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B-17 "MEMPHIS BELLE" Story.
1st Eighth Air Force WW II Bomber to complete 25 Combat
Missions & return to the United States.
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Wing Span: 103'9" Length:74'9" Height:19'1" Crew:10 Weight:65,500 pounds
Speed:160 mph at 25,000 feet Fuel: 2,520 gallons Oil: 147.6 gallons
Range: 2,800 miles at 152 mph at 10,000 feet Bomb Load: 8,000 pounds
Guns: Thirteen 50 caliber machine guns Service Ceiling: 37,500 feet Cost:$314,109
Units Built:12,731
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The B-17 Flying Fortress "MEMPHIS
BELLE" (Serial No. 41-24485) was one of 12,750 B-17's built by the Boeing
Aircraft Co. The BELLE was the most famous because she was the first heavy
bomber in Hitler's European war theatre to complete 25 combat missions and keep
her entire crew alive. She flew for 10 months from November 7, 1942 to May 17,
1943. The command generals had set 25 missions as an incentive for air crews to
go home. Morale was extremely low because 80% of the bombers were shot down
during the first three months of America's combat flights over Europe.
The BELLE shot down eight enemy fighters, probably destroyed five others, and
damaged at least a dozen more. She dropped more than 60 tons of bombs over
Germany, France and Belgium. During her 25 missions she flew 148 hours, 50
minutes, and covered more than 20,000 combat miles. She is the only B-17 to have
her own file in the Air Force Film Depository.
This gallant lady was bullet-ridden, flak damaged; on five separate occasions
had engines shot out and once came back with her tail nearly shot off. There was
not one major injury to the crew members. The crew met their plane in Bangor,
Maine for the first time in September, 1942. They flew their ship to Memphis, TN
on a shakedown flight, where
she was christened MEMPHIS BELLE in honor of the pilot's wartime sweetheart, Ms.
Margaret Polk. From there they flew across the Atlantic to their home base in
Bassingbourn, England, just north of London. Bassingbourn is still an active
English army base today.
The 26th mission of the BELLE was to return to the States during the summer of
1943 on a public relations tour to thank the American public for supporting the
war effort. The crew visited more than 32 cities where they received a heroes'
welcome. Their mascot, a Scotty dog named "Stuka", traveled across the
Atlantic with them and participated in the PR tour.
The noseart was painted on the Belle by Cpl. Tony Starcer. The famous logo was
designed by the famous artist George Petty, who created a series of pin-up girls
for Esquire Magazine know as the "Petty Girls". After the public
relations tour, the Belle flew stateside in the training command. In 1945 she
ended up in an aircraft boneyard in Altus, OK. An enterprising reporter saw her,
wrote a story of her plight, and contacted the Mayor of Memphis. The City bought
her for $350 and on July 17, 1946, she was flown home to Memphis.
In 1950 the Belle was placed on a pedestal near
the Army National Guard. In November, 1977, she was moved to the Air National
Guard at the Memphis airport. During these years the vandals did what the
Germans couldn't. They almost destroyed her! For the next nine years various
fund raising efforts were made to restore the Belle. After a relentless, last
ditch effort by Frank Donofrio, a local businessman, the City agreed to donate a
piece on land on Mud Island, where the historic bomber could be displayed.
Federal Express and Boeing each donated $100,000 toward her restoration and the
City donated $150,000. When Hugh Downs of TV's 20/20 aired the need for more
money, the American people rose to the challenge and donated the rest of the
$576,000. The MEMPHIS BELLE was saved and restored to a place of honor.
On May 17, 1987, 44 years after she flew her 25th mission, the Memphis Belle
Pavilion was dedicated. Nearly 25,000 attended. Seven B-17's, the largest
formation since WW II, flew overhead in salute and "bombed" the
pavilion with thousands of rose pedals. Margaret Polk and the Belle crew looked
on as the crowd cheered thunderously. A fitting tribute to the grandest lady of
the sky! The Air Force has declared the Belle a national historic treasure. She
will never be flown again! On August 29, 1992 Morgan completed his 27th mission.
He married his present wife, Linda, in front of the Belle. Gen. Paul Tibbets,
pilot of Enola Gay, gave the bride away!
THE 25 COMBAT MISSIONS OF THE B-17 MEMPHIS BELLE
 When
America entered the war in Europe flying sorties from English bases, the losses
were as high as 82%. The war Department set 25 missions as an incentive for a
crewman to go home. On 17 May 43 the B-17 Memphis Belle and her crew made
military history as the first WWII bomber to complete 25 combat missions &
return to the United States. They flew the Belle home in June 1943 and for three
months flew her to 32 American cities to thank the American people for
supporting the war effort.
1942
1. Nov. 7 Brest, France
2. Nov. 9 St. Nazaire, France
3. Nov. 17 St. Nazaire, France
4. Dec. 6 Lille, France
5. Dec. 20 Rommily-Sur-Seine |
12. Feb. 26 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
13. Feb. 27 Brest, France
14. Mar. 6 Lorient, France
15. Mar. 12 Rouen, France
16. Mar. 13 Abbeville, France
17. Mar. 22 Wilhelmshaven, Germany |
1943
6. Jan 3 St. Nazaire, France
7. Jan. 13 Lille, France
8. Jan. 23 Lorient, France
9. Feb. 4 Emden, Germany
10. Feb. 14 Hamm, Germany
11. Feb. 16 St. Nazaire, France |
18. Mar. 28 Rouen, France
19. Apr. 5 Antwerp, Belgium
20. Apr. 16 Lorient, France
21. Apr. 17 Bremen, Germany
22. May 1 St. Nazaire, France
23. May 4 Antwerp, Belgium
24. May 15 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
25. May 17 Lorient, France |
THE CREW
Capt. Robert K. Morgan - Pilot
Capt. Morgan was 24 years of age when in command of the Memphis Belle. After
reaching the rank of Lt. Col., he led the very first B-29 formation over Tokyo.
Lives in Asheville, NC. 1st to finish 25 raids & return.
Capt. James Verinis - Copilot
From Woodbridge, CT. Verinis also piloted his own B-17 named "The
Connecticut Yankee". Jim was the crewmember who purchased the crew's
mascot: A Scottish-Terrier named "Stuka"
Capt. Vincent B. Evans - Bombardier
(Died 1980) Hollywood writer for Bogart, friend of Ronald Reagan,Jimmy Stewart,
June Allyson. Restaurant operator, race car driver. Completed 2nd tour of duty
aboard B-29's with Morgan in the Pacific.
Died - 1980
Capt. Charles B. Leighton - Navigator (Died 1991) From Flint Michigan, he retired as a
teacher and counselor. He saved the Belle and more B-17's after identifying
false German radio beacons designed to lure unwary B-17s into harms way.
Died - 1991
T/Sgt. Harold P. Loch - Engineer/Top
Gunner From Green Bay, WI. His first raid aboard the Belle was 14 Feb. 1943 to
Hamm, Germany. A former building contractor and records regristrar today he is
active in real estate.
T/Sgt. Robert Hanson - Radio
Operator Became a regular member of the crew during training at Walla Walla, WA
in 1941. Retired from the food distribution business. Lives today in Mesa, AZ.
Still has bullet-ridden log book!
S/Sgt. John P. Quinlan - Tail Gunner After the "tour", he tried in vain to fly
with Morgan in the Pacific. Was assigned to CBI theatre and downed 3 Zeros
before his B-29 was shot down! bagged 2 German fighters from the Belle's
tail.
Died- December 18, 2000, in Albany NY.
S/Sgt. Cecil H. Scott - Ball
Turret Gunner (Died 1979) From Arapahoe, NC. "From down there I could see
everything." He fired at a great many German fighters and achieved one
"Damaged" credit. Retired from Ford Motor Company after 30 years.
Died - 1979
S/Sgt. Clarence E. Winchell -
L Waist Gunner (Died 1994) Was his gun that downed the 8th & final German
fighter from the Belle. And his diaries that provided most of the accurate
accounts of the missions. Retired as a chemical engineer.
Died - 1994
S/Sgt. Casimer "Tony"
Nastal - R Waist Gunner From Apache Junction, AZ, Nastal
flew one mission on the Belle. He had 24 raids on other forts. After the
"tour", Tony decided to go back to Europe and completed sixty
missions.
Joe Giambrone
- Crew Chief (Died 1992) - Who replaced 9 engines, both
wings, two tails, and both main landing gear He kept the Belle Flying through
six months of combat. Replaced 9 engines, both wings, two tails, both main
landing gear, and more! From Hulneville, PA, he retired as Construction Co.
Office Manager.
Died - 1992
Ms. Margaret
Polk - The Memphis Belle (Died 1990) The subject of the
affections of Capt. Robert K. Morgan, It was Margaret for which Army 41-24485
was named The Memphis Belle. She helped in fund raising for the Association
until her death.
Died - 1990
OTHER PEOPLE WHO FLEW MISSIONS IN THE BELLE
Levi Dillon
- 1st Top Turret Gunner. Flew four missions. (Died 1998)
Transferred to 306th Bomb Group after flying raids 1,2,3,& 5 aboard the
Belle. On mission 3, he was shot in the leg and bandaged by Fred Astaire's
sister! He never reported the injury.
Died December 1998
Eugene Adkins - 2nd Top Turret Gunner,
Flew six missions. Hands froze on 6th mission. (Died 1995) From Johnson City,
TN. He flew on the 4th and on missions 6-10. Suffered severe frostbite on #10.
Retired rank of Major. Gunnery Specialist on B-17's, B-29'S, B-36's, and B-50's.
Died - 1995
E. Scott
Miller - Right Waist Gunner, Flew 15 Missions.
(Died 1995) From Kingwood, WV he was called "The Lost Crewman",
because he dropped out of sight after the war. He flew 15 missions aboard the
Belle but missed the "tour" because he hadn't flown 25 yet.
Died - 1995
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A
Collectors special addition Memphis Belle jacket signed on the back
by Col. Bob Morgan, and comes with a Certificate of authenticity signed by
Col. Morgan. |
Memphis Belle
(1990) -- Matthew Modine; VHS
Memphis
Belle (1990) -- Matthew Modine; DVD Snap Case
Memphis
Belle: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack George Fenton,
Original Release Date: 1990
The
Memphis Belle (1944); VHS
The
Memphis Belle -- Menno Duerksen; Paperback Book
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