Summary: Rough cut first part of US documentary on USAAF Marauder attacks on Occupied Europe.
Description: Crews of Martin B-26B Marauders wait beside their planes in the wintry dawn. Propeller of famous B-26B of 322nd Group, "Mild and Bitter" (100 missions by 9 May 1944, 47 at this stage), starts to turn. USAAF officer in briefing with RAF colleagues says "final knock out blow". B-26Bs taxi out and take off. Air-to-air views, and rear top turret rotating. Other B-26Bs on tarmac marked "We dood it", "Pappy's Pram" and "Invictus" are bombed up and fuelled, while crews eat breakfast in extreme cold beside machines. Planes taxi out and take off (repeat shots of PN-A of 449 Squadron, SS of 451 Squadron and DR of 452 Squadron). Cockpit views. Planes pass over large airbase (322nd's base at Andrews Field, Great Saling, Essex ?) and fly above clouds. Crew don flak helmets as planes approach Channel coast and pass through puffs of black and white flak. Long sequence shows release of bombs over fields and along road or railway near a river and town.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:RMY 13-1
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:NON-IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1943
Production Country: United States of America
Production Details:
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force, Sqdn, 449 (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force, Sqdn, 451 (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force, Sqdn, 452 (regiment/service)
United States Army Air Force, 322nd Bombardment Group (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, United States - combat: Martin B-26B Marauder (object name)
operations, United States air - preparation (object name)
operations, United States air - routine (object name)
GB, England & Great Saling, Essex <Andrews Field USAAF Station ?> (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: None
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 746 ft; Running time: 8 mins
