70th Anniversary of B-17F "Memphis Belle" May 17th.

[Jessie The Jeep]

As the Lancasters of 617 Squadron were over the German Dams on the 16/17th May, ground crews of the US 8th Air Force were working hard preparing the US Heavy Bombers for a raid that day. Among the aircraft was B-17F Fortress serial #41-24485, unknown at the time. It was named "Memphis Belle".

 

70 Years ago today, May 17th, the B-17 "Memphis Belle" completed the day's mission, and became the first 8th Air Force heavy bomber to complete its tour of 25 missions, and then for its crew to return home.

 

Several aircraft were close to the 25 mission total, and the 303rd Bomb Group B-17 "Hell's Angels", is widely regarded as to being the first to reach 25. However, Hollywood was following the "Memphis Belle". The American film director, producer and screenwriter William Wyler, was making a propaganda documentary about the 8th AF, and the "Belle" was chosen as the most likely to reach the 25 mission target first.

 

As a result, the crew and the B-17 "Memphis Belle" became immortalised by the documentary, which cost the life of a camera man, lost during a combat mission while filming. The B-17 went on to survive the war, and after being displayed at a number of locations since, is undergoing a huge restoration by the National USAF Museum.

 

The B-17 pictures below, were taken at Duxford. One is a B-17G, modified and painted to resemble the "Belle" for the 1989 film "Memphis Belle". It was owned by the Late David Tallichet, himself a 100th Bomb Group co-pilot. His sister, film actress Margaret Tallichet, was the longtime wife of renowned film director William Wyler, maker of the 1943 documentary. David's niece, Catherine Wyler was the Producer of the 1989 "Memphis Belle" film.

 

 

 

 

[Jack]

Great work Steve!!!

[M5Clive]

I spoke on the BBC Radio Suffolk afternoon program about the significance of the day both for the Dam Busters guys coming home and the Eighth Air Force and the Memphis Belle heading out. It was quite a day.