Memphis Belle

A documentary about the effectiveness of daylight strategic bombing over Europe, by Hollywood director William Wyler, focused on the Memphis Belle (Morgan 174). It was a movie about what the Memphis Belle went through to become the first ever B-17 to complete her tour of duty. To make the movie more dramatic, they were radioed to stay in the air until all the other B-17s came in so they could make a grand entrance returning from their twenty fifth mission (Morgan 210). Some footage was shot during actual missions, some was taken before and after their twenty fifth flight, and final editing was completed during a one and a half hour flight several days after their last mission (Morgan 215). The movie was shot in silent film and later the crew went to a Hollywood sound stage to recreate dialogue used in a typical mission (Morgan 245). The movie, Saga of the Memphis Belle, was released to the American public in 1944 (U.S.A.A.F 1). The documentary seems to be a single mission but is actually made up of several missions (Morgan 245).

In 1990 a new movie about the Memphis Belle was released. This movie was produced by the daughter of the director of the original movie The Saga of the Memphis Belle. Although the combat scenes were fairly accurate, the movie was fictional. The positive view point of a fictional version of a historical event is that it helped to keep the memory of the Memphis Belle alive, and renewed patriotism and hope. The negative view point is that fiction may be remembered as historical fact. The crew in the movie the Memphis Belle had no relation to the names of the real crewmen of the Belle.

The Memphis Belle was a magnificent silver streak in the sky, an image of American airpower that became an emblem of determination and the will to persevere, symbolizing strength, hope, service and sacrifice from World War II through the present. The spirit of the Memphis Belle soars today even though she took her last flight on July 17, 1946 (Memphis Belle Memorial Association 1). When the crew left her for the last time after their public relations tour, they all held her dear to their hearts forever. Training crews using the Belle to learn to fly B-17s felt it was an honor to fly in a beautiful, historic bird. The city of Memphis and the American people undertook a major fundraising task to save her. When the Memphis Belle pavilion was dedicated, about twenty-five thousand people watched the largest formation of B-17s since World War II roar over and bomb the pavilion with thousands of rose petals (Memphis Belle 1).

The Memphis Belle Memorial Association, a citizen’s group, continues to advocate for her physical preservation and restoration as well as maintaining awareness of her role in history. Air shows showcase the planes that triumphed in World War II and sometimes include a different B-17 now painted with the famous Memphis Belle logo (Journeys 29). The United States Air Force has declared the Memphis Belle a national historic treasure and offers special tours of her restoration process providing both an in-depth look at historical restoration and access to view the glorious war bird. The Memphis Belle truly is America’s airplane.