Second World War Stories

Discover stories of how Britain and America’s relationship during the Second World War affected millions of people around the world.

P-47 Thunderbolt suspended in the American Air Museum
STORY

The P-47 Thunderbolt, durable and deadly

The P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the leading American fighter aircraft of the Second World War. It saw widespread use in the European Theatre as an escort and ground attack aircraft.   

82nd Fighter Squadron pilots relaxing outside the Squadron 'ready room':
STORY

78th Fighter Group at Duxford

The 78th Fighter Group was activated in January 1942 amidst the rapid expansion of the US military that occurred in the wake of the Japanese attack on

P-47 Thunderbolts of the 78th Fighter Group at Duxford
STORY

D-Day at Duxford

Duxford's 78th Fighter Group were heavily involved in supporting the Normandy invasion, flying missions on 6 June and over the summer of 1944.
Lonnie Moseley with his P-47 Thunderbolt
STORY

Lonnie Moseley and his incredible 4 July escape

In the early hours of 4 July 1944, Second Lieutenant Lonnie Moseley woke up, ate his breakfast and reported to briefing room at Duxford. Within hours, he would be faced with making three life or death decisions.
Glenn Vaughn close up on AAM ROH
STORY

The American Air Museum's Roll of Honour

The American Air Museum commemorates the 30,000 American servicemen and women who died while flying from Britain. Their names appear on our Roll of Honour, which draws information from our archive onto the museum's walls.  
Devastation caused by the atomic bomb to trees half a mile from ground zero at Nagasaki.
STORY

Why were Atomic Bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Hiroshima and Nagasaki were experiments in a new kind of warfare, whose full implications were not entirely understood at the time. The bombing of these cities in August 1945 brought an end to the Second World War, but at a terrible cost to the Japanese civilian population.
The battleship USS NEVADA, beached at Hospital Point after her unsuccessful attempt to put to sea.
STORY

Why did Japan attack Pearl Harbor?

Japan attacked the U.S Pacific Fleet at its base at Pearl Harbor on the 7th of December 1941, but what led to that decision? Why did the Japanese attack the USA? - The answer is oil.