World War II Combat Aircraft

Historical photographs of military aircraft operations, including aircraft maintenance and pilots receiving accolades during World War II.

Natousa Anti-Malarial Organization Aircraft Phase. Pt-17 Dusting In Lake Patria Area Being Directed By Radio Communication From A C-61. Italy.

Bell P-39 Planes On The Line At Wideawake Field, Ascension Island. May 1943.

Capt. Clarence A. Kirley, 300 Glenwood Avenue, Syracuse, N.Y., pilot of an AAF B-26 Marauder, is presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross by Lt. Col. Eugene Fletcher, group commander. The award was made recently (Dec. 5) for extraordinary

Ground Crew Repair Republic P-47S At Manston Air Base, On Dover Coast, England.

1Lt Richard G. Keene, Quincy, Mass., A Fighter Pilot, Crash-Landed His Republic P-47 After A Dive Bombing Mission In Germany, Due To Defective Propeller. He Was Found By Pfc Russell J. Herbert, A Seventh Army Signal Corpsman.

Natousa Anti-Malarial Organization Aircraft Phase. Pt-17 Dusting In Lake Patria Area Being Directed By Radio Communication From A C-61. Italy.

FIRST AMERICAN "SHUTTLE" PLANE TO LAND AT U.S. BASE IN RUSSIA: The P-39 Lightning above was the first U.S. AAF "shuttle" plane to land in the U.S.S.R. It was flown on a reconnaissance mission from England by Col. Paul T. Cullen

Aircraft, Burma, India & INDIA,CREWS War

Men Of The 817Th Aviation Engineers Battalion Use A Ditch-Digger In The Repair Of A Demolished Culvert At An Airfield Near Florence, Italy. Nov. 1944.

The famous 11th Bomb Squadron based at Kweilin, China. At the outbreak of World War II this squadron was sent to the Philippines, but before they reached their destination, the Japaneses were already occupying the Island. Thus the squadron was forced

Landing Boats Ferry Supplies From The Freighters To The Barbed-Wire Strewn Beach Of Guadalcanal. Although This Spot Had Just Been Raided By Japaneseanese Dive-Bombers, The Work Of Landing Supplies Goes On Uninterrupted.

ITALY-Cpl Ernest U. Earn, (left) 23, Eastman, Ga., and Sgt Roland B. Brouillett, (right) 28, St. Armand, Quebec, Canada, displaying generator, a 4 cycle gasoline fuel pump engine to charge battery (24 Vol. Aircraft) used to supply power for 10 to 12

An Aerial View Shows Damage Caused By Allied Air Attacks To The Vast I.G. Farbenindustrie Works At Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Boeing B-29 Superfortresses Enroute To Raid The Island Of Formosa, From Their Home Base In China.

CORSICA-The large 6x6 trucks are carefully backed onto the ramp leading onto the hold of the boat. When loaded to the "Gunnels," the boat will pull out for Italy.

Men Of The 15Th Air Force Serive Command Refuel A Consolidated B-24 At A Base Somewhere In Europe.

Bob Hope And Frances Langford Visit A Fighter Group In North Africa. Shown Left To Right Are: Lt. Donald R. Mcgoldrick, Cincinnati, Ohio, Public Relations Officer; Major Robert L. Baseler, Columbia, Conn., Commanding Officer Of A P-40 Warhawk Fighter Grou

Crews of riggers on the San Pablo Strip #1 on Leyte Island in the Philippines are making para-packs of vitally needed supplies to be dropped to the men at the Manawarat strip.

T/4 D.G. Winslow of Sioux City, Iowa, is shown in a Douglas C-47 transport of the 9th Air Force Troop Carrier Command during parachute maneuvers recently. Men like Winslow will spearhead the Allied invasion of Europe, landing far behind German front

Camera Repairmen Of The 21St Photographic Reconnaissance Sqd., Based In China, Install A K-22 Camera In The Split 24-Inch Set-Up On A Lockheed F-5A Used On Missions Covering Targets Requiring Maximum Amount Of Film.

Even Though Attempts Were Made By Smoke Screens To Obscure The Target, 8Th Air force Liberators And Fortresses Were Successful In Bombing The Junkers Aircraft Plant At Arniswalde, Germany, On 11 April 1944. Bomb Bursts Were Well Within The Target Area.

Ordnance Men Examine Damage Caused By An Explosion Of M-4 Fragmentation Bombs Due To Faulty Packing. Necessary Precautions Were Not Followed And The Bombs Exploded As They Were Transferred From A Truck To The Underground Dump Causing The Death Of Three M

American airmen in the African desert. Air Corps medical officer examines chest of ailing soldier. This is a common complaint on account of the sand continiously being drawn into the lungs.

German Airport At Mosbach, Germany, Where Glider Flying Was Taught. Mechanics Are Fixing Up One Of The Gliders Left By The Nazis.

Filipino girls washing clothes for the Yanks. Dulag, Leyte Is., P.I.

Natives Laying Foundation For A New Building At Val De Caes Field, Belem Brazil. April 1943.

Germany -- This Northrop P-61 Black Widow Crew Chief Of Lt. Colonel Oris B. Johnson'S 422Nd 'Green Bats' Night Fighter Squadron Decided It Was Time For A Well Earned Bit Of Relaxation And His Reaction To V-E Day News Was This. Owner Of The Sun Absorbing

Crew Of The 'Terrible Texan' Left To Right, Bottom Row, Are: Pilot, Lt. James M. Garmon, Lorenzo, Texas; Bombardier, Lt. Rodney A. Manning, Minneapolis, Minn.; Top Row: Engineer-Gunner, S/Sgt. Ralph W. Mercuri, Dunmore, Pa.; Gunner, T/Sgt. G.M. Foley, May

Barracks at Wadi Seidna...

The Curtiss C-46 'Cargo Packin' Mama' Is Jacked Up To Determine The Extent Of Damage After It Made A Belly-Landing At An Airbase In Kunming, China.

Close-up of small boat unloading gasoline drums. It is all done by coolies, with Quartermaster supervision. These coolies boats are hard to keep in service because neither boats or coolies are paid for their work by the U.S. or Chinese governments

Wrecked Tank Cars In The Marshalling Yards At Wels, Austria, Done By The 15Th Air Force Bombers.

An Infantryman Walks Guard Over Area In Which Forty German Planes, Partially Demolished, Were Left Behind By The Retreating Enemy. The Three Shown In The Photo Are The Famed Old Stuka, Ju-87, Used In The Blitzkreig Of France And At Dunkirk To Great Advan

Under the wing of an aircraft, these 9th Air Force officers set up operations at a captured German airfield somewhere in France. Left to right are: Lt. John Veria, Operations Officer, of Antioch, Calif., and Glider Pilot Jack Phillips, of Oakland

Funeral services are conducted for men of the 38th Bomb Group killed in action. Port Moresby, Papua, New Guinea.

An Advance Echelon Engine Change Crew Of The 468Th Bomb Group, Xx Bomber Command In China. Left To Right, Back Row: Sgt. Roy Wilson, New Haven, Conn.; Cpl. Don Clark, Huntington, Ind.; Cpl. Wally Crochet, Hartford, Conn.; Cpl. Edward Byrne, La Salle, Ill

BACK FROM BRUNSWICK---The Eighth AAF Flying ofrtress "F for Frenesi," piloted by Lt. Cely, with his crew, including three wounded gunners, returned to its base "just a series of holes held together by some metal" after dropping its bombs on the

Aircraft, Burma, India &MEDICAL, EVACUATION, Air War

During A Sea Sweep This Enemy Ship Off The Coast Of Hainan Island Was Hit By Bombs Dropped By Planes Of The 491St Bombardment Squadron, 341St Bombardment Group, 14Th Air Force, 13 February 1944.

ITALY-T/Sgt. Peter J. Kasprzyk, 4 Hillcrest Ave., N.Y., cleaning aircraft parts with powerful pressure cleaner which forces dirt and grease from the surface. At this salvage depot of the 15th AF Service Command, wrecked planes are stripped of every

These Me-109 Fuselages Never Left The Rail Yard For Assembly At Airfield Near Plauen, Germany.

Because of the difficulty in moving in supplies to outposts in India, they were sent in by air. Here, bundles of supplies are loaded onto a transport plane somewhere in India.

The famous 11th Bomb Squadron based at Kweilin, China. At the outbreak of World War II this squadron was sent to the Philippines, but before they reached their destination, the Japaneses were already occupying the Island. Thus the squadron was forced

Gi Uses Primitive Method Of Washing His Clothes At Wideawake Field, Ascension Island. May 1943.

1St Lt. Charles E. Biehle Of North Vernon, Indiana, Is Bombardier Of 'Black Magic', Plane No. 276, Of The 45Th Squadron, 40Th Bomb Group, 20Th Bomber Command, Which Participated In The 21 November 1944 Bombing Raid On Omura, Japanesean. Lt. Biehle Has Been Aw

5Th Army, Traversa Area, Italy - Members Of The 3Rd Tactical Air Communications Squadron

The daily communiques from the various battle front over the world invariably tell of the accomplishments of the USAAF. Subsequent news stories have developed tales of the deeds of individual airmen and air crews. But little publicity has been

The Seebee's 40th Construction Battalion is staffed with a complement of officers who were active engineers in civilian life. Seated (center) is Lt. Commander Ivan S. Rassmussen from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who is laying out the general plan

Air Views Of The Twelfth Observation Squadron.

Col. William E. Karnes of Paducah, Ky, with the 15th Army Air Forces in the Mediterranean Area, is shown with a crew of one of the Liberators assigned to his Group, "Helle's Belle." Left to right: Standing, Sgt. Howard D. Gaston, Findlay, Illinois

Twenty MM shells from enemy fighters ripped these gaping holes in the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer of this ofrtress. Two members of the crew were wounded when the ship had to leave the formation and they had to slug it out with the

A Pt-17 Dusting Swampland Near Leghorn, Italy. The Dust Is 75%%%%%%%% Fuller'S Earth, 25%%%%%%%% Paris Green.

Enemy on Kiska.

Aircraft, Burma, India &Troops &Paratroops

French airplanes on the line at Marrakech Airfield, Marrakech, Morocco. May 1943.

Raid on Bremen, Germany, 20 Dec 1943.

Aircraft, Burma, India &Maintenance, ASSEMBLY OFPLANES War

A view from a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress of Marseilles, France after the bombing of the submarine pens on December 20. (USAAF PHOTOGRAPH)

The Ancient And Modern Meet At Laohwangping Airfield, China. Both Pieces Of Equipment Are Necessary And Vital In The War Against Tyranny.

Installations At Parnamirim Field, Natal, Brazil. May 1943.

Yawata, Japanesean-20 August 1944 photo shows revetment empty, balloon aloft (in circle).

M/Sgt. Herbert H. Roberts, Rosebud, Texas, Crew Chief Of This Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" Glances Down At A Cub Dwarfed By His Fortress. England.

Back view of Projectile, HE 4.5 inch, M8, T-30 Rocket aircraft. Mounted on A-20 wing.

Aircraft, Burma, India & INDIA,CREWS War

OVER THE NETHERLANDS-Supplies are dropped from the air to paratroopers fighting in Holland, their gliders and collapsed parachutes dotting the earth below.

At a German air base, parked enemy planes feel destructive onslaught of attack by U.S. 8th Air Force fighter planes as effective strafing destroys the camouflaged HE-177's.

RECONNAISSANCE PHOTO OF REGENSBURG PLANT BEFORE FEB 25 ATTACK: Although nearly six weeks have elapsed between the attack and this photographic coverage, the Germans have made little or no attempt to clear away the damaged planes

Barracks Of The British Overseas Airways At Sheikh Othman Airport, Aden, Arabia. June 1943.

Returning from the support of bombers deep within Germany, Lt. James W. Wilkinson, 411 Dickinson Ave., Swarthmore, Pa., recently swept low over two airdromes with the results shown. Pictures 50448 AC and A show the

After Italian Soldiers Have Shoveled The Mud Off The Steel Landing Mat At An Airbase In Italy, The Mat Is Pried Loose And Laid Over Steel Drums. This Is One Of The First Steps In Preparing The Taxiway For Reconstruction.

Loading Aerial Mines On A Boeing B-29 Of The 468Th Bomb Group Based In Chengtu, China. 24 January 1945.

Weather Installations At Cape Adelaer, Greenland -- Here, (1) S/Sgt. Andrews Preparing For Radiosonde Release And (2) Cpl. Leaver Assisting Him.

Bombs from 9th Air Force Martin B-26 Marauders make hits on a Nazi-held section of the northwestern part of the Cherbourg, Peninsula, France.

Chinese Troops Prepare To Board A Consolidated C-87 At Yunnanyi Air Base In China. They Will Be Rushed To General Joseph W. Stilwell's Aid On The Burma Frontier. April 1944.

FIGHTERS SWEEP LOW OVER NAZI HELD EUROPE--Striking at behind the lines rail and waterways transportation, fighters of the 8th Air force Fighter Command have swept across Europe tieing up Nazi transportation with strafing attacks.

A Tree-Shaded Resort High In The Mountains Of North Italy Was Believed To Have Provided A 'Rest Camp' For Nazi Officers Before Republic P-47 Thunderbolts Of The U.S. 12Th Af Came Along To Blast Them Out Of Their Retreat. This Aerial Photo, Taken By A Pil

Cameras mounted in Flying Fortress bellies take strike photos of bomb patterns exploding a few miles inside the French beach head. Here Cpl. Francis B. Bynum of Durham, N.C., photo technician loads cameras into truck this morning to take them to

Crew Members Of The 92Nd Bomb Group Stand In Front Of The Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" "Bundles For Berlin." England. 8 September 1942.

Aircraft, Burma, India &Maintenance,MISCELLANEOUS War

Gen. Deford, Lt. Colonel James H. Bearly, Adjutant, In Foreground At Presentation Ceremony. Capt. John Hamilton, In Command Of 77Th Bomb Sqd., Det., Dropping Salute To The General. Three Pilots To Receive Medals, Left To Right; Capt. Dennis, Lt. Wilson,

T/Sgt. J.T. Harden, Fairfield, Calif., Loads Oxygen Into A Curtiss P-40 At An Air Base Somewhere In China.

This looks just like a gabfest in a country store but it's actually a group of Boeing B-17 Flying ofrtress crew members "Checking out" flying equipment just before taking off on a mission to Germany. The signs, "Don't ofrget your sardine can" (flak

Officers Of The 93Rd Bomb Group Gather Around A Conference Table To Plan Another Mission Over Europe. England.

Refueling Douglas C-47 At Waller Field, Trinidad, British West Indies. April 1943.

Lt. Everett B. Parker Of The 25Th Fighter Squadron, 51St Fighter Group With The 14Th Air Force, Acting At Master Of Ceremonies At The Contest For Selecting The 'Valentine Girl Of Apo 488' In China, February 1944.

A North American B-25 Mitchell Of The 38Th Bomb Group, 71St Bomb Squadron Flies In At Minimum Altitude To Bomb Dobo, Dutch New Guinea On 26 May 1944.

Tent quarters for enlisted men at Marrakech Field, Marrakech, Morocco. May 1943.

Captain Raymond M. Walsh, of Fort Myers, Fla., a Republic P-47 Pilot strafes an ammunition truck in Normandy, France, and then disappears into the explosion. He flew through safely, and returned to his base.

A few miles from the Gura Air Depot on the road to Adi Ugri, Eritrea, American soldiers found a huge pile of shell cases. 20 December 1942.

Mail From Home Is The Most Important Morale Factor For These G.I.'s In China, With The 308Th Bomb Group And Here Gathered Around The Door Of The Mail Room Is A Group Waiting For The Afternoon Mail Call. Huge Quantities Of Mail Are Flown Across The Hump I

Prefabricated Barracks, Rufisque Airfield, Rufisque, French West Africa. June 1943.

Lt. Unger's Crew Of The 486Th Bombardment Group In England.

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.

Camouflage Netting Still Covers The Destroyed Benzine Plant In Bottrop, Germany, Which Was Destroyed By Aerial Bombardment. The Plant Was Formerly The Largest Airplane Fuel Manufacturing Factory In Germany. The Town Fell To The 79Th Division, 9Th Us Arm

Aircraft, Burma, India & INDIA,CAMOUFLAGE War

The enemy burning nicely, heads straight for its last resting place.

S/Sgt. Luther P. Bonones, Waist Gunner From Cataivisso, Penn., Is Shown At His Position In His Plane At Bovington, England. 22 July 1943.

Aircraft, Burma, India & INDIA,RECREATION War

Aircraft, Burma, India &Operations War

Pan-American Offices At Val De Caes Field, Belem Brazil. April 1943.

Bomb Damage At Rennes, France. 12 Augut 1944.

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