Images Dated 19th October 2004

RAF Typhoons attack German tanks, France; Second World War

Illustration showing Royal Air Force Typhoons, fighter-bombers equipped with rockets, attacking a column of German armour, near Mortain, 1944. German tanks and armoured vehicles had been massing in this area for a large scale counter-attack on American positions and low cloud had concealed their intentions from the Allied air force. However on 8th August, the clouds broke and two large German columns, consisting of several hundred vehicles, were seen and attacked by British aeroplanes

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Taylorcraft Auster IV Aeroplane; Second World War, 1944

Illustration showing a Royal Air Force Taylorcraft Auster IV airplane, with an artillery spotter on board, pictured in action over Italy, 1944. The Auster IV was an excellent airplane for the role of artillery-spotting as it was very slow flying, allowing the spotter to have a good look at where the enemy were and where the artillery shells were landing

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans