Illustration of Engineers from the Ninth Air Force Laying Out Hessian Strips For Runways
A special group within the Ninth Air Force was responsible for building new and temporary airfields for fighters, medium bombers, and light bombers closer to the front lines
After D-Day, and in preparation for the breakout into France, engineers from the Ninth Air Force needed to set up temporary runways for the fighters, light bombers, and medium bombers to be able to support the First Army. Hessian strips were a lightweight and effective alternative compared to the steel planks that were being used in the other theaters of war, and less dusty than their mesh counterparts that were used during the first few weeks of the Invasion at Normandy. <br />This illustration can be found in <em>The Commemorative History of the Ninth Air Force</em> book.
United States Army Air Corps
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
1945-1946
Illustration of Engineers from the Ninth Air Force Laying Out Mesh for Runways
A special group within the Ninth Air Force was responsible for building new and temporary airfields for fighters, medium bombers, and light bombers closer to the front lines
After D-Day, engineers from the Ninth Air Force were tasked with setting up temporary runways in France for the fighters, light bombers, and medium bombers to be able to support the First Army. Steel planks, which were used elsewhere in the war, were too heavy and cumbersome to be used. Instead, engineers would use a heavy truck called a "wobbly" to flatten and firm the ground. Then they would lay down mesh and secure it. It took less than a week to build, but it was very dusty to fly on. Mesh was replaced by Hessian strip a few weeks after D-Day. <br />This illustration can be found in <em>The Commemorative History of the Ninth Air Force</em> book.
United States Army Air Corps
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
1945-1946
Illustration of a Briefing of P-47 pilots in the Ninth Air Force
Before missions, pilots would enter the briefing tent to find out the who, what, where, why, and when of their missions
This illustration is of a P-47 squadron from the Ninth Air Force in Belgium during the siege of Aachen in October of 1944. This scene was common among all Air Force groups, though how many of them had this groups' sense of humor is unknown. The briefing board reads "Pilot Poop", a witty play on words for the bombs they would be dropping on the enemy.<br />This illustration can be found in <em>The Commemorative History of the Ninth Air Force</em> book.
United States Army Air Corps
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
1945-1946
Illustration of Isigny in Normandy After Bombing by the Ninth Air Force
Bombing was a common theme for almost all groups in the Ninth Air Force; scenes like this were what ground troops would have to walk through when they were done
As the fighters and bombers of the Ninth Air Force did their jobs, ground troops would have to clean up after them. Cleaning out rubble with bulldozers and shovels was common when Allied Forces moved into the cities that had been occupied by Germans only hours before. It was not common, however, for the airmen in the aircraft to see the destruction they had wrought, except in instances of attacking airfields that they would later take over.<br />This illustration can be found in <em>The Commemorative History of the Ninth Air Force</em> book.
United States Army Air Corps
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
1945-1946
Illustration of Bombs to be Loaded on P-47s for an Air Interdiction Mission
Preparing planes for missions always included ordnance, but sometimes would require extra fuel tanks to be loaded up
Grounds crews were responsible for getting extra fuel tanks loaded on the planes if the missions called for it, and they gave the aircraft a once over before the pilot came out to do the same. Ordnance men would have to prep bombs before loading them on the planes, giving them the opportunity to send a little message of their own to the enemy.
<p>This illustration can be found in <em>The Commemorative History of the Ninth Air Force</em> book.</p>
United States Army Air Corps
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
1945-1946
Maps Indicating Extent of the Normandy Invasion
The 362nd Fighter Group flew hundreds of missions leading up to, taking part in, and breaking out after the Invasion of Normandy
This map shows where and how D-Day was carried out by Allied forces. It also shows the front line position right before General Patton broke through the line with his Third Army. Major successes on the ground were due in large part to their air counterparts who flew air interdiction and close-air support missions before, during, and after the Invasion at Normandy.
National Museum of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The Chateau Outside Reims, France
These were the pilots' quarters of the 362nd Fighter Group while they were stationed at Reims
This was the chateau located outside the city of Reims that was "acquired" by Colonel Joseph Laughlin for the pilots of the 362nd Fighter Group. They were the nicest accommodations they would have during the war, and no one wanted to leave.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
September - November 1944
"Ready in Pairs" - Bombs Ready for Action on P-47 Thunderbolts of the 362nd Fighter Group
A pilot leans on some 1,000-lb bombs on the airfield near Reims
A pilot from the 362nd Fighter Group poses for a picture with his foot on a bomb. With the caption "Ready in Pairs" on the back, it is also noted that the air strip used to be in No Man's Land during World War I.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
Late October 1944
Outhouse for the 377th Fighter Squadron
What passed for a bathroom on the airfield in Reims
This outhouse was located near the operations tent for the 377th Fighter Squadron. Not even enclosed, it afforded no privacy for those who needed it the most. The 362nd Fighter Group spent nearly 2 months in Reims.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
September - November 1944
A Farmer Working the Land Outside Reims
The men of the 362nd Fighter Group were encouraged to unwind and get away in their downtime
The men of the 362nd F. G. were encouraged by their commander, Colonel Joseph Laughlin, to do whatever was necessary to relax. He wanted them to take their minds away from the troubles of war to help them cope. Some of the men took that time to explore the area, taking pictures of life returning to normal in the liberated portions of France.
National Museum of the United States Air Force - Research Division
United States Air Force
September - November 1944