Opening scene shows ground crew loading bombs on a Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft of the USAAF 323rd Bombardment Group at Denain-Prouvy Airdrome, France (A-83) in World War 2. The aircraft is parked on pierced steel planking (Marsden Matting). Glimpse of aircrew members, carrying their parachutes, as they climb into the back of an open truck. Next, ground crewman steadies a bomb as another man operates controls to lower it from an M6 bomb service truck. Ground crewman screws fins on the bomb. View shifts to inside the truck carrying aircrew members, as more climb aboard it. Several crew members climb down from the truck, as it arrives at their aircraft. Others are seen already at their respective aircraft parked nearby. Rough slate identifies the airfield as A-83, and day as 22 April. An officer, bombardier, is seen strapping himself into the nose of a B-26. Bombardier makes adjustments to his bomb sight. Pilot and copilot close their respective canopies. Name: "Wild-Bill" seen painted below copilot's window.
USAAF Crew members, of the 323rd Bombardment Group, climb out of their Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft after returning to Denain-Prouvy Airdrome, France (A-83) from a mission over Germany, in World War 2. The aircraft commander (pilot) fills out the Form 1 for the crew chief and then he and the crew climb aboard a waiting crew transport truck. Several of them light cigarettes and begin to discuss the mission in animated ways. As the truck drives away, hangars and several parked B-26s can be seen in the background.
Opening slate cites location as A-83 (Denain-Prouvy Airdrome, France). Aircrew members step from back of an open crew transport truck and walk to their parked Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft, of the U.S. Army Air Forces 323rd Bombardment Group. The entire side fuselage of the aircraft is covered with painted bombs indicating the many missions it had completed, thus far, during World War 2. Crew members place their gear on the ground in front of the aircraft as a Staff Sergeant (Maintenance Chief) brings the plane's Form 1 (Flight Report and Maintenance Record) for the pilot to review and sign. (This segment is repeated twice for the camera.) Closeup of the pilot discussing the aircraft status with an enlisted man. Meanwhile other crew members stand around. One crew member lights the Tech Sergeant's cigarette. Closeup of an officer crew member, with Marsden Matting on ground in background. Closeup of pilot annotating and signing the aircraft Form 1. Next, the pilot distributes mail to members of the crew. An airman brings a pet dog to one of the crew who plays with it. Pilot takes a final drag on a cigarette and rubs it out on a bomb sitting nearby. (Sequence is repeated twice.) Glimpse of trash caught in pierced steel planking (Marsden matting) on the ground. Next scene shows pilot speaking from cockpit window to Sergeant on the ground. View of pilot and copilot settling into their seats in the cockpit. They don their radio headsets.
Staged views from inside a Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft of the USAAF 323rd bombardment Group, at Denain-Prouvy Airdrome, France, in World War 2. Pilot and copilot settle into their respective seats in the cockpit. The pilot hangs a pair of white baby shoes from tubing (vacuum or hydraulic line?) crossing the cockpit windshield. He pats the shoes. View of pilot's hand advancing both engine throttles.Then view of copilot's hand adjusting throttles and mixtures. View of waist gunner peering out of B-26 and maneuvering his machine gun in various directions. A B-26 (with white tail of the 323rd Bomb Group) parked with both engines running. The engines shut down and its 4-bladed props stop. Views of pilot's and copilot's hands maneuvering the yokes in the cockpit. Crew member assists pilot as he dons a flak jacket (Flyers Vest M1). He then dons a flying helmet, and taps his good-luck baby shoes again. Copilot maneuvers control yoke as they converse using their throat microphones.
Montage of scenes at advanced airbase Denain-Prouvy Airdrome (A-83) France, during World War 2. A pet dog sits atop a bomb on the ground. A U.S. Airman of the 323rd Bombardment Group pets the dog. Next, an Airman is seen fastening fins on a bomb. A Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft is towed along a taxiiway. Camera goes back to a bomb now being loaded under a B-26. Armorers remove belts of 50 caliber machine gun ammunition from cartons and load into aircraft cannisters. Another bomb being positioned for upload into a B-26. Slate appears noting location as A-83. Ground crew refueling a B-26 from a fuel truck, using hoses over its wings.
Camera follows Martin B-26 Marauder bombers taking off from Denain-Prouvy Airdrome (A-83) France, during World War 2. They are a Squadron of aircraft from the U.S. Army Air Forces 323rd Bombardment Group (displaying white tails of the 323rd). Camera tracks them each as they complete their respective take offs in succession. Afterwards, the aircraft are seen beginning to assemble in formations high overhead.
CRITICALPAST.COM: About Us | Contact Us | FAQs - How to Order | License Agreement | My Account | My Lightboxes | Shopping Cart | Advanced Search | Featured Collections | Website Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy ©2026 CriticalPast LLC.
License Agreement |
Terms & Conditions |
Privacy Policy
©2026 CriticalPast LLC.