Gallery IX

Caught strolling...From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

On a good 'ole "No flying Sunday." They say, "all work and no play--" From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

A corner of the lunchroom at Moton Field. From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

On this side line at the U.S.O.--she doesn't believe it either! From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

Behind the eight ball...From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

The Ping Pong corner in the U.S.O. From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

The Division of Aeronautics Instructors stationed at "Airport Number One" on Indoctrination Flight Training. From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

Each instructor "pre-flights" his students as a first step in the course. Here he is shown demonstrating the proper method of "swinging a prop." From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

An early morning scene on the flying line at "Airport Number One" -- a portion of Tuskegee Institute's fleet of light planes used in indoctrination flight training of aviation cadet candidates. From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

A group of entering trainees are first given a preview of the training and objectives of the indoctrination flight course by the chief pilot. From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

The assistant chief of maintenance gives a detailed lecture-demonstration to entering trainees regarding the aircraft and engine to furnish the trainee with the background for the inspection that he must henceforth make daily under supervision. From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

"Give 'er the gun!" A student and instructor prepare to take off. From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

..."And this is the way you should have done it." In a conference room away from the flight line, each instructor holds individual and group conferences with students to explain to the student his errors and to thoroughly coach him on the proper performance methods. From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

The student-instructor post-flight conference and discussion begins on the flying line. From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

Good records are synonymous with efficient maintenance. The status of each aircraft is checked and recorded daily. The assistant chief of maintenance consults the status board in planning maintenance service. From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.

Members of the 99th Fighter Squadron of the Army Air Forces, famous all-Black outfit, who rapidly made themselves feared by enemy pilots, pose for a picture at the Anzio beachhead in February 1944. In the foreground, head bared, is 1st Lt. Andrew Lane. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection.

With Lt. Edward C. Gleed of Horton, Kansas, giving them pointers from a giant map, pilots of the American P-51 Mustang 332nd Fighter Group learn their "target for today" during a briefing in September 1944 at a base in Italy. Both the map and the briefing chart (right) indicate another objective in Germany will soon be on the receiving end of their bullets and bombs. These men are members of the 15th U.S. Army Air Force, whose planes fly as part of the Mediterranean Allied Air Force. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection, and from the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

Fliers of a P-51 Mustang Group of the 15th Air Force in Italy 'shoot the breeze' in the shadow of one of the Mustangs they fly, in August 1944. Left to right: Lt. Dempsey W. Morgan, Jr., Lt. Carroll S. Woods, Lt. Robert H. Nelson, Jr., Capt. Andrew D. Turner, commanding officer of the 100th Fighter Squadron, and Lt. Clarence P. Lester, who had three enemy fighters to his credit. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection, and from the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

American pilots of the P-51 Mustang 332nd Fighter Group, whose planes are named after wild horses that once roamed the U.S., listen intently as they are briefed for a mission at a base in Italy in September 1944. Like cavalrymen of old, they ride down the enemy in their flying steeds and destroy German installations and personnel throughout Europe. The first man on right in the front row is Clarence "Red" Driver. They are members of the 15th U.S. Army Air Force, whose fighters and bombers are part of the Mediterranean Allied Air Force, which also includes British, French, and Polish fliers. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection, and from the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

Pilots of the 99th Fighter Squadron, credited with shooting down eight of the 28 German planes destroyed in dogfights over the new Allied beachheads south of Rome on January 27, 1944, talk over the day's exploits at a U.S. base in the Mediterranean theater. These Tuskegee Airmen, veterans of the North African and Sicilian campaigns, were formerly classmates at Tuskegee Institute. Dated February, 1944. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection.

Capt. Andrew. D. Turner, who in a few minutes will be escorting heavy bombers enroute to enemy targets, signals to the chief of his ground crew before taking off from a base in Italy in September 1944. This Tuskegee Airman was a member of the 15th Army Air Force, which had been smashing enemy objectives in Germany and the Balkans with both fighter and bomber craft. The pilot's plane, a Mustang, is named for a type of wild horse that once roamed in America. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection.

Lt. Andrew D. Marshall, pilot in the 332nd Fighter Group of the Mediterranean Allied Air Force, had his plane shot up by flak during a strafing mission over Greece before the Allied invasion. When he came down, all that was left of the plane was his engine and himself. But he only suffered some bruises and cuts. Greeks hid him from the Nazis, then directed him to the British forces when they parachuted into Greece. Here, Lt. Marshall tells an American pilot of the 51st Troop Carrier Wing of his harrowing experience. Photo dated October 1944. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection.

Capts. Lemuel R. Custis and Charles B. Hall of the 99th Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Forces chat while on leave in New York City in June 1944. Their all-Black squadron first went into action in North Africa on June 4, 1943, and is now closely supporting Allied ground forces advancing in Italy. The fighter group flies all types of combat missions -- bomber escort, dive bombing, patrol for beachheads, and strafing. In one year, the squadron had made more than 3,000 sorties and had shot down 17 planes, scored 3 probables, and damaged 6 other planes. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection.

1st Lt. Lee Rayford, who had returned to the United States from Italy where he served with the 99th Fighter Squadron. The nature of his future assignment had not been announced. Other pilots formerly assigned to the 99th now back in America include 1st Lieutenants Walter I. Lawson, Charles W. Dryden, Graham Smith, and Luis R. Prunell. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection.

An armorer of the 15th U.S. Air Force checks ammunition belts of the .50 caliber machine guns in the wings of a P-51 Mustang fighter plane before it leaves an Italian base in September 1944 for a mission against German military targets. The 15th Air Force was organized for long range assault missions and its' fighters and bombers range over enemy targets in occupied and satellite nations, as well as Germany itself. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection.

Members of the ground crew of a 99th Fighter Squadron of the 15th U.S. Air Force in Italy, place a loaded wing tank on a P-51 Mustang before the group takes off on another mission escorting bombers over enemy targets. The squadron used the auxiliary fuel tanks for long distance flights. Left to right: TSgt. Charles K. Haynes, SSgt. James A Sheppard, and MSgt. Frank Bradley. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection.

Sharing credit for Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilots' victory over Nazis are mechanics George Johnson and James C. Howard. Their outfit, the 99th Fighter Squadron, bagged 12 Nazi fighter planes in two days. Photo dated February 1944. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection.

Capt. Wendell O. Pruitt, one of the leading pilots of the 15th U.S. Air Force always makes sure that he leaves his valuable ring with his crew chief, SSgt. Samuel W. Jacobs. Photo dated November 1944. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection.

Competition is great among individual crew chiefs of the all-Black 332nd Fighter Group, 15th Air Force, Italy, and it is never more evident than this picture that shows SSgt. William Accoo, of Salem, N.J., washing his plane down with soap and water. After this, he will wax it. Note the crew chief's reflection on the side of the North American P-51 Mustang -- and that's not done with mirror, either. U.S. Air Force Photo dated September 1944. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection and from the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama collection.

SSgt. Alfred D. Norris, crew chief in the 332nd Fighter Group of the 15th U.S. Air Force, closes the canopy of a P-51 Mustang for his pilot, Capt. William T. Mattison, operations officer of the 100th Fighter Squadron based in Italy. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection and from the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

Staff officers of the 99th Fighter Squadron near Fex, French Morocco. Left to right: Lt. Col. Benjamin O. Davis, C.O., Capt. Hayden C. Johnson, Adjutant; Capt. E. Jones, Service Det.; Lt. William R. Thompson, Armaments; Lt. Herbert E. Carter, Engineers; Lt. Erwin B. Lawrence, Operations; Lt. George R. Currie, Ordinance. Photo dated May 12, 1943. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection.

Long, dangerous missions over enemy territory and inclement weather often necessitated fighter planes returning to their bases with gas in their tanks for little over 3 minutes flying time. Pilots of a 15th AAF squadron decided to form a club.

A Couple Strolling...

Caught strolling...From the publication, "Pilot Training School, Tuskegee Institute", 1944.