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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![Gunners of the 390th Bomb Group write mission reports after a raid. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289785.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ‘THE FORTRESSES KEEP UP THE ATTACK. EH/MoH. In spite of all weathers, the Flying Fortress of the 8th A.F. Bomber Command keep up their attacks on important targets over Germany and other enemy occupied countries. These pictures were taken at an 8th A.F. bomber command station in Engla](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380414.jpg.webp?itok=aSegS4CU)
![Airmen of the 390th Bomb Group talk to the waist gunners who fly in a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Cabin in the Sky." Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289783.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ‘THE FORTRESSES KEEP UP THE ATTACK. EH/MoH. In spite of all weathers, the Flying Fortress of the 8th A.F. Bomber Command keep up their attacks on important targets over Germany and other enemy occupied countries. These pictures were](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380413.jpg.webp?itok=wqbpJhyP)
![A photographic officer of the 390th Bomb Group prints a roll of film. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Keystone Press.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for publication 27 Aug 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘281029.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ' PHOTO MEN SERVE WITH FLYING FORTRESSES. When it comes to bombing, pictures tell the story. Skilled photographers serving with the U.S. 8th Air Force Flying Fortress Group are trained to get the pictures, process them and send prints and negatives to higher Headquarters -](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380416.jpg.webp?itok=gi9Q_qRb)
![A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group plan their next mission before taking off in their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘Not to be published.' [stamp] and '25 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289781.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ‘THE FORTRESSES KEEP UP THE ATTACK. EH/MoH. In spite of all weathers, the Flying Fortress of the 8th A.F. Bomber Command keep up their attacks on important targets over Germany and other enemy occupied countries. These pictures we](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380415.jpg.webp?itok=9_4kei2b)
![Engineers of the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group fit a fuel tank to the wing of an F-5 Lightning. Image stamped on reverse: 'Esten Illustrated.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 8 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '273535.' [Censor no.]. Printed caption on reverse: 'Esten (Illus). Modern "Cyclops" of the USAAF. 8.7.43. OPS 3: The answer to the query "How do they fly so far?" Here is a drop petrol tank which when the fuel is consumed is dropped off. Two of these are carried, one under each wing. 8.7.43'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380977.jpg.webp?itok=JQ2w7-8Y)
![Photographic officers of the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group look through camera lenses infront of a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Esten Illustrated.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 8 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '273528.' [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-380976.jpg.webp?itok=b-IRYuYJ)
![Engineers of the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group fit camera to an F-5 Lightning. Image stamped on reverse: 'Esten Illustrated.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 8 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '273533.' [Censor no.]. Printed caption on reverse: 'Esten (Illus). Modern "Cyclops" of the USAAF. OPS6: Twin Cameras of 24 inch length each taking a picture 9x9 inches being fitted in the nose of the aircraft. Five cameras can be carried. 8.7.43'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380975.jpg.webp?itok=ic08bReN)
![Captain RC Mitchell of the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group . Image stamped on reverse: 'Esten Illustrated.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 8 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '273517.' [Censor no.]. Printed caption on reverse: 'Esten (Illus). Modern"Cyclops" of the USAAF. OPS: 21 Capt RC Mitchell. 8.7.43'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380982.jpg.webp?itok=Iembk0SI)
![A pilot of the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group in the cockpit of an F-5 Lightning. Image stamped on reverse: 'Esten Illustrated.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 8 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '273522.' [Censor no.]. A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse: '28/3/43.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380983.jpg.webp?itok=zBzPESDY)
![Airmen of the 386th Bomb Group with their Squadron Mascots. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 30 Spet 1943.' [stamp] and '285960.'[Censor No.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICA'S "RED DEVIL" [a censor has omitted 'Red Devil'] flyers. USP/2247-8. Men in the Squadron are quick in acquiring pets, some of which are designated squadron mascots. (Left to right) Private Walter E Kelly, Chicago, Ill, T/Sgt ME Shank, Dayton, Ohio, Private F Carpole, Brooklyn, New York](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380227.jpg.webp?itok=WdcpUrBL)
![A bomber crew of the 386th Bomb Group plan their next mission in their B-26 Marauder. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published.' [stamp], 'Ministry of Information 19 Aug 1943.' [stamp] nand '279550.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AT THE US MARAUDERS BASE. The B-26 Marauders, American super medium bombers are operating now from bases in Britain. This series of pictures shows various scenes at the airfield where the ground crew and the fliers work together to deliver heavy blows against Ge](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380228.jpg.webp?itok=KK8-8zzF)
![Private O.L. Burns of the 386th Bomb Group gives his fellow airman Private Lloyd E. Yates a haircut. Image stamped on reverse: 'Keystone Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 30 Spe 1943.' [stamp] and '285967.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICA'S "RED DEVIL" [a censor has omitted 'Red Devil'] FLYERS. USP/2247-15. Even in the combat zone officers and men must give a thought to their personal appearance. Long hair and unshaven faces are not tolerated. In the ab](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380229.jpg.webp?itok=bBNA9uK1)
![Personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group march in formation during a reveiw. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '274955.' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: 'Photo Shows:- some of the men marching past during the review. 18th July, 1943.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378831.jpg.webp?itok=YsURGpM-)
![A B-26 Marauder (AN-S, serial number 41-31606) nickanmed "Rat Poison" of the 386th Bomb Group, releases bombs over the target. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 29 Sept 1943. [stamp] and '32310.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'FRO-HQ. 43-300 US Army Air Forces Official Photo. Bombs Away: Six 500-pounders start on their quick trip down to a nazi fighter airdrome in Western Europe. US Marauders (B-26 medium bombers) are carrying out a continuous attack against Luftwaffe fighter fa](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380191.jpg.webp?itok=Dn8CZQpP)
![Two waist gunners of the 303rd Bomb Group in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Copyright Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '275003.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Waist gunners of "Hells Angels"at their stations SFA July 17 1943.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378803.jpg.webp?itok=ftj158_d)
![Lieutenant-Colonel Robert B Satterwhite of the 388th Bomb Group presents a plaque of behalf of the United States Eighth Air Force to the Mayor of Thetford, HR Watling, historian Professor Frank Dobie and Sir William Gentle to commemorate Thomas Paine. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.' [stamp] and '289762.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN SERVICEMEN'S TRIBUTE TO TOM PAINE. A Plaque in memory of Thomas](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380276.jpg.webp?itok=qi9KiE_u)
![Personnel of the 385th Bomb Group meet North African civilians in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5913) nicknamed "Shack Bunny". Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for publication 6 Sep 1943.' [stamp] and '282422.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '#63 Sideview of Fortress with crew and natives.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380100.jpg.webp?itok=toWqFvhF)
![An operations officer of the 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group breifs a pilot of an F-5 Lightning before an operation. Image stamped on reverse: 'Esten Illustrated.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 8 Jul 1943.' [stamp] and '273521.' [Censor no.]. Printed caption on reverse: 'Esten (Illus). Modern "Cyclops" of the USAAF. OPS 16: The operations officer, left, gives a pilot some last minute instructions. 8.7.43'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-381000.jpg.webp?itok=I_dFe-5o)
![Bomber crews of the 385th Bomb Group return to base following a mission, they walk past a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30251) nicknamed "Piccadilly Queen". Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291750.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'US AIR FORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive against continues against enemy continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great format](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380099.jpg.webp?itok=FQF3qJSi)
![Personnel of the 388th Bomb Group walk past a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30625) nicknamed "Joho's Jokers", on their return to base after a mission. Image stamped on reverse: 'News Chronicle.' [stamp], 'Tapsell.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 4 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291415.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Back from the 1,000 [a censor has amended this to say 'Largest'] plane US day raid on Germany. Some of the air crews leaving the aerodrome with a Flying Fortress in the backgro](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380279.jpg.webp?itok=dS43ApSu)