Lieutenant General Jacob Devers, Commander of U.S. Army Forces in Europe and Major General Ira Eaker, Commander of U.S. 8th Air Force accompany a British civilian official who meets and talks with crews of B-17 bombers. (U.S.Captain Robert K. Morgan, pilot of the "Memphis Belle" is seen with the visiting party.) General Devers and the British official talk to each other. Air and ground crew of the B-17 "Delta Rebel" are inspected. A British lady is seen speaking with a B-17 crew member. (A 1938 Packard automobile is seen parked near the B-17s.) A C-45 Expeditor aircraft taxis on the airfield. Officers around the airplane.
Commander of U.S. Army Forces in Europe, Lieutenant General Jacob Devers, personally congratulates the pilot, Captain Robert K. Morgan, and each crew member of the 8th Air Force B-17 bomber, "Memphis Belle." Commander of U.S. 8th Air Force, Major General Ira Eaker, is present during the ceremony, which is extensively covered by photographers, cinematographers, newsmen and broadcasters. (BBC microphone can be seen.) Some actions are repeated at the request of the military film director on the scene. The name and artwork on the nose of the aircraft is clearly seen as well as the 25 bombs (for missions) and 8 swastikas (for downed German airplanes) painted on the "Memphis Belle" fuselage. (World War II period).
Recognition of the U.S. 8th Air Force crew of the B-17 flying Fortress Bomber, "Memphis Belle" in England during World War II. (The "Memphis Belle" was the first B-17 to complete 25 daylight bombing missions over Germany, with aircraft and crew intact.) Commander of U.S. Army Forces in Europe, Lieutenant General Jacob Devers, reads a citation. Commander of U.S. 8th Air Force, Major General Ira Eaker, stands beside General Devers. Captain Robert K. Morgan, pilot of the aircraft, stands at attention in front of his crew. The "Memphis Belle" name and artwork is seen on the nose of the B-17, as well as part of the 25 bombs and 8 swastikas painted on its fuselage, indicating missions flown and German aircraft shot down. General Devers congratulates the crew and shakes hands with Captain Morgan. This is repeated for the camera. (The "Memphis Bell was flown back to the U.S by a select crew, including Captain Morgan, and took part in War Bond drives to support the war effort.)
U.S. Army Lieutenant General Jacob L. Devers, Commander of U.S. Army Forces in Europe, and 8th Air Force Commander, Major General Ira Eaker, visit crewmen (in fatigues). A captain (pilot ) in class A uniform (possibly Captain Robert K. Morgan, pilot of the "Memphis Belle") escorts General Devers as he walks around a parked B-17. Views of briefing officer and aircrew members during a mission briefing.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain are escorted by Lieutenant General Jacob L. Devers, Commander of U.S. Army Forces in Europe, and U.S. 8th Air Force Commander Ira Eaker, to meet the crew of the B-17 "Memphis Belle." They and their party stroll across the airfield to the aircraft, which is parked with its crew lined up in front. The King and the Queen speak with each member of the crew. General Eaker explains some aspect of the aircraft to King George. The Royal party enters their car and departs, passing a parked British bomber on the way.
U.S. 8th Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress bombers in England during World War II. A B-17 parked on an airfield shows damage caused during missions in Europe. Damaged tail, vertical stabilizer and wing of the B-17. A B-17 passes in the background. A crewman walks around the B-17.