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@@frankpienkosky5688 not quite. We didn't see bombs drop from one plane onto another that was out of position. We didn't see an airplane explode from a direct flak hit. etc. but yes, I totally agree with you. The MB movie was more about showing what crews faced, and less about the historical accuracy of the MB herself. Wouldn't make for much of a movie if nothing happened.
My father flew as a Bombardier on a B-17 over Germany with his 1st mission on D-Day, June 6, 1944, with his 24th mission on December 24th, 1944 over Belgium. 3 of the men on his plane survived. He injured his left foot and ankle landing on a frozen field in Belgium. It took him 2 years before he could walk without crutches. He said that he was sent home on the Queen Mary. Dad lived to 93 years old and he was my hero. Mom and Dad are in Heaven and one day soon I will be reunited. He loved America and what we stood for: Freedom, Hard Work, Structure and always living and helping your fellow! Great documentary!
Hats off to your father. I lost mine in 1999 at the age of 79. He went to England and returned on the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth but I've lost track of which one he was on on which leg. My dad went over there as part of the operations staff so like your dad, he got the boat ride - twice. But your father may have gotten a plane ride over as did all of the original flight crews. The 91st left the US with a total of 36 B-17s with 35 making it. One crashed enroute due to a mechanical failure of some sort.
I used to fly with a former B 17 copilot with the 8th Air Force. He was burned about his arms when his B 17 went down in flames over Germany. I was flying safety pilot one day doing instrument work when I spotted a B 17 flying to an airshow crossing our path. I called her out and he looked up and watched it pass about 500 feet above us. For the first and only time, my friend told me what happened the day he was shot down. I miss him. He was 20 years older than I was. That was 25 years ago and I am 79 now.
My great-uncle was a waist gunner and was lost during the war. Found his picture, folded flag, original letter announcing his death, and several other items in my great grandmother's rotting house. All are now in my parents house in a loving framed tribute. He was so close to being forgotten and I just couldn't allow it.
BLESS YOU FOR SAVING HIM AND HIS MEMORY! Somewhere is a man with a huge amount of pride and the knowledge that he was not forgotten. My humble opinion. Cruz
As a kid i played in the Memphis Belle when it was old and neglected outside the Memphis armory near the fairgrounds. I remember being disappointed they had removed the machine guns. Great fun for a 10 year old boy arounf 1967.
There’s an operational privately owned B17 in the Palm Springs area that you can fly in. Check it out. No Machine Guns though. The space is a reality though. God bless. Joe
I drove down there from Canada to 'check her out' on Mud Island Memphis only to find it abandoned! She had been moved to the Museum in Dayton. Lucky me eh? Been to Dayton 6 times, but still have to go and see this piece of history.
@@luckyguy600 Menno Duerksen wrote a book about her and he was in the gift shop when we were there. He autographed a book for me. I just went back and looked and he dated it July 23, 1993. So I had just turned fifteen. It was a long time ago and I thought I was younger.
My Pop was a Bombardier & nose gunner on the B17s out of England & did his 25 before coming home with a Purple Heart. Loved your story. Have visited the Belle on Mudd Island on the Mississippi River in Memphis. Pop died 55 years ago today. Thanks for this memory. God bless. ML&R, Joe
I saw Captain Robert Morgan at a presentation at the Museum of Flight in Seattle WA during the summer of 1998 when I was 12. We got a signed photo of him and his crew in front of the Memphis Belle after he gave his talk. It's now one of my prized possessions. That was such a good summer!
i remeber being 8 and seeing memphis belle movie for the first time. still one of my all time favorites. im in awe you got to meet the actual Captain. what a piece of history.
My science teacher was Charles Leighton at Cantrick Middle School in Monroe Michigan in 1959. I had lost several months of school that late winter having contracted pneumonia. Mr Leighton called me into his office, knowing that I needed credit in his class to go on to my next grade level. He prepared a verbal test of questions on the science curriculum for that semester I had lost. I passed, knowing every answer correctly. I never knew his history but asked him how he became a scientist and his training. I was very shocked when he mentioned that he was a navigator on an airplane in WW2. I later looked up his name in aviation history of the war. Still to this day, i can remember that very day we talked in late April of 1959. I had the honor of also meeting a Tuskegee airman many years later, but my fondest memory of Mr. Leighton will always be my favorite educator. He was one of my science mentors who shaped my life in science and as an individual. His courage and kindness will always be a guiding light for my life.
My father was in operations for the 91st and was stationed at Bassingbourn from beginning to end. He's the guy that drew the units insignia - the flying bomb. BTW, Bassingbourn was not supposed to be the base for the 91st, but upon arrival, they discovered that the runways at RAF Kimbolton (the original base) were not sufficient for a B17 at full battle rattle. Colonel Wray did a bit of surveillance, discovered Bassingbourn, and had the entire group moved, essentially under cover of darkness, without any official authorization. The 91st flew 340 combat missions and lost almost 200 aircraft in combat with 40 or more in addition to the combat losses written off as too damaged to be repaired. The first time I saw the Belle was in Memphis in 1965 at the 20th reunion of the 91st. As a 15 year old, I got to meet the Belle's flight crew and that memory will always be with me. The Belle was parked out in front of an Air National Guard Armory and she was in pretty rough shape. Some years later, and I don't know the time line, she was superficially restored and placed on display in a Pavilion down on the Mississippi River which is where I next saw her in the late 90's. Since then, she's been fully restored of course, and sits at Wright Patterson. Thanks for telling the story of the Memphis Belle. It's a remarkable machine flown by some remarkable men to whom we all owe a debt of thanks.
I live nearby bassingbourn. The airfield has been recovered as farming land. Nothing left except a piece of remembrance wall with a propeller on it and 2 lists of names of dead personnels, one for British the other for Americans.
@@namei8967 My wife and I took a trip to Royston years ago and the original "operations" building was there along with some of the other original structures. I think it still is, but as you say, much of it has gone back to the farm land it originally was prior to the war. A brick from the Bassingbourn control tower and bricks from many other towers just like it are in the replica tower at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton Ohio.
@@bluemarblescience I live in Royston. You are right, there were still a couple of half barrel shaped metal huts there. I ride bike there very often. I watched the film of Memphis belle, which shows clearly the church of litlington.
It's amazing to look at the Belle up at the museum. All the hell that plane and her crews went through many years ago...... and she now looks like she just came off the assembly line. Impeccably well restored.
My Dad went into Normandy on D-Day+3 to service the planes at temporary fields as the infantry moved forward. He spoke about the B-17's, P-47's, & P-51's & the brave men who flew them. Years later I had the chance to 'walk thru' the interior of the Memphis Belle & several other famous warplanes at an airshow exhibit, Andrew's AFB. Everlasting memories.
If you are ever in Asheville, North Carolina, visit downtown. On the way out of town after fundraising, Robert W. Morgan flew the Memphis Belle between the City Hall and County Courthouse buildings of his hometown.. This was no easy task to fly between these two buildings. Robert had to tilt the wings sixty degrees to clear both buildings. There is a commemorative plaque that marks the event in the gap between the two buildings. To stand there reading the memorial and see the tight space he cleared, brings a deal of respect to his ability as a pilot and the faith and trust that his crew had in him.
Thank you for this! I will go see this! The wife and I got a trip to the Biltmore for a few days after purchasing our Ford Explorer ST last year and we had a blast and will be making a yearly trip to see the gardens and the estate for a vacation from our desert landscape in Phoenix. I will be going to see this next visit!
A post script to your well made video: The Memphis Belle was in the boneyard at Altus AAFB in Oklahoma when a girls club in Altus High School discovered her. They initiated the contact with the city of Memphis that led to her rescue and eventual restoration.
Thank you for putting this together TJ, excellent work, it brought back good memories, as my father owned a small blimp company and parade inflatables in Memphis, in the 1980s and spoke about it often and always had a special place in the heart. Godspeed and keep up the excellent work 🇺🇸🎗🪖🐾
@@TJ3 And greatful for the hard work and life dedication you have to our veterans, my life to them as well, just boarding their animals during deployment and getting thier stories on film as well. I'll be over on patreon soon! 🇺🇸🎗🐾🪖
@TJ3 your work never ceases to amaze me.. well done! The “Belle” has played a major part in my life… in the early days of the internet, my Mom was able to contact Colonel Morgan who called me on Christmas Day when I was 10. Mr. Morgan and his wife were so incredibly nice to me (never charging for any memorabilia) and actually met us for dinner in Cincinnati when they were in town for an air show. Your work here I’m sure would make him proud! Thanks for what you do!
This was an amazing video! So professional and very informative! This is the Gold Standard of what UA-cam should follow. On a personal note, I had the distinct honor to meet Col. Morgan at an air show. I had no idea he was going to be there. Such a gentleman! I have a magnificent WWII poster and book he signed and dedicated to my wife and I. Years earlier, I got to gi aboard the B-17 they used in the movie. I am still amazed how Col. Morgan and the crew survived the war -- God, prayer, skill and an amazing ground crew certainly help the crew!
Historical notes - being that I covered such a massive stretch of history in this one, there are some notes I'll mention. First - it is extremely difficult to track the missions of each individual crewmember. In addition, there is even some discrepancy about which a couple of missions in which the Belle did or did not receive credit for. But this is the most accurate list I can put together. Second - Heinz Knoke's name is pronounced "Ka-Nok-a" in German I believe, but that is very awkward for me to say. I'm working on my pronunciations. Also in his Liberty Belle mission, I am not positive if he flew an Me-109 or a Fw-190, as according to the records of his group, they were commonly switching aircraft during this time depending on the target of their intercept. And for those who may ask - these bombs had a fuse and were supposed to explode in the middle of the bomber formations, not contact armed. Third - The crew of the Liberty Belle has some discrepancy as well - Some sources list it as their first mission, others list it as their first mission "with the 91st Bomb Group" - with their crew having a couple missions in other bombers or units in the weeks before. But they were certainly a newer crew. Fourth - I want to make sure I mention - the 1990 movie "Memphis Belle" is a fictional movie, not based on the actual bomber. This is why there are so many inaccuracies there. However, it is still a fantastic film, and in the words of one veteran - "It may not have been the story of the real Memphis Belle, but it was likely the story of some crew out there". Thanks for watching. See you guys next time!
Absolutely and well said on all counts. Fascinating how some aircraft on the same production lines go on to become legends. One to consider for a video would be "Witchcraft", a B24 with the 790th BS, 467th BG out of Station 145, Rackheath. It completed 130 missions without an abort from April 44 to April 45 and M/Sgt Joe Ramirez the crew chief would be awarded the Bronze Star for "keepin em flying". The area on which the airfield stood is now filled with houses but there are streets named for Witchcraft, B24 and Wendover, where the Group trained before going overseas.
Not to dismiss what this crew did for the war effort but the Memphis Belle wasn't the first to complete 25 missions so it's nice to see this fact acknowledged in this video..
That sounds very similar to our family history: My father, John Allan Martin, enlisted in the Army Air Corps (1942), age 18, and served as a gunner and radio operator on B-17s and B-24s. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force in England and flew 35 combat missions over Europe. Including one shown as "SECRET" on his papers. According to him, later while watching “12 O’clock High” on TV, he thought that it was very well done and he liked the show. He did say that instead of the large letter “A” in the show their planes carried a large letter “P” there. He was in the 387th Bombardment Squadron of 487th Bombardment Group. The records for many crew members were lost during a fire at Fort Benjamin Harrison. His brother, age 20, was a Navy aviator flying in the Pacific area: his plane was shot down . The bad news was wired to the family, who were surprised three months later when he walked in the front door in his Navy uniform. My father had left the service at the end of the war and worked as a TV/Radio engineer. He was called back to duty for the Korean conflict but didn’t have to deploy; and stayed with the new US Air Force. He retired in 1968 after 26 years of active duty and died in 1976. His brother also passed in 2005. Both brothers are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Regards
when I was 10 years old I stumbled across the 1990 movie here on UA-cam after I looked everywhere to try and get the disc copy so I could watch it whenever I wanted and after 5 years I managed to find a copy in a charity shop and ever since I seen the movie I’ve been hooked on learning about wwll planes
You do such great work.. I love how you're able to get all the little details most people don't know or ever heard of. I love everything aviation especially WWII era and wildland firefighting.
My mother was a child in Bremen during the war. She carried trauma from that for her whole life. Its wild to see the story from both sides of the conflict.
As long as evil people manipulate the weak and uneducated good men and women will have to take up arms to protect the innocent. It's been that way since the first city rose up the fields and still is today. It would be nice to say we can learn from the past but we never have.
My mum was 19 when the war started and lived through the bombing of Kingston upon Hull for its size the most heavily bombed city in the British isles..It was always referred to on the radio as” A North Eastern town was bombed last night”. as they didn’t want the Germans to know where they had bombed. Mum hated the sound of any siren and during a thunderstorm would go to bed and hide under the covers. Saying that , we didn’t suffer the bombing the Germans did and still our leaders make war..Love to your mum. Phil.
Outstanding content; superbly edited, detailed, well narrated , well researched , respectful of the context and the characters, and answering the question of what happened to these brave young men afterwards. Very entertaining, educational and worthwhile watching. Many thanks.
I love your researched detail!!! My Father was in the 10th Air Force, a mechanic on a B 25 In the CBI. I am 72. I am his daughter. I can sooooo... relate to your passion for WW2 war history!
William Wyler went on to create " Friendly Persuasion " , a remarkable double paced Civil War flick, honored as film No. 34 of the Humanities Film Forum Must See List. Memphis Belle was Movie 38. Memphis Belle was filmed with hand held Bell and Howell hand cranked Filmo cameras and possibly 16 MM Kodachrome reversal or Kodak Aerocolor negative film.
This is great storytelling,there were many things i didn`t knew about the Belle.Thank you for telling so many great stories and the animations are super.
I had the honor of being at the dedication of the Belle at the Wright Patt museum as a photographer. My best friend, also in attendance, is the son of a 17’s tail gunner. My father was an army Lieutenant, flying 24’s, yet flew no combat missions as the war ended. Glenn and I spent the evening chatting with a few of the Greatest Generation. Greatest indeed.
It’s a good to see the Memphis Belle is saved now displayed in the National USAF museum today. I think the famous C-47 skytrain that lead of D-Day (That’s all brother) should be displayed alongside the Memphis Belle at the museum too after her flying tour rides great story TJ3.
I was on a business trip to Dayton OH. last year and took some time off just to go see the museum. Amazing all the history that's there. I agree, the C-47 That's All Brother would be a good addition.
The CAF found the aircraft and invested incredible amounts of money / blood sweat and tears into the restoration (which is absolutely immaculate.) She doesn’t belong in a museum yet. That exact pathfinder aircraft led the way on D-Day as my grandfather was in another C-47 heading into France. They stopped by our CAF hangar in Virginia shortly before heading overseas, fresh out of paint… such an amazing aircraft. First (flight-worthy) Dakota I’ve ever sat in left seat (on the ground obviously) but again, it was really cool knowing this exact same metal was up in the air over France ahead of my grandfather. Anyways - let her fly around and inspire youth and others into the aviation world, museums can only do so much. If the USAF’s history personnel (if they even have any) were half awake, they would have realized what a gem they had sitting out there in a scrapyard before the CAF came along. Keep ‘em flying!
@@EstorilEm I’ll agree there, the old museum staff didn’t think smart, the museum used to have a F-4E and F-105B used by the USAF Thunderbirds which i love the F-16A and F-100D they have now but just imagine how much nicer of an exhibit they could have today with 4 of the teams previous aircraft painted up in the teams colors
EXCELLENT documentary . Thank you for your efforts. My father flew B-25’s during WWII. I was born between Memphis Belle’s third and fourth mission (January 20th) Lest we never forget that freedom is not free.😂
I got to see the Memphis Belle with my family at Mud Island while I was stationed at NAS Memphis (Millington) in the late 80s. She was in fair shape then and out of the weather, under a pavilion.
I love the old movies of that period and one of my favorites, The Best Years of Our Lives, about post war veterans returning home to a fictitious town called Boon City. The opening sequences are the most fascinating with them riding home in the nose of a B17 bomber and upon approach to their air field, flew over a huge mass of B17s and other planes on the ground. This was very authentic so I love watching it over and over. It’s one of my favorites in my large library of movies. Another of my favorites is the War Lover with Steve McQueen. These movies are motion picture time capsules as the Wyler film, The Memphis Bell is one as well as the movie made in the 90s.
during air shows here in norfolk, va, i can tell you Nothing is as awesome as B-17s roaring over your house, landing at Chambers Field. i can only imagine the roaring rotary engines of hundreds of flying fortresses filling the skies above and the terror of knowing what was coming...
I heartily support this post. Think of where we would be now as a nation without the heroes that made up this generation. Think about it, all we are today is thanks to these men and women.
Having not known much history of this majestic plane, I still got goose bumps when standing underneath of her at the Wright Paterson Museum she is on display at. And for those that don’t know, this museum is free and open 364 days a year. A definite must see in Dayton Ohio.
What a great video. You never let us down TJ. Thanks for all the hard work you put into all your videos you are amazing and enjoyable. I already can't wait to see the next one. Please keep 'em flying flying.
The Memphis Belle of the 91st Bomb Group flew from RAF Bassingbourn near Cambridge. My father, a veteran RAF airman from WW2, was stationed there during the Cuba crisis and I lived on the base with my family in the family quarters for about 2 years during his posting there.
I visited a a tribute B-17 Flying Fortress that flew to James Island s.c. In 1992 . It was a Memphis bell replica and also a p-38 mustang and a B-24 liberator , spent 6 hours exploring, still have the pictures. They also had the film Memphis bell in one of the flight hangers. Was a good day. God bless the veterans ❤🎉🇺🇸🏁
I just wish to comment as to how far you have come from initially posting video game clips to the production of well researched historical mini-documentaries which sometimes feature the actual veteran the story reflects. It is clear you research your stories rather than simply relying on previous information. This is clearly presented by this video where the "story" from the 1991 movie was just that - simply a story attached to the name "Memphis Belle" I can't imagine how many may have believed that movie as the actual story of the "Belle!" TJ, I had not know you previously but I'm certain you will agree these videos and all the work involved have made you a better person. Continue all this great work for all to enjoy!
This was a really good one too, TJ3. I really like how in depth you went with the mission by mission breakdown. I’ve got a large scale model of this plane I have yet to build and seeing videos like this makes me look forward to building it, even more.
Your videos are always so enlightening and interesting to watch. Loved this one! 👍 I am proud to say that the Memphis Belle now resides in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio as you said, at the U.S. Air Force Museum. I have been there many times, both as a child and an adult, and it is quite a place!
Simply terrifying. I’ve flown a few “long” flights (by long, I mean only ~4.5hr or so) crewing a WWII torpedo bomber going to airshows. Hopped up into the turret for a bit one time, and just contemplated… we are typically focused on the Pacific theater, but it isn’t hard to imagine being 20,000’ higher up, freezing, and stuck in that turret knowing those controls in your hand may save your life and/or the lives of those in your aircraft (or the aircraft around you.) It’s one thing for me to think about it at home watching great documentaries like this, but I’ll never forget how it felt up there. Today the scariest things people do are team-building activities and jumping off the platform for a zip-line. 🤦♂️ These guys got into a plane with 2,800 gal 100 octane fuel, flying 5 miles above the earth, and (at any cost) had to fly in a straight line, as nimble German fighters swooped in and picked them off. I’ve put myself in that position mentally, and I’m not sure I could handle it. Like the night before… the pre-flight, the initial point, the moment when our fighter coverage has to turn back leaving us completely exposed… there are so many times that I’d probably completely lose it. Absolutely the greatest generation. 👍 🇺🇸
When I was a kid, the Massachusetts Air National Guard used to use the old WWII B17 aircraft as crew & airtime aircraft, all the way through the 1970s! We used to see them all the time on maneuvers over Northborough, Massachusetts. It's absolutely amazing that a lot of those old planes were still being used over 30 years after the war!
I've actually seen the Memphis belle in person. They have it on display at the Dayton air and space museum in Ohio! As well as Bockscar which dropped the bomb on Nagasaki.
lot of nukes on display there too...many in cross-section....heard they re up to three hangers now...plus the outdoor display and the ones stored on the base...[presidential aircraft]
@@frankpienkosky5688 4 buildings, 4th opened in 2016 and I was there for the grand opening. They have the Presidential, R&D, Global Reach (which is just the C-141, C-130E, and C-82), and Space galleries in it. All stuff on base now is stuff needing to be restored or stuff that just needs a home and they don’t have room atm.
@@HankyInTheTanky like the X-3? ....one of my favorites in my model building years...all the kids thought that one was really cool...couldn't believe I could walk right up to it just setting there looking a bit forlorn on the hanger floor...the real plane was a bit of a failure,,,not living up to expectations....
Saw it at Lancaster Ohio Met Morgan and had him sign my wife's Memphis bell tee shirt. I got such a kick out of it. Endorsed it right on the boob. Old boy still in the game. LOL
Interesting BUT the the image of the ‘ Belle’ is so very very wrong. The ‘Bellle’ was an early production B-17F with a larger near braceless nose cone, enlarged cheek windows fitted for the emplacement of a .50-cal machine gun on each side of the nose. The Video shows an early B-17E.
For most of TJ3 history videos he uses a gaming platform called War Thunder and although they have the nose art for the Memphis belle in the game they unfortunately only have the b17E, b17E/L and b17G
When John Lithgow's character says " and went on to fly 24 missions without a scratch" he is obviously referring to the crew as he just talked about them volunteering. My Grandfather was a radio op in the 8th he met my Grandmother while stationed in England flying in B17's and she was one of many "War Brides" to leave the UK post war.
My locality just lost a 99 year old former Waist Gunner on a B17. He wasn't known for his 50 missions, 6 over the Romanian oil fields, but for his kind nature and attention to details in his career as Clerk of the Court. Godspeed Mr. Harvey Pearson
Incredible work. My grandfather and his best friend took care of the Belle while it was in Memphis. I’ve climbed all through it as a kid more times than I count. My grandfather and his buddy were asked if they would go to Ardmore,Ok to bring it back. They didn’t go for whatever reasons. My grandfather said the Belle was almost lost in the Mississippi River as it turned for final. The crew managed to save her.
As a young boy 6 or 7 years old my dad would take me fishing on a lake here in Va. There was a small place you coul rent jon boats and get bait. My dad knew the owner and his son very well as he would fish there every week. I vividly remember the old man and him telling me "boy get your daddy to take you to see the movie Memphis Belle. That was me and my buddies" i will always remember him telling me that. His name was Levy Dillon. Rest in peace.
In the 388th Bomb group, the Jamaica Ginger flew over 300 missions, highest in that group. Top planes should all be recognized in EVERY group. Memphis Belle was just one of many that were highlighted, but many others went unsung.
Finally we get the record straight on “Memphis Belle”. As much as I liked the 1990 movie it should NOT be based for any Historical research (there’s just too many historical inaccuracies from the movie for me to list here).
They have a label at the end saying this isn't historically accurate they made the movie to honor all the crews they just used name and the last mission of the belle
My grandfather was in the second world war in United States Army, and he just like the guys you told the story about. Had he not done his job and come home I would not be here thank you for an excellent documentary and thank you for showcasing the bravery, for those who have gone before us to provide for what we sell readily. Enjoy.
Thank you for that valuable History lesson. The B-17 and DC-3 are my two favorite large bomer and cargo plain . I've always wondered what happened to her. R.I.P Bell Crew ,Thank you for service.
Well done. I've watched the MB movies multiple times. As many youngsters wanted to fly. I didn't know until I watched this video that the MB went into service the same week when I was born...... I have visited the Air Museum (2x)and saw the restored MB. I never liked the 17's for some strange reason. I was in love with the 29's.
its a great story i did a small vlog on a legendary pilot after finding a blue plaque in the woods near where i live , he didn't die where this marker was but it led to an incredible story his name - Immanuel J. Klette Now a famous and revered war hero, buried in Arlington Cemetery in the USA and awarded the highest military and civilian decorations including the Croix De Guerre, Manny Klette flew more bombing missions than any other pilot in American Air Force history, and flew the last mission of the Second World War. His 28th mission was leading an evening raid to bomb submarine supply ships in Nantes harbour, France, when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire, smashing the bomb doors and holing the aircraft's petrol tanks. A splinter of shrapnel badly damaged Manny’s shin. On the return trip, Manny shut down two of the aircraft's four engines to save fuel, and a third engine once over England, so the 20-ton bomber was by now flying on one engine. As they were still losing height rapidly and it became clear they would not make their home base at Thurleigh in Bedfordshire, the RAF directed them to emergency land at RAF Wing. After flying over the village of Wing and the nearby hamlet of Burcott at low height with full landing lights on, Manny hit low cloud and lost sight of the ground until aircraft was at just 100ft. Rather than hit ground hard, Manny chose to drop the B-17 into the treetops of a wood just short of the runways, where an oak tree severed the left wing, broke the fuselage in half, crushed the cockpit and severed the engines from the aircraft. Lack of fuel prevented more than a small fire in one engine, but fire crews from Aylesbury, Linslade and Leighton Buzzard reached the site within 12 minutes of the crash. Though the medical team believed Manny’s injuries would end his war, Manny refused to give in, and endured a long and painful recuperation. He went on to complete 91 combat missions - more than any other USAAF bomber pilot in the Second World War - and flew the last USAAF bombing mission of the war. In an environment where American airmen died quickly, his record saw him dubbed a “living legend” by the replacement airmen.
What an extraordinarily well put together fascinating often haunting on the edge of the seat documentary about that amazing aeroplanes and crews history….. thank you so much for what you’ve made and shared. I really appreciate it thank you.
@ 47:11 - names scratched in the paint. During the Museum of the United States Airforce restoration - the post war paint jobs were getting removed and it was found that just about the entire skin of the MB had names scratched in it. It was conjectured that this happened during the War Bond tour. "Buy a War Bond - get to scratch your name". All the names were photographed with a view to correlating to war bond purchases and so see if there was a "geographical spread" of the names on her that matched the war bond records.
This is well done. I knew several men that were Waist Gunners on B17’s and I remember one of them telling me about the way they were trained to be Gunners. They were avid Trap Shooters. Which was the start of their training. I never asked them about their experience during the war which I know is not the best way to learn about it. As anyone who knows how Combat Veterans are. They’re all gone now but I think of them often and the bravery they had.
Cant wait to see the ole girl again in about 2 weeks! Goin to Indy for the 500 and hoppin over to Dayton at some point while we are there! Great video as always!!
'They were built by Boeing in Seattle (BO), Douglas Aircraft Co. (DL) in Long Beach, CA and Vega Aircraft Corp. (VE) in Burbank, CA.' - AirplanesOnline
44:50 Charles (Chuck) Leighton was the librarian of East Lansing High School when I attended back in 1975-1979. He always memorized the yearbooks of the local middle schools so when I and my classmates went to the library for our academic activities, he would address us by name. He eventually retired from ELHS, and finished his life in peaceful retirement near Traverse City, Michigan. He was the nicest man among many great teachers I encountered in my youth. RIP Captain Leighton.
thanks for this nice video , i ever recopilated all about the Memphis Belle Bomber and his crew , and have in my desktop one replica in static model of this legendary aircraft . Greetings again for your very detailed video. Cheers!
I live in Memphis and the Belle was placed on the Fairgrounds initially, and later on Mud Island by the Mississippi River in an outside open pavilion with a tarp canopy roof. It had become a rust bucket with the canopy deteriorating until fortunately it was saved by the museum.
Tons of hours were spent editing, researching, and recreating this story. Please consider supporting me on Patreon if you'd like me to continue making them. Join here: Patreon.com/TJ3History
It shows. Thanks for doing all the hard work to put these videos together for us.
now you should really do one on Hell's Angels too. and the B-24 that crashed with the Allied commander aboard.
Have you ever considerd making telling storyes of ww1?
the movie included everything that could possibly go wrong....
@@frankpienkosky5688 not quite. We didn't see bombs drop from one plane onto another that was out of position. We didn't see an airplane explode from a direct flak hit. etc.
but yes, I totally agree with you. The MB movie was more about showing what crews faced, and less about the historical accuracy of the MB herself. Wouldn't make for much of a movie if nothing happened.
My father flew as a Bombardier on a B-17 over Germany with his 1st mission on D-Day, June 6, 1944, with his 24th mission on December 24th, 1944 over Belgium. 3 of the men on his plane survived. He injured his left foot and ankle landing on a frozen field in Belgium. It took him 2 years before he could walk without crutches. He said that he was sent home on the Queen Mary. Dad lived to 93 years old and he was my hero. Mom and Dad are in Heaven and one day soon I will be reunited. He loved America and what we stood for: Freedom, Hard Work, Structure and always living and helping your fellow! Great documentary!
Thanks to you dad 07
God Bless your family.
Hats off to your father. I lost mine in 1999 at the age of 79. He went to England and returned on the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth but I've lost track of which one he was on on which leg. My dad went over there as part of the operations staff so like your dad, he got the boat ride - twice. But your father may have gotten a plane ride over as did all of the original flight crews. The 91st left the US with a total of 36 B-17s with 35 making it. One crashed enroute due to a mechanical failure of some sort.
I used to fly with a former B 17 copilot with the 8th Air Force. He was burned about his arms when his B 17 went down in flames over Germany. I was flying safety pilot one day doing instrument work when I spotted a B 17 flying to an airshow crossing our path. I called her out and he looked up and watched it pass about 500 feet above us. For the first and only time, my friend told me what happened the day he was shot down. I miss him. He was 20 years older than I was. That was 25 years ago and I am 79 now.
P
My great-uncle was a waist gunner and was lost during the war. Found his picture, folded flag, original letter announcing his death, and several other items in my great grandmother's rotting house. All are now in my parents house in a loving framed tribute. He was so close to being forgotten and I just couldn't allow it.
Great job saving his honor and lost life. SAd history is being forgotten. 😢😢
Please know his sacrifice was not forgotten... thank you and your family for honoring his service as well
BLESS YOU FOR SAVING HIM AND HIS MEMORY! Somewhere is a man with a huge amount of pride and the knowledge that he was not forgotten. My humble opinion. Cruz
He will never be forgotten. God bless, Brother. ML&R, Joe
Blessings to all vets. Forever.
As a kid i played in the Memphis Belle when it was old and neglected outside the Memphis armory near the fairgrounds. I remember being disappointed they had removed the machine guns. Great fun for a 10 year old boy arounf 1967.
There’s an operational privately owned B17 in the Palm Springs area that you can fly in. Check it out. No Machine Guns though. The space is a reality though. God bless. Joe
Mo@@joeyanny8018
She used to be at mud Island in Memphis, Tennessee. She sat outside in a covered pavilion. I remember seeing her there when I was about 10 or 11.
I drove down there from Canada to 'check her out' on Mud Island Memphis only to find it abandoned!
She had been moved to the Museum in Dayton. Lucky me eh?
Been to Dayton 6 times, but still have to go and see this piece of history.
@@luckyguy600 Menno Duerksen wrote a book about her and he was in the gift shop when we were there. He autographed a book for me. I just went back and looked and he dated it July 23, 1993. So I had just turned fifteen. It was a long time ago and I thought I was younger.
She wasn't covered when I saw her in late 1990 and early 1991. Exposed to the environment
Yes my father was a Captain in Tenn Army Gaurd..It was in front of the armory in the 70s when I saw it...
I remember her there. I got pictures of her on the pedestal at the armory.
My Pop was a Bombardier & nose gunner on the B17s out of England & did his 25 before coming home with a Purple Heart. Loved your story. Have visited the Belle on Mudd Island on the Mississippi River in Memphis.
Pop died 55 years ago today. Thanks for this memory. God bless. ML&R, Joe
I saw Captain Robert Morgan at a presentation at the Museum of Flight in Seattle WA during the summer of 1998 when I was 12. We got a signed photo of him and his crew in front of the Memphis Belle after he gave his talk. It's now one of my prized possessions. That was such a good summer!
Reading these comments I don't think you're the only one who saw caption Morgan. Some of these guys saw Jack Daniels and Jim beam as well
i remeber being 8 and seeing memphis belle movie for the first time. still one of my all time favorites. im in awe you got to meet the actual Captain. what a piece of history.
@@5crassrockerthe music... "Prepare and take off", some of the best movie music I ever heard, but, can't find it!
My science teacher was Charles Leighton at Cantrick Middle School in Monroe Michigan in 1959. I had lost several months of school that late winter having contracted pneumonia. Mr Leighton called me into his office, knowing that I needed credit in his class to go on to my next grade level. He prepared a verbal test of questions on the science curriculum for that semester I had lost. I passed, knowing every answer correctly. I never knew his history but asked him how he became a scientist and his training. I was very shocked when he mentioned that he was a navigator on an airplane in WW2. I later looked up his name in aviation history of the war. Still to this day, i can remember that very day we talked in late April of 1959. I had the honor of also meeting a Tuskegee airman many years later, but my fondest memory of Mr. Leighton will always be my favorite educator. He was one of my science mentors who shaped my life in science and as an individual. His courage and kindness will always be a guiding light for my life.
What an incredible story. These are the live experiences that need to be shared. The men and women of that era are certainly the Greatest Generation!
My father was in operations for the 91st and was stationed at Bassingbourn from beginning to end. He's the guy that drew the units insignia - the flying bomb. BTW, Bassingbourn was not supposed to be the base for the 91st, but upon arrival, they discovered that the runways at RAF Kimbolton (the original base) were not sufficient for a B17 at full battle rattle. Colonel Wray did a bit of surveillance, discovered Bassingbourn, and had the entire group moved, essentially under cover of darkness, without any official authorization. The 91st flew 340 combat missions and lost almost 200 aircraft in combat with 40 or more in addition to the combat losses written off as too damaged to be repaired.
The first time I saw the Belle was in Memphis in 1965 at the 20th reunion of the 91st. As a 15 year old, I got to meet the Belle's flight crew and that memory will always be with me. The Belle was parked out in front of an Air National Guard Armory and she was in pretty rough shape. Some years later, and I don't know the time line, she was superficially restored and placed on display in a Pavilion down on the Mississippi River which is where I next saw her in the late 90's. Since then, she's been fully restored of course, and sits at Wright Patterson. Thanks for telling the story of the Memphis Belle. It's a remarkable machine flown by some remarkable men to whom we all owe a debt of thanks.
I live nearby bassingbourn. The airfield has been recovered as farming land. Nothing left except a piece of remembrance wall with a propeller on it and 2 lists of names of dead personnels, one for British the other for Americans.
I’m so happy
@@namei8967 My wife and I took a trip to Royston years ago and the original "operations" building was there along with some of the other original structures. I think it still is, but as you say, much of it has gone back to the farm land it originally was prior to the war. A brick from the Bassingbourn control tower and bricks from many other towers just like it are in the replica tower at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton Ohio.
@@bluemarblescience I live in Royston. You are right, there were still a couple of half barrel shaped metal huts there. I ride bike there very often.
I watched the film of Memphis belle, which shows clearly the church of litlington.
What an amazing family and story you have and shared with us! Thank you so much!!
It's amazing to look at the Belle up at the museum. All the hell that plane and her crews went through many years ago...... and she now looks like she just came off the assembly line. Impeccably well restored.
My Dad went into Normandy on D-Day+3 to service the planes at temporary fields as the infantry moved forward. He spoke about the B-17's, P-47's, & P-51's & the brave men who flew them. Years later I had the chance to 'walk thru' the interior of the Memphis Belle & several other famous warplanes at an airshow exhibit, Andrew's AFB. Everlasting memories.
If you are ever in Asheville, North Carolina, visit downtown. On the way out of town after fundraising, Robert W. Morgan flew the Memphis Belle between the City Hall and County Courthouse buildings of his hometown.. This was no easy task to fly between these two buildings. Robert had to tilt the wings sixty degrees to clear both buildings. There is a commemorative plaque that marks the event in the gap between the two buildings. To stand there reading the memorial and see the tight space he cleared, brings a deal of respect to his ability as a pilot and the faith and trust that his crew had in him.
Thank you for this! I will go see this! The wife and I got a trip to the Biltmore for a few days after purchasing our Ford Explorer ST last year and we had a blast and will be making a yearly trip to see the gardens and the estate for a vacation from our desert landscape in Phoenix. I will be going to see this next visit!
I saw that one night during a pub crawl. It blew my mind, as I had no idea.
its now on my bucket list.
How did this area fare recently? Awesome story and I’d love to check it out
A post script to your well made video:
The Memphis Belle was in the boneyard at Altus AAFB in Oklahoma when a girls club in Altus High School discovered her. They initiated the contact with the city of Memphis that led to her rescue and eventual restoration.
However, once it was "enshrined" in Memphis, it was vandalized and allowed to decay to the point it was not worth saving without its iconic pedigree.
@@jeffsiegel4879 It has been refirbished and is at the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum
$350.00 for a flyable 17 only on Oklahoma
Nice!
Lots there I never knew.
That's what I like about this channel. They always tell you stuff from the pages you never read about.
Excellent.
Thanks for watching :)
Thank you for putting this together TJ, excellent work, it brought back good memories, as my father owned a small blimp company and parade inflatables in Memphis, in the 1980s and spoke about it often and always had a special place in the heart. Godspeed and keep up the excellent work 🇺🇸🎗🪖🐾
Wow!! Thank you very much :D I'm so grateful for your support!
@@TJ3 And greatful for the hard work and life dedication you have to our veterans, my life to them as well, just boarding their animals during deployment and getting thier stories on film as well. I'll be over on patreon soon! 🇺🇸🎗🐾🪖
@TJ3 your work never ceases to amaze me.. well done! The “Belle” has played a major part in my life… in the early days of the internet, my Mom was able to contact Colonel Morgan who called me on Christmas Day when I was 10. Mr. Morgan and his wife were so incredibly nice to me (never charging for any memorabilia) and actually met us for dinner in Cincinnati when they were in town for an air show. Your work here I’m sure would make him proud! Thanks for what you do!
My mother was a rosie the riveter in ww2. She worked on bombers at westwillow the westwillow plant
My grandmother worked at that plant too.
You mean willow run?
My great-grandmother did too! Her name was even Rosie for real!
Thanks for giving the mechanics a nod at the end of the video.
Always good to remember the mechs (note the name :) )
Aircraft crews are nothing if you don't have good mechanics keeping their machines flying.
This was an amazing video! So professional and very informative! This is the Gold Standard of what UA-cam should follow. On a personal note, I had the distinct honor to meet Col. Morgan at an air show. I had no idea he was going to be there. Such a gentleman! I have a magnificent WWII poster and book he signed and dedicated to my wife and I. Years earlier, I got to gi aboard the B-17 they used in the movie. I am still amazed how Col. Morgan and the crew survived the war -- God, prayer, skill and an amazing ground crew certainly help the crew!
I had a chance to fly on a B-17 up front with the pilots it was an amazing experience and I will never ever forget that as long as I live
Me also..several years ago
The Madrass Msiden
That'd be wild. How'd you get to do that?
The museum at Wright-Patterson AFB is amazing. And free!
Yes it is !
I've been there 3 times and didn't see everything
@@fubarmodelyard1392 I'm not surprised. Especially if you read all the placards about everything. It is an amazing place.
@@michaelsmith-iu1beI tend to linger. Reading every placard and looking over every detail of the aircraft
It is definitely a gem!!!!
Historical notes - being that I covered such a massive stretch of history in this one, there are some notes I'll mention. First - it is extremely difficult to track the missions of each individual crewmember. In addition, there is even some discrepancy about which a couple of missions in which the Belle did or did not receive credit for. But this is the most accurate list I can put together. Second - Heinz Knoke's name is pronounced "Ka-Nok-a" in German I believe, but that is very awkward for me to say. I'm working on my pronunciations. Also in his Liberty Belle mission, I am not positive if he flew an Me-109 or a Fw-190, as according to the records of his group, they were commonly switching aircraft during this time depending on the target of their intercept. And for those who may ask - these bombs had a fuse and were supposed to explode in the middle of the bomber formations, not contact armed. Third - The crew of the Liberty Belle has some discrepancy as well - Some sources list it as their first mission, others list it as their first mission "with the 91st Bomb Group" - with their crew having a couple missions in other bombers or units in the weeks before. But they were certainly a newer crew. Fourth - I want to make sure I mention - the 1990 movie "Memphis Belle" is a fictional movie, not based on the actual bomber. This is why there are so many inaccuracies there. However, it is still a fantastic film, and in the words of one veteran - "It may not have been the story of the real Memphis Belle, but it was likely the story of some crew out there". Thanks for watching. See you guys next time!
Absolutely and well said on all counts. Fascinating how some aircraft on the same production lines go on to become legends. One to consider for a video would be "Witchcraft", a B24 with the 790th BS, 467th BG out of Station 145, Rackheath. It completed 130 missions without an abort from April 44 to April 45 and M/Sgt Joe Ramirez the crew chief would be awarded the Bronze Star for "keepin em flying". The area on which the airfield stood is now filled with houses but there are streets named for Witchcraft, B24 and Wendover, where the Group trained before going overseas.
Heinz Knoke's name would be pronounced ka-noh-keh in German.
You did better than I did. 😂😂 Stop apologizing. 😮
Not to dismiss what this crew did for the war effort but the Memphis Belle wasn't the first to complete 25 missions so it's nice to see this fact acknowledged in this video..
THE REAL HEROS WERE THE B17S CRUES THAT NEVER CAME BACK.
That sounds very similar to our family history:
My father, John Allan Martin, enlisted in the Army Air Corps (1942), age 18, and served as a gunner and radio operator on B-17s and B-24s. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force in England and flew 35 combat missions over Europe. Including one shown as "SECRET" on his papers.
According to him, later while watching “12 O’clock High” on TV, he thought that it was very well done and he liked the show. He did say that instead of the large letter “A” in the show their planes carried a large letter “P” there. He was in the 387th Bombardment Squadron of 487th Bombardment Group. The records for many crew members were lost during a fire at Fort Benjamin Harrison.
His brother, age 20, was a Navy aviator flying in the Pacific area: his plane was shot down . The bad news was wired to the family, who were surprised three months later when he walked in the front door in his Navy uniform.
My father had left the service at the end of the war and worked as a TV/Radio engineer. He was called back to duty for the Korean conflict but didn’t have to deploy; and stayed with the new US Air Force. He retired in 1968 after 26 years of active duty and died in 1976. His brother also passed in 2005.
Both brothers are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Regards
Incredible!!! I want to thank your father and his brother for their service.
I was 14 years old when I saw the 1990 movie in the theater. It brings a tear to my eye to know we still have the plane.
when I was 10 years old I stumbled across the 1990 movie here on UA-cam after I looked everywhere to try and get the disc copy so I could watch it whenever I wanted and after 5 years I managed to find a copy in a charity shop and ever since I seen the movie I’ve been hooked on learning about wwll planes
You do such great work.. I love how you're able to get all the little details most people don't know or ever heard of. I love everything aviation especially WWII era and wildland firefighting.
My mother was a child in Bremen during the war. She carried trauma from that for her whole life. Its wild to see the story from both sides of the conflict.
I really enjoyed the documentary, particularly the in-flight shots,hereos all,thank you from England.
As long as evil people manipulate the weak and uneducated good men and women will have to take up arms to protect the innocent. It's been that way since the first city rose up the fields and still is today. It would be nice to say we can learn from the past but we never have.
My mum was 19 when the war started and lived through the bombing of Kingston upon Hull for its size the most heavily bombed city in the British isles..It was always referred to on the radio as” A North Eastern town was bombed last night”. as they didn’t want the Germans to know where they had bombed. Mum hated the sound of any siren and during a thunderstorm would go to bed and hide under the covers. Saying that , we didn’t suffer the bombing the Germans did and still our leaders make war..Love to your mum. Phil.
As a young boy, my father remembers seeing the Bell in Asheville, North Carolina during its war bond tour. Captain Robert Morgan was from there.
Outstanding content; superbly edited, detailed, well narrated , well researched , respectful of the context and the characters, and answering the question of what happened to these brave young men afterwards. Very entertaining, educational and worthwhile watching. Many thanks.
Thanks for watching!
I love your researched detail!!!
My Father was in the 10th Air Force, a mechanic on a B 25 In the CBI. I am 72. I am his daughter. I can sooooo... relate to your passion for WW2 war history!
$350, what a buy! Priceless today from a historical standpoint!😊
William Wyler went on to create " Friendly Persuasion " , a remarkable double paced Civil War flick, honored as film No. 34 of the Humanities Film Forum Must See List. Memphis Belle was Movie 38. Memphis Belle was filmed with hand held Bell and Howell hand cranked Filmo cameras and possibly 16 MM Kodachrome reversal or Kodak Aerocolor negative film.
This is great storytelling,there were many things i didn`t knew about the Belle.Thank you for telling so many great stories and the animations are super.
I had the honor of being at the dedication of the Belle at the Wright Patt museum as a photographer. My best friend, also in attendance, is the son of a 17’s tail gunner. My father was an army Lieutenant, flying 24’s, yet flew no combat missions as the war ended. Glenn and I spent the evening chatting with a few of the Greatest Generation. Greatest indeed.
It’s a good to see the Memphis Belle is saved now displayed in the National USAF museum today. I think the famous C-47 skytrain that lead of D-Day (That’s all brother) should be displayed alongside the Memphis Belle at the museum too after her flying tour rides great story TJ3.
Along with Robin Olds P-51 that is still flying I can’t remember if it’s Scat VI or VII
I was on a business trip to Dayton OH. last year and took some time off just to go see the museum. Amazing all the history that's there. I agree, the C-47 That's All Brother would be a good addition.
The CAF found the aircraft and invested incredible amounts of money / blood sweat and tears into the restoration (which is absolutely immaculate.) She doesn’t belong in a museum yet.
That exact pathfinder aircraft led the way on D-Day as my grandfather was in another C-47 heading into France.
They stopped by our CAF hangar in Virginia shortly before heading overseas, fresh out of paint… such an amazing aircraft. First (flight-worthy) Dakota I’ve ever sat in left seat (on the ground obviously) but again, it was really cool knowing this exact same metal was up in the air over France ahead of my grandfather.
Anyways - let her fly around and inspire youth and others into the aviation world, museums can only do so much. If the USAF’s history personnel (if they even have any) were half awake, they would have realized what a gem they had sitting out there in a scrapyard before the CAF came along.
Keep ‘em flying!
@@EstorilEm I’ll agree there, the old museum staff didn’t think smart, the museum used to have a F-4E and F-105B used by the USAF Thunderbirds which i love the F-16A and F-100D they have now but just imagine how much nicer of an exhibit they could have today with 4 of the teams previous aircraft painted up in the teams colors
lot of planes in DC too...at the Smithsonian...also worth the trip...but they're a bit crowded together there
EXCELLENT documentary . Thank you for your efforts. My father flew B-25’s during WWII. I was born between Memphis Belle’s third and fourth mission (January 20th) Lest we never forget that freedom is not free.😂
I got to see the Memphis Belle with my family at Mud Island while I was stationed at NAS Memphis (Millington) in the late 80s. She was in fair shape then and out of the weather, under a pavilion.
Chuck Leighton was my high school guidance counselor at East Lansing high School in the early 70's. Very low key guy
I love the old movies of that period and one of my favorites, The Best Years of Our Lives, about post war veterans returning home to a fictitious town called Boon City. The opening sequences are the most fascinating with them riding home in the nose of a B17 bomber and upon approach to their air field, flew over a huge mass of B17s and other planes on the ground. This was very authentic so I love watching it over and over. It’s one of my favorites in my large library of movies. Another of my favorites is the War Lover with Steve McQueen. These movies are motion picture time capsules as the Wyler film, The Memphis Bell is one as well as the movie made in the 90s.
during air shows here in norfolk, va, i can tell you Nothing is as awesome as B-17s roaring over your house, landing at Chambers Field. i can only imagine the roaring rotary engines of hundreds of flying fortresses filling the skies above and the terror of knowing what was coming...
'Rotary engines'?
My gratitude is profound and eternal for ALL in the Greatest Generation, work like this informs and inspires. Thank You, Thank You.
I heartily support this post.
Think of where we would be now as a nation without the heroes that made up this generation. Think about it, all we are today is thanks to these men and women.
I knew Margaret poke for 12 years and I miss Margaret very much. I was just her pool, ma'n, but she was like a grandmother to me.
Remarkable documentary. No Hollywood. Great air footage. An archival piece that will make you producers immortal. Memphis Belle already is
Thanks for watching :)
@@TJ3 Thank you for all your guys great work and making this possible.
Having not known much history of this majestic plane, I still got goose bumps when standing underneath of her at the Wright Paterson Museum she is on display at. And for those that don’t know, this museum is free and open 364 days a year. A definite must see in Dayton Ohio.
What a great video. You never let us down TJ. Thanks for all the hard work you put into all your videos you are amazing and enjoyable. I already can't wait to see the next one. Please keep 'em flying flying.
Thank you!!
The Memphis Belle of the 91st Bomb Group flew from RAF Bassingbourn near Cambridge. My father, a veteran RAF airman from WW2, was stationed there during the Cuba crisis and I lived on the base with my family in the family quarters for about 2 years during his posting there.
Certainly a classic emotional documentary brighten by heroism. Deep respect from another fading soldier from a far distant country
I remember how good it felt when I heard those wheels screech the ground at last when I saw the movie for the first time.
I visited a a tribute B-17 Flying Fortress that flew to James Island s.c. In 1992 . It was a Memphis bell replica and also a p-38 mustang and a B-24 liberator , spent 6 hours exploring, still have the pictures. They also had the film Memphis bell in one of the flight hangers. Was a good day. God bless the veterans ❤🎉🇺🇸🏁
Correction: P-38 Is a Lightening. P-51 is a Mustang.
Salute.
simply awesome.
I just wish to comment as to how far you have come from initially posting video game clips to the production of well researched historical mini-documentaries which sometimes feature the actual veteran the story reflects. It is clear you research your stories rather than simply relying on previous information. This is clearly presented by this video where the "story" from the 1991 movie was just that - simply a story attached to the name "Memphis Belle" I can't imagine how many may have believed that movie as the actual story of the "Belle!" TJ, I had not know you previously but I'm certain you will agree these videos and all the work involved have made you a better person.
Continue all this great work for all to enjoy!
This was a really good one too, TJ3. I really like how in depth you went with the mission by mission breakdown. I’ve got a large scale model of this plane I have yet to build and seeing videos like this makes me look forward to building it, even more.
Excellent, excellent, excellent! The closest I've ever been to the Memphis Belle was a flight aboard the Sally B in 1985 at Duxford.
That was fantastic! Way too pay tribute to a true WWII legend. Thank you for this wonderful documentary. 🇺🇸
Your videos are always so enlightening and interesting to watch. Loved this one! 👍 I am proud to say that the Memphis Belle now resides in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio as you said, at the U.S. Air Force Museum. I have been there many times, both as a child and an adult, and it is quite a place!
Great documentary! This justifies my suscription! Excellent work TJ3 !!
Simply terrifying. I’ve flown a few “long” flights (by long, I mean only ~4.5hr or so) crewing a WWII torpedo bomber going to airshows. Hopped up into the turret for a bit one time, and just contemplated… we are typically focused on the Pacific theater, but it isn’t hard to imagine being 20,000’ higher up, freezing, and stuck in that turret knowing those controls in your hand may save your life and/or the lives of those in your aircraft (or the aircraft around you.)
It’s one thing for me to think about it at home watching great documentaries like this, but I’ll never forget how it felt up there.
Today the scariest things people do are team-building activities and jumping off the platform for a zip-line. 🤦♂️
These guys got into a plane with 2,800 gal 100 octane fuel, flying 5 miles above the earth, and (at any cost) had to fly in a straight line, as nimble German fighters swooped in and picked them off.
I’ve put myself in that position mentally, and I’m not sure I could handle it. Like the night before… the pre-flight, the initial point, the moment when our fighter coverage has to turn back leaving us completely exposed… there are so many times that I’d probably completely lose it.
Absolutely the greatest generation. 👍 🇺🇸
I've flown in a Mustang and my adrenaline was pumping for most of the flight. I can only imagine flying in a bomber as an aerial target.
Well put!!!
When I was a kid, the Massachusetts Air National Guard used to use the old WWII B17 aircraft as crew & airtime aircraft, all the way through the 1970s! We used to see them all the time on maneuvers over Northborough, Massachusetts. It's absolutely amazing that a lot of those old planes were still being used over 30 years after the war!
I've actually seen the Memphis belle in person. They have it on display at the Dayton air and space museum in Ohio! As well as Bockscar which dropped the bomb on Nagasaki.
It’s actually the National Museum of the United States Air Force not an air and space museum
lot of nukes on display there too...many in cross-section....heard they
re up to three hangers now...plus the outdoor display and the ones stored on the base...[presidential aircraft]
@@frankpienkosky5688 4 buildings, 4th opened in 2016 and I was there for the grand opening. They have the Presidential, R&D, Global Reach (which is just the C-141, C-130E, and C-82), and Space galleries in it. All stuff on base now is stuff needing to be restored or stuff that just needs a home and they don’t have room atm.
@@HankyInTheTanky like the X-3?
....one of my favorites in my model building years...all the kids thought that one was really cool...couldn't believe I could walk right up to it just setting there looking a bit forlorn on the hanger floor...the real plane was a bit of a failure,,,not living up to expectations....
Saw it at Lancaster Ohio Met Morgan and had him sign my wife's Memphis bell tee shirt. I got such a kick out of it. Endorsed it right on the boob. Old boy still in the game. LOL
Excellent excellent excellent one of the best UA-cam videos I have ever watched very well done
Interesting BUT the the image of the ‘ Belle’ is so very very wrong. The ‘Bellle’ was an early production B-17F with a larger near braceless nose cone, enlarged cheek windows fitted for the emplacement of a .50-cal machine gun on each side of the nose. The Video shows an early B-17E.
B17C dummy
For most of TJ3 history videos he uses a gaming platform called War Thunder and although they have the nose art for the Memphis belle in the game they unfortunately only have the b17E, b17E/L and b17G
The detail of this created footage is incredible
When John Lithgow's character says " and went on to fly 24 missions without a scratch" he is obviously referring to the crew as he just talked about them volunteering.
My Grandfather was a radio op in the 8th he met my Grandmother while stationed in England flying in B17's and she was one of many "War Brides" to leave the UK post war.
My locality just lost a 99 year old former Waist Gunner on a B17. He wasn't known for his 50 missions, 6 over the Romanian oil fields, but for his kind nature and attention to details in his career as Clerk of the Court.
Godspeed Mr. Harvey Pearson
An excellent TJ3 video is just what i need to get my day started. Happy friday yall
Thanks! Enjoy!
Welldone from across the pond in the UK.
Keep up the good work 👍
Wow Benny! Thank you so much! I greatly appreciate it :)
Incredible work. My grandfather and his best friend took care of the Belle while it was in Memphis. I’ve climbed all through it as a kid more times than I count. My grandfather and his buddy were asked if they would go to Ardmore,Ok to bring it back. They didn’t go for whatever reasons. My grandfather said the Belle was almost lost in the Mississippi River as it turned for final. The crew managed to save her.
As a young boy 6 or 7 years old my dad would take me fishing on a lake here in Va.
There was a small place you coul rent jon boats and get bait. My dad knew the owner and his son very well as he would fish there every week. I vividly remember the old man and him telling me "boy get your daddy to take you to see the movie Memphis Belle. That was me and my buddies" i will always remember him telling me that. His name was Levy Dillon. Rest in peace.
The BELL was found on a scrap line at Altus, AFB, Oklahoma. They had to replace one engine
In the 388th Bomb group, the Jamaica Ginger flew over 300 missions, highest in that group. Top planes should all be recognized in EVERY group. Memphis Belle was just one of many that were highlighted, but many others went unsung.
Can't name em all.
Finally we get the record straight on “Memphis Belle”. As much as I liked the 1990 movie it should NOT be based for any Historical research (there’s just too many historical inaccuracies from the movie for me to list here).
I still enjoyed watching the movie.
@@merafirewing6591it was okay for some decent flight cinematography scenes but way too inaccurate on just about everything
@@merafirewing6591 me too...can't seem to find it for free anywhere
They have a label at the end saying this isn't historically accurate they made the movie to honor all the crews they just used name and the last mission of the belle
@@ScAlexlemaster gee like I didn’t know that 🙄
Another maximum effort! Very well done. Thank you sooooo. much!
You have served the memory of all the men who fought and died flying these bombers, to free the world of the darkness of that time. well done
My grandfather was in the second world war in United States Army, and he just like the guys you told the story about. Had he not done his job and come home I would not be here thank you for an excellent documentary and thank you for showcasing the bravery, for those who have gone before us to provide for what we sell readily. Enjoy.
Enjoyed you Documentary on the Memphis Belle. The true story. Thanks for sharing!
💯❤️👊👍
Thank you for that valuable History lesson. The B-17 and DC-3 are my two favorite large bomer and cargo plain . I've always wondered what happened to her. R.I.P Bell Crew ,Thank you for service.
Well done. I've watched the MB movies multiple times. As many youngsters wanted to fly. I didn't know until I watched this video that the MB went into service the same week when I was born...... I have visited the Air Museum (2x)and saw the restored MB. I never liked the 17's for some strange reason. I was in love with the 29's.
Very educational and entertaining video. Thank you for creating it. Cheers.
its a great story i did a small vlog on a legendary pilot after finding a blue plaque in the woods near where i live , he didn't die where this marker was but it led to an incredible story his name - Immanuel J. Klette Now a famous and revered war hero, buried in Arlington Cemetery in the USA and awarded the highest military and civilian decorations including the Croix De Guerre, Manny Klette flew more bombing missions than any other pilot in American Air Force history, and flew the last mission of the Second World War. His 28th mission was leading an evening raid to bomb submarine supply ships in Nantes harbour, France, when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire, smashing the bomb doors and holing the aircraft's petrol tanks. A splinter of shrapnel badly damaged Manny’s shin.
On the return trip, Manny shut down two of the aircraft's four engines to save fuel, and a third engine once over England, so the 20-ton bomber was by now flying on one engine.
As they were still losing height rapidly and it became clear they would not make their home base at Thurleigh in Bedfordshire, the RAF directed them to emergency land at RAF Wing.
After flying over the village of Wing and the nearby hamlet of Burcott at low height with full landing lights on, Manny hit low cloud and lost sight of the ground until aircraft was at just 100ft.
Rather than hit ground hard, Manny chose to drop the B-17 into the treetops of a wood just short of the runways, where an oak tree severed the left wing, broke the fuselage in half, crushed the cockpit and severed the engines from the aircraft.
Lack of fuel prevented more than a small fire in one engine, but fire crews from Aylesbury, Linslade and Leighton Buzzard reached the site within 12 minutes of the crash.
Though the medical team believed Manny’s injuries would end his war, Manny refused to give in, and endured a long and painful recuperation.
He went on to complete 91 combat missions - more than any other USAAF bomber pilot in the Second World War - and flew the last USAAF bombing mission of the war.
In an environment where American airmen died quickly, his record saw him dubbed a “living legend” by the replacement airmen.
This is a remarkable review and one of your longest videos yet - well done!!
Great work, I have followed the BElle for years, and you did a great job with this.
What an extraordinarily well put together fascinating often haunting on the edge of the seat documentary about that amazing aeroplanes and crews history….. thank you so much for what you’ve made and shared. I really appreciate it thank you.
I’ve enjoyed this story. I remember the movie as a child. I visited the Belle on Mud Island in Memphis and it was a wonderful connection to history.
@ 47:11 - names scratched in the paint. During the Museum of the United States Airforce restoration - the post war paint jobs were getting removed and it was found that just about the entire skin of the MB had names scratched in it. It was conjectured that this happened during the War Bond tour. "Buy a War Bond - get to scratch your name". All the names were photographed with a view to correlating to war bond purchases and so see if there was a "geographical spread" of the names on her that matched the war bond records.
This is well done. I knew several men that were Waist Gunners on B17’s and I remember one of them telling me about the way they were trained to be Gunners. They were avid Trap Shooters. Which was the start of their training. I never asked them about their experience during the war which I know is not the best way to learn about it. As anyone who knows how Combat Veterans are. They’re all gone now but I think of them often and the bravery they had.
This was brilliant! It's so well put together that it puts the Likes of the today's History Channel to shame.
Cant wait to see the ole girl again in about 2 weeks! Goin to Indy for the 500 and hoppin over to Dayton at some point while we are there!
Great video as always!!
Douglas built a lot of these at Long Beach on a subcontract. Mom was there!
'They were built by Boeing in Seattle (BO), Douglas Aircraft Co. (DL) in Long Beach, CA and Vega Aircraft Corp. (VE) in Burbank, CA.' - AirplanesOnline
44:50 Charles (Chuck) Leighton was the librarian of East Lansing High School when I attended back in 1975-1979. He always memorized the yearbooks of the local middle schools so when I and my classmates went to the library for our academic activities, he would address us by name. He eventually retired from ELHS, and finished his life in peaceful retirement near Traverse City, Michigan.
He was the nicest man among many great teachers I encountered in my youth. RIP Captain Leighton.
TJ3?
Great documentary man!!!
Fantastic job!
Thanks for your hard work!
Great video!
Never knew the whole story with all those details.
Congrats!!
This was a great episode! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thanks for the story. I lived in Memphis where she was on display for years..I actually got to put my hands on this piece of history.
Thank you for all your hard work in making this superb documentary
thanks for this nice video , i ever recopilated all about the Memphis Belle Bomber and his crew , and have in my desktop one replica in static model of this legendary aircraft . Greetings again for your very detailed video. Cheers!
Absolutely mind blowing how you used gaming to recreate history. The channel I didn't know I was missing.
Wow thank you, this video was outstanding
with a big sense of pride for the viewers, thank you.
Thanks!
Thank you!
You don't "win" a Medal of Honor, or any award for that matter. You are awarded the commendation.
Nice comment dork
@@LiamBoyle-r8x ask a MoH if they won it and I guarantee you they’ll say the same thing, dork
@@LiamBoyle-r8x Let precision in the use of language match the accuracy and diligence of.the research and presentation...
I live in Memphis and the Belle was placed on the Fairgrounds initially, and later on Mud Island by the Mississippi River in an outside open pavilion with a tarp canopy roof. It had become a rust bucket with the canopy deteriorating until fortunately it was saved by the museum.