Title:THE MEMPHIS BELLE : a story of a Flying Fortress [Main Title]
Film Number:USA 1
Other titles:
Summary: American film following the last mission of the famous 'Memphis Belle' Flying Fortress on a raid over Wilhelmshafen, May 1943.
Description: The film made to reassure the American public about day-time heavy bombing missions over Germany, follows the 25th (last) mission of the crew of 'Memphis Belle', of 324 Squadron, 91st Heavy Bombardment Group, 8th Army Air Force, based at Bassingbourn outside Cambridge. The aircraft are loaded up, the crews briefed and blessed by the Chaplain. The group takes off and a detailed explanation with maps is provided of the day's raid on the submarine bases at Wilhelmshafen with major diversions over Hanover. The Flying Fortresses flying at about 30,000' cross the German coast and encounter heavy anti-aircraft fire and fighter attacks. There is excellent air-to-air combat Footage. The bombs are dropped and the bombers turn for home where the groundcrews are seen waiting for them and counting the returning aircraft - only 30 out of 36 return. The Memphis Belle returns late but the crew can now return to the States to train new crews. The film ends with each member of the crew being awarded the DFC and official visits by the King and Queen and senior generals.
Alternative Title:
Colour:Colour
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:USA 1
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1944
Production Country:
Production Details: United States War Department (Production sponsor)
United States Army Air Forces First Motion Picture Unit (Production company)
United States Army Air Forces Eighth Air Force (Production company)
Wyler, William (Production individual)
Clothier, William (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: United States Army Air Force, 8th Air Force (regiment/service)
United States Army Air Force, 91st Bombardment Group (regiment/service)
United States Army Air Force, 324th Bombardment Squadron (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, United States - combat: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 'Memphis Belle (object name)
ceremonies, Allied - event-related: investiture (DFC for Memphis Belle crew) (object name)
combat, United States - air raid (object name)
combat, United States air (object name)
operations, United States air - preparation (object name)
operations, United States air - return (object name)
propaganda, United States - inspirational (object name)
religion, Christianity - military, United States: blessing (object name)
Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, England, UK (geography)
Germany & Hanover, Lower Saxony (geography)
Germany & Wilhelmshafen (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 4
Footage: 3700 ft; Running time: 40 mins
