Episode 76: The Memphis Belle

On May 17, 1943, the crew of a B-17 named the "Memphis Belle" flew a mission over German-occupied Europe. With the raid on Wilhelmshaven, they become the first American crew to complete the required 25 missions with the crew intact. Their days in Britain became the focus of a 1944 documentary, with the raid on Wilhelmshaven as the featured event. After completing its tour of duty, the crew flew the plane back to the United States to participate in a morale building tour on behalf of the war bonds effort.