40 Historical Photographs of “Night Witches,” the Soviet Pilots Who Bombed the Nazis During World War II

The “Night Witches” (German: Nachthexen; Russian: Nochnye Vedmy) were the all-female Soviet 588th Night Bomber Regiment (later the 46th “Taman” Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment) of the Soviet Air Forces during World War II. They flew harassment and tactical bombing missions on the Eastern Front from 1942 to 1945.

In October 1941, after the German invasion (Operation Barbarossa), celebrated Soviet aviator Marina Raskova (often called the “Soviet Amelia Earhart”) used her influence with Stalin to secure approval for three women’s aviation regiments. These were the 586th Fighter Aviation Regiment, the 587th Bomber Aviation Regiment, and the 588th Night Bomber Regiment. The 588th was the only one that remained entirely female throughout the war.

Most members were young volunteers in their late teens or early twenties, many with pre-war flying experience from civilian aviation clubs. The regiment was commanded by Major Yevdokiya Bershanskaya. Training was intense and compressed at the Engels Military Aviation School. The unit reached the front in mid-1942 as part of the 4th Air Army.

They flew obsolete Polikarpov Po-2 (also called U-2) biplanes—slow, open-cockpit wooden-and-canvas aircraft originally designed for training and crop-dusting. Fully loaded, they could carry only about 350 kg (770 lb) of bombs (typically two), had a top speed around 60–90 mph depending on load, and lacked radios, radar, or modern instruments in early use. Crews (pilot + navigator) often flew without parachutes until later in the war because of weight and low altitude.

Their signature tactic was to idle the engine near the target and glide in, releasing bombs with only the soft whooshing of the airframe (likened by Germans to a witch’s broomstick). This reduced detection by radar or sound. Planes operated in groups: some drew searchlights and flak while others approached silently. Crews typically flew 8–18 short sorties per night (each 30–50 minutes), returning to rearm and refuel. The planes’ low speed and high maneuverability made them hard for faster German fighters to engage effectively.

From June 1942 until the end of the war, the regiment flew roughly 23,000–24,000 combat sorties, logged nearly 29,000 flight hours, and dropped more than 3,000 tons of bombs plus tens of thousands of incendiary shells. They damaged or destroyed railways, bridges, fuel depots, warehouses, armored vehicles, and troop concentrations while also performing supply drops. They supported major operations including the Battle of the Caucasus, the Kuban/ Taman/ Novorossiysk fighting, the Crimean Offensive, operations in Belarus and Poland, and advances into East Prussia and toward Berlin.

In February 1943 the unit received the elite “Guards” designation and was later titled the 46th “Taman” Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment for its role in the Taman Peninsula battles. It earned the Order of the Red Banner and the Order of Suvorov.

About 32 members died during the war (combat, crashes, or other causes). Twenty-three received the Hero of the Soviet Union (the highest Soviet military honor), more than any other women’s unit. Notable high-sortie pilots included Irina Sebrova (over 1,000 sorties). Marina Raskova herself died in a non-combat crash in January 1943 while leading another regiment and received a state funeral.

The women faced outdated equipment, harsh weather, frostbite, sexual harassment and skepticism from some male personnel, and the constant risk of flak and night fighters. After the war the regiment was disbanded (October 1945). Many members returned to civilian life; postwar Soviet society largely pushed women back toward traditional roles, and the unit’s achievements received less public emphasis for a time. Their story later gained wider recognition through books, documentaries, and popular culture (including the Sabaton song “Night Witches”). They remain one of the best-known examples of women in direct combat roles in World War II and a striking case of effective use of limited resources through skill, endurance, and unconventional tactics.

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40 Vibrant Vintage Photos of the 1974 Oktoberfest in Munich

The 1974 Oktoberfest in Munich took place from September 21 to October 6, captivating millions of locals and international visitors during the vibrant golden era of the 1970s.

Held on the traditional Theresienwiese grounds, the festival showcased classic Bavarian culture with large beer tents, lively brass band performances, and folk dances. Attendees gathered to enjoy liters of local festbier served in traditional glass tankards alongside hearty dishes like grilled chicken, sausages, and giant pretzels.

Accompanied by iconic vintage poster designs, classic carnival rides, and a bustling festive atmosphere, the 1974 event stood out as a memorable celebration that further cemented Munich’s reputation as the world’s premiere beer festival destination.

These vibrant vintage photos, via smata2, capture the lively spirit and festive atmosphere of the 1974 Oktoberfest in Munich. From crowded beer tents filled with cheerful revelers in traditional dirndls and lederhosen to bustling fairgrounds, massive steins of beer, and joyful parades, the images perfectly reflect the energy, color, and tradition of one of the world’s largest folk festivals.

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Polish Prisoners in Dachau Toast Their Liberation From the Camp, 1945

This famous photograph of Polish prisoners in Dachau toasting their liberation captures a powerful moment of joy and survival following the arrival of American forces on April 29, 1945.

Dachau, located near Munich in Bavaria, Germany, was the first Nazi concentration camp, established in 1933. Initially intended for political prisoners, it later held people from many groups, including Jews, Roma, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, and others targeted by the regime. By the end of the war, it and its numerous sub-camps held tens of thousands of inmates under brutal conditions involving forced labor, medical experiments, starvation, disease, and executions. Poles formed one of the largest groups of prisoners there (many arrested for resistance activities or as part of the broader occupation of Poland).

On April 29, 1945, units of the U.S. Seventh Army (primarily the 45th Infantry Division, with elements of the 42nd and others) approached and liberated the main Dachau camp. They encountered horrific scenes: thousands of emaciated prisoners, piles of bodies, and evidence of mass murder. The camp was officially surrendered, though some SS guards resisted or tried to flee, leading to further violence. The liberation marked one of the final major camp liberations in the European theater as Allied forces closed in on Nazi Germany in the war’s last weeks.

Many survivors faced long roads to recovery, repatriation (complicated for Poles due to the Soviet occupation of their homeland), and rebuilding their lives. The camp was used briefly for displaced persons afterward. Dachau became a key site for war crimes trials and a memorial today.

The photo stands as powerful visual testimony to both the horrors of the Holocaust/concentration camp system and the resilience of those who endured it.

Nazi Officials Use Calipers to Measure an Ethnic German’s Nose, 1941

Nazi officials use calipers to measure an ethnic German’s nose on January 1, 1941. The Nazis developed a pseudoscientific system of facial measurement that was supposedly a way of determining racial descent.

The Nazi regime utilized facial and cranial measurement systems, developed by racial theorists like Hans F. K. Günther, to supposedly determine racial descent and purity.

Anthropometric instruments, such as specialized Abawerke sliding calipers preserved by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, were used to collect quantifiable physical data.

These specific measurements of ethnic Germans were often carried out to screen candidates for the SS, fulfill agricultural settlement laws, or attempt to isolate physical traits of a fictional “Aryan” master race.

Ultimately, these efforts failed to establish any scientific basis for the regime's racial theories, as human biological diversity cannot be neatly categorized into fixed racial types. Instead, the biased data was used purely as a tool of propaganda and persecution.

Berlin 1966: Life in a Divided City Through Stunning Vintage Photos

In the mid-1960s, Berlin’s street scenes offered a striking visual narrative of a city divided yet pulsating with a unique, contrasting energy.

While the Berlin Wall stood as a stark, grim reminder of geopolitical tensions, the daily life on either side revealed a fascinating mix of grit and glamour. In West Berlin, the Kurfürstendamm buzzed with the neon lights of modern cinemas, sleek Mercedes-Benz sedans, and fashionable pedestrians embracing the height of the “Economic Miracle.” Conversely, the streets of East Berlin showcased a more somber, socialist grandeur, characterized by wide boulevards like Karl-Marx-Allee and the distinctive hum of Trabants.

These vintage photos capture a pivotal moment in history, a city of ruins transforming into a stage for the Cold War, where every corner told a story of resilience, political theater, and the undeniable spirit of the Berliners.

East Berlin. Humboldt University of Berlin, 1966

East Berlin. On the left is the German Historical Museum on Unter den Linden. On the right, the historic building is the Kronprinzenpalais, with Schinkelplatz behind it, 1966

East Berlin. On the left is the State Opera on Unter den Linden, with St. Hedwig’s Cathedral behind it, 1966

East Berlin. On the right is the State Opera on Unter den Linden, 1966

East Berlin. On the Spree, in front of the Old National Gallery, 1966

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The Bell That Rang One Last Time, Dachau, Germany, 1945 (They Rang It When the Gates Opened)

In the harsh and oppressive environment of Dachau concentration camp, where despair was a constant companion, prisoners found a way to preserve a shred of hope and humanity by creating a small bell from scrap metal and wire. This fragile instrument became a secret symbol of resistance, gently rung to mark significant moments—birthdays, the New Year, or the passing of a fellow prisoner. Each soft chime was a quiet rebellion against the dehumanization around them, reminding all that time and life persisted even in the darkest of places.

On April 29, 1945, as American troops neared and finally liberated Dachau, the bell’s sound rang out loud and clear, no longer hidden but celebrated. Its ringing shattered years of silence and fear, signaling not just freedom from captivity but the reclaiming of dignity and hope. For those who heard it, the bell marked a triumphant moment: the end of suffering and the beginning of a new life beyond the camp’s gates.

After liberation, the prisoners buried the bell in the camp yard, a solemn act symbolizing the close of a painful chapter and the preservation of memory. Many years later, the bell was uncovered, rusted yet whole, standing as a powerful relic of endurance and survival. Its story continues to inspire, reminding the world of the human spirit’s ability to resist and remember, even amid overwhelming darkness.

Bell Cemeteries in Germany During the Wars

Bell cemeteries (or Glockenfriedhöfe in German) were enormous holding areas where confiscated church bells were stockpiled before being melted down for the war effort. After bells were removed from towers, they were taken by ships and freight trains to smelting works, where large holding areas held the bells before they were taken to the furnace and converted back into bronze ingots.

During the First World War, 44 percent of the bells in Germany alone were lost, many given willingly to support the war effort, and some not so willingly. It is estimated that around 65,000 bells amounting to 21,000 tons were melted down during WWI.

Between 1939 and 1945, the Nazis confiscated over 175,000 bells from towers throughout Europe. To feed their war machine, bells were broken down and melted into large bronze ingots at the bell cemeteries, then sent along to refineries for further processing — the two largest just outside Hamburg. There, the bells were reduced to their component metals: mostly copper and tin, but also lead, zinc, silver, and gold. Tin, especially, became shell casings and armaments.

The Nazis were systematic about it. They graded bells into four groups, A through D, based on historical or cultural value. “A” bells were cast within the preceding ninety years and generally considered without merit, they were the first to be destroyed. Types C and D represented historically valuable bells — type C was put on hold for examination by art historians, while type D was protected. Only one bell was allowed per church, usually the lightest.

Some 150,000 bells were sent to foundries and melted down for their copper. British investigators claimed every single bell was taken out of the Netherlands, with only 300 surviving their stay in the bell cemeteries.

“The so-called bell cemeteries, where the bells were laid to rest before they fell victim to destruction, had something inexpressibly melancholy,” said bell specialist Kramer, quoting a contemporary witness. Smaller bells were smashed with hammers, larger ones blown up: “Usually the bell rang again at the moment it was blown, as if it had made its last wail.”

In defiance, some communities attempted to hide their bells, often by burying them in surrounding grounds or on parishioners' land, but this had to be completed before Nazis took a local inventory and in collusion with the presiding clergy. It was a grave risk.

After the end of WWII, around 13,000 bells that were confiscated but not melted still remained in bell cemeteries. In 1947, the Allied authorities set up a committee, the Ausschuss für die Rückführung der Glocken (ARG), to safeguard the remaining bells and coordinate their return.

Canadian Percival Price, Canada’s first dominion carillonneur and designer of the Peace Tower carillon in Ottawa, was dispatched to help investigate and repatriate as many bells as possible, serving the Monuments Men. He spent two years helping Austrian, Belgian, Dutch, West German, and Italian government commissions locate and repatriate bells.

The repatriation process is ongoing even today. Some bells cast in the 1930s and emblazoned with the swastika or a tribute to Adolf Hitler still hang in local bell towers in Germany, causing a rift between cash-strapped churches who can't afford to replace them and concerned citizens.

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In 1963, Heinz Meixner Orchestrated a Daring Escape From East Berlin to Smuggle His Fiancée and Her Mother

Berlin Wall was erected in 1961 to divide east and west Berlin and, more precisely, to prevent people from East Berlin (the Soviet-held area) from escaping to West Berlin (governed by the Allied Forces). It went down in 1989, marking the end of the Cold War.

Checkpoint Charlie (aka Checkpoint C) is the most famous border-crossing point, designated for diplomats, foreigners, and members of the Allied Forces (1961-1990). The West Berlin part of the checkpoint – with Adler Cafe right next to it – consisted of a minimalist guard house and a sandbag barrier, which looked oddly unimpressive compared to the Eastern part’s infrastructure.

The infamous Checkpoint Charlie in 1961.

In 1963, Heinz Meixner, an Austrian lathe operator, orchestrated a daring escape from East Berlin to smuggle his fiancée, Margarete Thurau, and her mother to the West. Their story is one of the most famous escapes involving Checkpoint Charlie.

Meixner had fallen in love with Thurau while working in East Berlin, but she was denied permission to emigrate. To bypass the Berlin Wall, Meixner devised a plan to drive under the border barriers rather than through them.

While crossing the border on a motor scooter, Meixner feigned engine trouble to secretly measure the height of the steel barrier at Checkpoint Charlie, finding it was 37.5 inches (95 cm) high. He searched for a car low enough to fit and settled on a red Austin-Healey Sprite. To ensure clearance, he removed the windshield and let air out of the tires, bringing the car’s height down to about 35.5 inches (90 cm).

Shortly after midnight on May 5, 1963, the trio made their attempt. Margarete huddled in the small space behind the driver’s seat. Her mother was placed in the trunk, protected by 30 bricks Meixner had packed around her to stop potential bullets from border guards.

Meixner drove to the East German side and handed over his passport. When the guard directed him toward a customs shed for inspection, he instead slammed on the accelerator. He ducked his head as the car zipped under the steel barrier. He cleared the bar with only about an inch to spare, reaching the American sector of West Berlin so fast that he left 96-foot skid marks when he finally braked.

The escape was successful, and the story became a sensation, later documented in the Mauermuseum (Museum Haus am Checkpoint Charlie). In response to this specific “under-the-barrier” tactic, East German authorities soon added vertical steel bars beneath the horizontal checkpoint beams to prevent future attempts.

The Severed and Preserved Head of Peter Kürten, Germany’s Notorious “Vampire of Düsseldorf”

The severed and preserved head of Peter Kürten, Germany’s notorious “Vampire of Düsseldorf,” remains one of the most unsettling curiosities in the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! collection. Executed by guillotine in 1931 for a series of brutal murders and sexual assaults, Kürten’s crimes shocked Europe and established him as one of history’s most depraved serial killers. His morbid moniker came from his claim that he drank the blood of some of his victims, a detail that further solidified his place in the annals of infamy.

Peter Kürten was born in 1883 in Cologne into grinding poverty. His father was an alcoholic, brutal, and openly violent; beatings were routine, and sexual abuse occurred within the household. Kürten later claimed his earliest memories of pleasure were tied to blood and pain—watching animals be slaughtered or seeing injuries inflicted. By his early teens, he was already committing arson, theft, and assault, drifting in and out of reformatories and prisons. This pattern would define his early adulthood: short stretches of freedom punctuated by incarceration. Each release, however, seemed only to refine his brutality.

In 1929, Düsseldorf was gripped by panic. Attacks began to surface – women and children found stabbed, bludgeoned, or strangled. Some victims survived and spoke of a quiet, polite man who suddenly turned vicious. Others did not survive at all.

Kürten often drank his victims’ blood, sometimes returning to the crime scenes to relive the experience. Newspapers seized on the most sensational detail, and the nickname “Vampire of Düsseldorf” spread rapidly. The city’s police were overwhelmed; false confessions poured in, vigilante fear spread, and nightlife all but collapsed.

Kürten’s undoing came not through forensic brilliance, but through human connection. He confided his crimes to his wife, Auguste Kürten, claiming he wanted to be caught. Horrified, she contacted the police. Once arrested, Kürten confessed with disturbing calm. He described his murders in clinical detail, explaining that bloodlust gave him sexual gratification. Psychiatrists examined him extensively; while clearly sadistic and deeply disturbed, he was deemed legally sane, fully aware of his actions.

Mugshots of Kürten, taken after his May 1930 arrest.

Mugshots of Peter Kürten taken in 1931.

Full length police portrait of German serial killer Peter Kürten, 1931.

Full length police portrait of German serial killer Peter Kürten with hat, 1931.

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The Amazing Story of Adolf Galland’s “Lobster Flight” in 1941

Adolf Galland’s “Lobster Flight” (often referred to as his “Lobster Battle”) is one of the most eccentric anecdotes from the air war in 1941. It perfectly captures Galland’s reputation as a “dashing” and somewhat rebellious figure who prioritized chivalry and style as much as combat.

On April 15, 1941, Adolf Galland, then a Lieutenant Colonel (Oberstleutnant) and commander of the famed JG 26 fighter wing, wanted to celebrate the 49th birthday of his mentor and friend, General Theo Osterkamp. Instead of sending a telegram or a standard gift, he decided to personally deliver a gourmet feast. He had his crew chief, Gerhard Meyer, pack a basket with fresh lobsters, oysters and bottles of champagne. The basket was carefully stowed in the luggage compartment of his brand-new Messerschmitt Bf 109F-0.

Galland took off from Brest, France, accompanied by his wingman, Oberleutnant Westphal. Their destination was Le Touquet, where the birthday party was being held. However, Galland, ever the “hunter,” decided to take a detour over the English Channel toward the cliffs of Dover to see if any RAF pilots were out for a “morning stroll.”

Near Dover, they stumbled upon a large formation of British Spitfires from No. 602 Squadron on a training mission. Despite having a basket of seafood and expensive wine on board, Galland couldn’t resist the engagement.

During the heat of the dogfight, Galland ran into a technical issue. Because he was still unfamiliar with the new “F” model of the Me 109, he accidentally hit the wrong switch and lowered his landing gear in the middle of the combat.

Despite the immense drag and the vulnerability of having his wheels down, Galland managed to shoot down at least one Spitfire (he claimed three, though British records confirm one destroyed and two damaged). Maneuver his crippled-looking aircraft (with wheels down) through the RAF formation. The famous British ace Paddy Finucane actually spotted Galland’s plane with its gear down and claimed it as a victory, assuming the German pilot was either hit or attempting to ditch.

Once the skirmish ended, Galland retracted his gear and continued his flight to Le Touquet. He landed safely at the party, hopped out of his cockpit, and presented the (presumably shaken but intact) lobster and champagne to a delighted General Osterkamp.

Known for flying with a cigar in his mouth and decorating his plane with a cartoon mouse, he combined audacity with a flamboyant, almost theatrical approach to combat. When asked why he developed this style, he gave a simple answer: “I like Mickey Mouse. I always have. And I like cigars, but I had to give them up after the war.”

Galland’s career spanned over 700 combat missions, surviving multiple crashes and earning Germany’s highest military honors. Yet what made him memorable wasn’t just his combat record but his sense of honor and personality. He respected his opponents, famously arranging a ceasefire to allow British pilot Douglas Bader to retrieve his prosthetic leg.

Adolf Galland passed away in 1996, but stories of his daring exploits, gallantry, and rakish charm endure, illustrating a man who, even in the midst of war, lived with his own unique blend of skill, humor, and refinement.

40 Photographs of The Doors Appear on the German TV Show “4-3-2-1 HOT & SWEET” in September 1968

On September 13, 1968, during their first and only European tour, The Doors recorded a performance for the German television program 4-3-2-1 Hot & Sweet (part of the Musik Für Junge Leute series). The segment was filmed outdoors in the historic Römerberg (Romer Square) in Frankfurt, Germany.

Unlike a typical closed-studio set, the band performed in the middle of the public square. Jim Morrison appeared relaxed and in high spirits, despite the grueling tour schedule. The band lip-synced to their current #1 hit, “Hello, I Love You.” Guitarist Robby Krieger noted Jim Morrison was in good spirits, often looking up at the “incredible architecture” of the square during the performance.

“You can see Jim looking up while he’s singing,” said Krieger. “We’re in this beautiful square with incredible architecture all around. I know he was just looking at all the cool stuff surrounding us. I wish they had panned around to show where we were, because it was absolutely amazing!”

The broadcast is famously interspersed with footage of a blonde woman in a miniskirt dancing around the square (believed to be the show's hostess, Suzanne Doucet). Fans often notice that Ray Manzarek is playing an RMI Electra-piano in this clip rather than his usual Vox Continental or Gibson G-101. He experimented with the RMI during the European tour but eventually returned to his standard setup.

This filming took place just two days before the infamous Amsterdam concert, where Morrison collapsed on stage after a drug overdose, forcing Manzarek to handle lead vocals for the evening.

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Photograph of the Oldest House in Hamburg, Germany, Taken in 1898

This was once the oldest building in Hamburg, Germany. It was built in 1504 and was demolished in 1910. The photo was taken from 1898.

Built in 1504, the house stood as a unique survivor of centuries of urban change, including the Great Fire of 1842 and the extensive urban development that swept through the city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a half-timbered structure, a style that was once common in Hamburg but became increasingly rare as the city modernized.

In the late 19th century, with a growing population and the need for new infrastructure, Hamburg underwent a massive redevelopment. The Gängeviertel district, where the house was located, was particularly targeted for demolition and reconstruction. This was part of a larger push to create a modern city, with wider streets and commercial buildings.

Despite its historical significance and protests from the public, the decision was made to demolish the house. On December 8, 1910, the nearly 400-year-old building was torn down in a matter of hours. Its demolition was a symbol of the city’s commitment to progress, but it also represented the permanent loss of a tangible link to Hamburg’s medieval past.

Vintage Photos Capture Moments With the Monumental Statue of Emperor Wilhelm I

Deutsches Eck (German Corner) is a historic and symbolic site located in the city of Koblenz, in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It marks the confluence of two major rivers: the Moselle and the Rhine. The site is named “German Corner” because it has long been a symbol of German nationalism and unity.

One of the most prominent features of the Deutsches Eck is the massive equestrian statue of Emperor Wilhelm I, who was the first German Emperor and a key figure in the unification of Germany in the 19th century. The original statue was erected in 1897 to commemorate his role in the founding of the German Empire. However, the monument was heavily damaged during World War II and the statue was removed.

In the postwar years, the site took on a new symbolic role. After the division of Germany, the remains of the monument served as a memorial to German unity. In 1993, a replica of the original statue of Wilhelm I was installed, restoring the monument to its former appearance.

Today, Deutsches Eck is a major tourist attraction and a place of national pride. Visitors can walk around the monument, enjoy panoramic views of the rivers, and reflect on the complex history of German unity and identity. It is also a starting point for river cruises and a popular stop along the scenic Rhine River route.

These vintage photos from Vintage Cars & People were taken by photographer Max Beauvisage at the landmark known as ‘Deutsches Eck’ in the town of Koblenz in the 1920s and 1930s.

A large company posing at the steps of a monumental equestrian statue. The location is Deutsches Eck, a landmark in the town of Koblenz at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Moselle, circa 1925

Five members of a German middle-class family posing in an open Ford Model T in front of a monumental equestrian statue, Deutsches Eck, a landmark in the town of Koblenz at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Moselle, circa 1925

Four members of a German middle-class family posing in an open-top Mercedes 16/45 PS in front of a monumental equestrian statue, Deutsches Eck. The car is registered in the formerly Prussian Rhineland, circa 1925

Thirteen members of a German middle-class family posing at the steps of a monumental equestrian statue. The location is Deutsches Eck, a landmark in the town of Koblenz at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Moselle, circa 1925

Three members of a German middle-class family posing in an open-top Citroën 5 HP Torpédo in front of a monumental equestrian statue, Deutsches Eck, circa 1925

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During World War II, Germany Built Wooden Airfields to Fool the Allies, So They Bombed It With Wooden Bombs

During WWII, the Germans built fake wooden airfields with wooden aircraft and vehicles in order to trick the Allies, however, the RAF responded by waiting for them to finish and then dropped a single fake wooden bomb on it.

This story has been told in many ways, where locations of where the airfield was and how it was bombed being different but the gist is this:

An enemy decoy airfield, built in occupied Holland, let to a tale that has been told and retold every since by veteran Allied pilots. The German “airfield,” was constructed with meticulous care, made almost entirely of wood. There were wooden hangars, oil tanks, gun emplacements, trucks, and aircraft.

The Germans took so long in building their wooden decoy that Allied photo experts had more than enough time to observe and report it. The day finally came when the decoy was finished, down to the last wooden plank. And early the following morning a lone RAF plane crossed the Channel, came in low, circled the field once, and dropped a large wooden bomb.

Could this story be true? The use of decoy airfields and other make-believe facilities during the Second World War was no legend at all.

Both sides tried to fool each other and there is no doubt that the Germans built wooden airplanes and sometimes complete airfields to keep the allies away from the actual airfields. They also painted bomb damage on existing airfields to make them look unusable and spare them from further bombing.