The Truth About the Memphis Belle (No Hollywood) 

Tons of hours were spent editing, researching, and recreating this story. Please consider supporting me on Patreon if you'd like me to continue making them. Join here: Patreon.com/TJ3History

My great-uncle was a waist gunner and was lost during the war. Found his picture, folded flag, original letter announcing his death, and several other items in my great grandmother's rotting house. All are now in my parents house in a loving framed tribute. He was so close to being forgotten and I just couldn't allow it.

My father flew as a Bombardier on a B-17 over Germany with his 1st mission on D-Day, June 6, 1944, with his 24th mission on December 24th, 1944 over Belgium. 3 of the men on his plane survived. He injured his left foot and ankle landing on a frozen field in Belgium. It took him 2 years before he could walk without crutches. He said that he was sent home on the Queen Mary. Dad lived to 93 years old and he was my hero. Mom and Dad are in Heaven and one day soon I will be reunited. He loved America and what we stood for: Freedom, Hard Work, Structure and always living and helping your fellow! Great documentary!

I saw Captain Robert Morgan at a presentation at the Museum of Flight in Seattle WA during the summer of 1998 when I was 12. We got a signed photo of him and his crew in front of the Memphis Belle after he gave his talk. It's now one of my prized possessions. That was such a good summer!

My Pop was a Bombardier & nose gunner on the B17s out of England & did his 25 before coming home with a Purple Heart. Loved your story. Have visited the Belle on Mudd Island on the Mississippi River in Memphis. Pop died 55 years ago today. Thanks for this memory. God bless. ML&R, Joe

My Dad went into Normandy on D-Day+3 to service the planes at temporary fields as the infantry moved forward. He spoke about the B-17's, P-47's, & P-51's & the brave men who flew them. Years later I had the chance to 'walk thru' the interior of the Memphis Belle & several other famous warplanes at an airshow exhibit, Andrew's AFB. Everlasting memories.

As a kid i played in the Memphis Belle when it was old and neglected outside the Memphis armory near the fairgrounds. I remember being disappointed they had removed the machine guns. Great fun for a 10 year old boy arounf 1967.

I had a chance to fly on a B-17 up front with the pilots it was an amazing experience and I will never ever forget that as long as I live

She used to be at mud Island in Memphis, Tennessee. She sat outside in a covered pavilion. I remember seeing her there when I was about 10 or 11.

My mother was a rosie the riveter in ww2. She worked on bombers at westwillow the westwillow plant

Thanks for giving the mechanics a nod at the end of the video.

That sounds very similar to our family history: My father, John Allan Martin, enlisted in the Army Air Corps (1942), age 18, and served as a gunner and radio operator on B-17s and B-24s. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force in England and flew 35 combat missions over Europe. Including one shown as "SECRET" on his papers. According to him, later while watching “12 O’clock High” on TV, he thought that it was very well done and he liked the show. He did say that instead of the large letter “A” in the show their planes carried a large letter “P” there. He was in the 387th Bombardment Squadron of 487th Bombardment Group. The records for many crew members were lost during a fire at Fort Benjamin Harrison. His brother, age 20, was a Navy aviator flying in the Pacific area: his plane was shot down . The bad news was wired to the family, who were surprised three months later when he walked in the front door in his Navy uniform. My father had left the service at the end of the war and worked as a TV/Radio engineer. He was called back to duty for the Korean conflict but didn’t have to deploy; and stayed with the new US Air Force. He retired in 1968 after 26 years of active duty and died in 1976. His brother also passed in 2005. Both brothers are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Regards

Chuck Leighton was my high school guidance counselor at East Lansing high School in the early 70's. Very low key guy

My father was in operations for the 91st and was stationed at Bassingbourn from beginning to end. He's the guy that drew the units insignia - the flying bomb. BTW, Bassingbourn was not supposed to be the base for the 91st, but upon arrival, they discovered that the runways at RAF Kimbolton (the original base) were not sufficient for a B17 at full battle rattle. Colonel Wray did a bit of surveillance, discovered Bassingbourn, and had the entire group moved, essentially under cover of darkness, without any official authorization. The 91st flew 340 combat missions and lost almost 200 aircraft in combat with 40 or more in addition to the combat losses written off as too damaged to be repaired. The first time I saw the Belle was in Memphis in 1965 at the 20th reunion of the 91st. As a 15 year old, I got to meet the Belle's flight crew and that memory will always be with me. The Belle was parked out in front of an Air National Guard Armory and she was in pretty rough shape. Some years later, and I don't know the time line, she was superficially restored and placed on display in a Pavilion down on the Mississippi River which is where I next saw her in the late 90's. Since then, she's been fully restored of course, and sits at Wright Patterson. Thanks for telling the story of the Memphis Belle. It's a remarkable machine flown by some remarkable men to whom we all owe a debt of thanks.

EXCELLENT documentary . Thank you for your efforts. My father flew B-25’s during WWII. I was born between Memphis Belle’s third and fourth mission (January 20th) Lest we never forget that freedom is not free.😂

It's amazing to look at the Belle up at the museum. All the hell that plane and her crews went through many years ago...... and she now looks like she just came off the assembly line. Impeccably well restored.

I was 14 years old when I saw the 1990 movie in the theater. It brings a tear to my eye to know we still have the plane.

If you are ever in Asheville, North Carolina, visit downtown. On the way out of town after fundraising, Robert W. Morgan flew the Memphis Belle between the City Hall and County Courthouse buildings of his hometown.. This was no easy task to fly between these two buildings. Robert had to tilt the wings sixty degrees to clear both buildings. There is a commemorative plaque that marks the event in the gap between the two buildings. To stand there reading the memorial and see the tight space he cleared, brings a deal of respect to his ability as a pilot and the faith and trust that his crew had in him.

A post script to your well made video: The Memphis Belle was in the boneyard at Altus AAFB in Oklahoma when a girls club in Altus High School discovered her. They initiated the contact with the city of Memphis that led to her rescue and eventual restoration.

Historical notes - being that I covered such a massive stretch of history in this one, there are some notes I'll mention. First - it is extremely difficult to track the missions of each individual crewmember. In addition, there is even some discrepancy about which a couple of missions in which the Belle did or did not receive credit for. But this is the most accurate list I can put together. Second - Heinz Knoke's name is pronounced "Ka-Nok-a" in German I believe, but that is very awkward for me to say. I'm working on my pronunciations. Also in his Liberty Belle mission, I am not positive if he flew an Me-109 or a Fw-190, as according to the records of his group, they were commonly switching aircraft during this time depending on the target of their intercept. And for those who may ask - these bombs had a fuse and were supposed to explode in the middle of the bomber formations, not contact armed. Third - The crew of the Liberty Belle has some discrepancy as well - Some sources list it as their first mission, others list it as their first mission "with the 91st Bomb Group" - with their crew having a couple missions in other bombers or units in the weeks before. But they were certainly a newer crew. Fourth - I want to make sure I mention - the 1990 movie "Memphis Belle" is a fictional movie, not based on the actual bomber. This is why there are so many inaccuracies there. However, it is still a fantastic film, and in the words of one veteran - "It may not have been the story of the real Memphis Belle, but it was likely the story of some crew out there". Thanks for watching. See you guys next time!

$350, what a buy! Priceless today from a historical standpoint!😊

I knew Margaret poke for 12 years and I miss Margaret very much. I was just her pool, ma'n, but she was like a grandmother to me.

Not to dismiss what this crew did for the war effort but the Memphis Belle wasn't the first to complete 25 missions so it's nice to see this fact acknowledged in this video..

The museum at Wright-Patterson AFB is amazing. And free!

My mother was a child in Bremen during the war. She carried trauma from that for her whole life. Its wild to see the story from both sides of the conflict.

I remember how good it felt when I heard those wheels screech the ground at last when I saw the movie for the first time.

My gratitude is profound and eternal for ALL in the Greatest Generation, work like this informs and inspires. Thank You, Thank You.

As a young boy, my father remembers seeing the Bell in Asheville, North Carolina during its war bond tour. Captain Robert Morgan was from there.

Lots there I never knew. That's what I like about this channel. They always tell you stuff from the pages you never read about. Excellent.

I got to see the Memphis Belle with my family at Mud Island while I was stationed at NAS Memphis (Millington) in the late 80s. She was in fair shape then and out of the weather, under a pavilion.

@TJ3 your work never ceases to amaze me.. well done! The “Belle” has played a major part in my life… in the early days of the internet, my Mom was able to contact Colonel Morgan who called me on Christmas Day when I was 10. Mr. Morgan and his wife were so incredibly nice to me (never charging for any memorabilia) and actually met us for dinner in Cincinnati when they were in town for an air show. Your work here I’m sure would make him proud! Thanks for what you do!

This was an amazing video! So professional and very informative! This is the Gold Standard of what RU-vid should follow. On a personal note, I had the distinct honor to meet Col. Morgan at an air show. I had no idea he was going to be there. Such a gentleman! I have a magnificent WWII poster and book he signed and dedicated to my wife and I. Years earlier, I got to gi aboard the B-17 they used in the movie. I am still amazed how Col. Morgan and the crew survived the war -- God, prayer, skill and an amazing ground crew certainly help the crew!

My science teacher was Charles Leighton at Cantrick Middle School in Monroe Michigan in 1959. I had lost several months of school that late winter having contracted pneumonia. Mr Leighton called me into his office, knowing that I needed credit in his class to go on to my next grade level. He prepared a verbal test of questions on the science curriculum for that semester I had lost. I passed, knowing every answer correctly. I never knew his history but asked him how he became a scientist and his training. I was very shocked when he mentioned that he was a navigator on an airplane in WW2. I later looked up his name in aviation history of the war. Still to this day, i can remember that very day we talked in late April of 1959. I had the honor of also meeting a Tuskegee airman many years later, but my fondest memory of Mr. Leighton will always be my favorite educator. He was one of my science mentors who shaped my life in science and as an individual. His courage and kindness will always be a guiding light for my life.

Outstanding content; superbly edited, detailed, well narrated , well researched , respectful of the context and the characters, and answering the question of what happened to these brave young men afterwards. Very entertaining, educational and worthwhile watching. Many thanks.

Thank you for putting this together TJ, excellent work, it brought back good memories, as my father owned a small blimp company and parade inflatables in Memphis, in the 1980s and spoke about it often and always had a special place in the heart. Godspeed and keep up the excellent work 🇺🇸🎗🪖🐾

I love the old movies of that period and one of my favorites, The Best Years of Our Lives, about post war veterans returning home to a fictitious town called Boon City. The opening sequences are the most fascinating with them riding home in the nose of a B17 bomber and upon approach to their air field, flew over a huge mass of B17s and other planes on the ground. This was very authentic so I love watching it over and over. It’s one of my favorites in my large library of movies. Another of my favorites is the War Lover with Steve McQueen. These movies are motion picture time capsules as the Wyler film, The Memphis Bell is one as well as the movie made in the 90s.

I love your researched detail!!! My Father was in the 10th Air Force, a mechanic on a B 25 In the CBI. I am 72. I am his daughter. I can sooooo... relate to your passion for WW2 war history!

I had the honor of being at the dedication of the Belle at the Wright Patt museum as a photographer. My best friend, also in attendance, is the son of a 17’s tail gunner. My father was an army Lieutenant, flying 24’s, yet flew no combat missions as the war ended. Glenn and I spent the evening chatting with a few of the Greatest Generation. Greatest indeed.

Simply terrifying. I’ve flown a few “long” flights (by long, I mean only ~4.5hr or so) crewing a WWII torpedo bomber going to airshows. Hopped up into the turret for a bit one time, and just contemplated… we are typically focused on the Pacific theater, but it isn’t hard to imagine being 20,000’ higher up, freezing, and stuck in that turret knowing those controls in your hand may save your life and/or the lives of those in your aircraft (or the aircraft around you.) It’s one thing for me to think about it at home watching great documentaries like this, but I’ll never forget how it felt up there. Today the scariest things people do are team-building activities and jumping off the platform for a zip-line. 🤦‍♂️ These guys got into a plane with 2,800 gal 100 octane fuel, flying 5 miles above the earth, and (at any cost) had to fly in a straight line, as nimble German fighters swooped in and picked them off. I’ve put myself in that position mentally, and I’m not sure I could handle it. Like the night before… the pre-flight, the initial point, the moment when our fighter coverage has to turn back leaving us completely exposed… there are so many times that I’d probably completely lose it. Absolutely the greatest generation. 👍 🇺🇸

It’s a good to see the Memphis Belle is saved now displayed in the National USAF museum today. I think the famous C-47 skytrain that lead of D-Day (That’s all brother) should be displayed alongside the Memphis Belle at the museum too after her flying tour rides great story TJ3.

during air shows here in norfolk, va, i can tell you Nothing is as awesome as B-17s roaring over your house, landing at Chambers Field. i can only imagine the roaring rotary engines of hundreds of flying fortresses filling the skies above and the terror of knowing what was coming...

Great documentary! This justifies my suscription! Excellent work TJ3 !!

You do such great work.. I love how you're able to get all the little details most people don't know or ever heard of. I love everything aviation especially WWII era and wildland firefighting.

This is great storytelling,there were many things i didn`t knew about the Belle.Thank you for telling so many great stories and the animations are super.

Interesting BUT the the image of the ‘ Belle’ is so very very wrong. The ‘Bellle’ was an early production B-17F with a larger near braceless nose cone, enlarged cheek windows fitted for the emplacement of a .50-cal machine gun on each side of the nose. The Video shows an early B-17E.

What a great video. You never let us down TJ. Thanks for all the hard work you put into all your videos you are amazing and enjoyable. I already can't wait to see the next one. Please keep 'em flying flying.

Remarkable documentary. No Hollywood. Great air footage. An archival piece that will make you producers immortal. Memphis Belle already is

Welldone from across the pond in the UK.

I visited a a tribute B-17 Flying Fortress that flew to James Island s.c. In 1992 . It was a Memphis bell replica and also a p-38 mustang and a B-24 liberator , spent 6 hours exploring, still have the pictures. They also had the film Memphis bell in one of the flight hangers. Was a good day. God bless the veterans ❤🎉🇺🇸🏁

Finally we get the record straight on “Memphis Belle”. As much as I liked the 1990 movie it should NOT be based for any Historical research (there’s just too many historical inaccuracies from the movie for me to list here).

Certainly a classic emotional documentary brighten by heroism. Deep respect from another fading soldier from a far distant country

William Wyler went on to create " Friendly Persuasion " , a remarkable double paced Civil War flick, honored as film No. 34 of the Humanities Film Forum Must See List. Memphis Belle was Movie 38. Memphis Belle was filmed with hand held Bell and Howell hand cranked Filmo cameras and possibly 16 MM Kodachrome reversal or Kodak Aerocolor negative film.

Excellent excellent excellent one of the best RU-vid videos I have ever watched very well done

I've actually seen the Memphis belle in person. They have it on display at the Dayton air and space museum in Ohio! As well as Bockscar which dropped the bomb on Nagasaki.

Very educational and entertaining video. Thank you for creating it. Cheers.

Having not known much history of this majestic plane, I still got goose bumps when standing underneath of her at the Wright Paterson Museum she is on display at. And for those that don’t know, this museum is free and open 364 days a year. A definite must see in Dayton Ohio.

I just wish to comment as to how far you have come from initially posting video game clips to the production of well researched historical mini-documentaries which sometimes feature the actual veteran the story reflects. It is clear you research your stories rather than simply relying on previous information. This is clearly presented by this video where the "story" from the 1991 movie was just that - simply a story attached to the name "Memphis Belle" I can't imagine how many may have believed that movie as the actual story of the "Belle!" TJ, I had not know you previously but I'm certain you will agree these videos and all the work involved have made you a better person. Continue all this great work for all to enjoy!

An excellent TJ3 video is just what i need to get my day started. Happy friday yall

"Ooo-oo, you can take my gun... you can have my bullets too."

In the 388th Bomb group, the Jamaica Ginger flew over 300 missions, highest in that group. Top planes should all be recognized in EVERY group. Memphis Belle was just one of many that were highlighted, but many others went unsung.

Your videos are always so enlightening and interesting to watch. Loved this one! 👍 I am proud to say that the Memphis Belle now resides in my hometown of Dayton, Ohio as you said, at the U.S. Air Force Museum. I have been there many times, both as a child and an adult, and it is quite a place!

This was a really good one too, TJ3. I really like how in depth you went with the mission by mission breakdown. I’ve got a large scale model of this plane I have yet to build and seeing videos like this makes me look forward to building it, even more.

When John Lithgow's character says " and went on to fly 24 missions without a scratch" he is obviously referring to the crew as he just talked about them volunteering. My Grandfather was a radio op in the 8th he met my Grandmother while stationed in England flying in B17's and she was one of many "War Brides" to leave the UK post war.

The BELL was found on a scrap line at Altus, AFB, Oklahoma. They had to replace one engine

You don't "win" a Medal of Honor, or any award for that matter. You are awarded the commendation.

Hells Angeles was the name of the first B 17 to complete 25 missions!

Before Mud Island she was in another Memphis Park. In the same area were a Sherman Tank and a jet fighter. I was visiting relatives in Memphis. The jet was being used to train firemen on aircraft. Belle was in sorry shape. Not used for fire practice but exposed to the elements. I believe. Outside sources tefurbished on the condition that the city would construct an temperat ure comtrolled environment City never built the facility so the Belle went somewhere else. Another landmark erased fro the city. Im 73 now, 13 when we played inside the Belle

This was brilliant! It's so well put together that it puts the Likes of the today's History Channel to shame.

I was fortunate to meet Margret Polk.. Our 4th grade class in 1986 held a fundraiser to raise money for the restoration of the Memphis Belle

Excellent, excellent, excellent! The closest I've ever been to the Memphis Belle was a flight aboard the Sally B in 1985 at Duxford.

When I was a kid, the Massachusetts Air National Guard used to use the old WWII B17 aircraft as crew & airtime aircraft, all the way through the 1970s! We used to see them all the time on maneuvers over Northborough, Massachusetts. It's absolutely amazing that a lot of those old planes were still being used over 30 years after the war!

I live in Memphis and the Belle was placed on the Fairgrounds initially, and later on Mud Island by the Mississippi River in an outside open pavilion with a tarp canopy roof. It had become a rust bucket with the canopy deteriorating until fortunately it was saved by the museum.

Enjoyed you Documentary on the Memphis Belle. The true story. Thanks for sharing! 💯❤️👊👍

Well done. I've watched the MB movies multiple times. As many youngsters wanted to fly. I didn't know until I watched this video that the MB went into service the same week when I was born...... I have visited the Air Museum (2x)and saw the restored MB. I never liked the 17's for some strange reason. I was in love with the 29's.

Wow! Great job on tons of research..very interesting.

TJ3? Great documentary man!!! Fantastic job! Thanks for your hard work!

Another maximum effort! Very well done. Thank you sooooo. much!

Douglas built a lot of these at Long Beach on a subcontract. Mom was there!

As a young boy 6 or 7 years old my dad would take me fishing on a lake here in Va. There was a small place you coul rent jon boats and get bait. My dad knew the owner and his son very well as he would fish there every week. I vividly remember the old man and him telling me "boy get your daddy to take you to see the movie Memphis Belle. That was me and my buddies" i will always remember him telling me that. His name was Levy Dillon. Rest in peace.

This is a remarkable review and one of your longest videos yet - well done!!

I loved this documentary. Well done

44:50 Charles (Chuck) Leighton was the librarian of East Lansing High School when I attended back in 1975-1979. He always memorized the yearbooks of the local middle schools so when I and my classmates went to the library for our academic activities, he would address us by name. He eventually retired from ELHS, and finished his life in peaceful retirement near Traverse City, Michigan. He was the nicest man among many great teachers I encountered in my youth. RIP Captain Leighton.

Great video! Never knew the whole story with all those details. Congrats!!

Bought the Memphis Belle in air-worthy condition for $350. Wow! 49:00

What an extraordinarily well put together fascinating often haunting on the edge of the seat documentary about that amazing aeroplanes and crews history….. thank you so much for what you’ve made and shared. I really appreciate it thank you.

Excellent! Thank you for this.

Great work, I have followed the BElle for years, and you did a great job with this.

In 1991 I was stationed at NAS Millington and on weekends we would go to Memphis, Tennessee. One weekend we were at Mud Island and for $5 you could take a self guided tour of the Memphis Belle. I have a picture of me at the right side waist gunners position.

Thank you for this fabulous piece of history!

I’ve enjoyed this story. I remember the movie as a child. I visited the Belle on Mud Island in Memphis and it was a wonderful connection to history.

Another wonderful video! Keep them coming!

I don’t like how people say it was the first to complete 25 when it wasn’t. I’m not trying to talk bad abt it I’m just saying it’s sad how everyone forgets abt the two before her.

I grew up watching Wyler's film and never have watched the 90's movie. Finally got to see her in 2018 in her restored glory.

Epic video. Thank you so much

Fantastic video TJ!!!

Amazing video you have done there!!! Congrats!!!

I got to see her mid restoration at Wright-Patterson when I was staff sergeant stationed there.

Still hard to believe that young men, boys really stepped up to the task day after day to fly these missions, all the time being shot at!

Amazing documentary brother!

good narration with a voice you can listen too, well done