World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
3 Jul 2010 01:09:56 PM

B-17's on flight line,March field,California
1941.

2.  Bill says:
7 Aug 2010 03:03:46 PM

I remember seeing this photograph in color
the B-17 in the background didn't have any
checker-board design on the engine clowings,
or tail stripes.
It could have been a color touchup from a
black and white photo. Even the clouds,were
were highlighted. The caption did say:
Official Photograph U.S. Air Corps

3.  Bill says:
10 Aug 2010 05:15:17 PM

I did it again, mispelled "Cowling" gotta get
more sleep.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

In 1940 President Roosevelt called for 50,000 airplanes a year! in 1938 the USAAC training school's graduated 750 pilots a year.

Six years later the training school's would
graduate 100,000 pilots, and American
Industry would produce the airplanes needed.

By 1945 the USAAF had 125,000 airplanes and
2,000,000 servicemen.
The US Navy added another 75,000 airplanes
and 1,500,000 servicemen.

4. Ed says:
21 Jul 2023 10:22:13 PM

Marshall Army Airfield (MAAF) (IATA: FRI, ICAO: KFRI) is a military airfield located on Fort Riley Kansas, United States. It was opened in 1921. (Never found a Marshall in California.)
MAAF is one of the oldest military airfields in the United States, Marshall Army Airfield at Fort Riley made its first appearance in history in November 1912 as the site of the first attempts in the US to direct artillery fire from an airplane. Among the participants was a young lieutenant, Henry H. Arnold, who later became Commanding General of the USAAF. Long afterward Arnold recalled the various methods tried for transmitting observations and instructions: a primitive radio, smoke signals, and even colored cards, weighted with iron nuts and dropped through a stovepipe.
The airdrome from which Arnold made his flights was probably the polo field at Fort Riley. How and when the polo field turned into an air base is unknown.
WWII: (There is not a mention of B-17 squadrons ever being “stationed” at Marshall.) 2d Composite Squadron (Special) 15 P-39 Airacobra fighters and fiveB-25 Mitchell medium bombers.
However, Marshall was much used as a convenient stop on cross-country flights. Of some 1,400 landings and take-offs at the field in July 1945, 614 were transients. Another and not inconsiderable activity was the flying in and out of distinguished visitors to Fort Riley. Among them were Generals Ben Lear, Joseph W. Stilwell, and George S. Patton.
With the establishment of the United States Air Force in September 1947, the name of Marshall was changed to Marshall Air Force Base. with the Air Force placing Marshall AFB under Continental Air Command.

5. Ed says:
21 Jul 2023 10:31:41 PM

March Air Reserve Base (RIV, KRIV, RIV) (March ARB), previously known as March Air Force Base (March AFB), located in Riverside County CA. It is the home to the (4 AF) Headquarters and the host (452 AMW), the largest air mobility wing of the Fourth Air Force.
March is one of the oldest airfields operated by the United States military, being established as Alessandro Flying Training Field in February 1918. It was one of 32 training camps established after the United States entry into World War I in April 1917. The airfield was renamed March Field the following month for 2nd Lieutenant Peyton C. March Jr, the recently deceased son of then-Army Chief of Staff, Peyton C. March, who was killed in an air crash in Texas just fifteen days after being commissioned.

6.  David Stubblebine says:
22 Jul 2023 12:45:00 PM

Ed (above, and above above):
Thank you for the authoritative history of Marshall Army Field. This photo is an official Air Force photo and their official caption identifies the location as Marshall Field, California. Not the first time the Air Force has been wrong. Other authorities agree that this image comes from March Field, California and the caption has been adjusted accordingly. Thanks again for your comments.