| Original caption: “Alerted GIs of M51 Anti-aircraft Battery are silhouetted against German sky streaked with vapor trails from allied and enemy planes engaged in Christmas Day dog-fight. Near Puffendorf, Germany.” The M51 mount was a trailer-mounted M45 Quadmount of 54 caliber M2 Browning machine guns. It did not have high degree of mobility when compared to other mounts used during the war. It was often restricted to locations with good roads and could not be man-handled into position quickly. These factors made the M51 suitable for semi-stationary roles such as protecting artillery positions and supply depots from potential air attack. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0335.jpg |
| Image Size | 693.83 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 2912 x 2300 |
| Photographer | M.S. Kelly |
| Photographer Title | United States Army Signal Corps |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | December 25, 1944 |
| Location | |
| City | Puffendorf |
| State or Province | Baesweiler |
| Country | Germany |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-111-SC-197661 |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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