Zeno's Warbird Video Drive-In February 2007 Newsletter
You’re invited to drop by Zeno's Drive-In
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com for this month’s hit parade of World War 2 plane videos playing live online.
As always, every film on our web site is showing for free.
This month “At the Matinee” you’ll see “The Last Bomb,” an Academy Award Nominee, with B-29s & P-51s striking Tokyo, “Air Attacks Against Italy,” featuring full bore US dive bombers, “Ramrod to Emden,” where the P-47 Thunderbolt aces of the 56th FG penetrate into Germany, and “Mission Accomplished,” the story of the first US 8th Air Force daylight B-17 strike in Europe.
* "The Last Bomb" (color) vividly documents an almost forgotten chapter of World War II: the long range B-29 "Superfortress" bombing raids on Japan. Launched from hard won Pacific islands, these missions were over 3,000 miles round trip and could take 12 hours or more to complete. You'll see the huge B-29 bases that were carved out on Guam, Tinian and Saipan. Rare Technicolor film documents all aspects of a XXI Bomber Command daylight raid carried out at just 12,000' (!) on Tokyo in 1945. The mission is covered from planning by General Curtis LeMay and his staff, through fighter action and "bombs away," to final touch down. You'll also see spectacular color gun camera footage taken by escorting P-51 Mustangs, based on Iwo Jima. They ranged over southern Japan, seeking targets of opportunity in the air and on the deck. These P-51 sorties were among riskiest missions undertaken by any fighters during World War II. Just imagine -- flying thousands of miles over trackless ocean in a single engine ship to take on the enemy!
* Air Attacks Against Italy -- More exciting from the cockpit views of A-36 Invader (aka "Apache") dive bombing & strafing attacks.( The A-36, ground attack version of the P-51 Mustang, is also featured in our popular "A Day with the A-36s.") This is a short film, but it's nonstop action! Some of the best footage of US dive bombing attacks you will find anywhere. Watching these high speed, precision runs definitely benefits from a broadband internet connection if you have access to one.
* Ramrod to Emden -- The 56th Fighter Group (made up of the 61, 62 & 63 squadrons) was one of the most storied Air Corps units of World War II. Home to aces like David 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 (a.k.a. "a ramrod") to Emden, Germany. As you'll see in the film, the 56th encountered heavy, determined opposition from Germans, but it proved to be an exceptionally productive day.
* Mission Accomplished: The story of the first US 8th Air Force daylight B-17 strike in Europe -- On August 17, 1942 eighteen B-17Es from the 97th Heavy Bombardment Group, Eighth Bomber Command (later Eighth Air Force), performed the first daylight raid over Northern Europe by US heavy bombers. Escorted by RAF Spit Vs & IXs, 6 bombers ran a diversion along the French coast, while 12 more Fortresses attacked the primary target., the important rail yards at Sotteville, France, near Rouen. This mission was a crucial first step in establishing the efficacy of American daylight precision bombing doctrine.
If you haven't stopped by Zeno's Drive-In before, we also feature 1940-45 vintage WWII Army & Navy films and pilot’s manuals on how to fly the F4U, F6F, P-38, P-39, P-40, P-47, P-51, P-61, TBF/TBM, AT-6/SNJ, B-17, B-24, B-25, A-20, A-26, B-26, B-29, and Stearman N2S .Alert! – Alert! There’s just been an F-86 sighted over Zeno’s Drive-In!
That's over 14 hours of rockin' World War II props for free viewing over the Internet!
Zeno
Zeno's Warbird Video Drive-In
World War II Aviation Videos Playing Online 24/7
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com
