Us Official Photographs

9th AF Pilots At Luftwaffe Field

1st Lt. Robert C. Thoman, Rochester, N.Y., who recently shot down an ME-109, examines the cockpit of a similar enemy plane at a former Luftwaffe field as fellow 9th A.F. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt pilots look on. The pilots were given the opportunity to see at first hand many German aircraft which they have previously encountered in aerial combat or while strafing enemy fields when their group moved east of the Rhine to their second German airfield. 15 enemy planes of several types were found on the abandoned base. Left to right: Capt. Paul L. Van Cleef, Salina, Kas., 1st Lt. Thomas Manjak, Ambridge, Pa., 1st Lt. James L. McWhorter, Sanford, Fla., 2nd Lt. Sherman E. Price, Caplinger Mills, Mo., 1st Lt John W. Wise, Prosser, Wash., and Lt. Thoman in the cockpit. All are members of the "Hell Hawk" group of Col. Ray J. Stecker, Hazleton, Pa. 365th F. Gp.