Hello all --
This is your holiday invitation to stop by Zeno's Warbird Video Drive-In (
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com) and catch a memorable double feature: two classic World War II documentaries, Target for Today (US Eighth Air Force) and "Target for Tonight" (RAF Bomber Command.) As far as I know, this is the first time these two films have been shown together since the end of the War.
RAF Bomber Command and The US Eighth Air Force: A Study in Contrasts
"Target for Tonight" was the British forerunner and inspiration for "Target for Today," which was produced by the US Army Air Corps a couple of years later. The films are very similar in format. They both follow a bombing raid from early planning through briefing and execution. Both films also both show real air and ground personnel performing their actual roles, including exciting combat footage. But when you compare the two films you will find the contrast between the tactics and atmosphere of an RAF Bomber Command night mission and a US 8th Air Force massed bomber day raid was, well, like "night and day."
Target for Tonight: RAF Bomber Command Wellingtons in a Night Action
Target for Tonight" follows the crew "F for Freddie, " a Vicker's Wellington medium bomber (Millerton Station, Group 33), through an entire low level night mission attacking a oil storage depot at a rail yard.. Notice how the film highlights the participation of not only servicemen from all classes from around the British Isles, but also Canadians and a navigator that sounds a lot like a Yank volunteer. The film exemplifies the understatement, dry humor, deceptive casualness, and "business as usual" approach typical of British information films of the period, along with a clear "get the job done" sense of purpose.
Target for Today The 8th Air Force Strikes Germany
This is the classic World War II documentary of a "maximum effort" US Eighth Air Force daylight bombing mission deep into Germany. There are no actors in "Target For Today". This film was shot on location under combat conditions and features the officers and men of the 8th Air Force going about their deadly business. All aspects of an actual major raid in 1943, including a strike on the FW 190 plant at Marrienburg, from early planning through final touch down and crew debriefings are covered in this very detailed account. The Americans are, as you might expect, "all business" in thier operational approach.
There is probably no better account of the theory, strategy and tactics of an unescorted US Army Air Force bomber raid in early 1943.. While the film doesn't sugar coat the high cost of these raids, there's no doubt that it also over states the effectiveness and sustainability of the American bombing campaign at that time. Such losses were not sustainable. (The audible groans uttered from aircrew when the targets and bombing altitudes are announced were all too real.) .It took the introduction of the P-51 Mustang fighter in the Spring of 1944 (used as both bomber escort and long range interdiction fighter/bomber) to reinvigorate and renew the daylight bomber campaign that ultimately destroyed the effectiveness of the Luftwaffe,
If you haven't stopped by Zeno's Drive-In before, we also feature 1942-45 vintage WWII Army & Navy films on how to fly the F4U, F6F, P-38, P-39, P-40, P-47, P-51, P-61, TBF/TBM, B-17, B-24, B-25, A-20, A-26, B-26, B-29, and more.We just added the SNJ/AT-6 "Harvard" trainer too.That's over 12 hours of rockin' props for free viewing over the internet. See detailed charts, diagrams, and interior photos from original WWII pilot's manuals too.
Finally, our "Control Tower" page has the largest collection of World War II
Aviation links on the 'net
So drop your flaps & drop in!
That's
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.comHappy Holidays!
Zeno
