The ground crew chief say the start signal to pilots of an heavy bomber Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress of 99th Bomb Group, 5th Bomb Wing, USAAF’s 15th Air Force, ready to taxiing pre-take off from the Tortorella Airfield, Foggia Airfield Complex, Southern Italy, 1944. Note the ramp on pierced steel plank. Victor Sierra

Crew chief

At the border of a large mud puddle on the Marcianise Airfield, province of Caserta, Campania; about 32 km N-NW of Naples, mechanics of USAAF’s 86th Fighter Bomber Group working at overhaul of a North American A-36A Apache, April 1944. In the same year, after a short time at Rome-Ciampino Airport, at the half of same year the 86th FG was transferred in Tuscany, Orbetello Airfield, for transition to Republic P-47D Thunderbolt. Victor Sierra

Mud puddle

Tortorella Airfield, Foggia Airfield Complex, Southern Italy, 1944: mechanics overhauling a B-17G of 99th Bombardment Group, 5th Bombardment Wing, US Army Air Force. Victor Sierra