History Through Film Mr. Clark Memphis Belle History Through Film Mr. Clark

B-17 Quick Facts 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

25 COMBAT MISSIONS When US entered the war in EUR flying from ENG bases, the losses were as high as 82%. The war Department set 25 missions as an incentive for a crewman to go home. On May 17, 1943 the B-17 Memphis Belle and her crew made military history as the first WWII bomber to complete 25 combat missions & return

25 COMBAT MISSIONS 1942 Mission 1. Nov. 7 Brest, France [u-boat pens] Mission 2. Nov. 9 St. Nazaire, France [u-boat pens] Mission 3. Nov. 17 St. Nazaire, France [u-boat pens] Mission 4. Dec. 6 Lille, France [marshalling yards] Mission 5. Dec. 20 Rommily-Sur-Seine, FRA [aircraft depot]

The Memphis Belle

1943 Mission 6. Jan 3 St. Nazaire, France [u-boat pens] Mission 7. Jan 1943 Mission 6. Jan 3 St. Nazaire, France [u-boat pens] Mission 7. Jan. 13 Lille, France [marshalling yards] Mission 8. Jan. 23 Lorient, France [u-boat pens] Mission 9. Feb. 4 Emden, Germany [war plant] Mission 10. Feb. 14 Hamm, Germany [marshalling yards] Mission 11. Feb. 16 St. Nazaire, France [u-boat pens] Mission 12. Feb. 26 Wilhelmshaven, Germany [sea port] Mission 13. Feb. 27 Brest, France [u-boat pens] Mission 14. Mar. 6 Lorient, France [u-boat pens] Mission 15. Mar. 12 Rouen, France [marshalling yards] Mission 16. Mar. 13 Abbeville, France [German fighters] Mission 17. Mar. 22 Wilhelmshaven, Germany [sea port] Mission 18. Mar. 28 Rouen, France [marshalling yards] Mission 19. Apr. 5 Antwerp, Belgium [war plants] Mission 20. Apr. 16 Lorient, France [u-boat pens] Mission 21. Apr. 17 Bremen, Germany [war plant] Mission 22. May 1 St. Nazaire, France [u-boat pens] Mission 23. May 4 Antwerp, Belgium [war plants] Mission 24. May 15 Lorient, France [sea port] Mission 25. May 17 Wilhelmshaven, Germany [u-boat pens]

Belle’s Facts 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.

Belle’s Facts 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.

Belle’s Facts 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".

May 17, 1943: After the completion of their 25th Mission

Crew List Harold Loch, Top Turret Gunner Cecil Scott, Ball Turret Gunner Robert Hanson, Radio Operator Jim Vernis, Co-Pilot Robert Morgan, Pilot Chuck Leighton, Navigator John Quinlan, Tail-Gunner Tony Nastal, Rt Waist Gunner Vince Evans, Bombardier Bill Winchell, Lt. Waist Gunner

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 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 and race car driver Completed 2nd tour B-29's with Morgan in Pacific.

Capt. Charles B. Leighton Navigator from Flint Michigan; Died 1991 retired as a teacher and counselor saved the Belle and more B-17's after identifying false German radio beacons designed to lure unwary B-17s into harms way

T/Sgt. Harold P. Loch Engineer and Top Gunner From Green Bay, WI first raid aboard the Belle was Feb. 14, 1943 to Hamm, Germany. former building contractor and records registrar today he is active in real estate.

T/Sgt. Robert Hanson Radio Operator was 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; Died- December 18, 2000, in Albany NY bagged 2 German fighters from the Belle's tail. After the "tour", tried to fly with Morgan in the Pacific. Was assigned to CBI theatre and downed 3 Zeros before his B-29 was shot down!

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.

S/Sgt. Cecil H. Scott

S/Sgt. Clarence E. Winchell Left Waist Gunner ; Died 1994 gun downed the 8th & final GER fighter from the Belle. his diaries that provided most of the accurate accounts of the missions. retired as a chemical engineer.

S/Sgt. Casimer “Tony” Nastal Right 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.

“Others” Crew List Joe Giambrone - Crew Chief (Died 1992) replaced 9 engines, both wings, 2 tails, both main landing gear; kept the Belle flying through 6 months of combat. From Hulneville, PA retired as Construction Co. Office Manager. Ms. Margaret Polk - The Memphis Belle (Died 1990) Capt. Robert K. Morgan’s girlfriend It was Margaret for which Army 41-24485 was named The Memphis Belle. She helped in fund raising for the Belle until her death. Died - 1990 Scotty Dog "Stuka" - Mascot

Belle’s Facts 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.

Belle’s A Hero? This plane was bullet-ridden, flak damaged; on five separate occasions had engines shot out and once came back with her tail nearly shot off. not one major injury to the crew members.

Belle’s Facts 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.

June 13, 1943: Capt. Robert Morgan and crew bid farewell to as "The Belle" departs UK for the 1943 Public Relations Tour in America.

Public Relations Savings bonds, sold to the public, were a major source of funding for W II. The US public debt of the U.S. after WW I was $25.5 billion. After WW II it was $260.12 billion. The United States government would sell these “war bonds” as a way to raise money to help finance the war as well as develop morale

Post-WW II Belle After the public relations tour, the Belle flew stateside in the training command. 1945, she ended up in an aircraft boneyard in Altus, OK. A 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.

Belle’s Later Years 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!

Save the Belle 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.

Final Resting Place 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.