Us Official Photographs

P51 Mustangs escorting bombers

Despite an icy crust of snow blanketing the runways, North American P-51 Mustangs of a Fighter Group, commanded by Lt. Col. John P. Randolph of Schertz, Texas, carried on to escort U.S. bombers blasting at Rundstedt's supply lines on the Western front. Here 1st Lt. Fred P. Rankin, of Richmond Hill, Long Island, signals a fighter into take-off position.