WWII U.S. Glider Troops in Training – Airborne Maneuvers Photo – July 20, 1942

This original press photo shows U.S. Army airborne troops training with a nine-passenger military glider at a Midwest training field in July 1942. Taken at the height of WWII preparation, it reflects the U.S. Army Air Forces’ rapid development of silent assault tactics using unpowered gliders—used most famously during the D-Day invasion and Operation Market Garden.

According to the caption, the glider was towed by a plane and then released to simulate a stealth landing behind enemy lines. Troops shown are fully geared with rifles and submachine guns, and the photo is labeled as having passed Army censors for publication.

Photo Analysis:

• Date: July 20, 1942 (stamped and typed)

• Caption Summary:

  “Airborne troops carrying rifles and sub-machine guns climb into a nine-passenger glider, of the latest type... Glider is towed by plane, then released over objective. Pilot lands the ship.”

• Source/Credit: ACME News Photos / NEA (Newspaper Enterprise Association), distributed by United News Pictures

• Location: Midwest U.S. training field (exact location not identified)

• Visible Details:

  • Uniformed soldiers boarding glider

  • Curved glass nose of the glider (likely a Waco CG-4A or predecessor model)

  • Field environment with strong detail and tonality

• Condition: Excellent. Minor typewriter ink bleed on caption, typical wear around corners