Army from behind the lens – part 2
Aryeh Yaakobi served as an aerial photographer in the American air force during World War II. His photos provide a rare glance to the daily lives of US soldiers during the fight against Nazi Germany
In this article we continue our journey through the albums of Aryeh Yaakobi, who founded the Israeli Air Force's photo labs after the establishment of the State of Israel.
- For part 1 - click here
This time we bring you photos taken in World War II, during which Yaakobi served as an aerial photographer for the United States Air Force. In the beginning of the 1940s, Yaakobi's unit was shipped to England and joined the battle against the Nazis.
The unit settled at a British military base and from there launched air raids over Europe. The daily life at the base is documented in the following pictures.
1. A B-24 Liberator bomber undergoing maintenance by a ground crew
2. Bomb pile at RAF Metfeld base
3. P-35 fighter aircraft during flight. The P-35s would escort the Liberator bombers that were vulnerable to interception by German planes
4. A ground crew servicing a bomber at the base
5. Liberators bombers headed for a sortie over Europe
6. Flying high above the clouds
7. Liberators dropping bombs
8. Aftermath of bombing on the ground in Holland
9. Near the logistics office ("black market") at the base
10. The army travels on its stomach. A kitchen at the base
11. A soldiers' gathering at the base
12. American Red Cross canteen at the base
13. Female soldiers serving at the base
14. Anti-aircraft defense post at the base
15. Firing range at the base
16. Commander of plane maintenance at his office
- For all trips to the past – click here
