M/Sgt Leland K. Shelby Makes His Contribution.

An Eighth Air Force Bomber Station, England. Master Sergeant Leland K. Shelby of Lake Victor, Texas, as a ground crew chief is making a contribution to the success of Eighth Air Force Flying Fortress bombing attacks second only in importance to the actual task of dropping the bombs on Nazi targets.

The bombing of important enemy airfield and transportation facilities in conjunction with the invasion drive could never be carried out if it were not for the skill of the ground crew in repairing battle-damaged Fortresses and maintaining them in perfect mechanical condition.

Sgt. Shelby has charge of all repair and maintenance work on his Fortress. He sees to it that gas tanks are filled, that the Oxygen system works properly and the four powerful engines are running smoothly. He directs other ground crewmen in seeking and repairing any damage that the Fort might have received from enemy flak or in aerial battles with Luftwaffe fighters miles above its target in Germany or the occupied countries of Europe.

When the bombers are due to return from a mission, the crew chief and his crew go out "on the line" and start "sweating out" the return of their Fort. As soon as the ship lands, Sgt. Shelby makes a thorough inspection and starts the long round of work all over again.

Sgt. Shelby is the son of Mr. and Mrs. L. K. Shelby of Lake Victor, Texas and is a graduate of Lake Victor High School. Prior to entering the Air Forces, Sgt Shelby was employed as an automobile mechanic.