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What Takes Place Before And After Typical Combat Mission By The 99th

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Just before each combat mission the pilots of the famed 99th fighter squadron, like all other pilots, are "briefed"-that is, they are given full details of the plan of attack: the target to be bombed or strafed, or the area to be patrolled, direction to fly, angle of approach, degree of turns, rate of climb or dive, anticipated enemy resistance, time to take off, time over target, friendly aircraft that may be encountered in the area, and other data needed for a successful execution of the attack order. This photo shows a group of fighter pilots of the 99th being briefed by the intelligence officer (back to camera) of the flighting group with which the Negro fliers were operating on this particular day, just before the second mission on which they had flown over to the group's field to join up with the white pilots. When carrying out independent combat missions these pilots are briefed by their own intelligence and commanding officers. Seen in this group are (left to right) Lieutenant Herbert V. Clark. Pine Bluff, Ark., (hand on chin); James T. Wiley, Pittsburgh; John W. Rogers, Chicago (in background); Louis Louis R. Purnell, Philadelphia (hands on hips, back to camera); Paul G. Mitchell, Washington (face partially hidden by Purnell); Leon C. Roberts. Pritchard, Ala., (squatting): and Clarence C. Jamison, Cleveland (bare head). Kneeling by the map, facing camera, is Lt. Col, Leonard C. Lydon of Stuart, Iowa, group executive officer, who frequently flies combat missions to break the monotony of managing the fighter group. He was stationed at Langley Field, Va., during the period 1937-1941. AT RIGHT-After the mission is completed, two of the flight leaders land at the base of the group for a critique while the other ten flew on to their home field. In this picture are Captain Charles B. Hall, Brazil, Ind., and Captain George S. Roberts, Fairmont, W. Va., operations officer, relating to the intelligence officer and group commander the details of their encounter with more than 20 German Me-109's, Me-210's and Mc202's. Col. William K. McNown, commanding officer of the group of trained for four years at Langley Field, is at the extreme right.

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-26 13:15:01