Historic Footage of the Memphis Belle’s Final Bombing Mission, Air Battle, and Celebrated Homecoming
About This Footage
This remarkable 1943 footage chronicles the Memphis Belle, the first B-17 Flying Fortress to complete 25 combat missions over Europe during World War II. Scenes at RAF Bassingbourn show ground crews fueling and arming bombers, pre-flight briefings, and chaplains blessing the airmen. The Memphis Belle crew, led by Captain Robert Morgan, boards their aircraft and joins the formation headed toward Wilhelmshaven, Germany. The footage captures intense combat over the German coastline, with flak bursts, bomb releases, and fierce air battles against German fighters. After heavy damage and losses, the Memphis Belle safely returns to base. Emotional scenes show crew members kissing the ground and celebrating their survival. Honors follow, including the awarding of the Distinguished Flying Cross and congratulations from the King and Queen of England. The film concludes with the Memphis Belle’s departure for a morale-boosting war bonds tour in the United States — a vivid testament to the courage and resilience of America’s wartime airmen.