The Memphis Belle - A Story Of A Flying Fortress (1944)

In 1943, an American bomber crewman stood only a 1-in-5 chance of surviving his tour of duty, 25 missions later increased to 35. The Eighth lost more men in the war than the Marine Corps.

The Memphis Belle - A Story of a Flying Fortress (1944)

The Memphis Belle - A Story of a Flying Fortress is a 1944 documentary film which ostensibly provides an account of the final mission of the crew of the Memphis Belle, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. 

In May 1943, the Memphis Belle became the first U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe and return to the United States. The dramatic 16 mm color film is of actual battles and scenes at its Bassingbourn base.

The film was made under the auspices of the First Motion Picture Unit, a branch of the United States Army Air Forces. It actually depicted the next to last mission of the crew (see below) 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 bombers.

Credits - 

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)


Directed by William Wyler
Produced by First Motion Picture Unit of the United States Army