World War II Bomber Operations

Black and white images of WWII bombers in flight, showcasing bombing missions over Europe and the Pacific, with formations and aerial views.

Bombing Of Oil Refinery At Merseburg, Germany, 4Th Bomb Wing, 94Th Bomb Group.
Bombing Of Oil Refinery At Merseburg, Germany, 4Th Bomb Wing, 94Th Bomb Group.
258 assets in this story
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Ground-to-air view of four aircraft flying in formation during Test and Evaluation Squadron Five (VX-5) airshow. The aircraft over Armitage Field, are (from left to right, clockwise) an A-7E Corsair II, an A-4M Skyhawk, and A-6E Intruder and an AV-8C Harrier. Base: Nav Weapons Center, China Lake State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. Six Boulton Paul Defiant Mark Is of No. 264 Squadron RAF Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, flying in loose 'vic' formations.
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New Jet Units Help Carrier Plane Takeoff -- A U.S. Navy Corsair fighter plane, powered by both sides motor and by new jet propulsion units roars down the flight deck of a ***** for a takeoff. Spent gases from the units ***** in the plane's wake. The new jets reduce normal ***** off runs from 33 to 60 percent, help planes to ***** loads and enable carriers to handle more ***** on their flight decks. October 06, 1944.;New Jet Units Help Carrier Plane Takeoff -- A U.S. Navy Corsair fighter plane, p
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Commonwealth Joint Air Training Plan, No 24 Bombing, Gunnery and Navigational School at Moffat, Rhodesia, January 1943 A Fairey Battle aircraft towing a drogue sleeve while the student operates the power turret of Airspeed Oxford AS515.
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A Douglas C-47 Drops Supplies Of 75Mm Ammunition By Parachute, On Randolph Field, Leyte Island In The Philippines.
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WW1 - Captain Lanoe George Hawker VC, DSO (1890-1916), was a British flying ace, with seven credited victories. This illustration captures an occassion on 25th July 1915, where Captain Hawker is in an unequal aerial battle with three German aeroplanes. Each German aeroplane is manned by a pilot and an observer, and armed with machine-guns. The first plane escapes, the second bursts into flames as it decends, and the third continues to attack, but is eventually driven down into the ground in Brit
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Royal Air Force Flying Training Command, 1940-1945. Airspeed Horsa gliders of the Heavy Glider Conversion Unit, coming in to land at Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.
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Low angle view of five fighter planes flying in formation
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Consolidated B-24 Liberators of the U.S. 8th AF part of a force of 1,250 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberators that attacked 11 rail centers in Western Germany, March 23, 1945, flies over smoke rising from the rail lines at Osnabruck.
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This Boeing B-29 "Superfortress" Found Iwo Jima Fog-Closed. The Plane Was Forced To Ditch Off The Shore; But The Crew Swam To Safety. Bonin Islands.
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U.S. Planes Blast German Airfield In France A Liberator bomber of the Eighth U.S. Army Air Force heads for its home base after helping to blast a German airfield near St. Dizier, in occupied France, where administrative buildings (upper right) burn fiercely and bombs explode on the dispersal area (lower center). The airfield, located near the Marno River, is used by the Germans as a defensive fighter plane base. During March, 1944 American war planes flew 29,016 sorties over Germany and German-h
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Formation of Huge C-119 Flying Boxcar troop-carrying transports of the Far Past Air Forces 315th Air Division (Combat Cargo) arrive over the drop zone with more paratroopers of the 187th Airborne Division joining those who have already jumped. This was a practice maneuver made preparatory to today's (March 23) actual airborne jump north of Seoul. March 23, 1951. (Photo by Usaf Photo).
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Japan Wars On U.S. -- A Japanese plane leaves a carrier to strike at U.S. Soil -- Pearl Harbor - on December 7, 1941. A Jap film recording the opening phase of dub war with the Nipponese, was obtained by the War Department and released by the Office of War Information. April 5, 1943. (Photo by ACME).
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Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Two Douglas Boston Mark IIIs, Z2303 and Z2284, of No. 114 Squadron RAF based at Souk el Khemis (Kings Cross) Tunisia, flying over the Aurés mountains to attack enemy airfields.
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Bombing Of St. Tropez, On The Southern Coast Of France, By Martin B-26 Marauders Of The 12Th Af On 14 August 1944.
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French Train as NATO Paratroopers at Pau. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel
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Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.
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Douglas A-20S Of The 410Th Bomb Group, Flies Over A Small Town Enroute To Release Its Bombs On An Enemy Installation Somewhere In Europe.
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Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Three Vickers Wellington Mark ICs of No. 37 Squadron RAF based at Shallufa, Egypt, in flight over the Western Desert.
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Vintage photograph. Formation of North American F-86 Sabres of the 36th Fighter-Interceptor Wing in flight
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An R.A.F. Bomber watches the end of an enemy tanker as ablaze from stem to stern, she sinks in the Channel off the French coast. December 15, 1941. (Photo by British Official Photograph).
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Tunisia-Allied Air Forces have attacked the Axis in the Mareth offensive with greater intensity than before the battle of El Alamein. The full power of the famous desert shuttle service was once again been turned on Rommel's forces
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The Royal Navy during the Second World War Eight Fairey Albacore planes of 820 Naval Air Squadron starting out on an exercise. Some are carrying dummy torpedoes whilst others appear to be live. They are flying above water.
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Trip to Louisiana and Florida: Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Air Proving Ground Center, Manned Weapons Firepower Demonstration, 1:15PM. Manned weapons firepower demonstration for President John F. Kennedy at the Air Proving Ground Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Okaloosa County, Florida.
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DN-SN-90-04254. Country: Unknown
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Anti-Submarine Action, "Battle of the Atlantic". This striking action photo shows the close coordination of a Coast Guard patrol plane and a Navy destroyer on anti-submarine patrol in the 'Battle of the Atlantic' against enemy submarines. A U.S. Navy destroyer comes to the support of a Coast Guard patrol plane that has dropped its depth charges and maneuvers around suspected oil slick and air bubbles of an enemy submarine. The Navy destroyer unleashes a thunderous depth charge barrage as it streaks ahead.
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Black and white retro image of Lancaster bombers from Battle of Britain in World War Two
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A Republic P-47 Takes Off From An Airfield At Niedermendig, Germany.
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A Fighter Squadron 301 (VF-301) F-14A Tomcat aircraft prepares to catch the arresting cable aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) during Reserve Carrier Air Wing 30 annual training operations off the coast of Southern California. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)
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Four A-4F Skyhawk aircraft assigned to the Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team, fly in formation (two upside-down) over the Severn River during the US Naval Academy as part of Commissioning Week ceremonies. The burgees on a sailboat are visible to the left. Base: Annapolis State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Glider Reclamation - The Gliders Of The 9Th Troop Carrier Command Pictured Here Were Just A Few Of Those Used In The Invasion Of Southern Holland In Sept. 1944. These Gliders Will Be Reclaimed And Repaired By Skilled Engineers For Future Use By The 9Th T
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Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.
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Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.
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Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Tjililitan airport at Batavia various activities. Airplane in the air. February 1947. Batavia, Batavia, Indonesia, Jakarta, Java, Dutch East Indies
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The Royal Navy during the Second World War Six Fairey Barracuda torpedo bombers from Lee-on-Solent Fleet Air Arm Station in echelon formation. The Fairey Barracuda torpedo bomber is a combination of dive and torpedo bomber, and is the newest to come into service with the Fleet Air Arm.
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Japanese Machine Gun Bullets Furrow The Water Behind This 13Th Aaf North American B-25 Mitchell Medium Bomber As It Speeds To Safety After A Tree-Top Level Bombing And Strafing Attack On The Seaplane Anchorage At Victoria Harbor, North Borneo. The Plane'S Bom
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U.S. Bombers Blast German Installations In Yugoslavia. Soaring high above scattered clouds, a squadron of B-25 Mitchell medium bombers of the Twelfth U.S. Amy Air Force blasts the port of Sibenik, Yugoslavia, damaging the German-held airfield, railway yards and supply depots. Raids by Allied pianos over German supply bases and communication lines are helping Yugoslav patriots in their fight against the invader. February 14, 1944.
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R.A.F. Baltimore attack Enemy Transport in Italy - Bombers of the R.A.F. are keeping on their attacks on enemy transport, road junctions and troops rushed up to the West Rome front. They are playing have with the efforts of the enemy to reinforce and supply his troops.Bombs leaving an R.A.F. - Baltimore on their way down to their target on the Rome-Pescara road between Avezzano and Popoli. February 10, 1944. (Photo by British Official Photograph).
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DN-SN-87-09882. Country: Unknown
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The Battle of Britain Two Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 32 Squadron coming in to land for refuelling and rearming at Biggin Hill, watched by an airman standing with a signalling flag in the foreground, August 1940.
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F4U's (Corsairs) returning from a combat mission over North Korea to the USS Boxer. Planes in the next strike are about to be launched from the carrier flight deck. Sept. 4, 1951. Korean War. (BSLOC_2014_11_224)
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antique metal lock door in a old home concept of safety
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Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody carrier kite with basket and man aboard a few feet of the ground. It is being viewed by a man in a Stetson (probably Cody) and a group of soldiers. According to Cody he was fascinated by kites from a young age, when he saw the Chinese cooks who worked on the cattle drives making and flying toy kites. Like many of Cody's tales of his early life, it is difficult to say whether this is true or not.. In friendly competition he and his sons used to build kites and fly them to great heights. They began building larger and larger versions until Cody decided to try and construct a man carrier. After many trials and the occasional accident Cody designed and built a system that could easily carry a man to a height of over 2500 feet and hold him suitably stable whilst he was in the air. His design was purchased by the war office and Cody was employed as kiting instructor. Whilst man-carrying kites had been built previously, Codys use of a serie
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Hawker Hunters In Service With R.A.F. -- A general view taken from the ground of Hawker Hunter jet fighters in flight.Three squadrons of Fighter Command Royal Air Force are now fully equipped with Hawker Hunter jet fighters. One of them is the R.A.F. Station at Wittisham, Suffolk. The Hawker Hunter is a single seat day fighter. The Mark 1 is powered by a single Rolls Royal Avon turbijet, and the Mark 2 by an Armstrong Siddaley Sapphire. The Hunter is a swept-back mid-wing monoplane, the moderate wing loading and high power loading ensure and is very mandeuvrable at high altitudes where trans-sonic speeds may be attained in dives of relatively shallow angle. February 16, 1955.
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Men of 187th A/B BCT Land Korea, after Making a training jump from C-119s. March 07, 1951. (Photo by Cpl. T. Turner, US Army Photo).
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Royal Air Force Transport Command, 1943-1945. Operation VARSITY. Douglas Dakotas of No. 46 Group fly in formation over Wavre, Belgium, heading for the dropping zones east of the River Rhine. Above them, Dakotas towing Airspeed Horsas fly a divergent course towards their objectives.
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Manoeuvres used by fighters during World War One to attack or evade the enemy : pilots learn to exploit the particular characteristics of individual aircraft types. Date: circa 1915
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Anefo photo collection. Nato Fly Party Soesterberg 40 years of military aviation. Nato Fly Party Soesterberg 40 years of military aviation. Shedding parachutists by a C-119 packet of the USAF. July 18, 1953
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Nazi Plane Crashed. A Nazi Junkers 88, which crashed beach during a recent Nazi raid on England. May 8, 1941. (Photo by Topical Press).
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Black and white retro image of Lancaster bombers from Battle of Britain in World War Two
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Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Landing exercises I Infantry Brigade 7-December Division in Tjilinting. Exercises on Java's North Coast. The bridgehead is formed and the troops present therein are supplied by the ML from the air. Parachutes come to the packages with ammunition and food. May 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies
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DN-SN-88-08347. Base: El Centro State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Frames from Gun Camera illustrate salvo of four rockets fired by British Typhoon, England.
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Fires Rocket Target -- An anti-aircraft rocket target, used in the training of ant-aircraft gunners here, is fired from a nearby foxhole by Lt. James S. Mahon, of Eastland, Texas. The rocket target, four feet long with fins at the rear, reaches a speed estimated at 475 miles an hour, and has a range of 2200 feet. March 20, 1944. (Photo by AP Wirephoto).
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Flight formation of F-86F Sabre jets
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Rangers are airdropped onto Gray Field after undergoing two weeks of amphibious training in Coronado, California. Base: Fort Lewis State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Transport Plans Drops Rice For Chinese Fighting In Burma -- Dropped U.S. transport plane, parachutes weighted with large containers of rice Land at a base of American-trained Chinese soldiers fighting against the Japanese in Burma. White silk tops on the ground show where many bundles of rice have already landed on the field. March 20, 1944.