Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses of the USAAF’s 91st Bomb Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force, flying to target, Dornier Assembly Plant at Meulan, France, at dawn and over the clouds, August 13, 1943. Victor Sierra

At dawn, over the clouds

Under the North African sun, the aircraftmen of the USAAF’s 47th Bombardment Group in queue for the lunch (the soldier’s lunch!), likely a soup (excellent and abundant…) drawn from a great pot. The plane in background is likely a dive bomber Douglas A-24 Banshee, the USAAF’s version of the US Navy’s SBD Dauntless, employed during the first phases of Allied invasion of Western North Africa. The photo was taken during the first deployment of the 47th BG in Mediterranean Theatre, in Algeria and Tunisia, perhaps on the first months of 1943. Victor Sierra

In queue for the soup

 B-24J-80-CO «Maid» («The Chambermaid»), serial number 42-100227 belonged to 38th Squadron, 30th Bombardment Group.The Liberator was damaged by anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters while on a mission over Iwo Jima on September 11,1944.Two 20mm shells inflicted heavy damage to the aircraft and injured 3 crew.Landing the aircraft on Saipan(Mariana Islands) proved a very difficult task.Due to damage to the engine systems,3 out of 4 engines ran at full power.The pilots were able to secure the landing wheels but had no brakes.All 11 crew survived and were given Purple Hearts.