Two Piper L-4's temporarily landed at a roadside field. A pilot confers with a tank commander. Cassino, Italy, 1943.

Italy, 1943. A.W. Schultz, artillery spotter plane pilot of Piper L-4 confers with an enlisted tank commander in a temporary field on the way to Cassino. Piper L-4's were wartime "Cubs," built by the thousands for liaison and artillery spotting. The term "Maytag Messerschmitts" was one of endearment: the little 65 horsepower tube-and-fabric machine could call down overwhelming shelling, far more fearsome than any mere fighter plane.