Us Official Photographs

Thunderbolt fighters over Eighth Air force

GHOST TRACKS IN THE SKY:-- Across the frozen wastes of the sub-stratosphere are etched the ghostly white trails of Thunderbolt fighters sweeping the skies for Nazi rocket-gun interceptors that may be lurking in the path of approaching Eighth Air Force Bomber Command Fortress and Liberator formations as they cross into German-held territory. At these eerie altitudes, far removed from the cloud-shrouded earth below, vapor trails in the vast ocean of space are often the first indication of the presence of friend or foe to the bomber crews vigilant at their gun stations. The misty tracks mysteriously appear and disappear in certain atmospheric conditions, thought to be variously caused b y moisture from the engine exhaust condensing in the extreme cold or by the cooling effect from reduced pressure brought about by the propellers and wings of the planes as they speed through the air.