American gunsmiths loading .50 ammo on a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt at an airfield in Normandy. 


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American  Martin B-26 "Marauder»bomber (Martin B-26-MA S / N 40-1361) on takeoff. 
 
December 1940 


Takeoff

Lady Moe, mascot, 96th Bombardment Group, USAAF, joins comrades to watch returning bombers at their base in England.  Lady Moe, a Tunisian donkey, was rescued as a young foal by a bomber crew of the Group when they landed in Algeria at the half-way stage of the "Regensburg-North Africa Raid", where they found her strayed and starving.  On the return journey from Algeria to England, her crew took part in a bombing raid on Bordeaux - making Moe the only donkey known to have taken part in an aerial bombing raid.  She remained with the 96th to the end of the war, helping in various propaganda/PR events, including the sale of War Bonds, and appearance as a mascot at the Army-Navy gridiron football game at London's White City Stadium in 1944.  Lady Moe was unfortunately killed in a railway accident in October, 1945, and was buried at the 96th's base at Snetterton Heath.  She did her bit.  And, no doubt, ate any carrots that might have come her way ... JR.