Air War in Europe 1943
This fantastic U.S. Army Air Forces newsreel consists of several segments, detailing the work of the Air Force in Europe in the fall of 1943. First, the B-17 Berlin Sleeper is seen making an air raid over Berlin. Next, operations in the mud of North Africa are seen, with B-25s sitting in heavy mud, with C-47s and the bombers eventually moved to Italy. Next, P-47s are seen escorting a bombing mission over Nazi-held Europe. The P-47s are ground prepped and their guns fired and gas tanks filled. A gun camera is seen at the 4:20 mark, with film being retrieved for analysis — showing a Nazi aircraft being destroyed by cannon fire. The bombing of Le Trait, France is seen, with B-36s making the raid escorted by Spitfires. Footage is also seen at the 5:45 mark of a B-17 on fire, crashing into the sea. At the 7 minute mark, the 8th Air Force is seen on a mission against the Wilhelmsaven naval base, including the famed Memphis Belle. Segments of this film were later used in the epic film “Memphis Belle” by William Wyler. Operations at Salerno, including the amphibious landing of Sept. 6th, are seen at the 9:45 mark. Evacuation of the wounded is seen at the 10:30 mark. A wrecked aircraft is seen sitting in the sea. At the 11:20 mark, bombers work to attack German communication lines at Coletta in support of the Salerno assault. P-38s are seen landing at an emergency air field created hastily by engineers at Salerno at the 12 minute mark. Unfortunately, a P-38 hits a water truck parked on the runway and the pilot is killed. A B-25 Mitchell bomber is seen a short time later ground looping and crashing into a landing at the air field. The film ends with footage of the attack on the Ploesti Oil Refinery in Rumania.
