The Memphis Belle - WWII In Colour

Exelent colour movie about Memphis Belle, the firs US bomber crew to finish 25 comat mission

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Memphis
• Belle
• b-17
• bomber
• flying
• fortress
• bf109
• fw190
• luftwaffe
• us
• air
• force
• guncam
• europe
• war
• england
• germany

[airborne50804]

I was fortunate enough to meet the pilot and co-pilot of the Memphis Belle with my grandfather (1st Lt, and Navigator on a B-17G) as a young boy. I still have the picture of my brother and I sitting between the two pilots wearing my grandfathers service cap. I will never forget this.

[madcitymcflyer]

In reality, the 'Memphis Belle' was designated by the HQ-Eight Bomber Command to be the first 8th AF bomber to complete 25 combat missions and return to the US. This was done as a morale booster for aircraft production workers back home, for bomber crews stateside in training and for a planned War Bond drive featuring a tour of the US by the 'Belle' and her last crew. In reality, the 303rd Bomb Group's 'Hell's Angels' completed its 25th combat mission a month prior to the 'Belle.'

[ied86]

@madcitymcflyer So she was the first B-17,who reached her 25th. mission,but with different crew members?

[madcitymcflyer]

The assigned Motion Picture Unit actually flew six different missions in four different

B-17s of the 324th Bom Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, including the Belle. This film is an excellent compilation of those missions. The 91st's group adjutant 'sold' the

8th Bomber Command on making the Belle as the 'first' B-17 to survive its 25 missions with its crew intact. In reality records showed 31 different crewmembers to actually flew the 25 missions, & there were five different aircraft commanders.

[madcitymcflyer]

'Memphis Belle' was produced in 1943 by famed director Col.William Wyler's AAF Motion Picture Unit. The intent was to produce an inspiring film for USAAF crew training. In late 1944 the film was released to the public. The Belle was actually one of five different B-17s in early 1943 about to complete the then requisite 25 missions before rotating home. Two of the planes were lost on missions. Supposedly, the Belle had an intact crew for all missions. Actually, 31 different crewmembers flew her.

[BrimstoneMerc]

IIRC this isnt all of this episode. Its a shame you didnt cut this into several parts for the whole thing. This is IMO the best episode of WWll in Color period. If you get the chance please post it all.

[pramboy09]

@ace2011seadoo just as crazy the usaf thinking they could daylight bomb without fighter escort in 1942, thinking the b-17 could defend themselves was just plain crazy.

[ace2011seadoo]

@pramboy09 I know right! It was a "suicide run" in the words of Tate Donovan as Luke Sinclaire on Memphis belle. i think night ops like that should never have been thought of. Its crazy what the military thinks of and makes you do!

[pramboy09]

@NJRocks281 if you think bombing at night is "safe" you need your head examined it is incredibly dangerous, pitch black, night fighters, flak and if your aircraft is in danger and you need to get out in a hurry it is almost impossible, being pitch black you it is very hard to try to find your way out not knowing what way is up or down.

[Robert265283]

@TheCinemaization yeah and you saw 2 bailout