World War II Album: The War in View #34: Air Power

Boeing B-17G-65-BO Flying Fortress 43-37516 "Tondelayo" of the 492nd BG. Photographed with members of the 472nd Sub Depot, 466th BG after making an emergency landing at Attlebridge. This aircraft was painted all black for night "carpetbagger" operations with the 492nd/801st BG.

Boeing B-17G-65-BO Flying Fortress 43-37516 "Tondelayo" of the 492nd BG with ground crew preparing C-2 Leaflet Bombs, fitted with AN-1650 Barometric Fuses, known to the aircrews as "Nickels". A similar case and fuse was used for incendiaries. In the summer of 1944 two planes from most groups carried "Nickels" and the crews weren’t happy to be risking their lives to drop paper. The German civilians loved them as they used the leaflets for toilet paper that was in very short supply! The first proposal to construct a special bomb with which to disperse airborne leaflets was put forward by British air force officers during World War II. The most successful "leaflet bomb" model of the war was the Monroe bomb, invented in 1943 by USAAF Captain James Monroe of the 305th Bombardment Group. It was developed from laminated paper containers that had been used to transport M-17 incendiary bombs.

Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress with crew. No other details given.

Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress with the rare Sperry remote control turret and "US ARMY" applied to the underside of the wings.

Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24430. During September 1942 it was ferried across the Pacific to New Zealand. Apparently, this B-17 was never assigned to a specific bombardment group. During 1942 it was photographed parked and being serviced at Ohakea Airfield in New Zealand. On a VIP mission to New Zealand. Delivered Cheyenne 1 July 1942; Bolling 12 August 1942; Assigned Poppy (PTO) 1 September 1942; Missing in Action en route from New Zealand September 1942; Written off 31 October 1944.

Another view of Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24430 in New Zealand.

Boeing B-17 Fortresses awaiting scrapping, at Kingman, Arizona, late 1940s.

Boeing B-17G-70-DL 44-6954 "Liquid-8-or" CC-F of the 390th BG/570th BS. Survived the war and returned to the US.

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress 44-6954 "Liquid-8-Or". Delivered Hunter 28 December 1944; Grenier 6 January 1945; Assigned 569BS/390BG [CC-F] Framlingham 12 January 1945; Returned to the USA Bradley 2 June 1945; Sth Plains 13 June 1945; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 30 November 1945.

WASP pilots with Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. August 5, 1943, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was officially formed. Through the merger of the Women Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) and the Women's Flying Training Detachment (WFTD), the WASPs logged 60 million miles during World War II, flying military aircraft at home and abroad. These women flew the full range of aircraft produced for the war effort.

WASP pilots in front of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress ball turret, Duxford, England, 2019.

The nose gun blister on a Boeing Y1B-17 rotated out of the twelve-o'clock orientation.

A bomber crew of the 401st Bomb Group, who have returned to operational duties following a crash in their B-17 Flying Fortress.

Original press image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 12 December 1943.' [stamp] and '296493.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'FLYING FORTRESS CREW BACK IN ACTION FOLLOWING CRASH ON ENGLISH VILLAGE. Photo shows: The crew of the Fortress bomber which crashed on the village of Deenethorpe. Left to right: T/Sgt. William D. Woodward, top turret gunner, of Georgetown, South Carolina, Sergeant Waldon D. Cohen, ball turret gunner of Altoona, Pennsylvania, Sergeant Harold J. Kelsen, waist gunner, of Brooklyn, NY, Sergeant Robert V. Kerr, tail gunner of Montesano, Washington, S/Sgt Benjamin C. Misser, radio operator, of Quarryville, Pennsylvania, Lieutenant Walter B. Keith, pilot of Hodgeville, Kentucky, who is talking to Captain R.J. White, of Kingsport, Tennessee, who rescued the navigator Lieutenant King [a censor has obscured the navigator's name] from the blazing bomber. December 11, 1943.

Press caption for image series: 'FLYING FORTRESS CREW BACK IN ACTION FOLLOWING CRASH ON ENGLISH VILLAGE. All but two of the crew of a Flying Fortress which crashed on the village of Deenthorpe, Northamptonshire, and exploded with its cargo of bombs following the fire which broke out inside the bomber, are back on operational duties with the Eighth Air Force. The navigator and bomb aimer are still in hospital, recovering from injuries. They were rescued from the blazing Fortress shortly before the explosion. December 11, 1943.

US bomb dump at English airfield. B-17 (codes CC-S) in background is from the 569th Bomb Squadron of the 390th Bomb Group.

WASP pilots with North American P-51A Mustang.

North American P-51C Mustang "Gertie" flown by Lt.'s Price and Hibarger. The 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron operated in India during 1944 before being assigned to the 23rd Fighter Group in China covering the airbases at Kharagpur and Chakulia.

Curtiss P-40N modified with a jump seat and painted with the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron's "Black Lightning" markings. 1st Lt. John Bissette and Pfc Ed Smyth. The 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron operated in India during 1944 before being assigned to the 23rd Fighter Group in China covering the airbases at Kharagpur and Chakulia.

The 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron evacuated the Suichuan fighter base at the end of January 1945, returning to their rear base area, Chengkung. After repair and refit and receiving the new P-51D/K's the squadron departed Chengkung for the fighter base at Laohwangping.

2nd Lt. Ray Crowell of the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flying the Hump 29 July 1944 in North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang 43-24956.

23rd Fighter Group P-51 Mustangs ready for takeoff.

Major McComas and TSgt Maillette in front of P-51C-5-NT (converted to F-6C) 42-103604 “Barbara’s / Miss Revenge”, 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (TRS).

Starboard side of "Barbara's/Miss Revenge" which was McComas’ primary aircraft during his seven-and-a-half-month tour in China where he was credited with 14 aerial victories with four more destroyed on the ground and a share in sinking a Japanese destroyer in Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong.

McComas in cockpit of P-51C Mustang number 604.

General Chennault awarded McComas new P-51D-5-NT Mustang 44-11280 for his efforts and aerial achievements on 25 December 1944.

McComas in front of P-51D Mustang number 280.

McComas in the cockpit of P-51D Mustang number 280.

Major McComas and his pilots in front of P-51C Mustang number 604. Note the camera port for the K-24 oblique camera located on the lower left fuselage. Chengkung, China, October 1944. Front from left: Captain John Carpenter, 1st Lieut. Russ Williams, 1st Lieut. Nimrod Long, Captain Samuel Bowen, Major Edward O. McComas, 1st Lieut. Ray Crowell, 2nd Lieut. Paul Petris, 2nd Lieut. Max Parnell, and 1st Lieut. Billy Guy. Back from left: 2nd Lieut. Roy Christenson, 1st Lieut. Lynne Decker, 1st Lieut. Hiram Bushong, 1st Lieut. Frank Palmer, 1st Lieut. Maurice Wells, 1st Lieut. Berthold "Bert" Petersen, 1st Lieut. John Egan, 2nd Lieut. Harold Tollett, 2nd Lieut. Everson "Vitamin" Pearsall, 1st Lieut. Carlton Covey, 2nd Lieut. Claude Jackson, and 2nd Lieut. Fred Lamphier.

Lieut. Colonel McComas with Captain Oran Watts, who would replace him as commander of the 118th TRS in front of P-51D Mustang 44-11280.

Cockpit of P-51D Mustang number 280, 118th TRS.

Port side of P-51D Mustang number 280, 118th TRS.

118th TRS flight line at Laohwangping Airfield, China, 1945.

Colonel Ed Rector awarding the DFC to Lieut. Colonel McComas.

Major Edward O. McComas, USAAF.

Major McComas on the wing of P-51C-6-NT (F-6C) Mustang 42-103621, 118th TRS.

A TDN-1 assault drone launches from USS Sable (IX-81) during flight testing, 10 August 1943.

Stinson L-5 liaison aircraft of the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron. The 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron operated in India during 1944 before being assigned to the 23rd Fighter Group in China covering the airbases at Kharagpur and Chakulia.

Flying from the USS Lexington are three Grumman F2F-1s of Fighter Squadron 2; nearest aircraft is BuNo 9652. Late 1941. Original color photo. Note the tail color is lemon yellow but the wing color is chrome yellow.

Sailor hauls bombs for SBD Dauntless dive bombers (tail of one in background) for US Navy raid on Marshall and Gilbert Islands, 1942.

Target strike photo, Schweinfurt raid, 17 August 1943.

A supply ship, one of two that the Japanese were able to work through U.S. Air attacks, explodes in Rangoon Harbor (center) after a direct hit by a bomb from a Tenth U.S. Air Force plane. Hits also were scored on port facilities, seen smoking (top center). Note numerous small craft moored at docks and offshore, (right). Nov. 11, 1943.

A-20 Havoc aircraft of US V Bombing Command targeting Japanese airfield of Ki-48 bombers, at Hollandia, New Guinea, 1942.

Sir Arthur Harris (left), of RAF Bomber Command, seen with Eighth Air Force Generals Spaatz (center) and Eaker.

The Ulm, Germany, rail yards after an Eighth Air Force raid in December 1944.

An American soldier inspects jackknifed locomotive in Germany caused by the heavy air attacks on German transportation.

First blow at Saipan: a field of sitting ducks go up in smoke. Buildings and other planes soon followed, with the result that this raid softened the Marianas for the final assault in June.

Paratroopers prepare to board Douglas C-47B-15-DK 43-49524 with the 10th Troop Carrier Squadron, 60th Troop Carrier Group.

Douglas C-47s and Waco CG-4A gliders of the 8th Troop Carrier Squadron, 62nd Troop Carrier Group, 51st Troop Carrier Wing at Galera Airfield, Italy on 12 August 1944, preparing for Operation Dragoon. This operation consisted of the initial paradrop codenamed Mission Albatross followed by the glider-born landings codenamed Mission Dove and reinforcement drops in Mission Bluebird, and Mission Canary. The 8th TCS insignia on the nearest Skytrain. The 51st TCW based around Rome carried the 2nd Parachute Brigade's first lift except for the 1st Independent Parachute Platoon, who were carried by with the 9th Troop Carrier Command Pathfinder Unit out of Marcigliana Airfield. The 64th TCG at Ciampino Airfield transported the 4th Parachute Battalion and 5th Battalion except for the Support Company Headquarters and "B" Company, who were carried by the 62nd TCG at Galera Airfield along with the 6th Parachute Battalion. Split between these two airfields were Brigade Headquarters, the 2nd Parachute Squadron, and a detachment from the Provost Section.

1st Bomb Wing B-17s over Schweinfurt, Germany, 17 August 1943.

Chance Vought XF4U-1 Corsair prototype BuNo 1443 in pre-war finish.

Vought-Sikorsky XF4U-1 Corsair, Bu. No. 1443. The airplane’s wings are painted yellow.

Vought-Sikorsky XF4U-1 Corsair, right profile, 19 April 1941.

Vought-Sikorsky XF4U-1, right rear quarter, 26 May 1940.

Vought-Sikorsky XF4U-1 Corsair, rear, 26 May 1940.

Vought-Sikorsky XF4U-1, left side, wings folded, 26 May 1940.

Goodyear FG-1D Corsair BuNo 76643 '643' "Ace of Hearts" flown by Lt. Leroy E. Anheuser of VMF-122, Peleliu, 1945.

Corsairs of 1841 Naval Air Squadron preparing to take off from HMS Formidable for strikes on Tirpitz on 17 July 1944. Barracudas of 827 and 830 Naval Air Squadron can be seen ranged aft.

In Norway, 1943 during maneuvers, a Junkers Ju 87 Stuka used as a glider tug within 8./Luftlandegeschwader 1. Two Ju 87s progress together, each towing a DFS 230 glider. The photographer placed himself in the second crew aboard the glider.

In Norway, 1943 during maneuvers, a Junkers Ju 87 Stuka used as a glider tug within 8./Luftlandegeschwader 1.

German Junkers Ju 87 B2 trop Stuka dive bombers of the 4.StG2 in the sky over Derna, Libya.

Captured Focke-Wulf FW 190 undergoing evaluation.

Josef "Pips" Priller with his BMW 327/55 Sport-Cabriolet and his Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-5, Lille-Vendeville in mid-1943.

The prototype Focke-Wulf Fw 190 V1 W.Nr. 0001.

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 V1 W.Nr. 0001, D-OPZE.

Fw 190 V1 after the original spinner was replaced. The cooling fan behind the propeller is visible. The prototype is now marked FO+LY.

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 V1 W.Nr. 0001 with modified engine cowling. The prototype is now camouflaged and marked with the Luftwaffe Balkenkruz and the swastika of the Deutsches Reich. The identification marks have been changed to FO+LY.

Armorers load a 21-cm rocket mortar projectile into its launch tube beneath the wing of an Fw 190. The projectiles were meant to break up bomber formations, but were a liability when Allied fighters were in the area.

Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-6, 2 black, Luftwaffe, Immola, Finland, 2 July 1944. Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey came to assist the Finns to repel the major Soviet attack commencing on 9 June 1944 and lasting for five weeks. The detachment consisted of some 70 airworthy aircraft: Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka" dive bombers and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 jabo's (fighter-bombers).

Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-6, 1 black, Luftwaffe, Immola, Finland, 2 July 1944. Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey came to assist the Finns to repel the major Soviet attack commencing on 9 June 1944 and lasting for five weeks. The detachment consisted of some 70 airworthy aircraft: Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka" dive bombers and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 jabo's (fighter-bombers).

Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-6, 20 white, Luftwaffe, Immola, Finland, 2 July 1944. Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey came to assist the Finns to repel the major Soviet attack commencing on 9 June 1944 and lasting for five weeks. The detachment consisted of some 70 airworthy aircraft: Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka" dive bombers and Focke-Wulf Fw 190 jabo's (fighter-bombers).

Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Luftwaffe, La Fauconnerie II Airfield, Tunisia, May 1943.

Focke-Wulf FW 190 fighters.

FW 190 with at least 24 kill markings on the rudder.

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 V1, W.Nr. 0001, D-OPZE, the first prototype.

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 V1, D-OPZE, the first prototype, during flight. The long landing gear struts were made necessary by the use of a large diameter propeller.

Surrendered German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighters and a single Junkers W34 at Grove, Denmark, 23 June 1945.

Focke-Wulf FW 190 photographed from a 95th Bomb Group B-17 during a raid over Bremen in December 1943.

Henschel Hs 293 air-launched radio controlled missile in a museum display.

August 1943 – The German Henschel Hs 293 radio controlled missile sees action for the first time during a raid on Royal Navy ships.

Germany developed the Hs 293 air-launched missile in World War II for use against ships or ground targets. It was basically a glide bomb assisted by a liquid-fuel rocket that fired for 10 seconds. The Hs 293 was carried under the wings or in the bomb bay of an He 111, He 177, Fw 200, or Do 217 aircraft. Its warhead was a modified SC 500 bomb containing Trialene 105 high explosive. A bombardier guided the missile by means of a joy stick and radio control. Although Germany developed many experimental versions, only the Hs 293A-1 was produced in quantity.

The Hs 293 first saw combat from Dornier Do 217E-5's on 25 August 1943 against British anti-submarine forces in the Bay of Biscay. Several ships including the corvette HMS Egret were sunk. The Hs 293 was also deployed against Allied ships anchored off the beachhead at Anzio, Italy. Among the other vessels sunk by the Hs 293 were the British destroyers HMS Inglefield, HMS Boadicea, HMS Intrepid, and HMS Dulverton, and the Greek destroyer Vasilissa Olga, as well as numerous escort vessels and transports. The Hs 293 was very successful, but over time the inability of the Luftwaffe to protect its bombers, and the increasing sophistication of Allied fighter defenses, made such attacks unacceptably costly for the bomber forces. In the very last stages of the war, some Hs 293s were also fired at land targets, including the Oder River bridges, in order to stop the Soviet advance in the east.

A US serviceman poses for a photograph with an Me 410 found hidden at Brunnthal, Germany, April 1945. Note the 50mm BK 5 cannon in the nose for use against Allied bombers.