February 16, 2010

WWII in Italy: Flooded Airfields, Muddy Ball Turrets and Dragons

As a follow up to this post about the life of a ball turret gunner, it seems that life for those boys could get worse in the rainy season.

Here's a picture of an airfield in Italy that was flooded after some heavy rains.
Page 172; Black and White and Color Photographs of U.S. Air Force and Predecessor Agencies...

The muddy landing strips made the ball turret gunner's life even less pleasant:
Page 256; Black and White and Color Photographs of U.S. Air Force and Predecessor Agencies...

While we're in the area, he's some great nose art on a B-24 Liberator:
Page 180; Black and White and Color Photographs of U.S. Air Force and Predecessor Agencies...


The dog doesn't seem to know what to make of it.

February 4, 2010

War: Bringing People Together

"Naga Headhunters [Learn] To Cut Hair"

I don't know anything about any of the people in this picture, but when I read the caption,
"In Addition To His Other Duties, Pvt. Morris Glieberman Of New York City Was Barber For The Yank Expedition. Here, He Teaches Naga Headhunters To Cut Hair, Using Pfc. Jack Elston Of Salt Lake City, Utah As The Victim."
I couldn't help but think, "So, a Mormon, a Jew and a headhunter walk into this bar[bershop]."