TABLE OF CONTENTS
U.S. Air Forces/Army Air Forces
Information on vanished or abandoned airfields & their unusual histories. Contains descriptions & images of 2,354 airfields, in all 50 states.
The Air Force Historical Research Agency is the repository for Air Force historical documents. The Agency’s collection, begun in Washington, DC, during World War II, moved in 1949 to Maxwell Air Force Base, the site of Air University, to provide research facilities for professional military education students, the faculty, visiting scholars, and the general public. It consists today of over 70,000,000 pages devoted to the history of the service and represents the world’s largest and most valuable organized collection of documents on US military aviation.
Aviation has always been a challenge for mankind. Not only the machines but also the clothing and equipment they used began to change. After a whole lot of tests and experiences, the gear used by airmen became more focused on their needs and standardized for production. During WW II a large range of helmets, goggles, clothing, etc. was developed to protect the wearer as much as possible.
Information is provided on flight gear used by the Army Air Forces, Royal Air Force, and other allied Air Forces throughout WW II.
A collection of class books, manuals and pictures about the United States Army Air Forces (AAF) during World War II. The AAF was sometimes called the Army Air Corps. This is an ever-growing collection of information about Army Air Fields and training facilities, including the pilot, navigator, bombardier, radio, and gunnery schools.
In March 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote to the Director of the Bureau of the Budget ordering each war agency to prepare “an accurate and objective account” of that agency’s war experience. Soon after, the Army Air Forces began hiring professional historians so that its history could, in the words of Brigadier General Laurence Kuter, “be recorded while it is hot and that personnel be selected and an agency set up for a clear historian’s job without an ax to grind or defense to prepare.” A Historical Division was established in Headquarters Army Air Forces under Air Intelligence, in September 1942, and the modern Air Force historical program began.
With the end of the war, Headquarters approved a plan for writing and publishing a seven-volume history.
Aviation Archaeological Investigation and Research, AAIR, is your source for U.S. military aircraft accident reports, individual aircraft record (history) cards, and aviation archaeology information.
Aviation archaeology is primarily the locating and documenting of old aircraft crash sites. It focuses on the preservation of these sites and of the history surrounding the activities that caused them.
I have attempted to structure the fuselage code letters used on USAAF WWII training aircraft into a meaningful format. The code-data for basic and advanced flying training aircraft is fairly complete. The data for fighter and multi-engine bomber trainers continues to be collected.
The Air Force Academy is both a military organization and a university. Much of the Academy is set up like most other Air Force bases, particularly the 10th Air Base Wing, but the superintendent, commandant, dean of faculty and cadet wing are set up in a manner resembling a civilian university.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force — the oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world — located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton, Ohio. This site is provided as a public service by the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Public Affairs Division.
The Air Force Historical Support Division is part of the Air Force History and Museums Program and is located in Washington, DC at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling.
AFHSD is primarily the historical research and book writing element of the Air Force History program. Historians at AFHSD also provide historical information, analysis, and perspective to Air Force leaders and their staffs to support planning, policy development, and decision making.
The purpose of this website is to search for detailed information about Allied Aircraft Crashes in the Netherlands, the North Sea and the English Channel in the Second World War.
The website connects to an Internet database and you may query the database in any way you want, as there are many “search combinations” possible.
8th Air Force
Since 1909, the airfields of Britain have proved to be the greatest assets this country has ever seen. Phenomenally brilliant places which have benevolently revolutionized everyday life. Massive winners and achievers, endlessly fascinating and important beyond all belief.
ARGL in its various forms has been in existence for 41 years. I will examine the context surrounding its formation, what we have archived over the years, a few of the projects that we have been involved in and the most recent news.
BEDFORD, the county town of Bedfordshire, sits astride the River Ouse and is situated just fifty miles north of London. The population of Bedford in the 1990s was approximately 76,000 (In 1911 it was only 40,000 and in the late 1940s under 60,000). In the years immediately after WWII, the increase in population was largely due to an influx of Italians who were recruited to work in the brickfields, and later by immigrants from the West Indies, Pakistan, and India.
Over the years, the Society has become a strong organization with an emphasis on remembering and honoring our comrades who served with distinction: the men who flew, the many thousands of ground crews, and those who worked in the background.
Fighter Groups (No other site description given.)
This site was established on 4 June 2002, to collect and present information on the Eighth Air Force of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
It was focused on the structure, relationships, and identification of the component units of the Eighth Air Force, and how that information could be used to learn more about Dad or Uncle Jimmy did during the war. Information appearing here is focused on the Summer of 1944 – the time during which my Father served with the 384th Bomb Group, and my Uncle Gordon served with the 95th Bomb Group.
I also hope that the site photos and maps encourage you to visit England, observe for yourself, and get a feel for the enterprise of defending freedom.
8th Air Force Operational Units
1st Air Division
1st Combat Bombardment Wing
This website exists as a tribute to the members of the 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy Bombers) and as a historical record of events that took place in Europe during World War II.
The 91st Bomb Group Memorial Association’s (BGMA) purpose is to keep alive the spirit of the 91st BG (H) and to maintain the fellowship of all those who fought together in WWII from AF Station 121 in Bassingbourn, England from 1942 – 1945.
This site is dedicated to the men of the 306th BG – It contains thousands of scanned images of documents and photographs as well as other material to educate families of the men, researchers, and others regarding the life and times of the European Bombing campaign.
The 381st Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Ridgewell, Essex between June 1943 and April 1945. The Group was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations, the first for bombing shipyards at Bremen, whilst under heavy attack, on 8 October 1943 and the second was awarded to the 1st Bomb Division as a whole for flying without fighter protection to bomb aircraft factories at Oschersleben on 11 January 1944.
This site is dedicated to both the Air and Ground Crews of the 482nd Bomb Group, 813th Bomb Squadron, and B-17 #25731 piloted by Lt. Bill Owen, who against all odds was credited with being the first American B-17 Bomber to release their bombs on the German capital of Berlin on March 4, 1944.
40th Combat Bombardment Wing
The 92nd Bomb Group post war organization, like other WWII veterans’ organizations, is now experiencing the intent of the time machine. At the Norfolk 98 Reunion, we initiated steps by mail ballot to amend the bylaws, initiate charter amendments, approve the organization name change and other supporting changes, as elements of the effort to ensure the continuation of “the 92nd.”
We are now able to focus on these lynchpins to ensure that the common denominator among us, “the 92nd,” will maintain its unparalleled legacy of war and peacetime military aviation accomplishments for many years to come.
The 305th Bombardment Group was a B-17 Flying Fortress group of the Eighth Air Force and took part in the daylight strategic bombing campaign over Europe.
The 305th was activated in the United States in March 1942 and moved to England in August-October. It became operational on 7 November 1942 (along with the 44th, 91st, and 303rd Bombardment Groups) and was one of the groups that remained with the Eighth Air Force rather than go to Africa to support Operation Torch.
The 398th was part of the 8th Air Force 1st Air Division during WWII and was one of many B-17 Bomb Groups stationed in England. The 398th was formed in the United States in 1943 and was stationed in Nuthampstead, England from April 1944 until June 1945.
41st Combat Bombardment Wing
These historical pages are dedicated to the 8,960 men who served in the 303rd Bombardment Group (H) “Hell’s Angels” during World War II. The 303rd Bomb Group was an Eighth Air Force, B-17 Bomber Group stationed at Molesworth, England from 1942 to 1945. Their motto, Might in Flight, was earned on each of their record 364 combat missions. Their place in history and the legacy they left behind will live forever.
The 379th Bomb Group WWII Association is organized to perpetuate the history the 379th Bomb Group (H) (WW II), to remember and honor the memory of lost comrades, and to educate present and future generations.
Following a very successful initial reunion of 384th Veterans in New York City in 1967 (arranged by an ad hoc committee), the 384th Bomb Group, Inc. was founded in 1968 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit Veterans organization. Membership of WWII veterans who served with the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in England grew over the years as word of the existence of the Group spread. Members work to preserve the memory of sacrifices they and their comrades-in-arms made in the name of Freedom.
94th Combat Bombardment Wing
The 351st Bomb Group Association held its 42nd Annual Reunion in Dayton. Activities included visits to the National Museum of the US Air Force and the Champaign Aviation Museum and more.
Thank you for visiting the official web site of the 401st Bombardment Group Association. Learn about the men who flew and maintained B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft from Deenethorpe Airfield during World War II and the organization that perpetuates its history.
The 457th Bombardment Group (H), consisting of the 748th, 749th, 750th, and 751st Bombardment Squadrons, was activated on July 1st, 1943 under General Order 98.
The initial cadre, from the 395th Bomb Group at Ephrata AAF in the state of Washington, was sent to Rapid City, South Dakota. After preparation for phase training at Rapid City, the Group was transferred back to Ephrata for the first two phases of training, arriving Oct 28th, 1943. Colonel Herbert E. Rice was the first Group Commanding Officer.
2nd Air Division
2nd Combat Bombardment Wing
This website is a tribute to the men of the 445th Bombardment Group, 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing, 2nd Bombardment (later Air) Division, 8th United States Army Air Force. They flew 280 combat missions out of a former Royal Air Force station near the village of Tibenham in Norfolk Country. The base was turned over to the United States Army Air Force on November 4th, 1943. At that time, the aircrews were making the Southern Atlantic crossing going from Florida to England via South America and making the flight across the Atlantic from Brazil to Africa.
The 392nd Bomb Group Memorial Association was formed in 1985. The Association currently has more than 250 members who, through their donations and interest, support the research efforts to remember the history, the legacy of the bomb group and to honor the American men and women who served the 392nd between 1943 and 1945.
14th Combat Bombardment Wing
Let Us Introduce Ourselves. Our organization is the successor to the old 44th Heritage Memorial Group which, by the direction of it’s Board Of Directors, closed down in October of 1994. Active and dedicated Association Members then chose to immediately form a new organization, the 44th Bomb Group Veterans Association. We are incorporated in the State of Illinois and are classified with the Internal Revenue Service. as a 501(c)(19) non-profit Veterans Organization.
The complete aircrew roster database of almost 4,000 airmen is indexed by the last name with dates and missions flown.
A complete inventory of all 459 B-24 Liberator bombers that flew missions with links to their history, B-24 photos, B-24 nose art, and final dispositions.
One of the internet’s largest and most complete research on the German POW camps for airmen in Europe during World War II.
This website is dedicated to being a free online museum and memorial to the men who served with the ill-fated 492nd Bomb Group during its 89 days at North Pickenham. We collect stories of the men, their planes and their missions and present it all here. Our goal is to provide a place for each man so that his family can come to visit and remember their own personal hero.
20th Combat Bombardment Wing
The 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) came into existence early in 1942 when experienced personnel from the 44th BG began training flight and maintenance crews for the new group at Barksdale Army Air Field, outside Shreveport, Louisiana. After training at Barksdale, the fledgling 93rd moved a few hundred miles further to the southeast to take up temporary residence at Ft. Meyers, Florida. While operating from Fort Meyers, the men of the 93rd continued to train while also flying antisubmarine missions over the Gulf of Mexico.
This website chronicles the history of the 446th, whose men bravely served in Europe in World War II. There are stories written by the men themselves and a memorial to the over 500 flyers whose missions never ended. You can read about the missions they flew over Nazi occupied Europe and about the famous B-24 Liberator.
Activated 1 May 1943 at Gowen Field Idaho were initial training was conducted. Then the unit moved to Wendover Field, Utah on the fourth of July 1943 for the second phase of training, and finial training at Sioux City AAB, Iowa from 16 September to early November 1943. The ground unit went to Camp Shanks, NY, and sailed on the Queen Elizabeth on the 23rd of November 1943, and arrived at Clyde on the 29th November 1943. The aircraft left Sioux City on the third of November 1943 for Herrington field in Kansas. The aircraft flew for the United Kingdom via the Southern ferry route from Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Belem, Dakar, and Marrakesh. Three aircraft were lost in route.
The 489th Bomb Group (H) was activated on 1st October 1943. Formed and trained at Wendover Field, Utah, the Group was scheduled to reach full strength by the end of that year. Commanding Officer Ezekiel W Napier was appointed. In April 1944 the 489th left Utah to travel to England (the Advance Party departed on 28th March).
The flight crews in their B24 Liberator Heavy Bombers took the southern route skirting the northern coast of South America and across to Africa then north. The Group was bound for Halesworth, in Suffolk, to the most easterly of all Second Air Division fields.
96th Combat Bombardment Wing
This site is a tribute to those who served with the 458th Bomb Group during World War II. It is also a tribute to Crew 74, of which my father, Samuel D. Scorza, was the navigator. My father was assigned to the 458th Bombardment Group (H) in October 1943. He had just completed navigation training at San Marcos, Texas, and the group was nearing its final stages in assigning crews to the newly formed squadrons in Tonopah, Nevada. After training, the crews flew the ‘Southern Route’ to England in January 1944, arriving at Horsham St. Faith near Norwich in February. The group flew its first combat mission on March 2, 1944. Crew 74 completed their tour of 30 missions in June 1944.
The 466th Bomb Group (H) was part of the 8th Air Force and was stationed at Attlebridge, England during World War II. The 466th BG flew 231 combat missions. This page is to honor their service and sacrifice.
This site is provided as an in depth resource for researchers and those interested in detailed information regarding the activities of the 467th Bombardment Group (H)
93 Combat Bombardment Wing
It has been called the “Grand-Daddy of the 8th Army Air Force.” Last bomb group assigned as a unit to the 8th. First combat mission on May 23, 1944. Last combat mission was on April 20, 1945. Flew six food drops to Holland on May 1, 1945, and numerous P.O.W. relief flights. Flew 133 missions before being attacked by German fighters. Lost 34 A/C to anti-aircraft fire over Europe. Flew 170 missions and never lost an aircraft to German fighters over Europe.
Deactivated August 28, 1945, Sioux Falls, S.D.
The 385th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Mobility Command to activate or inactivate as needed. It was last known to be stationed at Incirlik AB, Turkey. It is currently a tenant unit of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
The 385th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional the United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Mobility Command to activate or inactivate as needed. It was last known to be stationed at Incirlik AB, Turkey. It is currently a tenant unit of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
The 493d Bombardment Group is a former United States Army Air Forces unit that was assigned to the 92nd Bombardment Wing during World War II. It the last bombardment group to be assigned to Eighth Air Force.
3rd Air Division
13th Combat Bombardment Wing
This website is dedicated to the men who served in the 95th Bomb Group (H), 13th Combat Wing, 3rd Air Division of the 8th Air Force. It contains extensive information and photos related to those who served in the 95th Bomb Group (H) from 1943 to 1945. Our comprehensive databases include personnel and flight records, mission reports and more.
The 100th Bomb Group Foundation is dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of first-hand historical accounts of the men, missions, and machines that fought in the skies over Europe during WWII. The Foundation’s extensive website archives, museum exhibits, publications and artifacts associated with this famous B-17 bomber unit provide a worldwide platform to educate generations, keeping alive the bravery and sacrifice which ensure our freedom still today.
Based in Parham, England, the 390th Bombardment Group (H) flew 301 combat missions against German military targets. It played an important role in many missions now recognized as key to winning WWII such as D-Day, Munster, Schweinfurt, and the raid on Berlin. It also participated in lesser-known humanitarian missions in which the B-17 was utilized to drop supplies and food.
45th Combat Bombardment Wing
The 96th Bomb Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force 2d Operations Group located at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. The 96th is equipped with the Boeing B-52H Stratofortress. Formed in August 1917, the 96 BS saw combat on the World War I Western Front, in France.
It took part in the St. Mihiel offensive and Meuse-Argonne offensive. Later, it served with the Army Air Service and Army Air Corps in the Inter-War period it participated in Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell’s 1921 off-shore bombing tests and during World War II fought in the North African and Italian Campaigns. It was a part of Strategic Air Command during the Cold War. Since 1993, the 96th Bomb Squadron has flown the B-52H Stratofortress long-range heavy bomber, which can perform a variety of missions. Today the squadron is engaged in the Global War on Terrorism
What is the mission of the 388thBG Association? The objective as stated in the bylaws is – To preserve for all time the history, friendships, memories and incidents of the members of the 388th Bombardment Group (H) during World War II. I doubt if this objective has been modified since the late 1940s when the association was formed.
How can we ensure that the memory of what the original members endured during World War II will be available 100 years from now, or 500 years or 1000 years? Why should we do this? And how can we make this happen? We need to examine these questions and make plans as we move forward with our mission. Our mission is small when compared to what our original members survived.
The 452nd Bomb Group flew B-17 Flying Fortresses from Deopham Green, Norfolk, from January 1944. The aircrews hit strategic sites in Germany but also supported the movement of ground forces across Europe after D-Day. On 6 June 1944 itself, the Group bombed coastal defenses before the landings.
The 452nd Group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for bombing a jet fighter base at Kaltenkirchen, northern Germany, on 7 April 1945, under intense pressure from enemy fighters and anti-aircraft flak. (source)
4th Combat Bombardment Wing
The 94th Bombardment Group was a B-17 unit that took part in the US Strategic campaign over Germany from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe as well as directly supporting the D-Day landings and the land campaign in Europe.
The Group was activated in the United States in June 1942 and spent the next few months training to use the B-17 Flying Fortress before crossing the Atlantic in April-May 1943,
The group was one of five B-17s groups to officially become operational in May 1943 (forming the 4th Bombardment Wing), greatly increasing the strength of the Eighth Air Force, which had suffered when units were moved to North Africa to support Operation Torch. Its first combat mission came on 13 May and was an attack on a Luftwaffe base at St. Omer. After that the group took part in the strategic bombing campaign, attacking targets at St Nazaire, Kiel, Kassel, Hannover, Ludwigshafen, Frankfurt, Merseburg and Eberhausen along with many others. The group also took part in the ‘Big Week’ attack on the German aircraft industry (20-25 February 1944).
This is the official website of the 447th Bomb Group Association. It is owned by the association and maintained by 2nd generation members that are devoted to preserving the legacy of the men that served in the 447th Bomb Group. Here you will find pictures, stories and historical documents that chronicle their service while stationed in Rattlesden, England.
The Eighth Air Force faced a formidable opponent – the Luftwaffe, with outstanding equipment and training, and more importantly, they were battle-tested. By the end of the war, the air battles that involved thousands of bombers and fighters claimed over 26,000 American lives. This accounted for 10% of all American deaths during the war. 18,000 airmen were wounded and over 28,000 were shot down and captured
B-17 Flying Fortress
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 4-engine heavy bomber is one of the most famous, and successful, planes ever built. The B-17 received the name “Flying Fortress” from a Seattle news reporter who commented on its defensive firepower, and said, “It’s a Flying Fortress”.
This section of Airplanes Of The Past is meant to be a tribute to those who designed & built the B-17, the crews who flew her, and those who have worked tirelessly to preserve this famous World War II airplane and its history.
No American or East Anglian can think seriously about B-17’s today without feeling the tug of their great purpose and destiny. They were the two-fisted tin cans that tore the roof off a deranged empire. When they swarmed over occupied Europe, people blessed them. One day, when several hundred of them roared across Holland, a little girl cried out in fear. Her father put his arm around her, took her hand, and looked up. “Listen to it, Helene,” he told her. “It’s the music of angels.”
Excerpts from the “Pilot Training Manual for the B-17 Flying Fortress”, which was issued to B-17 pilots during World War II and was considered to be the “textbook of the B-17”.
The manual begins with a brief history of the B-17 and then goes on to explain to the pilot the duties and responsibilities of each of his crew members. Following this is a series of topics dealing with the characteristics and operation of the B-17 itself and how the crew should handle various emergency situations.
An excellent documentary shows the inside of the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber
VISIT THIS WEBSITE TO READ MORE …
USAF Serial Number Search.
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was a four-engine heavy bomber aircraft developed in the 1930s for the then-United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). Competing against Douglas and Martin for a contract to build 200 bombers, the Boeing entry outperformed both competitors and more than met the Air Corps’ expectations.
Although Boeing lost the contract because the prototype crashed, the Air Corps was so impressed with Boeing’s design that they ordered 13 more B-17s for further evaluation. From its introduction in 1938, the B-17 Flying Fortress evolved through numerous design advances. With a service ceiling greater than any of its Allied contemporaries, the B-17 established itself as an effective weapons system, dropping more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in World War II.
Burial/Grave Search
The American Battle Monuments Commission, established by Congress in 1923, is an agency of the executive branch of the federal government.
ABMC—the guardian of America’s overseas commemorative cemeteries and memorials—honors the service, achievements, and sacrifice of U.S. Armed Forces.
“The American Cemetery is situated along the State Highway Maastricht-Vaals in the Eijsden-Margraten Municipality in the Netherlands. It is one of the biggest cemeteries in the world the only one in The Netherlands. No less than 8,301 American liberators have been buried here. The white marble crosses and David’s stars remind us of the soldiers -often young- who gave their lives for our freedom during World War ll.”
Find the graves of ancestors, create virtual memorials or add photos, virtual flowers and a note to a loved one’s memorial. Search or browse cemeteries and grave records for every-day and famous people from around the world.
Escape/Evasion & Underground/Resistance
The American Battle Monuments Commission, established by Congress in 1923, is an agency of the executive branch of the federal government.
ABMC—the guardian of America’s overseas commemorative cemeteries and memorials—honors the service, achievements, and sacrifice of U.S. Armed Forces.
After the defeat of France in June 1940 thousands of British prisoners of war were marched north, through France and Belgium, on their way to prison camps in eastern Germany. Many escaped and hid on farms in the Flemish countryside. From there they were taken to Brussels where groups of friends, who were the first roots of the famous Comete Line, tried to arrange their safe passage home. This is the story of their experiences and of the people who helped them.
PBS A true story of escape, evasion, and remembrance.
During World War II, the United States and Great Britain produced in excess of 3.5 million silk maps and cloth maps for Allied military personnel to use as escape maps. In 1940, the British military intelligence unit, known as MI 9, started issuing silk maps for use by British aircrews shot down over enemy-occupied territory in Europe.
The silk maps were intended to assist airman in evading capture. MI 9 also smuggled silk and tissue paper escape maps into POW camps in Germany along with other escape aids to encourage POWs to attempt escape.
For the last sixteen years, I have been researching the aid given to downed Allied airmen by the Resistance during World War II in The Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
Germany/Axis Powers
Axis History is an apolitical site and forum dedicated to the history of the European Axis nations during the Second World War. Here you will find facts about Germany & Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland (formally not an ally, but a co-belligerent), Hungary, Italy, Romania, and Slovakia.
The mission of this site is to record the stories of people connected with aviation, from wartime experiences – where young men and women were presented with extraordinary circumstances – to those in peacetime. We’re interested in recording what we can of the lives of ordinary people doing ordinary things just as much as those of heroes doing unimaginable deeds.
The Luftwaffe, 1933-45 Optimized for IE 4.0 or above, resolution 1024 x 768 or above This page is not meant to be a political statement of any sort. It has no connection to any political organizations or factions but is purely meant to be a source of information.
Prisoners of War (POWs)
“Dad, tell me how it was in the camps?”. We are in 1972. Just the day before, the Belgian television had shown a documentary about the Nazi concentration camps. I was 10 years old, and I knew my father was a Holocaust Survivor. Sometimes, on very rare occasions, he talked about his experiences as a prisoner of the Nazis, with my mother. Just some words, a reminiscence, then the silence. Like so many children, I listened carefully, even though the conversation was not intended to be heard by me.
We are dedicated to preserving the memory of the enlisted airmen held captive from 1943 to 1945 at these two notorious camps.
This site was established by Len Rose and the Luft IV organization. Hosted by WWW.B24.net, it is meant to be a resource to all interested parties.
Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947, documenting the period 12/7/1941 – 11/19/1946
Veteran Research
An interactive archive of images and information
The American Air Museum website records the stories of the men and women of the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) who served their country from the UK in the Second World War. It also records the memories of the British people who befriended them. Browse, edit and upload your own photographs and memories to help us build an online memorial to their lives.
The National Archives is the place to turn first for general information about a soldier. Although the archive burned in 1973 and with it 80 percent of the Army records (1912-59) and 75 percent of the Air Force records (1947-63) alternative resources were used in many cases to recreate the information.
Records can be requested online or in person. Consider a local search, as well: State veteran’s affairs departments are a good resource.
Browse Military Records by War
Genealogy.com is a source for family history buffs to find genealogical research originally posted in GenForum and our most popular genealogy articles. Start a search or browse below to start digging into your family’s past!
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the nation’s record keeper. Of all documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal government, only 1%-3% are so important for legal or historical reasons that they are kept by us forever.
Our new site offers one place to access all VA benefits and health care services. You can sign in with your My HealtheVet, DS Logon, or ID.me account to track your claims, refill your prescriptions, and more.
World War II History
The Aviation History Online Museum was created in 1996 and is a collection of articles related to the history of aircraft, aircraft engines, historic aviators, and aircraft theory. It was originally developed as a simple portal for Aviation Models which began in 1995, but the history website has since developed into a much more comprehensive website.
General accounts, campaigns, additional resources, cryptography/intelligence, and the Holocaust
World War II was the biggest and deadliest war in history, involving more than 30 countries. Sparked by the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, the war dragged on for six bloody years until the Allies defeated Nazi Germany and Japan in 1945.
World War Two, Causes of World War Two, Military Commanders of World War Two, Timeline of World War Two, World War Two in Western Europe, World War Two and Eastern EuropeResistance MovementsWar in the AtlanticWar in the Mediterranean SeaWar in North Africa … and more.
HistoryNet.com is brought to you by the world’s largest publisher of history magazines. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries, and over 5,000 articles originally published in our various magazines.
HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries, and over 5000 articles originally published in our various magazines.
Timeline with photos and text.
Photographs, Documents, and Research on World War II.
6,669 articles, 4,884 pictures, 417 maps, 900 unit histories, 1,548 book reviews and over 5,206,200 words in original articles. We don’t just cover the best-known conflicts, although we do have good coverage of the First and Second World Wars, the Napoleonic Wars and the American Civil War.
Military Factory™ showcases a comprehensive listing of over 5,350 individual entries spanning past wars, present conflicts, and future engagements.
The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.
Research on plane crashes of WW II has led to numerous contacts between those involved. Several meetings and reunions have taken place, both in Germany and in the USA and also in neighboring France, uniting former foes in an atmosphere of friendship. Some of these meetings are presented here.
The Warbirds Resource Group was formed to provide a starting point for an individual looking to learn about historical military aviation, primarily centered around the World War II-era but eventually it will include from the end of World War I to the beginning of the Vietnam War. I hope that these pages will provide you with the information you are looking for or at least be able to point you in the right direction.
The experiences of a B-17 Navigator during World War II
War History Online is a popular site devoted to military history. From the stone age to the first Gulf War, we’ve got it covered.
We are fully owned by Timera Inc – Timera Media
We work with various museums, historical societies and media outlets around the world. If you are interested in working with us or have a great story, please get in touch.
Collecting memories of The Great War and The Second World War … before they are lost forever.
Wartime Press was created by Irek & Dave to provide a historical reference site to a multitude of original books, booklets, magazines, manuals, newspapers, and documents relating to WWII.
Air Force photo gallery.
World WarII Allied Aircraft Crashes in The Netherlands & North Sea
In Aug 1937, Japanese political machine fabricated a pretext to escalate the war in China, while troops were already en route to Shanghai. The western powers unsuccessfully attempted to broker peace, and the Second Battle of Shanghai began on 13 Aug.
As the US breakout in Normandy grew stronger, Hitler’s demands for a counter-attack that would contain the Allies grew more strident. A month earlier he had received warnings from von Rundstedt and, later, from Rommel, that the situation was untenable. Now the German forces in France were even more depleted, ground down by the Allied attacks and by their inability to replace losses.
WWII Video Archives brings to you the best documentaries about WWII posted on YouTube, categorized with tags to allow you to enjoy the contents that you like more.
World War II weapons