Scramble!

Scrambling, in WW2, was the order for pilots to get to their planes and in the air right away, because approaching enemy aircraft had been detected. Of course, as soon as you know enemy aircraft are on their way you want to be after them really, really fast, so pilots trained to scramble really, really fast. One moment you'd be chilling at the base (in your gear, of course), the next you'd be off to risk your life in the skies.

© IWM (CL 570)

A pilot of 175 Squadron RAF scrambles to his plane, Britain,  1944. Source

William Vandivert, LIFE © Time Inc.

Pilots to scramble to their planes, Britain, 1940. Source

© IWM (D 9521)

American pilots of the RAF scramble to their planes, Britain, 1942.  Source

Pilots of 501 Squadron RAF scramble in France, 1940. Source

© IWM (CH 1398)

Pilots of RAF Squadron no 19 stage a scramble for the photographer, Britain, 1940. Source

© IWM (CM 130)

Pilots of 274 Squadron RAF practice a scramble in Egypt, 1940. Source

© IWM (CNA 2854)

Pilots of 93 RAF scramble in Italy, 1944. Source

© IWM (MH 33978)

A scramble of the No. 236 Squadron RAF, Britain, 1940. Source

© IWM (C 465)

Pilots of 87 Squadron practice a scramble, Lille, France, 1939-40. Source