Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In October 2008 Newsletter
Hello World War 2 plane fans ---
You’re invited to drop by Zeno's Drive-In
www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com for this month’s fine selection of five WW2 documentary films playing over the Internet. We’re premiering a new regular feature, “World War II Classics Theater,” showing non-aviation films we think you’ll enjoy. This month’s choice is “Submarine Warfare in the Pacific.” I love WW2 subs -- this is some great footage.
As always, all of the films showing at Zeno’s Drive-In are streaming for free.
Now showing At the Matinee at Zeno's Drive-In.
Ramrod to Emden New - Restored film print 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 (aka "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. With Lt. Col. Schilling leading 50 planes of the group, they claimed 17-0-5, with two aircraft lost in a midair collision and no aircraft lost to enemy action. Allied bomber losses were minimal.
World War II Classics Theater
“Submarine Warfare in the Pacific” This film was completed shortly after the end of the War and contains footage on US submarine operations you won't find anywhere else. There is a cameo appearance by Japanese Fleet Admiral Nagano who discusses (in English) the effect of US sub operations on the ability of the Japanese to make war. That’s because the "pig boats" inflicted military and transport losses on the enemy that were far beyond their own tiny numbers. The program is introduced by Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, Jr, the legendary commander of Pacific submarine forces (COMSUBPAC) and narrated by Gene Kelly. The film is chocked full of dramatic footage shot on location by combat cameramen, including above and below surface actions and one of the Silent Service's most vital, but unsung, functions, the rescue of downed airmen in the combat zone. One of the highlights of the film is footage of Medal of Honor winner, Lt Commander George L. Street, leading an attack. See Tirante, Trigger and other subs in action along with their crews.
“Winged Artillery” Nine 75mm cannon firing B-25Gs of the 48th Bomb Squadron, 7AAF, based on Apamama in the Gilbert Islands, conduct a hair raising tree top level strike on the Japanese air base on Mille. Also features amazingly well preserved and very rare color footage of daily life of aircrew and ground personnel stationed on the islands. As a bonus, you'll watch Sea Bees using heavy equipment to transform these hard won tropical atolls into fully functioning air bases and ground crews maintaining the Mitchell's massive canons.
"A-26 Invaders Attack in Color”- Premier – held over another month! Legendary SFP 186 combat cameramen rode along with 416th Bomb Group A-26 Invaders during March and April, 1945 with color film loaded in their cameras. The results are some of the most beautiful and dramatic footage to come out of the World War II. You'll see fleets of silver fast attack bombers soaring through towering cumulus clouds before unloading torrents of bombs deep inside the Third Reich. An added bonus is a cache of remarkable still pictures taken by 416th Group (668th, 669th, 670th and 671st Bomb Squadrons) staff photog "Sergeant Cachat" showing A-26s on location and their crews.
“Saipan Superforts” This recently discovered footage shows the 73rd Bomb Wing, based on the island of Saipan in the Marianas, operating against Japan in early 1945. You'll see B-29 pilots & crews on R&R and on mission in their magnificent Superfortresses. The fates of many of the B-29s seen in this picture are documented during the film. Some made the ultimate sacrifice. You'll see a gallery of memorable 73rd Bomb Wing nose art too -- all in living color. "The "maximum effort" take-off scene is an awe inspiring combination of 18 cylinder engine roar and a musical score that's guaranteed to raise goose bumps. This film is very evocative of B-29 operations in the Spring of 1945.
If you haven't stopped by Zeno's Drive-In before, we also show 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 been an F-86 jet sighted over Zeno’s Drive-In!
That's over 16 hours of rockin' World War II prop videos, plus another 500 color Warbird pics, for free viewing over the Internet!
Check Six!!
Zeno
www.zenoswarbirdvideos.comPS If you have any concerns about using the RealNetwork’s RealPlayer to watch our videos, I recommend using the “RealAlternative” media player instead. (It’s what I use.) It will play RealVideo files just fine, is independently produced, a small download, and has none of the purported vices of RealNetwork’s RealPlayer, like ads. You can download the RealAlternative player here:
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/real_Alternative.htmMore than 20 million people have already done so.
Online Videos: Zemke’s P-47s, US Sub Action (!), Winged Artillery, B-29s & more
