Aircraft of World War II

Katherine_Stinson

johnbr — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:52:10 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: June 1, 1918. Katherine Stinson, "the flying schoolgirl," and her plane at Sheepshead Bay Speedway in Brooklyn after completing a flight from Chicago

Elizabeth_Gardner_WASP_pilot_in_a_B-26_Maurader

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:43:42 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Elizabeth Gardner WASP pilot in a B-26 Maurader

C-46_manila_full_of_wounded_1945

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:31:46 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: C-46 manila full of wounded 1945 The Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft originally derived from a commercial high-altitude airliner design. It was instead used as a military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces as well as the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps under the designation R5C. Known to the men who flew them as "The Whale," or the "Curtiss Calamity," [2] the C-46 served a similar role as its counterpart, the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, but was not as extensively produced. At the time of its production, the C-46 was the largest twin-engine aircraft in the world, and the largest and heaviest twin-engine aircraft to see service in WWII. After World War II, a few surplus C-46 aircraft were briefly used in their original role as passenger airliners, but the glut of surplus C-47s dominated the marketplace with the C-46 soon relegated to primarily cargo duty. The type continued in U.S. Air Force service in a secondary role until 1968. However, the C-46 continues in operation with Buffalo Airways as a rugged cargo transport for Arctic and remote locations with its service life extended into the 21st century

Lt_Ellis_Uollenberg

johnbr — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 16:49:39 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Lt Ellis Uollenberg Lieutenant Ellis Uollenberg from 73-318 Squadron 1st fighter Group 7-th air army of the United States examines the prop blade his P-47d Thunderbolt after a hole is made by a 20-mm shell from a Japanese fighter. Ellis Uollenberg killed in action July 15, 1945.

Sen_Inouye_A_War_Hero_Who_Broke_Barriers_

johnbr — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:09:38 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: They petitioned the president to let them fight for their country. In 1943, he joined a Japanese-American unit sent to Europe and saw heavy combat. In Italy, he personally stormed three German machine gun nests, taking them out but losing his right arm in the process. Half a century later, Inouye and 22 other Asian-American World War II vets received the Medal of Honor for bravery in the battlefield.

wasp_wwii_pilots1

johnbr — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:51:00 -0400

by: johnbr

John_Fitzgerald_Kennedy

johnbr — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:45:35 -0500

by: johnbr

General William Mitchell

johnbr — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 10:22:39 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: September 25, 1923. Brigadier General William Mitchell in Washington, D.C. An important figure in the development of military aviation, "Billy" Mitchell is regarded as the father of the U.S. Air Force. His criticism of Army and Navy leaders after the crash of the airship Shenandoah in 1925 led to a court-martial and subsequent resignation. When it came to clothes, cars and horses, he was a connoisseur of the good life.

Patton

johnbr — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:29:59 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Patton: Right Man At The Wrong Time Patton. An American general that even the Germans admired. Some say if he had been in Eisenhower's place, Allied troops would have entered Berlin six months earlier. And may be the American army would have soon after fought the Red Army...... Patton foresaw that Soviet Russia would become a threat to America. He wanted to ally with the Germans (not Nazi) to fight the communists. He had a major 'flaw' in the then prevailing conditions; he was anti-Semitic. At the end of World War II, one of America's top military leaders accurately assessed the shift in the balance of world power which that war had produced and foresaw the enormous danger of communist aggression against the West. Alone among U.S. leaders he warned that America should act immediately,while her supremacy was unchallengeable, to end that danger. Unfortunately, his warning went unheeded, and he was quickly silenced by a convenient "accident" which took his life. Thirty-two years ago, in the terrible summer of 1945, the U.S. Army had just completed the destruction of Europe and had set up a government of military occupation amid the ruins to rule the starving Germans and deal out victors' justice to the vanquished. General George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. Third Army, became military governor of the greater portion of the American occupation zone of Germany. It was only in the final days of the war and during his tenure as military governor of Germany -- after he had gotten to know both the Germans and America's "gallant Soviet allies" -- that Patton's understanding of the true situation grew and his opinions changed. In his diary and in many letters to his family, friends, various military colleagues, and government officials, he expressed his new understanding and his apprehensions for the future. His diary and his letters were published in 1974 by the Houghton Mifflin Company under the title The Patton Papers. Several months before the end of the war, General Patton had recognized the fearful danger to the West posed by the Soviet Union, and he had disagreed bitterly with the orders which he had been given to hold back his army and wait for the Red Army to occupy vast stretches of German, Czech, Rumanian, Hungarian, and Yugoslav territory, which the Americans could have easily taken instead.

max_stanley_died_1999_aged_89

johnbr — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 19:39:45 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Max R. Stanley logged more than 8,000 flight hours to become known as the "Dean of Northrop Test Pilots." He flew the first flights of all models of the Northrop P-61 Black Widow except the initial XP-61. Stanley flew for Lockheed Aircraft, Pan American Airways and United Airlines before joining Northrop Aircraft as an Experimental Test Pilot in 1943. During his 28 years with Northrop, he pioneered as pilot on the first flights of the Northrop F-15, the Tri-Motor C-125 Raider, and participated as pilot in the F-89 Scorpion and T-38 Talon flight test programs. He served as a Project Pilot on the Northrop N-9M one-third scale model of the large XB-35 Flying Wing Bomber. Stanley was selected as Chief Pilot on the entire XB-35 contractor flight test program including the first flight. He also served as Chief Pilot on the first flight of the eight-jet YB-49 flying wing. He was later assigned as Chief Pilot and Director, Flight Operations in the development of the SM-62 SNARK Intercontinental Cruise missile. He flew a number of manned aircraft, which were used in the design phase of the full scale, operational missile: P-61, F-89, C-47, P-80, B-45 and B-29. Stanley is a Founding Member and Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and long-time Chairman of its Scholarship Foundation. He also helped found and served as President of the Aviation Country Club of California. He is a two-time recipient of Caterpillar Club membership, twice earned when he used his parachute to save his life. Stanley is the recipient of the Barnstormer Trophy for "Distinguished Accomplishments in Aviation" and the Aerospace Walk of Honor (1993).

jcarson

johnbr — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 18:28:43 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Carson, who died in January 2005 at age 79, joined the Navy Reserve in June 1943.

Johnny_Carson

johnbr — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 18:25:02 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Carson, who died in January 2005 at age 79, joined the Navy Reserve in June 1943.

scan0066

johnbr — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:50:28 -0500

by: johnbr

Paul Newman in the Navy, c.1943

johnbr — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:07:26 -0400

by: johnbr

0909

johnbr — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:10:47 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Maj. George S. Roberts Maj. George S. �Spanky� Roberts at the controls of a P-51 Mustang. Roberts was the first African American accepted for U.S. Army pilot training. He later commanded the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group. (U.S. Air Force photo)

090

johnbr — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:09:53 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Benjamin O. Davis Benjamin O. Davis, one of two black line officers in the U.S. Army, was chosen to lead the all-black 99th Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo)

120514-

johnbr — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 19:39:29 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker

patapsco1a

johnbr — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 20:01:32 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Ship's officers on the deck of a Passaic class monitor, circa 1864-65. This ship has been identified in one published source as Sangamon and in another as Patapsco. Note anchor chain on deck, ventilators erected over deck fittings, thin white band painted around the turret top, uneven height of the turret gunports, and Dahlgren howitzer on a field carriage

SS_306

johnbr — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 20:26:35 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Tang's (SS-306) Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Richard H O'Kane (center), poses with the twenty-two air crewmen that Tang rescued off Truk during the carrier air raids there on 29 April-1 May 1944. The photograph was taken upon Tang's return to Pearl Harbor from her second war patrol, in May 1944.

0821522

johnbr — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 22:23:01 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: U.S. Naval Submarine Base, New London, Groton, Connecticut: Members of the 4th Command Class at the Submarine Base, February 1942. Those present are, bottom row left to right: Lieutenant Commander Mannert L. Abele; first command would be the Grunion (SS-216). He would be K.I.A. while commmanding the Grunion, 30 July 1942. Lieutenant Commander Thomas B. Klakring; first command would be the Guardfish (SS-217), Commander Karl G. Hensel, Officer in Charge; Lieutenant Commander George W. Patterson, Jr., Senior Assistant; and Lieutenant Commander Jesse L. Hull; first command would be the Finback (SS-230). Top row, left to right: Lieutenant Commander Howard W. Gilmore; first command would be the Growler (SS-215). He was postumously awarded the Medal of Honor after he was K.I.A. on the bridge of the Growler, 7 February 1943. Lieutenant Commander Philip H. Ross; first command would be the Halibut (SS-232), Lieutenant Commander Arthur H. Taylor; first command would be the Haddock (SS-231), Lieutenant Commander Albert C. Burrows; first command would be the Swordfish (SS-193) and Lieutenant Commander Leonard S. Mewhinney; first command would be the Saury (SS-189).

mccampbellcockpit_34kills1

johnbr — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:44:39 -0500

by: johnbr

w23_7

johnbr — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:31:10 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Riette Kahn is shown at the wheel of an ambulance donated by the American movie industry to the Spanish government in Los Angeles, California, on Sept. 18, 1937. The Hollywood Caravan to Spain will first tour the U.S. to raise funds to "help the defenders of Spanish democracy" in the Spanish Civil War. (AP Photo) #

pilots-and-aircrewmen-of-torpedo-squadron-vt-10-pictured-on-maui-1943

johnbr — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:36:42 -0400

by: johnbr

w38_10121041

johnbr — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:09:20 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: A crew of observers on the Empire State building, during an air defense test, on January 21, 1941 in New York City, conducted by the U.S. Army. Their job was to spot "invading enemy" bombers and send information to centers which order interceptor planes. The tests, to run for four days, covered an 18,000-square-mile area in northeastern states. (AP Photo/John Lindsay) #

Admiral_David_G_Farragut

johnbr — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:51:54 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: his is a great expression and actually dates to the Civil War but the meaning of the word "torpedo" has changed from then to now. These words were shouted by Admiral David Farragut on the morning of 5 August 1864. Under his command, a large fleet of Union ships was running the gauntlet of fire from the Confederate defenses of Mobile Bay as part of a multi-pronged strategy to seize Mobile, by then one of the last two remaining ports in the Confederacy which could be used by Confederate blockade runners. (Wilmington, NC was the other.) Rhett Butler's occupation in Gone With The Wind is captain of a blockade runner. Blockade runners were privately owned and were typically joint-stock enterprises with various wealthy men owning shares in a number of "runners." While one could make a great deal of money doing this, the entire enterprise was heavily regulated by the Confederate government, which had purchasing commissions and agents in such places as Havana, Cuba. This was a major port for discharging cargo purchased by the Confederacy abroad and was safe from attack by the Union since Cuba was under the rule of Spain which was neutral. As the cargo piled up in Havana, it was loaded aboard the blockade runners with at least 3/4 of the cargo space being taken by the Confederate government. Cargo was loaded according to priorities cabled to the purchasing agent from Richmond. For instance, waiting in warehouses in Havana might be muskets, shoes, uniforms, food, ammunition, etc and the agent might be told to load only uniforms and ammunition since those items were needed at that moment more than the others. The remaining cargo space was filled with all manner of delicacies unavailable in the Confederacy which included everything from perfume to fine wines to fashionable new material for clothing. Each crewman also received a bit of space on the cargo decks, the amount depending on such variables as your rank, length of service, etc. + SS Banshee, a Confederate Blockade Runner So desperate was the South for anything resembling a delicacy that even a common sailor could make good money on his own cargo which he had to buy at his own expense. Lots of young men volunteered to serve on blockade runners so there was never a shortage of crewmen. The ships were typically small, very fast, and always unarmed. Because this trade was helping to sustain the Confederacy, it was imperative for the Union to capture both of these ports and cut the Confederacy off from any outside supplies. While we think of Johnny Reb as being barefoot and in a tattered uniform, often homemade, in the last years of the war the reverse was true. In the beginning of the war there was a huge shortage of uniforms, muskets, boots, etc and the Confederate soldiers did look ragtag. But as the system of blockade running got organized, and the Confederacy sold bonds abroad and raised cash, large amounts of cargo began coming in from overseas and by late 1863 most Confederate soldiers had complete government issued uniforms, new boots, shirts, etc. Of particular note, the Confederacy was able to import more than enough muskets and ammunition to stay in the war. So Admiral Farragut, a very tough customer, was given the job of seizing Mobile. I won't go through the details of the battle. For purposes of explaining this great battle cry, suffice it to say that on the morning of 5 August 1864, one of the items the Confederates were using to protect Mobile Bay from being attacked were underwater mines. These mines were attached to the shallow bottom by chains and floated just beneath the surface of the water. These were not complex weapons, most being made of water proofed wooden barrels stuffed with gunpowder with detonators set atop. If a ship hit one, the mine could blow a hole in the ship and sink it. So these mines were dangerous; and there was a minefield that the Union ships had to get through, of which they were aware. What is confusing is this: everyone in that era referred to mines as "torpedoes." + Admiral David Farragut (left) onboard the USS Hartford Given the geography, Farragut was forced to come into the bay with his ships in a single file column. The USS Brooklyn was ahead of Farragut's flagship, the USS Hartford. Both ships were taking punishing fire from the Confederate batteries in the different forts the Southerners had built. The captain of the USS Brooklyn thought he saw mines, that is "torpedoes" in the water, although there weren't any "torpedoes" or mines in that part of the channel. Nonetheless, he ordered full astern and backed down toward USS Hartford which had to squeeze around the Brooklyn to avoid a collision. Men on the deck of the Brooklyn shouted warnings about the mines or "torpedoes" ahead to those aboard the Hartford. Farragut, who had tied himself into the fore rigging of his flagship about twenty feet above deck, heard this and was greatly annoyed. The attack was in danger of faltering. "Damn the torpedoes," Farragut bellowed, "full speed ahead!" And as often happens in battle and in life, Fortune Favors the Bold and Admiral Farragut will forever be known for his victory in the Battle of Mobile Bay in which he wrestled from the Confederates in a battle of great ferocity.

3104thbnHQFMNJ44b

johnbr — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:57:25 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: 3104th Signal Service Battalion, Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Signal Corps photo (probably taken at Camp Edison, Sea Girt, NJ sometime in the spring of 1944).

post-376-1281620687

johnbr — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:53:45 -0400

by: johnbr

partcrew432

johnbr — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:36:47 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: the Partridge crew from 1943

mccampbellcockpit_34kills

johnbr — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 21:31:48 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: The real "Minsi III" was an early F6F-5 that had rear-vision windows, though later F6F-5s did not:

392nd_Staff_Officers_3May45_for_Bob

johnbr — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:59:29 -0400

by: johnbr

Crew_of_B-24D_42-41152

johnbr — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:08:40 -0400

by: johnbr

ussbarbel05

johnbr — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 09:29:34 -0400

by: johnbr

enlistedmen-ww2_110th_pacific

johnbr — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 09:22:37 -0400

by: johnbr

Audie-Murphy-group_pic

johnbr — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:19:28 -0400

by: johnbr

AudieMurphyOil_676x1000

johnbr — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:15:51 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Audie Leon Murphy, son of poor Texas sharecroppers, rose to national fame as the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of World War II. Among his 33 awards and decorations was the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for bravery that can be given to any individual in the United States of America, for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty." He also received every decoration for valor that his country had to offer, some of them more than once, including 5 decorations by France and Belgium. Credited with either killing over 240 of the enemy while wounding and capturing many others, he became a legend within the 3rd Infantry Division. Beginning his service as an Army Private, Audie quickly rose to the enlisted rank of Staff Sergeant, was given a "battle field" commission as 2nd Lieutenant, was wounded three times, fought in 9 major campaigns across the European Theater, and survived the war.

American_World_War_II_senior_military_officials_1945

johnbr — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:52:21 -0400

by: johnbr

ww2

johnbr — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:05:20 -0400

by: johnbr

1489125

johnbr — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:55:58 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Crew 4 VP-44 at Midway This is the crew in 44-P-4 that sighted the Japanese invasion fleet at Midway 3 June 1942

00000030

johnbr — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 21:06:20 -0400

by: johnbr

B-26C-20-MO_crew_chiefs_lg

johnbr — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:50:51 -0400

by: johnbr

323rd_squadron_lg

johnbr — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:50:05 -0400

by: johnbr

boyington

johnbr — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 21:11:07 -0400

by: johnbr

johnbr — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 21:05:22 -0400

by: johnbr

general-george-patton

johnbr — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:41:02 -0400

by: johnbr

patg013

johnbr — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:35:16 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: ON DESTROYED BERLIN.... After a visit to ruined Berlin, he wrote his wife on July 21, 1945: "Berlin gave me the blues. We have destroyed what could have been a good race, and we are about to replace them with Mongolian savages. And all Europe will be communist. It's said that for the first week after they took it (Berlin), all women who ran were shot and those who did not were raped. I could have taken it (instead of the Soviets) had I been allowed." ---------------- "It is my present thought . . . that when I finish this job, which will be around the first of the year, I shall resign, not retire, because if I retire I will still have a gag in my mouth . . . I should not start a limited counterattack, which would be contrary to my military theories, but should wait until I can start an all- out offensive . . . ." The one honor which is mine and mine alone is that of having commanded such an uncompromisible group of Americans the record of whose fortitude, audacity, and valor will endure as long as history lasts. General George S. Patton, Jr. - 9 May 1945 He was larger than life, a flamboyant, charismatic and controversial personality. Throughout his military career, General George S. Patton, Jr. dared great deeds, and inspired the troops serving under his command to achieve far beyond even their own expectations. He was the quintessential warrior, patriot, and a brilliant military scholar. His speeches were legendary and often inspired the troops who served under his command. In the words of his biographer, George S. Patton, Jr. had "a genius for war." America Remembers is proud to offer a tribute to the accomplishments and indomitable spirit of this outstanding American leader. Here is a working Colt .45 ACP pistol, with the solid, hand-filling heft that veterans will remember. The concept and design of the Tribute has been officially authorized by the Family of George S. Patton, Jr. Depicted on the right side of the slide is a scene from the Battle of the Bulge, featuring tanks and troops moving through the snow toward Bastogne. There is also a depiction of General Patton, standing in his Jeep, addressing his troops. At the rear of the slide, on both sides, are the stars of the Lieutenant General and General ranks.

famous-d-day-pictures

johnbr — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:28:22 -0400

by: johnbr

african_americans_women_in_WWII

johnbr — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:20:26 -0400

by: johnbr

african_americans_WWII_food

johnbr — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:20:25 -0400

by: johnbr

1944_african_americans_WWII

johnbr — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:16:53 -0400

by: johnbr

d37_0p012873

johnbr — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:00:06 -0400

by: johnbr