What was the Memphis Bell's final mission?

The crew's 25th and final mission was on May 17th, 1943, targeting the submarine pens of Laurent, France.

Who led the crew of the Memphis Bell?

Captain Robert Morgan led the crew of the Memphis Bell.

The Memphis Bell is now on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

The crew completed a total of 25 missions.

The crew embarked on a war bond tour and became national heroes.

The Memphis Bell, a B17 Flying Fortress, became iconic during WWII for its successful missions over Nazi-occupied Europe, facing challenges and sustaining damage while avoiding disastrous losses, ultimately completing 25 missions.
The crew of the Memphis Bell, led by Captain Robert Morgan, showcased resilience and bravery in the face of heavy fighter attacks, successfully completing their final mission on May 17th, 1943, becoming national heroes and embarking on a war bond tour after the war.

What was the Memphis Bell's final mission?
The crew's 25th and final mission was on May 17th, 1943, targeting the submarine pens of Laurent, France.
Who led the crew of the Memphis Bell?
Captain Robert Morgan led the crew of the Memphis Bell.
Where is the Memphis Bell currently located?
The Memphis Bell is now on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.
How many missions did the crew of the Memphis Bell complete?
The crew completed a total of 25 missions.
What was the significance of the Memphis Bell's crew after the war?
The crew embarked on a war bond tour and became national heroes.

00:00

In 1943, during WWII, the Memphis Bell, a B17 Flying Fortress, became iconic among Allied bombers over Nazi-occupied Europe.
The Memphis Bell was assigned to the 324th Squadron of the 91st Bomb Group, crewed by Captain Robert Morgan and his team.
Originally named after Captain Morgan's sweetheart, Margaret Polk, the bomber was renamed the Memphis Bell after a film featuring a riverboat with that name.
The aircraft was adorned with a pinup art by George Petty, creating the iconic image associated with the Memphis Bell.
The Memphis Bell's first mission on November 7, 1942, was successful, targeting submarine pins in France without any losses.
The crew faced challenges on subsequent missions, with the aircraft sustaining damage and crew members getting injured.
The Memphis Bell's crew had a stroke of luck when they had to abort a mission due to engine failure, avoiding a disastrous mission that resulted in significant losses for other squadrons.
The crew faced heavy losses and challenges due to low numerical strength in the Eighth Air Force, often flying missions without fighter escort.
The Memphis Bell's crew, led by Captain Morgan, continued to face challenges and damage on subsequent missions, with the aircraft taking damage on nearly every mission.
The Memphis Bell's story was documented by Hollywood filmmaker William Wyler, who captured crucial footage of the crew and their missions during WWII.

19:16

The Memphis Bell was not involved in the action on March 6th, where a raid to laurian France took place with no damage incurred.
On March 12th, during a raid on marshalling yards, the bombing results were excellent with good RAF Spitfire cover over the target.
William Wier and his crew continued to document the 91st Bomb Group's missions successfully.
On March 13th, a near collision during back-to-back missions forced the 91st to drop bombs on the secondary target, marking 16 missions completed.
March 22nd saw a raid to vilam Haven, Germany, where an aircraft named Liberty Bell was lost, highlighting the first successful air-to-air bomb attack by the lwaa.
The 91st Bomb Group faced heavy fighter attacks during a raid on locomotive repair shops in France on March 28th, resulting in the loss of another aircraft and crew.
April 16th's raid to laurri and France was marked by a devastating loss of the sound director for the film crew, Harold Tannon, in an aircraft explosion.
The 91st Bomb Group's 21st mission to Breeman, Germany, saw intense attacks by enemy aircraft, resulting in significant losses for the group.
After a tragic loss, the Memphis Bell crew was reassembled for their final missions, with a seasoned crew ensuring their best chance of survival.
The crew's 24th mission on May 15th targeted the docks of vilam Haven, Germany, with a detailed plan to deceive enemy defenses and successfully bomb the submarine pens.

38:35

The crew of the Memphis Bell successfully completed their 25th and final mission on May 17th, 1943, targeting the submarine pens of Laurent, France.
The crew, led by Captain Robert Morgan, faced German Fighters during the mission but repelled the attackers with Clarence Winchell scoring the final confirmed kill for the Memphis Bell.
Upon returning to England, the 91st Bomb Group faced no losses, and the Bell landed safely after bombing the submarine platforms in France.
The crew of the Bell, including Captain Morgan, embarked on a war bond tour after the completion of their missions, becoming national heroes.
The Memphis Bell was eventually retired after the war but was later restored and is now on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, preserving the story of the brave men who flew her.