Memphis Belle (1944)

Director: William Wyler
Actors: Eugene Kern
Runtime: 40 min.

The story of the 8th Bomber Command and the last bombing raid of a B-17 bomber over Wilhelmshafen, Germany. From preparation at the airbase in England, the flight over Germany with live aerial combat footage, B-17s being shot down and their crews bailing out, and then the flight back home.

Trivia: The Memphis Belle was named for the girlfriend of its pilot. William Wyler was one of the greatest Hollywood directors. Three of his pictures won the Academy Awards for both Best Director and Best Picture: The Best Years of Our Lives, Ben-Hur and Mrs Miniver, an accomplishment surpassed only by John Ford. During World War II Wyler joined the Air Force Film unit and was filming on board the bomber during the making of this film. Another member of the camera crew, flying in another plane, was killed during the filming when his plane was shot down.