Memphis Belle: Her Final Mission 

While the kids of today question their gender, 81 years ago the same age group risked their lives for a cause greater than anyone living today could possible fathom. My respect and gratitude goes out to all those that paid the ultimate price and to those that survived, without their bravery and sacrifice I would not be living the life I often also take for granted. Thank you, we will never forget.

" there's no crew left unfortunately, but their kids were there" rip to the whole crew of MEMPHIS BELLE

As a Brit this is a beautiful and humbling reminder of how blessed we are for the brave men and women who so valiantly fought and contributed towards the freedoms we are so fortunate to have today. Forever grateful to our Allies across the Atlantic.

My wife and I take the kids to the Air Force museum every Memorial day. I hope to God they grow up and appreciate what the men of the Memphis Belle and all veterans have sacrificed.

My dad flew on a B-17. He was the radio man, gunner and medic. I have his memoirs. He told me the most difficult flights were over Vienna where there were over 1,300 88's shooting at them. Incredible man and I am very proud of him. He is 95 now. He is the last survivor of his crew.

My grandfather was the radio operator on the Memphis Belle. I use to love the stories he told me. RIP Bob Hanson I miss you everyday.

My father was a ball turret gunner in a B-17. After the "war bond tour" was over, the Memphis Belle was used training at MacDill in Florida. My dad flew a training mission in the Belle there.

It always moves me so much….the Americans lost thousands in those raids and were as brave as lions……bravo to all of them….🇬🇧

My uncle mark was a tail gunner on one of those beauties and he lived to be a grumpy old man but he had some amazing spine tingling stories.. God bless those men and those like them.

With all the things going on in our country today and you watch what our country endured through those years it saddens me to see what we have become, that generation knew true sacrifice and heartache they were true American heroes, Thank you all for your service

The ending made me tear up. God bless the Memphis Belle forever! 🇺🇸🇺🇸 damn proud to be an American💪🏼

Dad was a B17 Mechanic in Molsworth England 8th Army Air Force. He was a Senior Master Sergeant, and took care of 12 B17s. My older brother made a model for the Bell, that sat on my Father's Office Desk for as long as I can remember. I can't thank you enough for all the work you did, on the restoration of the Memphis Bell. For every B17 Mechanic, ground crew member, and Flight Crew. I Think You.

I'm from Asheville, NC. While growing up, we heard all our lives about how Capt Robert Morgan buzzed the Asheville city building while flying the Memphis Bell on his War Bond drive after the Bell returned home for the 25 missions. He is a legend here in Asheville.

I've seen many a documentary on the men and women of the Greatest Generation, but I've never seen one any better than this. They were truly a generation the likes of which we will never see again. To all who worked so hard and so long to bring the Belle back to life for us to admire...THANK-YOU!

I would like to consider myself an extremely devoted student of history, with the happenings of WWII being one of my favorite focal points for a plethora of reasons. However, it wasn't until after my grandpa (who was the pilot for 17s and 24s) had passed away that I realized my absolute love of history. It honestly kills me inside knowing that I had a direct and personal connection to one of those great men that fought this war, and I never once talked with him about it. He passed away while I was on deployment not long after my ship had pulled out of Saipan, one of the bases he had been stationed at. Rest in peace 1st Lieutenant Ken Smith.

What a fantastic documentary. This documentary should be shown in every US classroom in high school. Educating today’s generation of the sacrifices from heroes of past generations in preserving the freedom that they enjoy today didn’t come free.

In 1991 I was a young airman in the US Navy stationed at NAS Millington going to school to become an Aviation Structural Mechanic. One weekend that summer me and a couple others took the bus from the base to mud island in Memphis Tennessee it just happened that in the pavilion where the Memphis Bell was a group was selling self guided tours through the aircraft to help get it restored and I had a chance to walk through and sit in every position on the aircraft. I have a picture of me at the right hand waist gunners spot. I grew up reading all about all our hero’s from WW2 and had finally got a chance see part of history that won the war in Europe.

WHAT A GREAT STORY , THANK ALL OF YOU WHO WORKED SO HARD IN WAR & IN PEACE TIME TO SAVE THE MEMPHIS BELLE

We and the family visited the Belle last week at the museum. She is one amazing and inspiring aircraft. Hats off to the restoration crew bringing this story and plane back.

This makes me happy and sad. Happy she was properly restored. But sad because Memphis lost the Belle. I grew up seeing her. 2 groups argued over who was going to take care of her so nothing was done. These folks did a better job than ever would have been done in Memphis. Need to go see her in all her glory

There are 2 US WW2 cemeteries here in Belgium. We Belgians will never forget those young men that gave the ultimate sacrifice to liberate us from Nazi tyranny. When you visit one of the cemeteries and see row upon row of white marble crosses, you can help to feel humbled and honered by standing on the shoulders of giants. May we never forget the fallen and may we never forget the price of freedom.

Literally bought me to tears. We are blessed.

The greatest generation. Thank you all for your service.

To all those brave young Americans that came and fought with us Brits and gave so much. From the bottom of my heart thank you. So proud of you.

Great work of restoration! Only a passionate team can do this! 👍

Misty eyes I have. Thanks for this documentary.

Even though I’m not an American (Canadian), I can still appreciate the sacrifice of people who flew these missions. I found it to be a very moving documentary, very well told. I liked the mixture of the veteran stories & the restoration team.

One of the best videos I’ve watched in a long time. Respect firstly to all the airmen, the ground crews and support staff mentioned. My admiration to all those involved and the dedication in restoring an iconic relic to the condition it deserves. Hi from France 🇫🇷

Those guys are on another level !!!

goosebumps and heart palpitations............my Uncle Gordon was a belly gunner on a B17, shot down after dropping bombs on Magdeburg, spent 6 months in Stalag Luft 4 and, with his 'inmates', spent another 6 months in a march toward Germany, his captors trying to stay ahead of the Red Army. He survived and for several decades he didn't talk about the war, and was a wonderful Uncle.

In 1994 I was on holiday with my wife and decided to have a day in Oxford, we were in a town centre pub when I noticed a elderly gent in a leather jacket, on closer inspection I saw a squadron insignia on the back, luckily he and his wife came and sat at our table apparently he was going to a reunion of his bomb group, we had a brilliant half hour together as I lapped up his memories of the missions he flew from England, I wanted to buy him a drink but he said he couldn't manage another but as he left I shook his hand and thanked him for fighting by our side in the dark days of the 40s so glad I met him it gave me a nice memorial

I remember seeing the “Memphis Belle” at Mud Island in Memphis, Tennessee in the summer of 1992. The ground crews/maintenance crews were TRULY TRULY among the MOST UNSUNG of our World War II heroes, along with the men of the Red Ball Express. HATS OFF to the restoration crew at Wright-Patterson!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

My father was a sniper in WW11 for the Canadian Army. Today I write this to let him know that the sacrifices he, and the other men/boys like him, made are not forgotten and much appreciated. Many of them paying the ultimate sacrifice in order to me to be able to have the wonderful life I have had......

It makes me happy to know that the restoration of the Belle was so lovingly done.

I got to meet Col. Morgan my Senior year in HS and he was an incredible gentleman. I was obsessed with the Memphis Belle movie as a kid and that gave him a good laugh.

OUTSTANDING JOB !!!!!!!! The History you have preserved for our Nation is greatly appreciated !!! America will Never see the likes of these men again ... I so glad she has made it home back with the U.S Air Force ... God Bless you all ...

My father is gone now but he served as a aircraft mechanic. He was one of the men who kept the B-17's flying.

As a very old solder now l.....Salute you guy's....Thanks....l am a voice from the past.....!

Wonderful story! So much dedication, so much care, and so much honor given to the crew and the plane! The care taken to get it all “right” was enormous. We have lost so much history and I wish there was a way to teach it again. Thank you.

My Dad was a Navy frogman, the forerunner of the Navy Seals. After the war he opened his law office in my hometown. His associate was a former tail gunner on a Flying Fortress. Both of them had troubling memories of the war, which lasted for years. We owe WW II veterans a tremendous amount.

A tip of the hat to all those who flew, maintained and restored her.

An amazing story of some of the brave airmen who fought against tyranny from airbases in the east of England during the Second World War. The restoration of the Belle is a fitting testament to their sacrifice and was beautifully done. I hope one day to visit the museum to pay my own respects. ❤️

My father completed 25 missions as pilot of the Pig Chaser B-17 of the 463rd Bomb Group of the 15th Air Force. God bless all these brave men. We owe them everything.

Bob Little of Dyersburg, TN was pilot crew member on Ferry flight from Oklahoma to Memphis after the war. He mentioned they took a check for $350 to cover fuel, oil and getting aircraft ready for flight. Bob went on to fly for C&S Airlines in Memphis which was acquired by Delta in early 50’s. Delta closed Memphis as a crew base, Bob flew out of New Orleans until his retirement. Many folks in Dyersburg who knew Bob did not his background with the Memphis Belle. Bob in retirement years worked on Clocks. Great Guy, unassuming Pilot.

To the 8th AAF and those who served with her=Thank you for your sacrifice for our freedoms. May your service and those you lost never be forgotten. To the restoration team=Thank you you've saved an American icon. She looks fantastic. To the City of Memphis=Thank you for having the foresight in saving the Belle and seeing after her for all these yrs. Without your dedication to history America would have lost this treasure. America appreciates the sacrifice you made in passing her to the museum. Memphis you saved the Belle a second time in doing so.

I’m in tears now. Bless all of our heroes..

A very touching video. It brought this 57yo Vet to the brink of tears. God bless all who sacrificed their lives in that terrible war.

This has been so emotional... Thanks to those Airmen who brought freedom to this continent and to those who put so much passion and dedication to keep the memory alive.

As a Brit', I was at the Sun & Fun in 2003 and I had a good chat with the pilot, Morgan, who was signing copies of his book. A quiet, gentle chap - I'm glad he survived to help tell the tale of their struggles - and of those who were not so fortunate. He's gone now - and so are all the other old-lags that came from all the corners of the planet to fight that fight - but the Belle is still there to tell the story, so hat's-off to all those who brought her back to life and keep the memories alive.

I visited the museum in 65 ....age 6. They had just received the X-3.....was still parked outside. There was a B-17....but of course I don't recall the name. This experience was one of the things that motivated me to become a pilot. My hats off to all the people who have and continue to preserve our history....the genious of the creators and the honor and bravery of the men who flew them. For those who have fallen, may God bless you and rest in peace. To the family members, know your father or grandfather fought with honor, doing a difficult job that had to be done. My thanks and honor to you all....God Bless! 🇺🇲🇬🇧

How brave were those boys. Thank you from the United Kingdom 🇬🇧

I was a good friend of Robert Morgan and his wife. He was an incredible man as was his crew. God Bless them all forever.

I recall reading a story back in flight school, in the 70's. There was a senior airline pilot, who got lost on the taxi way in Frankfurt. The controller, being irritated, asked the Boeing 747 Captain, if he had ever been to Frankfurt before, to which he replied, "yes sir, but that was many years ago, in a different type of Boeing, and we just dropped some things off, we didn't stop!"

Thank you guys for doing it the right way. She deserves the best.

The day of the Memphis Belle unveiling was the very last time my father ever went to the National Museum of the US Air Force. His health was failing rapidly, he had Leukemia & wasn't getting better. We missed the actual unveiling ceremony but I will always remember that day, as well as the few other times we were able to visit the Dayton Museum. He had a great passion & deep respect for WWII aircraft & the men & women who served during the war. Grampa, dad's dad, was a WWII Navy vet. A good man. Browns fans, that whole side of the family. Because of dad's interest, I grew up watching movies like the 1990 Memphis Belle, Empire of the Sun, The Tuskegee Airmen & others. Like many on the restoration crew, dad grew up building models & going to airshows from a young age. He'd take us to our local airshow every year, and when that one ended, he'd started taking us to the Cleveland Airshow. Again, every year. It had dwindled in size over the years but they always managed to include the Heritage Flight with the ever-present B-17 & P-51 Mustang--his personal favorite aircraft. The last time he was able to make it out there, he was only able to sit. We's set up his chair in the shade under the wing of a C5A. I think he was happy to be there but he was just so miserably sick... my brother and I did everything we could to make him comfortable. I just wanted him to be happy. I miss my dad so much. Thank you for this documentary, I treasure the Memphis Belle.

What a wonderful, well put together documentary, one of the best I have seen in a very long time. It had me from the beginning till the final credits. It was so moving to watch, the brave men who flew those missions, their sacrifice, I have so much respect for them and the ground crew too. And hats off and respect to those devoted guys who dedicated their time restoring the magnificent beautiful Memphis Belle. Thank you for sharing this wonderful video.

This documentary is so eloquently written. Just brings tears to my eyes... And I'm not even American.

Dubbed the Greatest Generation that ever Lived. They were United unlike today. What great wisdom there is to learn from these men and women. Wish the govt we have would look back and remember the sacrifice that was given.

Today, April 4th 2024 I was finally able to visit this amazing masterpiece of history ... thanks 🙏🏼 God !

I'm 61. My father faught in WWII in the Pacific Theater. He was a mechanic on Amphibious Vehicles on Saipan. It wasn't until I was in my 40's when he told me about what he saw. . . . What he described was Hell on Earth. Because of him, I have mad respect for every single veteran in any and all Wars. No matter when or where they served. It does not matter to me. I feel every one are Heroes. May God Bless everyone of these Men and Women. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

My Dads best friend was a B17 belly gunner. He and my Dad are both gone now. I sit here at the end of this crying my eyes out. Not sad, grateful. Grateful for all who served, serve today and these guys who had my ultimate dream job of restoring one of the greatest pieces of history ever. What a beautiful job! God bless these men! Zeke would be so proud!

This past hour or so made me cry because I was living when these guys were dying "Over There" ( a song during WWll) They gave more than any film could ever capture, and said less than a pageless book about it. Love them, Ray

My Dad was a pilot of a B-17 in WWII. What a beautiful story and plane!@ Thank you all, may God bless you!!

The story of the discovery at Altus OK deserves more attention. A group of local school girls discovered that the Belle was in the boneyard there. They initiated the rescue effort that made this story possible.

My Father was building I think it was B29 planes in the Kansas City area. He was a machinist and was assigned to the U.S. Army Air Corps. After extensive trading He was relocated to England on a base just outside London and was in a group of B-17s dropping bombs over Germany of railroads or military plants. As the flight engineer he was third in command after the pilot and co-pilot and also had a duty station in the top turret just outside the pilots cockpit. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions on a mission over Germany after their aircraft was hit. He didn’t talk about the war when he returned home and just was happy to have survived. My dad and the men & women who served with him are truly our Greatest Generation.

I am always amazed at the bravery of the b17 crew members. Flying into danger every mission. I salute their bravery and tenacity to keep going whatever the odds.

Respect and Love to all that fought, American, British, Canadian, Australian ...those who server will never be forgotten

I'm so glad to see this PBS station video "Memphis Belle Her Final Mission". Best Regards, J. David White - Secretary/Treasurer for the Memphis Belle Memorial Association, Inc., Memphis, TN.

Beautiful and deeply moving. Very sad too. I came from an RAF background. My Grandad served, my Dad from age 15 as a boy entrant, my brother, and I. I loved the life.

A truly moving story. Thank God for all those young men who flew bombing runs throughout that horrid war. Their dedication and courage is beyond words.

Congratulations on winning THREE Ohio Valley Emmy Awards! Documentary Historical , Memphis Belle: Her Final Mission, ThinkTV , Richard Wonderling, Richard Nordstrom, Zach Kramer, Ken LaRock, Dan Nachtrab; and Performer/Narrator Memphis Belle: Her Final Mission, ThinkTV , Bruce Cromer; and Writer - Long Form Content , Memphis Belle: Her Final Mission, ThinkTV, Richard Wonderling

When we think we have serious problems, we should realize that they're trivial compared to what these aircrews went through. Their bravery and willingness to persevere while their friends were dying all around them should be an inspiration to everyone.

A truly remarkable documentary of the rescue and restoration of a bomber who this day represents the very best of American achievement and American courage displayed at a time when three quarters of the world feared annihilation,and came to realise that hope and salvation was at hand çarried into the fight by young men who stepped away from safety and took on the mantle of destroying a heartless enemy and brought light back into the world. Probably the greatest generation that ever lived,and who proved their greatness in the most glorious way,and who earned our honour and respect for ever. R.I.P.

Excellent documentary. The display at the museum is overwhelming and the best exhibit I have ever seen. Thanks god she was saved.

Robert Morgan really was a nice guy. Like one of the restorers interviewed here I got to meet him at an airshow here in NC back in the '90s when I was five years old. My enthusiasm must have made a good impression as he ended up taking me up into the cockpit of the "movie" Belle and sat me in the pilot's seat while he took the copilot's (something visitors weren't supposed to do but, hey, you can't say no to the man himself ) and showed me the rest of the airplane. I'll always cherish the memories and photos of that day and the couple of other times I got to see him. One of these days I'm going to make sure to visit and see the original Belle (along with the rest of the amazing museum)!

It doesn't matter how many documentaries I watch about the air war in WW II, I'm still equally moved by the young men who got in these planes and did the most difficult of duties under the most terrifying of circumstances.

The greatest generation this country will ever see God bless them all.

I named my first dog Belle because of this plane. I actually met one of the waist-gunners when I was a kid. My Dad & I randomly ran into Bill Winchell on a Barrington sidewalk. It was comparable to meeting Hercules or Batman. Beautiful documentary about some of the most courageous & lucky airmen of WW2. A heavy bomber crew had the most dangerous job in the entirety of the Allied Forces. 10,000-30,000ft. Open windows. -50⁰ temps. Constant attacks from German fighters and anti-aircraft guns. These kids were in literal hell. The recent HBO doc The Cold Blue is another amazing documentary & uses real footage from Belle's missions. The main reason WW2 will always fascinate me is because the stories show the entire spectrum of the human condition. Heroism, hate, violence, pacifism, segregation, equality. It's all there.

You should see it in Dayn...it's beautiful. It's where it should be.

My father flew in a B17 during WWll unfortunately he was shot down over Germany was terribly wounded and spent the rest of the war as a pow. He credited other captured airmen for saving his life, was liberated spent a year in rehab. Came home got married had 5 sons then passed away at the age of 47. I would give anything to be able to talk to him. God I miss him even after all these years.

To those young men who give so much for use all, we thank you.

I went aboard the Belle when it was on display in Memphis, I was a combat vet but inside that plan it was like I could hear the engines trying to keep it in the air, it was a chilling experience.

I am 67. Love the sound of WWll war birds. I cried watching this. So proud of those airmen and all the soldiers of the Greatest Generation.

Wow! Thank you for this. "Breathtaking' is an excellent word for this story, and the work these people did on the Belle.

And to think this airplane languished away in Memphis along the Mississippi River behind a fence, outside, subject to the elements of the weather and flooding. We are fortunate to have her well cared for presently. But of course the Eola Gay saw the same treatment many years ago. Thanks to all the efforts of those people who took care of these aircraft.

Brave brave men like these should never be forgotten, this side of the pond we are for ever thankful for the sacrifices endured. l have been to the American cemetery in Cambridge just to give my thanks.

Just incredibly awesome. Sometimes words just aren’t enough ... this is one of those times. 🇺🇸

Best Documentary I’ve seen. Thanks for the sacrifices to ALL veterans deceased and living.

I know this is not a new documentary. But, I have to still express my gratitude and thanks to all for this wonderful piece of art. Staff Sargent, Dayton, Ohio

In the late 90's I found out my neighbor flew the B-17 over Europe, his name was Dick Weaver and he lived in Grants Pass, Oregon. He retired as a pilot for Alaska Airlines. He died maybe 15 ago, but I think about him every so often wishing that I talked with him about what he witnessed.

She looks so Beautiful, Thanks guys for doing such a wonderful job on restoring her. She's Eternal 😁😁😁😁😁😂😂😂😂

I got to see her a month later. A beautiful sight. After growing up watching the documentary of her last mission, I finally got to see her in all her Glory.

A&P's getting it done. Makes me glad to see that we can restore history as well as keeping people safe on commercial airlines.

The way these young men described the battle is so damn vivid!

One of the best documentaries I have seen , well done to all involved 👍🏻🇺🇸

The B-17 is becoming a rare bird with the tragic loss of the B-17 909. The restoration is beautiful may future generations understand what freedom costs.

I'm a 65-year old private pilot and I've flown quite a number of small aircraft including my own Opus280 (SE-LIZ). However, seeing this clip brought tears to my eyes regarding the dedication of yesterday crews and today's restoration crews!

As i watched this toward the end i had a few tears roll down my face. My hat's off to those who served in the US Armed Forces and to those who had a part in the Belle's restoration.

First and foremost, my thanks to all that offered their lives so we could live as free men, to those that made it back home. A debt we can never repay. Secondly a brilliant restoration done with respect and honesty. Thanks for sharing.

From the UK, thank you for saving this iconic aircraft as a memorial to all the USAAF crews who fought. I always find it sad to watch pictures of the rows of B17 & B24 planes in the Arizona desert waiting to be cut up. They were hero's too, they all have a story to tell & brought their crews home time after time as denoted by the painted "score's" on the nose. As mentioned in this documentary, people wanted to move on with their lives in 1945 so nobody gave a thought for the aircraft themselves.