A U.S. army officer checks over maps with the pilot and crew of an Italian Bergamaschi "Ghibli," twin-engine light general purpose monoplane (shown in background) at an airfield at Palermo, Sicily. Taken before March 4, 1944.

Bomber crews of the U.S. Army 9th Air Force are being given a chalk talk by Major Frank W. Delong, squadron commander, before they take off on a mission over Axis territory. Tunisia, April, 1943.

Bomber crews of the United States Army Ninth Air Force are given a chalk talk before they take off on a mission over Axis Territory. Tunisia, April, 1943.

Major Glade B. Bilby of Skidmore, Montana talking to members of his flying squadron somewhere in Tunisia. While flying top cover, the squadron destroyed six German Messerschmitts.

Somewhere in Iran. American, Russian and Royal air force pilots at a delivery point of Allied warplanes to the Russians. March, 1943.

American, Russian and Royal air force pilots at a delivery point of Allied warplanes to the Russians somewhere in Iran.

Lieutenant Colonel William K. McKnown, of Lawrence, Kansas, commander of the 314th Squadron of the 57th Fighter Group (center, wearing leather jacket) talking to his two aces

Here's our mission. A combat crew receives final instructions just before taking off in a mighty YB-17 bomber from a bombardment squadron base at the field, Langley Field, Va.

Ready to test out the new ships, called "steam chickens" by the natives, American pilots in Africa wait outside an airport hut made from a fighter plane packing crate.