“The ‘Belle’ Under Attack” by Simon
Atack (2002)
The ‘Memphis Belle’ is arguably the most renowned Boeing B-17 heavy bomber of World War II; her story was splashed across the headlines of the times, and more recently, memorialized by Hollywood in a film of the same name. She was the first American bomber and crew to complete a full, 25 mission tour of duty in the European Theater. It is sobering to contemplate that ‘Belle’s’ achievement came nearly a year and a half after the commencement of the American air offensive from England. Her accomplishment proved to an anxious public and a demoralized air staff that a qualified (and lucky) aircrew could complete their assignment and live to tell the tale. The ‘Belle’ and her crew flew back to the U.S. for an extensive publicity and fund-raising tour. After the war, in 1945 she was sent to an aircraft ‘boneyard’, awaiting the scrapper’s torch. She was rescued by the city of Memphis, Tennessee, and is now housed in the U.S. Air Force Museum. She has been allotted status of ‘National Treasure’ by the U.S. government. more >>
$850.00