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B-24s at Ploesti Raid

B-24s at treetop level as they pass through the target area during the Ploesti Raid

Flying over the Alps

After bombing the target, the Regensburg force turned south and crossed the Alps on the way to North Africa.

B-24 in the snow at Eighth Air Force base in England

Ground crew changing an engine on a B-24 in the snow at an Eighth Air Force base in England. Most maintenance was done outdoors regardless of the season or weather.

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B-17 on training exercise over England

On August 17, 1942, twelve B-17Es struck the railroad marshalling yards at Rouen-Sotteville in France, marking the first Eighth Air Force heavy bomber raid. Many of the aircraft used on this first raid are seen here on a training exercise over England.

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1st Lt Jack Mathis

1st Lt Jack Mathis received the first Medal of Honor awarded to an Eighth Air Force Airman.

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B-17 bombing the port at Messina, Sicily

B-17 bombing the port at Messina, Sicily.

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Strategic bombing campaign in Europe during WWII

Strategic bombing campaign in Europe during World War II.

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Leaders in strategic bombing campaign in Europe

Gen Spaatz (2nd from left) and Lt Gen Doolittle (3rd from left) discuss results of a bombing attack with Eighth Air Force Airmen who just returned from the mission (note armored helmet and oxygen mask on the table).

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Memphis Belle being loaded with practice bombs

Memphis Belle being loaded with practice bombs at MacDill AAF.

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Hell's Angels on war bond tour

On May 13, 1943, the 303rd BG B-17F Hell’s Angels became the first heavy bomber to complete 25 combat missions over Europe, four days before the Memphis Belle’s crew. After flying 48 combat missions, it returned to the US for a war bond tour, but not until 1944.

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SSgt Miller’s uniform coat

Plans call for this artifact to be displayed near the B-17F Memphis Belle™ as part of the new strategic bombardment exhibit in the WWII Gallery, which opens to the public on May 17, 2018. Memphis Belle waist gunner SSgt E. Scott Miller’s uniform coat. He flew 16 missions with the crew, but did not go on the war bond tour.

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Flak-damaged M1911 .45-cal pistol

Plans call for this artifact to be displayed near the B-17F Memphis Belle™ as part of the new strategic bombardment exhibit in the WWII Gallery, which opens to the public on May 17, 2018. Flak-damaged M1911 .45-cal pistol and cap badge worn by Sgt Roy Zeran, 97th Bomb Group, when his B-17 was shot down on November 20, 1942. (The cap badge is post-World War II).

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Utility bag used by SSgt Winchell

Plans call for this artifact to be displayed near the B-17F Memphis Belle™ as part of the new strategic bombardment exhibit in the WWII Gallery, which opens to the public on May 17, 2018. Utility bag used by Memphis Belle waist gunner SSgt William “Bill” Winchell.

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Coat worn by SSgt Kobuszewski

Plans call for this artifact to be displayed near the B-17F Memphis Belle™ as part of the new strategic bombardment exhibit in the WWII Gallery, which opens to the public on May 17, 2018. Coat worn by SSgt Theresa Kobuszewski, who served in the Women’s Army Corps in the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces in England during WWII.

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