Memphis Belle . . . Renowned B-17 Bomber in Hist

During the period when well-being was poor within air crews of the B-17 bombers, because of the fact that about 80% of the planes were truly being shot down all through combat quests all over Europe, the Memphis Belle obtained notoriety.  This certain B-17 bomber was coming from the 1st Eighth Air Force and also the only kind of airplane to carry out the specified 25 quests for her group to go back home.  Unbelievely, not one of the crew were critically hurt or killed during such battle missions.

The group of ten was made up of:

Pilot: Captain Robert Morgan
Co-Pilot: Captain James Verinis
Bombadier: Captain Vincent Evans
Navigator: Captain Charles B. Leighton
Engineer / Top Gunner: Technical Sergeant Harold Loch
Radio Operator: Technical Sergeant Robert Hanson
Tail Gunner: Staff Sergeant John Quinlan
Ball Turret Gunner: Staff Sergeant Cecil H. Scott
Left Waist Gunner: Staff Sergeant Clarence Winchell
Right Waist Gunner: Staff Sergeant Casimer “Tony” Nastal

The crew was gathered together with each other and once again with B-17 bomber no. 41-24485.  The pilot named her for his sweetheart, Margaret Polk of Memphis, Tennessee.  The Memphis Belle completed the desired 25 battle quests together with her group in one piece somewhere between November 7, 1942 and then May 17, 1943.

The Memphis Belle was a B-17F bomber with 13 50 caliber machine guns, having 8,000 pounds of bombs.  She had four 1,200 horse power Wright R-1820-97 turbosupercharged radials, a highest possible pace of 325 mph as well as a wide range of 2,800 miles.  Her top ceiling was 37,500 feet.

Germany as well as Britain had very long since abandoned the daylight raid right after they each received significant failures over foe terrain.  The United States Army Air Force was determined to destroy their foes by performing daylight bombing quests to wipe out particular military and industrial installations.  The B-17 bomber quests were flown in a “combat box” comprised of 18 bombers that comprised an undeniably distressing force which would eliminate lots of significant targets over several missions.

The Memphis Belle’s 25 missions included:

1. November 7, 1942: Brest, France
2. November 9, 1942 St. Nazaire, France
3. November 17, 1942 St. Nazaire, France
4. December 6, 1942 Lille, France
5. December 20, 1942 Rommily-Sur-Seine, France
As one can easily see, the actual Memphis Belle possesses a great history and was a huge part as to why the B-17 Flying Fortress grew to be so famous.  The adventures had been famous and also enjoyed a substantial impact on the particular conflict.


Memphis Belle B-17 Flying Fortress