Hello All --
You are invited to drop by Zeno's Warbird Video Drive-In
(
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com) and catch our two new World War II aviation features for free online video viewing. This month "At the Matinee," there's two flicks featuring Army Air Corps fighters & bombers: "Ramrod to Emden'"and "Combat America."
"Ramrod to Emden" Thunderbolts over Holland
Known as "Zemke's Wolf Pack" for good reason, the 56th Fighter Group (made up of the 61, 62 & 63 squadrons) was one of themost storied U.S.fighter units of World War II. Home to aces likeDavid Schilling (22 kills), Frances "Gabby" Gabreski (28), Robert S. Johnson (27), Fred Christensen (21.5), Walker Mahurin(21), and CO Hubert "Hub" Zemke (18), the 56th blazed an early trail across the skies of the ETO in their massive, but deadly P-47 Thunderbolts.
"Ramrod to Emden" is the story of the Dec 11, 1943 bomber escort mission (aka "a ramrod") to Emden, Holland. As you'll see in the film, the 56th encountered heavy, determined opposition from the Germans, but it proved to be an exceptionally productive day for the 56th. With Lt. Col. Schilling leading 50 planes of the group claimed 17-0-5, with two aircraft lost in a midair collision and no aircraft lost to enemy action. Allied bomber losses were minimal. This is an action packed account that also gives you a look inside the briefing hut to see these storied pilot's get the low down.
"Combat America" This marks the return of a Drive-In favorite, with a new color print and added footage
"Combat America" was produced, written, directed, and narrated by movie star Clark Gable while he was on assignment with the 8th Air Force, developing a gunnery training film. Though it contains plenty combat footage and doesn't flinch in showing high cost of the war in the air, in many ways, it's more of a warm home movie than a hard bitten, wartime "information" film.
Gable chronicles the experiences of the men of the 351 Bombardment Group from the cool early morning mists of Colorado to the frigid skies over Germany. His affection and admiration for theses men comes through loud and clear. This film is like a Kodachrome album out of the past, giving us
snapshots of life on a front line air base in 1943.
Though he doesn't mention it in the film (and generally keeps himself in the background) Gable flew combat missions with the Group until he was ordered to stop by "the brass" He was 42 at the time and of course, a Star. He felt he couldn't accurately portray the air war unless he shared the experiences of the men who fought it . He did. It shows.
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, AT-6, 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.comzeno
