B-26 Marauders of the 597th Bomb Squadron ('9F') and the 598th Bomb Squadron ('U2'), 397th Bomb Group, fly towards Europe on a raid. The lower flight are all 598th Bomb Squadron aircraft; the two upper B-26 Marauders (9F-Y, serial number 42-96137 in front; 9F-N, serial number 42-96191 behind) are 597th Bomb Squadron aircraft. Handwritten caption on reverse: '597 BS (9F) & 598 BS (U2) of 397BG.' Printed caption on reverse: '52421 USAF - A Ninth Air Force Bomber Base, England - Silver Streak Marauders Over England's Famed Countryside. Here, in formation, are the "Silver Streaks", Martin B-26 Marauders with their war paint removed for the sake of added speed. In this picture, the "Silver Streaks" - medium bombers of a Ninth Air Force Group commanded by Col. Reginald Vance of San Antonio, Texas, are seen streaking toward the Channel, and another visit to Hitler's Europe. U.S. Air Force Photo.' On reverse: U.S. Air Force Detachment-5, HQ AAVS (MAC) [Stamp]. Photo was taken from my father's ship by Sgt. Max Berger, group photographer. Group CO was Col Richard L. Coiner.