Army & Navy: Broad Noses, Round Bodies

Over Europe's battlefield, gunners in U.S. bombers have a new problem of aircraft recognition. On many raids their new fighter escorts are Republic Thunderbolts (P-47s) which have just entered the battle of Europe. And in the swirling confusion of a battle with pursuit planes, the broadnosed, round-bodied P47 can easily be mistaken for the Germans' best fighter: Focke-Wulf's famed 190.

To make recognition easier, the Eighth Air Force announced that it was painting white rims on engine cowlings of the P-47, a step the Germans may well nullify by painting their own fighters the same way. But Flying Fortress and Liberator gunners will probably not be overly worried by such dodges. Where there is doubt, a gunner shoots at anything within range. It is up to friendly fighter pilots to govern themselves accordingly.