From Palel, India To Meiktila, Burma, Through The Efficient Efforts Of The 1St And 2Nd Air Commando Groups. Here, One Of The First General Sherman Tanks En Route Ac

Tripoli - Artillery taking position at Sciara Sciat

Members Of A North American B-25 Bomb Group And Brig. General Claire L. Chennault Stand At Attention During Citation Reading At A Medal Presentation Ceremony At An Air Base Somewhere In China. 20 December 1942.

Rows Of Gas And Oil Drums In The Supply Area From Which They Were Issued By The 4474Th Qm Depot Company, And Formerly By The Bulk Service Battalion, Started 30 June 1945. 60-80 Octane Gase, And 10-30-50 Lubricating Oil Was Issued To All Outfits. Okinawa

Traffic control men, working from a foxhole on a 9th Air Force airstrip somewhere on the Normandy peninsula, signal with their "biscuit gun" to a pilot about to take-off. This strip was made ready by 9th Aviation Engineers of the 9th Air Force.

Royal Air Force- 2nd Tactical Air Force, 1943-1945. Hawker Typhoon Mark IB, MN529 'BR-N', of No. 184 Squadron RAF raises clouds of dust as it takes takes off from B2/Bazenville, Normandy, on a sortie armed with rocket projectiles.

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