The Memphis Belle

The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress is a 1944 documentary film produced, by the US army, which ostensibly provides an account of the final mission of the Memphis Belle, a B-17 Flying Fortress. In May 1943 it became the first U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe and return to the United States. The film provides a first-person perspective of a World War II bombing raid, showing how it feels to be threatened by “flak [enemy fire] so thick you can get out and walk on it.”

Social interest

At the beginning of the film, the Belle’s crew had successfully completed twenty-four missions in the toughest theater of the air war in Europe, flying bombing raids deep into Nazi territory. In this film Cameras accompany the Memphis Belle on its twenty-fifth mission, the outcome of which was of coarse uncertain. If the crew returns with its mission accomplished, they will qualify for release from active duty, to be sent home as teachers and heroes.

Historic Interest

During the 1930s, the US Air force touted the bomber as a strategic weapon. Gen Henry H. Arnold, Chief of the Air Corps, recommended the development of bigger aircraft with better performance and the US government agreed completely. The B-17 was exactly what the Air Corps was looking for; it was a high-flying, long-ranging potent bomber capable of defending itself. During WWII the B-17 Flying Fortress became, for many reasons, an icon of American power and a symbol of its Air Force. It achieved a lasting ‘fame’ bombing much of Germany (1/3 of all bombs on germany were dropped by the B-17).

Political interest

The documentary was made under the auspices of the First Motion Picture Unit, a branch of the United States Army Air Forces (to which future US President Ronald Reagan also belonged). The film actually depicts the next to last mission of the crew on May 15, 1943, and was made as a morale-building inspiration for the Home Front by showing the everyday courage of the men who manned these planes.

Festival screenings & awards

in 2001 the documentary film was awarded National Film Registry by National Film Preservation Board, USA. Each year the National Film Preservation Board selects up to 25 films all of which are considered to be culturally, historically or aesthetically important. Films must be at least 10 years old to be eligible for the registry.

• The Memphis Belle Crew
• Captain Robert K. Morgan (pilot)
• Captain James A. Verinis (co-pilot)
  Captain Vincent B. Evans (bombardier)
• Captain Charles B. Leighton (navigator)
  Technical Sergeant Robert J. Hanson (radio operator)
• Technical Sergeant Harold P. Loch (engineer and top turret gunner)
  Staff Sergeant Casimer A. Nastal (waist gunner)
• Staff Sergeant Clarence E. Winchell (waist gunner)
• Staff Sergeant Cecil H. Scott (ball turret gunner)
• Staff Sergeant John P. Quinlan (tail gunner)

Scenes

American combat planes designed to bomb Germany in 2nd World War
In this clip made by the War Department of U.S.A we see the army ground crew working on the combat planes on English soil. These combat planes, also called ‘flying fortresses’ are being used by the U.S. air force to bomb Germany during the 2nd World War.
The Memphis Belle leaves England to bomb Germany during 2nd World War
The U.S. air force combat plane The Memphis Belle leaves the bomber field on the countryside of England to battle with German airforce and bomb enemy ground, during the 2nd World War. The sky has become the new battlefield.
Plan of U.S. army to bomb Germany during 2nd World War
U.S. air force combat planes, including the Memphis Belle, follow a strict plan to bomb German Wilhelmshaven during the 2nd World War. In this clip, a map of the area is being shown.
Bombing by the U.S. combat planes and the aerial attack by Germany during 2nd World War
Here we see the actual bombing of German targets by U.S. air force combat planes during the 2nd World War. After the bombing, the combat planes are being attacked by the German air force. We can hear the pilots of the U.S planes talking with each other through the intercom.
U.S. air force in England waiting for their combat planes to return during 2nd World War
The members of the U.S. air force stationed in England during the 2nd World War are waiting anxietly for the combat planes to return from their bombing mission above Germany. This waiting is also called ‘sweating out the mission’. When the flying fortresses finally arrive, it becomes clear how many people have been injured.
The 25th return of U.S combat plane the Memphis Belle during 2nd World War
This clip shows a very special moment. The flying fortress called the Memphis Belle returns to England from it’s 25th battle against the Germans during the 2nd World War. This means that the U.S. air force crew of this combat plane can return back home to the United States.