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The American Air Museum's archive records the stories of the men and women of the US Army Air Forces who served in Britain and Europe during the Second World War.
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Explore research guides![Airmen of the 385th Bomb Group with a captured flag bearing the Nazi swastika. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 6 Sept 1943.' [stamp], '282478.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '#77 Airmen with insignia off Nazi flag.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380156.jpg.webp?itok=JyiL5AF2)
![Airmen of the 385th Bomb Group service a B-17 Flying Fortress in their underwear in North Africa. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 6 Sep 1943.' [stamp] and '282427.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '#55 Aircrew servicing own plane.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380155.jpg.webp?itok=wzPdN_VU)
![A bomber crew of the 323rd Bomb Group in full flight gear, beneath the nose of their B-26 Marauder nicknamed "Mr Falla". Image stamped on reverse: 'Central Press Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 18 Aug 1943.' [stamp] and '279281.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'America's new super medium bomber in Britain 18.8.43. The U.S super medium bomber, the "MARAUDER" is now operating from Britain after doing fine work in N Africa and Sicily. It has a range of 2,000 miles with a speed of 350 m.p.h a](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379991.jpg.webp?itok=uCi4JtO4)
![Ground personnel of the 323rd Bomb Group prepare a B-26 Marauder (WT-O, serial number 41-34786) nicknamed "Buffalo Girl" for a mission. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published 24 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '276107.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Fasted Medium Bomber in use is now operating from this country. Associated Press Photo shows: A Marauder is got ready for a bombing flight at a US bomber station "somewhere in England".' Handwritten caption on reverse: '](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379994.jpg.webp?itok=E2sUMNw7)
![A bomber crew of the 385th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Shack Bunny" in North Africa. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 6 Sep 1943.' [stamp], and '282494.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '#67 Closeup of Fortress crew in N Africa.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380157.jpg.webp?itok=v5S_ywkp)
![Lieutenant Richard H Lightning, a pilot of the 323rd Bomb Group wrestles with his mascot "Trea" in front of his B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published .' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 24 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '276116.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'One of the fastest and best-protected medium bombers in use-fitted with two 2000 H.P. engines and heavily armoured-the B-26, known as the Marauder,is now operating from this country. Associate](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379993.jpg.webp?itok=sxDCkoFu)
![A bomber crew of the 323rd Bomb Group sit on the flak damaged nose of their B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-34719) nicknamed "Miss Emily". Image stamped on reverse: 'Central Press Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1943.' [stamp] and '279282.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'America's new super medium bomber in Britain 18.8.43, The U.S. Super Medium bomber, the "MARAUDER", is now operating from Britain after doing fine work in N Africa and Sicily. It has a range of 2,000 miles, with a](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379990.jpg.webp?itok=zvBniIzM)
![Sergeant Gerald Farley Syracuse, chief clark of the 385th Bomb Group passes a message to Major James H. Lewis. A censor has obscured some of the documents pinned to the board in the background. Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 10 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘287573.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'SERIES OF PICTURES OF THE INTELLEGENCE SECTION OF A FORTRESS GROUP BEFORE A RAID. Picture shows: Master Sgt. Gerald Farley Syracuse, New York, chief](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380138.jpg.webp?itok=n5FELNiG)
![Lieutenant "John Bull" Sterling of the 322nd Bomb Group in the cockpit of his B-26 Marauder nicknamed "John Bull" Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Not to be published 24 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '276112.'[Censor no. ] Printed caption on reverse: 'Passed by the Censor- no 2761. Marauder is now operating from this country. Fastest Medium Bomber in use is now operating from this country. It has just been disclosed that the American Medium Bomber, the B-26 Marauder, which already has done](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379989.jpg.webp?itok=wQ5AkzOm)
![A bomber crew of the 385th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291701.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'US AIRFORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive on Europe continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great formations of bombers and fighters from the US Army Air Force and the RAF. Photo shows: Before t](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380140.jpg.webp?itok=3DyNylCs)
![Personnel of the 322nd Bomb Group ride a bomb trolley past B-26 Maraduers. Image stamped on reverse: ''Keystone Press,' [stamp] and '282876.' [Censor no.] A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed.](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379980.jpg.webp?itok=t42HZnDP)
![Lieutenant Mario J Persechini, a pilot of the 385th Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3335) nicknamed "Fickle Finger of Fate". Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 10 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘287597.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'FLYING FORTRESSES IN COMBAT MISSIONS OVER EUROPE. Picture shows: Fortress "Fickle Finger" [sic] piloted by Mario J Persechini, 1/Lt, Los Angeles, with two ground crewmen, Sgt Billy C Hahn, Sp](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380145.jpg.webp?itok=hRiqIXN9)
![Intelligence staff of the 385th Bomb Group examine pictures of the target before a mission Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 10 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘287579.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'SERIES OF PICTURES OF THE INTELLEGENCE SECTION OF A FORTRESS GROUP BEFORE A RAID. Picture shows: Two members of the intelligence staff carefully examine pictures of the target prior to making a layout for showing the lead bombardier, navigator and pilo](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380144.jpg.webp?itok=ylVztfh7)
![A bomber crew and their dog mascot "Salvo" of the 322nd Bomb Group climb aboard a B-26 Marauder (serial number 41-18054) nicknamed "Jezabelle". Image stamped on reverse: 'Saidman Illustrated.; [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 31 Aug 1943.' [stamp] and '281477.' [Censor no.] Handwritten caption on reverse: '"Salvo Parapup". "Salvo" & the crew enter the Marauder medium Bomber for a flight.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379978.jpg.webp?itok=ITa89odt)
![Major Erwin F. Goldman, Lieutenant-Colonel Elliot Vandevanter and Major Ruffin Barrow of the 385th Bomb Group look over plans for expansion of their aerodrome. Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication [illegible] Nov 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘292964.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'PRESENTATION OF AWARDS TO THE HEROIC FLYERS OF THE EIGHTH AIR FORCE. So many American flyers of the Eighth Air Force here achieved many high distinctions that the presentatio](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380174.jpg.webp?itok=qtS7QLHG)
![Aerial photographers of the 385th Bomb Group beside a B-17 Flying Fortress before a mission. Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 15 Nov 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘292889.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'FLYING FORTRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS. Without adequate photography, the fighting of this was by the Air Forces would be almost impossible. This is the story of how one Photo Unit on a Flying Fortress Station does its job of recording intelligence the bombin](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380172.jpg.webp?itok=ftRXXp5Z)
![Two photographic officers of the 385th Bomb Group repair reconnaissance cameras. Image stamped on reverse; ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 15 Nov 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘292892.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse is damged, what remains reads: 'FLYING FORTRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS. Without adequate photography, the fighting of this was by the Air Forces would be almost impossible. This is the story of how one Photo Unit on a Flying Fortress Station does its job of recording intel](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380168.jpg.webp?itok=wwcr54-C)
![First Lieutenant Ehle H. Reber and Captain Lloyd R. Cole, both of the 303rd Bomb Group, relax in Reber's quarters. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 25 Jan 1943.' [stamp] and '245295.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'How the boys live and work at Flying Fortress Station in England. Wide World Photo shows: 1st Lieut. Ehle H. Reber, Malin, Oregon (left) and Captain Lloyd R. Cole, Winchester, KY. In Reber's quarters, which, as you see, he's turned into a](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378909.jpg.webp?itok=wj-qwQe0)
![A flight of B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 385th Bomb Group fly in formation over enemy territory. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 15 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '292900.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'US FLYING FORTRESSES IN ACTION. Here is a series of pictures taken of Flying Fortresses over enemy territory during a recent raid. These four-engined "giants" are doing a good job with their successful daylight operations and every bomb dropped is helping t](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380177.jpg.webp?itok=WqW8r9Lo)
