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

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

**The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress (1944)** is a powerful and critically important documentary commissioned by the U.S. War Department during World War II. Directed by Academy Award-winner **William Wyler** (known later for *Ben-Hur* and *The Best Years of Our Lives*), the film provides an unflinching look at the final, **25th bombing mission** of the legendary B-17 bomber, the 'Memphis Belle', and its ten-man crew. Its explicit goal was to boost civilian morale and demonstrate the courage and danger faced by American aircrews in the European Theatre.

---

The Mission and the Film's Credibility

The documentary centers on the crew's final required mission from their base at **RAF Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire**, before they could return home. The target for this climactic flight was the **U-boat pens in Wilhelmshafen, Germany**. The film showcases the detailed preparations, the arduous flight, the pinpoint target acquisition, and the harrowing experience of combat—including navigating heavy **anti-aircraft fire (AA)** and engaging with German interceptors.

Crucially, almost all the aerial combat footage used in the documentary was exposed by Wyler's combat cameramen during actual air battles over enemy territory. This authenticity lends a raw, visceral quality to the film, making it one of the most realistic portrayals of American air warfare during the conflict. Wyler himself suffered hearing damage while filming on board the missions. The emotional core of the documentary lies in the bond between the ten men and the immense physical and psychological toll of completing their tour of duty.

The Crew and the Legend

The film introduces the real-life heroes who flew the B-17. The top cast are all members of the crew, playing themselves: **Captain Robert Morgan** (Pilot) and **Captain James A. Verinis** (Co-Pilot) lead the crew, which included **Captain Charles B. Leighton** (Navigator), **Captain Vincent Evans** (Bombardier), and the dedicated enlisted crew in the gun turrets and waist positions.

The famous name of the aircraft comes from Pilot Robert Morgan, who named the B-17 after his girlfriend, **Margaret Polk, of Memphis, TN**. The iconic nose artwork, featuring a pin-up girl, was adapted from a 1941 illustration by famed artist George Petty. Interestingly, the pin-up wore a blue outfit on the port (left) side of the fuselage and a red one on the starboard (right) side.

Production and Legacy

The film was a joint effort by several government bodies, including the **U.S. War Department, the First Motion Picture Unit, and the U.S. Office of War Information**, aiming for maximum propaganda impact. It successfully personified the war effort, turning a machine and its crew into a national symbol of resilience and victory. The documentary's influence was vast, paving the way for future cinematic portrayals of air combat. The film concludes with the crew being congratulated by dignitaries, including **King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother**.

---

Documentary Details and Historical Notes

Director:

William Wyler

Writers:

Jerome Chodorov, Lester Koenig, William Wyler

Top Cast (Self):

Robert Morgan, James A. Verinis, Robert J. Hanson, Charles B. Leighton, Harold P. Loch, John P. Quinlan, Cecil H. Scott, Vince Evans, Clarence E. Winchell, Casimer A. Nastal, Stanley Wray.

Release Date:

April 13, 1944 (United States)

Runtime:

45 minutes

Genres:

Documentary, History, War

Production Companies:

U.S. War Department, First Motion Picture Unit, U.S. Army Air Forces

Filming Location:

RAF Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, England, UK

Certificate:

U (Universal)

Famous Tagline:

"TEN MEN ON A BOMBING MISSION...YOU'RE THE ELEVENTH!...TARGET-GERMANY!"

**Note on the Film's Authenticity:** One documented **goof** reveals that in scenes showing the bomber's return, the closeups of a damaged plane's tail number read backward, indicating the film was flipped. That plane, 41-9020, was reassigned before the *Memphis Belle's* final mission, highlighting the challenges of war-time documentary filmmaking.

---

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

Experience the intensity of the crew's 25th and final combat mission.

---