FLIGHT

Cole is the name colonel elenco wing command ate their force that morning I was sweating out a mission the planes I commanded over anklet I knew they were taking a heavy power what's more I knew the worst was yet to come [Music] [Music] this is an instrument of flight a 50 caliber machine gun bullet it's a memento of the greatest air battles in history the huge aerial shows in which hundreds of flying fortresses and liberators as part of a gigantic plan lashed out at Hitler's aircraft plants smashing them to rubble and destroying the look off but any plan no matter how big finally comes down to men this is the story of three men sergeant Dave Wilson 25 years old a waist gunner on a b-17 Colonel Allen Cole a Wing Commander in the 8th Air Force lieutenant Kurt Muller ace fighter pilot from the look platform although these men never knew each other bombardment plan to 34-0 would cause their lives to cross and the embattled skies over Germany where one or more of them would die plan two three four zero was born months before at a meeting of the bombing priorities committee in Washington at that time Colonel Cole had just received the orders putting him in command of a wing sergeant Wilson was starting his training as an aerial gunner an ex musician Kurt Miller graduated from Cadets into the Luftwaffe half a year later the weather plane streaked through North European skies the weather data was relayed to the commanding general of the 8th Air Force who decided that conditions favoured attacks on dancing Gdynia tank ylim and marienburg plan to 34-0 was set into motion intelligence pulled voluminous reports and photos collected painstakingly over a period of months armament selected the bomb types fuse which would cause the maximum destruction over the specific targets pilotage experts balanced fuel requirements and bomb loads there were specialized analyses of the navigational requirements routes and tactics these were compiled into orders which went from Air Force to division from division to wing plan two three four zero was rolling colonel orders for tomorrow what's the mission maximum efforts plan two three four zero aircraft assembly plans it'll be our deepest penetration yet they'll throw everything they have at yes sir a lot of navigation and pilotage reports white chart intelligence photos gives recommendations we bet across the Danish courts lightless South appear from a politic standpoint it might be a little more difficult but we'll avoid the heavy flight concentration yes sir as it is we'd probably be drawn all the fighters off the dancing force it'll be a rough mission for our Gunners Dave why do you want to be a sinner I mean what is on it well I guess I just didn't have enough school in the making anyway I washed up washed out you Lucas happen to a lot of other guys besides I'll be satisfied to do a good jobs again yeah finally beginning to fly a mission the next one Wendy tomorrow your first day I hope it can you do mine not very likely do you know what your target will be our target no not you only the big brass knows that our target will be the aircraft vectors a tank l'm Germany do you think we'll be bummed not very Yana of course don't worry not for me but for you the night before our wedding and more pleasant things to think about look look what I bought Oh Cory yeah it's beautiful just golden bands they tell how I feel about you Cort let's not wait let's get married tonight I have to be back at the base on tomorrow evening as we plan I won't be able to go to sleep that night there were many who didn't sleep in England the maintenance crews were working through the night readying the planes for the morning mission bombs were rolled out thousand-pound incendiaries 500-pound high explosives all fused to cause the maximum devastation when they hit their targets at thank them guns were checked and rechecked in spirit these maintenance experts would be flying with their planes when the church bells tolled 3 a.m. Colonel Cole was studying newly arrived intelligence data lieutenant Miller was thinking about his honor sergeant Wilson was worrying about his first mission ok let's go come on twisting get it up let's go oh you guys hit the deck breakfast before dreaming in line let's go you guys you really my duty sergeant Wilson and men like him all over England headed for their mess halls none of them knew where their missions would take them only that after chow there would be a briefing and then take off gentlemen our Hwang is participating in a maximum effort our objective will be angry [Music] George what are you doing up this hour I have had something on my mind I'm glad you got by I was looking for your wedding we have a special briefing just ended something wrong Oh as a matter of fact Peter it's good news he will be the first to know Anna and I are going to be married married is this a sterling decision oh I just have not talked about it you are not going to congratulate me good do you think it's wise to get married now now all our thoughts and efforts should be directed to the war eyes I do not know maybe that is why I could not sleep I just know the V on love what is the wedding tomorrow does it come this good if I'm able to ieave oh this special briefing they expect heavy rates in this area very soon but all we know enemy planes are getting ready right now they're almost ready for takeoff sir thank you take off with scheduled for zero 700 [Music] [Music] [Music] pilot to crew they're now beginning to turn for squadron assembly [Music] we're ready to form the wing as Colonel Cole watched the formation of the wing sergeant Wilson tried to keep her worried meanwhile lieutenant Miller continued on standby duty a tank say kid what's the matter we'll keep yeah I don't know my first mission forget it kid we've all had it first mission [Music] [Music] several hours later sergeant Wilson's plane was part of a formation flying over the clouds that covered the coast of Denmark colonel cole was anxiously awaiting word that the target had been get sergeant Wilson was scanning the skies lieutenant Miller was in there any Roma dankun the climax of plan two three four zero is approaching there it comes [Music] but I was the worst of it okay [Music] hurry up one second what is it unexpected get the Americans well the sooner we get rid of them sooner you get married all right let's get rid of [Music] [Applause] [Music] you [Music] [Music] you there they come right at the clue bandits and 11 o'clock unknown the surgeon was the leading bandit with German ace lieutenant fuller [Music] and forget them at exactly 1403 sergeant Wilson and Lieutenant color exchange therefore shot either point with it [Music] [Music] [Music] hit them again [Music] [Music] [Music] the first K early on the German side was Fuller's friend [Music] lieutenant Miller dolet the Parker's on sergeant Wilson's wing I was fountains plane no parachute let me come again [Music] from this point on the fighters continued to press their attack this place their losses [Music] [Music] despite the best efforts of lieutenant Miller in this message myth the wing was nearing its target a tanker pilot to crew we are now turning on RIT ready to make our bomb run this will be the toughest time it's been really yep enough [Music] any word no words I love DePalma dear [Music] with the bomb bay doors open sergeant Mason's grip was committed to its attack no evasive action could be taken until the bombs were away at that time the formation was most vulnerable to attack from flank and from lieutenant Fuller's enemy fighters [Music] rich one factory [Music] although the objectives had been hit the German fighters renewed their attack with even greater determination for the second time that day lieutenants motors targets became sergeant license plate [Music] this time he in-home his victim sergeant Rogers [Music] again Miller rolled to the attack although Wesson was hit he struggled for one more shot at the measurement now turning to avoid collision I can't [Music] the doing was over [Music] Sara we've just received a report from intelligence our bombers hit their targets an anklet on a returning Thank You major as the b-17 is raced for home carrying their dead and wounded engine was continuing at Marian board dancing could be in England ground personnel at base after base began to wait for the return of their comrades until the planes appeared no one would know the number of aircraft lost until the planes landed the number of death could not be tabulated finally the big bombers were over the coast of England and hope at Colonel Cole's base 20 had been dispatched 10 returned prepare to fire flare moving the board that one for dead [Music] we be all right a little blood there but I think you'll be okay he got a Jerry sir good Terry you're wanted back at the office orders for the line I'll be back to tell you more about Colonel Cole and sergeant Wilson Colonel Cole later general Cole was with the 8th Air Force through the close of the war in Europe personally leading a wave of heavy bombers over Omaha Beach on d-day in one of the be seven teams directly behind him was Sergeant Wilson unknown to each other these two men continued as partners through some of the most exciting days in the story of flight [Music] [Music]