September 1st, 1939. At 0426 hours Stukas like these took off toward poland to fly the bombing mission that would mark the beginning of WW2.

Check out this Blenheim with skis. This was used by the fins during the 'Winter War' against the Russians. The facts surrounding Finland's roll in WWII make for some great reading to say the least. If  you're into this sort of thing I recommend you check it out.

Junkers Ju-88 A-4 by Shigeo Koike

"It is May 1940: We take off every morning with fighter escort. Regular bombing missions - Rotterdam, Metz, Brussels, and a dozen other targets. Every time I work the bomb release, I silently say a little phrase to those below "greetings from the fatherland" It amuses me greatly. I doubt that those below are amused. But surely interested."- Hans Prenger

"Late May 1940: Today, Amsterdam. Very low-level bombing. People running around with baby carriages in the streets. Many pedal bicycles. We strafe after dropping our bombs. It is very exhilarating. They learn they cannot escape from us. This will teach them what it means to attack the German people." - Hans Prenger

On November 11th 1940, a group of 21 slow and outdated Swordfish biplanes of the FFA (Fleet Air Arm) pulled off a daring attack that crippled the Italian fleet in the heavily defended port of Taranto. The success of this mission may have encouraged the Japanese to attempt a similar attack on Pearl Harbor a year later.

"What General Weygand called the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad sunlit uplands. But, if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and it's Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say "This was their finest hour".             ...   Winston Churchill

From July 10th to October 31st 1940 the fate of Britain, Europe and quite possibly the entire free world, rested in the hands of the men who fought for control of the English skies. The Germans who outnumbered the British (et al) in everything at the time, needed air supremacy to launch their invasion of England. The British, of course, were fighting for their lives, and in many people's point of view, the life of the free world, because without England secure, would the Allies be able to stop the Nazi machine?
After the Battle, Winston Churchill gave a speech in the House of Commons. The end of which was: "...The gratitude of every home in our island, in our Empire, and indeed, throughout the world, except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen, who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of world war by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"  Hear it here

"Hurricane On My Tail" by Stan Stokes

"Bismarck Into Battle" by Mark Postlethwaite

1945 hours May 21st 1941. Bismarck leaves Grimstadfjord in Norway, she is escorted by Messerschmitt Bf-110's of II/ZG 76 based at nearby Herdla

"Sink the Bismarck" by Stan Stokes

The next week would prove very eventful for the crew of the Bismarck engaging in several sea battles, one in which she sunk HMS Hood. In this scene Swordfishes from H.M.S. Ark Royal deliver torpedoes with little effect. One of more than 1000 direct hits the Bismarck would eventually take before finally going down after a long fighting chase that ended with a fierce battle on the morning of May 27th

Galland Blowing Away Blenheims

June 21st 1941, Adolf Galland’s ‘Most Memorable Day.’ Galland has just powering his Me109 through the leading formation of Blenheims, raking the lead aircraft with cannon fire. In the background a dogfight is developing between the 109s of  JG-26 and the Spitfires of 303 Squadron.

"My most memorable combat occurred on June 21, 1941, with JG-26 in Northern France. At about noon I took off from Audembert with my ‘Staff’ Squadron to intercept a formation of Blenheim bombers with about 50 escort fighters heading for the Luftwaffe airfield at St.Omer-Wizernes. Intercepting the formation near Dunkirk, in a single pass I shot first at a Spitfire without seeing the result, and then a Blenheim which was quickly finished. After diving steeply I shot down a second Blenheim in flames, and saw two crew escape by parachute. This was my 69th victory. I was then set upon by several Spitfires, receiving severe hits in the engine, which began to smoke, and I switched off immediately. Luckily, Calais-Merk was within gliding distance and I belly-landed there. My number two, Bruno Hegenauer, had been shot down in the combat, and bailed out without injury. In the afternoon I foolishly took off alone to intercept a second incursion north of Boulogne. Before joining up with my squadrons I sighted a Spitfire formation below and attacked a single aircraft, shooting at very close range. It promptly exploded. Unprotected from the rear, my Me109 received hits from a second Spitfire. I got splinters in my head and arm, and with fuel burning in the cockpit, was forced to bail out. I was unable to jettison the canopy and, trying to climb out with it hanging open, my parachute became caught in the rear section. Flames were now blowing over me and just as I was about to take off my chute, somehow the radio mast saved me and I was out. After some treatment, relaxing over a glass of brandy and a cigar, I learned I had been awarded Swords to the Knight’s Cross – and an order directly from Hitler forbidding me to fly any more combat missions for the time being."
                              -- Written by General Adolf Galland in 1991 for the publishers of  ‘Most Memorable Day’

Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 by Jerry Boucher

"The most important Italian bomber of WW2"

Potez 631by Marii Chernev

Potez 631 of the Armee de l'Air flies over the Channel, Summer 1941

"Sirens of Death" by Stan Stokes

In this scene German Super Soldier Hans Rudel is depicted attacking an armored column on the Russian front in the later half of 1941. Stuka pilots could turn on a siren that would ad a psychological weapon to the already heavily armed machine. Can you imagine what it must have been like, dive bombing in a stuka? Screaming straight down towards earth at hundreds of miles an hour. Think of the fastest, scariest roller-coaster you've ever been on, and know, it doesn't even come close.