November 5, 1942: With the towering 20,300 feet peak of Mt. McKinley as a backdrop, a formation of U.S. Army Air Force A-29 planes drone along on the alert in defense in Alaska during World War II. texag57

USAAF

On July 20, 1944 Gabby Gabreski seeking targets of opportunity spotted enemy planes parked on an airdrome at Bassenheim, Germany.His first strafing run was unsuccessful, and he reversed for a second pass. When his tracers went high he dropped the nose of his Thunderbolt to adjust, and its propeller clipped the runway, bending the tips.The damage caused his engine to vibrate violently and he was forced to crash land.(rudeerude)