Photos WW2 US Forces

[BravoZulu]

B-17G Flying Fortresses of the 15th Air Force attacked the Pardubice Airdrome in Czechoslovakia, August 24, 1944

 

[BravoZulu]

B-17F Flying Fortress “Hell’s Angels”

On May 13th, 1942, the B-17F “Hell's Angels” (#41-24577) became the first heavy bomber to complete 25 combat missions in the European Theatre. “Hell’s Angels” was assigned to the 358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bombardment Group (H) and flew from RAF Molesworth. After completing her 25th mission, “Hell’s Angels” remained in theatre until 1944 and flew a total of 48 mission without any injured crewman or abort. “Hell’s Angels” returned to the United States in January 1944 to tour various war factories. Unfortunately after the war, “Hell’s Angels” was sold for scrap in August 1945.

 

[BravoZulu]

Men of the 7th Division waiting outside a Japanese bunker on Kwajalein while a flamethrower does its work. 4 Feb 1944

 

[BravoZulu]

During the battle of Okinawa, grim-faced GIs of the 77th Infantry Division listen to radio reports of Victory in Europe Day on 8 May, 1945.

 

[BravoZulu]

“Bambi” of the 338th Fighter Squadron, was a P-38J assigned to Capt John L Odegard. It was photographed OTD in 1944 at RAF Ridgewell in Essex, England

 

[BravoZulu]

P-47 Memphis Rebel, 362nd Fighter Group. She crashed on take-off 29 April 1944

 

[BravoZulu]

B-26 Marauder of the US 12th Air Force has its starboard engine shorn off by a direct hit from an 8.8cm flak over Toulon Harbour, France, August 1944

With the still running right engine sheared off and the wing ablaze, the plane crashed into the city a few minutes after this photograph was taken.

 

[BravoZulu]

B-24 Liberator "STEVENOVICH II" of the 779th Bombardment Squadron flips over and explodes after its port wing was hit by flak over Lugo, Emilia Romagna, Italy, 10 April 1945

The pilot, Colonel James Gilson, commanding officer of the 779th BS and nine other crew members were killed in action. Lt. Edward Walsh Jr survived the crash after being thrown clear from the waist gunners position.

 

[BravoZulu]

M10 of the 702nd Tank Destroyer Battalion, knocked out in the streets of Ibach, Germany - 8 October, 1944

 

[BravoZulu]

Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters on board USS Ranger during Operation Torch. Mediterranean Sea, Nov 1942.

 

[BravoZulu]

An H2X-equipped B-17F of the 482nd Bomb Group falls out of formation after being hit by flak over Berlin, 3 June 1944

Delivered Denver 11/7/43; Grenier 18/8/43; Assigned 812BS/482BG [MI-G] Alconbury 20/8/43 (H2-X); Missing in Action Berlin 6/3/44 with Maj Fred Rabo, Co-pilot: John Morgan, Ball turret gunner: Bill Westcott, Waist gunner: Steve Keaton (4 Prisoner of War); Navigator: Capt John Crotty{385BG}, rad/nav-Capt Ken Klotz, Bombardier: Capt Lou Dentoni, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Francis Foote, to-Tom Kon, Waist gunner: Ed Friesorger,Tail gunner: Lt Walter Regoli{385BG}, Mis/CO-Col Russell Wilson{4BW} (6 Killed in Action); flak hit, ship broke up and crashed Lake Harvel, near Berlin, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 3362.

 

[BravoZulu]

Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat of fighter squadron VF-1, Carrier Air Group 5 (CVG-5), aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) in May 1943. It is painted in the the non-specular blue-grey over light-grey scheme. VF-1 was redesignated VF-5 in July 1943.

 

[BravoZulu]

The aftermath of an engagement between a Panther tank and a US Bazooka team, Western Europe 1944-45

 

[BravoZulu]

Enlisted men of the US 4th Infantry Division inspect a knocked out German 8.8cm Flak 36 and its ammunition, Cherbourg, Normandy, France, 4 July 1944

from left to right: Private First Class James McAllister, Corporal Gordon Haynes, and Private First Class William Sweaza. These men belong to the US 4th Infantry Division, VII Army Corps.

 

[BravoZulu]

Grumman TBM-1C Avenger mishap on the flight deck of USS Hornet. Summer 1944.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Great pics, BZ. Here are a few more.

Charlie

The SS Morgantown Victory is launched at Fairfield, Maryland on February 5, 1945.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Soldiers believed to be with the 83rd Infantry Division pose with a captured German tank. Date and location unknown.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Most of these pics I am posting now are from the West Virginia University holdings.

Am American soldier poses with a captured German Armored Fighting Vehicle. Date and location are unknown.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Troops of the Third U.S. Army crouch low as enemy fire opens during their crossings of the Rhine in assault boats at Oberwesel, Germany. The Army first crossed the river March 22, 1945. Some of the soldiers with M1 rifles have rifle grenade launchers attached.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Soldiers of the 7th Armored Division check out the area near destroyed German trucks. Date and location unknown.