World War II Air Operations

Archival images of WWII aircraft in flight, returning from missions, detailing bombers in formation and targeting enemy installations.

AAF B-26 Marauders return to their 12th AAF base over the Mediterranean after a raid on German communication in Italy. The P-38 Lightning (twin fuselage) in the background expended its ammunition on enemy fighters and then for protection tucked

AAF B-26 Marauders return to their 12th AAF base over the Mediterranean after a raid on German communication in Italy. The P-38 Lightning (twin fuselage) in the background expended its ammunition on enemy fighters and then for protection tucked

Soon Bombs Will Be Cascading Down From These Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Of The 381St Bomb Group. The B-17 'This Is It' Has Already Opened Its Bomb Bay Doors. The Target On This Mission Was A Nazi Installation, Somewhere In Europe.

Martin B-26 Marauders flying over the Alps. This impressive photograph was taken from one of a fleet of Marauder aircraft which were on their way to attack vital targets in south-west Germany. It will be noted that the strong icy winds have

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Enroute To Bomb Enemy Installations In Germany. B-17 From 305Th Bomb Gp. In Foreground.

High in the battle skies of Germany, part of the great fleet of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses which struck at Misburg, 29 Nov 44, roars target-ward. This formation of 8th Air Force heavy bombers is but a small part of the giant armada which at this

Consolidated B-24's of the "Liberators of China" heavy bombardment Group of Maj. Gen. C.L. Chennault's 14th Air force with their accompanying P-51 and P-40 escort, pictured as the "Flying Tigers" raid Sinshih, important Japaneseanese supply point

On 25 November 1944 Consolidated B-24 Liberators Of The 865Th And 867Th Bomb Squadron, 494Th Bomb Group Participated In A Raid On Arakebesan Island, Palau Islands, Caroline Group. Here Two Of The Heavy Bombers Wing Their Way To The Target.

When this Douglas A-20 Havoc light bomber of the 9th USAAF was hit by flak over enemy territory the concussion of the anti-aircraft blast lifted the plane momentarily out of the photographer's field of vision. The he caught this photograph showing

Its bombardier dead in the wreckage of its flak-riddled nose section, the center plane keeps its place in a 12th AF North American B-25 Mitchell bomber formation on the return flight from a bombing attack against a bridge in northern Italy.

Martin B-26 Marauders flying through flak.

Vapor Trail Footprints Of The Grim Air Battle Over Enemy Occupied Territory Somewhere In Europe Were Left By A Formation Of 381St Bomb Group Planes Which Roared Over A Few Minutes Before The Boeing B-17 'Wolverine'.

Air Borne Reserves For The Battle Of Meiktila - Reserves For Seventeen Divisions Were Flown From Palel, India To Meiktila, Burma, Through The Efficient Efforts Of The 1St And 2Nd Air Commando Groups. Here, Waco Glider Number 17 And Its Douglas C-47 Tug

A Formation Of 381St Bomb Group Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses, En Route To Attack Enemy Installations In Europe, Form A Pleasing Pattern Against A Background Of Clouds.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Head For A Big Supply Depot Over Vienna On 15 February 1945. Sustained Attacks By The Heavies Of The 15Th Air Force Against The Remaining Strenght In Naziland Is Helping To Tighten The Ring Around Germany And Aids The Russia

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Of The 91St Bomb Group Enroute To Bomb Berlin, Germany, Fly At An Altitude Of 21,000 Feet. 7 March 1944.

First Medium Bombers In The Eto To Complete 600 Combat Missions, First Tac Martin B-26 Marauders Of The Aaf'S Oldest Medium Bomb Group Drop Their High Explosives Through Complete Overcast On A Troop Concentration On The Ile D'Oleron Off The West Coast Of

Lockheed P-38 "Lightning" Of The 15Th Air Force, In Formation Over Yugoslavia.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 8th AF England, on way to bomb targets in Germany.

"The Ace of Spades," one of General Kenney's Fifth Air Force Liberator Bombers, soars over Wewak after a devastating attack on a major enemy air base on the North coast of New Guinea.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress hit in Weisbaden, Germany, attack.

Consolidated B-24 Liberators Of The 12Th Af Returning From A Mission Over Germany, Fly Over The Adriatic.

A U.S. Army Air Forces North American B-25 Of The Twelfth Bombardment Group, Operating In The India Burma Theatre Under The Allied Eastern Air Command, Turns For Home After Bombing Supply Areas In Sagaing, Road And Rail Junction Across The Irrawaddy River

First pictures of the Northrup P-61 Black Widow, night fighter of the 9th AF, in flight over France. Use of these twin-tailed, twin-motored high perofrmance night fighters in the European Theatre of Operations was recently revealed after they had

Curtiss SB2C-3 Bombers of VB-18 on patrol over the Philippine Sea, 15 November 1944. They are from USS Intrepid (CV-11). Note crudely repainted markings on tails.

Europe - Gun Camera View From One P-47 Of Xix Tac Shows Another Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Chasing Flaming Me-109 That Crashed.

NAZI FIGHTER NEST HIT--Leaving the German twin-engine fighter base at Dijon burning, Flying Fortresses of the U.S. 8th AF head for home after their attack on 28 March. The main hangars, workshops, three small hangar and barracks all received hits

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Enroute To Bomb Enemy Installations In Germany. 401St Bomb Gp. 48153 'Q' Has 'Mickey' Radar.

Consolidated B-24 Liberators Of The 491St Bomb Group En Route To Bomb Enemy Targets At Bielsfeld, Germany. 6 December 1944.

Framed By The Propeller Of An Accompanying Plane, Northrup P-61 'Black Widows', Night Fighters Of The 9Th Air Force, Streak Across To Intercept The Few Luftwaffe Planes Which Try To Break Out Of Germany Into Allied Territory. 27 September 1944.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Patches" on shuttle mission to Russia, with North American P-51 Mustangs escorting.

Formation of Lockheed P-38 Lightnings. CORSICA. 7 August 1944.

A gaping hole in the right wing, made by enemy anti-aircraft fire, fails to stop this Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress of the 15th Air Force. Had the shell hit a few inches forward it would hav exploded the main wing tank. The incident occurred over the

A Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" Part Of The 381St Bomb Group, Flies Above A Carpet Of Clouds As It Heads For The Target, Somewhere In Europe.

With Bomb Bay Doors Open, The First Of A Large Formation Of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Send Their Bombs Plummeting Earthwards On Rail Installations At Bingen, Germany, As Heavy Bombers Of Us 8Th Air force Press Home Their Attack Of Dec. 29, 1944.

A Formation Of Consolidated B-24 Liberators Of The 445Th Bomb Group En Route To Drop Their Bombs On Enemy Installations At Glinde, Germany. 6 October 1944.

ACHTUNG. .. ACHTUNG. .. SOUNDS AS THESE CONSOLIDATED B-24 LIBERATORS of the Eighth AF fly a tight formation on their way to bomb another vital target deep in the heart of Nazi Germany. Their target on this occasion was Gotha, Germany

A Special Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" In Flight. 92Nd Bomb Group, England. 25 Aug 1943.

Douglas C-54 "Flying Cross" In Flight Near Kunming, China. 5 June 1945.

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. Short Stirling Mark I, N3706 'MG-S', of No, 7 Squadron RAF based at Oakington, Cambridgeshire, in flight above the starboard wing of another aircraft of the Squadron.

These 15th AF P-51s flying high over Italy bear the tail markings of the 31st Fighter Group, which destroyed 570 enemy planes. Wing tanks are dropped when enemy aircraft are met, to make the Mustang more maneuverable and to remove a target vulnerable

SOFTENING UP THE COAST. Marauders of the U.S. Army 9th and 15th Air Forces during recent attacks on Nazi-held coastal points in France. These B-26 Marauder bombers crossing the French coastline in the early morning light to strike at another Nazi

Bombs send up plumes of smoke from the rail junction at Versailles, France, as U.S. 8th AAF Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses attacked 4 June 44. The famed palace there may be seen just below the right wing of the Fortress. Hits were registered on the

Mission Accomplished, This Britain-Based Martin B-26 Marauder Medium Bomber Of The 9Th Air Force Heads For 'Home' After Anothr Successful Attack On Military Objectives Along The French Coast. The Fast, Twin-Engine Bomber Is One Of Several Hundred Maraude

Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortresses" Of The 452Nd Bomb Group Leave Streams Of Condensing Vapor Trails, Forming In The Sky A Pattern Of Doom For The Nazis To Gaze Upon. Their Target Was Dunkirk, France, As 8Th Air Force Bombers Continually Blasted At Every Op

First Allied Bomber In Eto To Complete 200 Missions, 'Flak Bait,' Leads Other Martin B-26 Marauders Of The 332Nd Bombardment Group Over Belgium To Magdeburg, Germany On 17 April 1945, On Its 200Th Sortie. It Participated In The Pre-Invasion Aerial Offens

Bombers of the 8th AAF encountered heavy anti-aircraft while flying to bombing targets in Germany.

Hitler's Bavarian Alps offer no barrier to high flying Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses of the U.S. Eighth Air Force. Here they wing toward Munich, Germany, 25 Feb. 45, where they attacked rail targets. 100th Bomb Group.

Consolidated B-24 "Liberators" of the 494th Bomb Group, having dropped their bombs on the target-Japanese installations south-east of the village of Bunawan on Mindanao in the Philippine Islands-leave their objective behind as they head for home.

Flying With A Veteran Martin B-26 Marauder Unit Of The Tactical Air Force, This French Air Force Medium Bomber Is Returning From A Successful Mission On Which They Destroyed A Railroad Bridge In The German Controlled Network Of Railroads In Southern Franc

This Formation Of 12Th Af Republic P-47 Thunderbolts Is Headed For The 5Th Army Front Lines. Loaded Underneath The Wings Of Each Plane Are Fire Bomb Tanks -- The Aerial Version Of The Dreaded Flamethrower. The Tanks Are Loaded With An Inflammable Substa

This Consolidated B-24 Liberator Bomber Of The 15Th Af Drops Fragmentation Bombs On An Airdrome At Newberg, Austria. Photo Reconnaissance Reveals That Extensive Damage Was Done To The Runway, Taxi Strips, Equipment Buildings And Parked Planes.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. SAAF Martin Marylands flying in loose arrowhead formations over Egypt.

North American B-25 Mitchells Of The 12Th Af Head For Home After Smashing Another Hun Position In Northern Italy.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Approaching The Target Area At Mannheim - Ludwigshaven, Germany On 14 Oct. 1943. Position Of Cross Marks Are Approx. In The Center Of The Target Area. Note Smoke Screen.

Boeing B-17 'Inside Curve' Part Of A Formation Of Flying Fortresses Of The 452Nd Bomb Group, Heads For Its Bomb Run Over Berlin, Germany. Heavies Of The 8Th Af Struck Deeper And Deeper Into Enemy Territory, Paralyzing Supply Lines And Vital War Industrie

Vintage photograph. F4u on rocket run attacking a Japanese strong hold on Southern Okinawa

Formation Of Douglas A-20S Attached To The 410Th Bomb Group, Enroute To A Mission Over Enemy Territory In Europe.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Purification actions around Medan. Airplane in the air. October 13, 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies, Sumatra

The Martin B-26 'Carefree Carolyn' Of The 386Th Bomb Group Flies Over Poissy, France To Bomb Enemy Installations During A Mission On 26 May 1944.

This spectacular photograph, snapped by Tech. Sgt. Eugene H. Dobson of Key West, Florida, over Axis installations in Sicily, demonstrates the give and take of aerial combat. The big bomber wings its way thru burst of flak as the lethal bomb load goes

Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" 'Winsome Winn' (Aircraft No. 23078) Of The 381St Bomb Group, Going Down Over France, 12 October 1944.

An American Martin B-26 Marauder of the France-American 1st Tactical AF wings over a smoke-covered enemy barracks and supply area at Lahr, Germany, 18 miles southeast of Strasburg, after an attack by strong forces of the medium bombers. As a result of

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Of The 452Nd Bomb Group Winged Their Way Towards The Target Of The Day - The Nazi Airfield At Chateaudun, France, 28 March 1944, As The 8Th Air Force Bombers Continued To Blast Ever Operational Enemy Factory, Oil Refinery, An

A Douglas C-47 Of The 9Th Troop Carrier Command Wings Its Way Over Bastogne, Belgium, Drooping Parachutes Containing Supplies To Troops.

Mines Parachuting From A Superfortress Over Japanese Home Waters.

Consolidated B-24S Of The 8Th Air Force Encounter Heavy Flak During A Raid On Ludwigshafen, Germany On 31 July 1944.

AAF Martin B-26 Marauder bombers of the 12th AAF cross the Anzio bridgehead as Allied troops and materials are being unloaded along the beaches. The Marauder bombers of the "Bomerang" group are on their way home after attacking German troop

General view of Hankow, and the Wuchang and Hankow airdromes, during attack by 14th Air force bombers and fighters 18 Dec 44. Boeing B-29s of the 20th Air force and left Hankow industrial and waterfront area blazing with smoke

A Formation Of Consolidated B-24 Liberators Of The 392Nd Bomb Group Wing Their Way Over A Blanket Of Clouds En Route To Bomb Enemy Installations In Ludwigshaven, Germany. 2 December 1943.

EUROPE-Bombs are released in unison by a formation of Consolidated B-24 Liberators as they wing across the blue. Close formation flying by the bombers, not only makes for protection against attack, but for concentrated bomb patterns

EUROPE-This Boeing B-17 Flying ofrtress, hit by a 20 mm. cannon shell during a recent raid on enemy held territory, struggles home with a large hole and fire in its starboard wing. It is still suffering the weight of Luftwaffe attacks-smoke can

Flying Fortresses of the 8th Air Forces over Germany. Note bursts of Anti Aircraft fire below planes.

Two North American B-25 Mitchells Of The Tactical Air Force Come Off Their Targets On An Island Off Marseilles, France, From Which Big German Coastal Guns Were Being Used To Shell Allied Troops Moving Into The Large City'S Port Area. Tall Columns Of Smok

German Ju 88 bombers in flight over England during the Battle of Britain. September 1940.

Anefo photo collection. Police action in Indonesia, a Douglas C47A Dakota from the KNIL-ML drops stocks during the rise .. December 30, 1948. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

USAAF North American B-25's of the 12th Bombardment Group, Eastern Air Command, head into clouds over the China Hills on a mission that paved the way for ground forces in the drive on Mandalay.

A formation of U.S. 8th AAF Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses launch their bombs down on to Nazi communications centers during one of their recent daylight attacks deep into Germany.

Formation Of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Of The 452Nd Bomb Group Makes Its Bomb Run Over A Cloud Covered Berlin, Germany 9 March 1944. Their Only Guide For Bomb Release Point Is A Streak Of White Smoke Left By The 'Marker' Bomb Which Has Been Dropped I

Winged Warfare -- Flying In Force Are The Giant Flying Fortresses Of The Us Army Eighth Air Force Brussell-Bound For Vital Factory Targets. The Bombers Were Engaged By Enemy Fighter Opposition (Shown Encircled). This Unusual Action Photo Was Recorded Be

Martin B-26 Marauders of the Franco-American 1st Tactical AF bomb enemy ammunition stores area in Germany near Ramsbach, 10 miles northeast of Offenburg, which supplied German forces opposing both the American 7th and French 1st Armies. As the

On their way from the bomb bays of these Martin B-26 Marauders of the 1st Tactical Air Force, are these high explosive bombs that will find their mark on bridges and railway yards that supply that Hun without a route to maintain his troops on the

Britain's Biggest Bombers. - A flight of "Stirling" bombers in formation above the clouds photographed from an accompanying "Stirling"."Stirling" bombers, the largest four-engined ***** in the world, continue to pound ***** territory in the most vital places. March 4, 1942.

Douglas Dauntless Dive Bombers, Classic Photography

Photo collection prints Anefo Rousel. Series Print Anefo RVD Own Without Caption. Collection Photo collection prints Anefo Rousel, photo number 157-0661. 1956

A Pattern Of Transport Planes And Gliders Is Pictured Against A Grey English Sky As The 439Th Troop Carrier Group Sends Load After Load Of Airborne Infantrymen To France Where Allied Forces Are Fighting For The Liberation Of Europe. 7 June 1944.

The B-26 Marauder medium bomber in the foreground had its left engine shot out by German flak while attacking Roccasecca Bridge near the battle lines on the Italian front. To lighten the load and ease the strain on the remaining engine, the order was

BOMBS FAIL IN TORRENT TOWARD BERLIN--Consolidated B-24 Liberators, part of a force of more than 1,300 U.S. 8th AF heavy bombers that hit the German capital on the German capital city. The sky beneath two of the B-24 Liberators is dark

Consolidated B-24 Formation Over England.

FRANCE-A Northrup P-61 Black Widow, night fighter, of the 9th AF pulls up into the clouds somewhere over the Continent during a daylight flight.

Anefo photo collection. Bomdropping above Japan. 1945. Japan

High Above A Dense Carpet Of Clouds, The Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" 'Los Angeles City Limits' Heads For A Bomb Run Over Enemy Installations In Europe. 381St Bomb Group.

Second world war. air force. fighters. 1940.

Taking In 'Gas' - In Mid Air -- Picture which vividly illustrates how exact and brilliantly efficient are the Air Navigators of to-day. A Thunderjet fighter of the U. S. Air Force is sliding the tip tank on its wing into the funnel-like nozzle of the refuelling hose of a tanker plane as it refuelled over the Philippines during recent non-stop flight from Southern Japan to Bangkok, Thailand. The refuelling operation in flight took only 2 1/2 minutes. The non stop trip from Japan to Thailand was made in 6 1/2 hours. It was made of the invitation at the Indian Air Force to celebrate *****. December 14, 1953. (Photo by Reuterphoto).

Royal Air Force Operations in the Far East, 1941-1945. Douglas Dakotas of No. 177 Wing RAF, in flight over northern Burma.

American Wings Over Haha Jima With the target area rising out Of the sea before them, two Liberator bombers of the Seventh U.S. Army Air Force spread their wings menacingly over Japanese-held Haha Jima in the Bonin Island. Operating from bases in the Marianas Islands, American planes have been regularly pounding Japanese installations in the Bonins and near-by Volcano Islands, both in the central Pacific, as the Allies move closer and closer to the Japanese homeland. January 19, 1945. (Photo by

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