1 00:00:05,260 --> 00:00:06,560 Off we go! 2 00:00:08,340 --> 00:00:09,940 Off we go! 3 00:00:11,580 --> 00:00:15,480 Into the wild blue yonder arms! 4 00:00:17,420 --> 00:00:20,880 Who controls the sky above? 5 00:00:21,420 --> 00:00:24,040 The Strategic Air Command! 6 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:28,660 Who protects the land we love? 7 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:31,760 The Strategic Air Command! 8 00:00:33,310 --> 00:00:39,230 With a Sunday punch in every vein, it gives the blue and 9 00:00:39,230 --> 00:00:40,490 funs away. 10 00:00:40,750 --> 00:00:47,230 Those fighting fools, the fighters of the strategic air command. 11 00:00:56,130 --> 00:01:01,370 Red attack, green up to you, because America... 12 00:01:01,870 --> 00:01:03,430 is in your hands. 13 00:01:04,230 --> 00:01:10,670 Set a sack, you mighty fools, let every enemy know where he stands. 14 00:01:11,650 --> 00:01:18,530 Show them how you can grab a needle from 45 ,000 feet. 15 00:01:19,930 --> 00:01:24,930 Touch the plaque and hurry back, then blow the... 16 00:01:56,459 --> 00:02:01,780 It began one day in 1943 at Smoky Hill, Kansas. 17 00:02:09,190 --> 00:02:10,190 made the big league. 18 00:02:10,350 --> 00:02:12,270 We've been waiting a long time for you, rookies. 19 00:02:12,550 --> 00:02:16,190 Oh, no, it ain't fair. They can't do this to us. Well, what do you know if it 20 00:02:16,190 --> 00:02:19,210 ain't the man from the south with his big foot in his mouth? Hello, Sack. 21 00:02:19,430 --> 00:02:22,810 So this is where you've been hiding out? Sure glad to see you guys. I ain't had 22 00:02:22,810 --> 00:02:24,170 a soft touch since Livia. 23 00:02:24,590 --> 00:02:25,890 Say, what do you call that crate? 24 00:02:26,230 --> 00:02:30,090 That, gentlemen, is the Boeing Superfortress, the newest thing in the 25 00:02:30,090 --> 00:02:33,230 suppose after you learn about it, you'll be calling it the V -29, if you can 26 00:02:33,230 --> 00:02:35,730 count that, huh? You mean that dang thing flies? 27 00:02:35,930 --> 00:02:39,650 You bet it flies. Higher, farther, and... Blastering with a bigger bomb 28 00:02:39,650 --> 00:02:41,630 than anything you've ever been in. Hello, Sergeant. 29 00:02:43,770 --> 00:02:46,490 Captain Calvert, I'm glad to see you. Good to see you. You too, Lieutenant 30 00:02:46,490 --> 00:02:47,490 Shaw. Hello, Stack. 31 00:02:47,750 --> 00:02:50,190 Major West is waiting to see you over at operations, sir. 32 00:02:50,530 --> 00:02:51,530 Major West? 33 00:02:52,130 --> 00:02:54,870 You don't mean Tom West? Yes, sir. I'll drive you over. 34 00:02:55,450 --> 00:02:56,450 All right, Sergeant. 35 00:02:56,930 --> 00:02:58,310 Ted, see if the men find quarters. 36 00:02:59,270 --> 00:03:00,730 The men's quarters are over there. 37 00:03:01,030 --> 00:03:02,570 The officers over there. 38 00:03:03,830 --> 00:03:05,010 Unnatural. What do you know? 39 00:03:08,270 --> 00:03:10,490 I'll see you guys later. Not if we can help it. 40 00:03:18,430 --> 00:03:19,430 Hello, Tom. 41 00:03:19,550 --> 00:03:20,529 Hello, Al. 42 00:03:20,530 --> 00:03:22,110 Hey, quite a surprise seeing you here. 43 00:03:22,910 --> 00:03:23,910 Made you, too. 44 00:03:24,090 --> 00:03:25,090 Congratulations. 45 00:03:25,910 --> 00:03:26,910 Well, the best job. 46 00:03:27,290 --> 00:03:31,010 Well, you always did say I should be a schoolteacher. So here I am instructing 47 00:03:31,010 --> 00:03:32,010 in B -29s. 48 00:03:32,150 --> 00:03:33,610 My proper station in life. 49 00:03:34,070 --> 00:03:35,210 Have a chair. Thanks. 50 00:03:36,410 --> 00:03:37,410 How's Aunt Margaret? 51 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:41,780 My mother's fine. She worries about you. Seems like you haven't been writing 52 00:03:41,780 --> 00:03:44,960 very often. Oh, you know how I am about writing letters. I'll be sure to drop 53 00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:45,960 her a line tonight, though. 54 00:03:46,660 --> 00:03:48,660 Hey, what's the loan out on this B -29? 55 00:03:49,860 --> 00:03:50,860 A thoroughbred. 56 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:52,240 High strung. 57 00:03:52,380 --> 00:03:53,380 Sensitive. 58 00:03:53,500 --> 00:03:55,160 You'll have your hands full learning how to fly. 59 00:03:55,900 --> 00:03:57,100 Make it sound like a problem. 60 00:03:57,680 --> 00:03:59,380 It's got two wings and four fans. 61 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:00,900 Flies, doesn't it? Yeah. 62 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:03,560 But you can't fly it by the seat of your pants. 63 00:04:04,420 --> 00:04:06,220 29's a big, complicated airplane. 64 00:04:07,050 --> 00:04:08,990 Compared to it, the 24 is a kite. 65 00:04:09,430 --> 00:04:11,470 Yeah, you flew the 24. You ought to know. 66 00:04:14,310 --> 00:04:16,250 I'm sorry, Professor. I just slipped out. 67 00:04:17,010 --> 00:04:18,610 Hey, you were talking about this airplane. 68 00:04:19,250 --> 00:04:22,290 My crew and I studied the 29 for three months at the Boeing plant. 69 00:04:22,610 --> 00:04:24,130 We're supposed to be the lead crew. 70 00:04:25,730 --> 00:04:26,730 Study this. 71 00:04:27,130 --> 00:04:28,130 Classes begin tomorrow. 72 00:04:29,590 --> 00:04:32,270 Airplane commander training manual for the Super Fortress. 73 00:04:33,530 --> 00:04:35,630 The answer that I love about the Air Corps... 74 00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:37,920 They figure you're never too old to learn. 75 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:39,960 You'll be giving some new crew members here. 76 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:42,400 There'll be three weeks of classroom work before you fly. 77 00:04:43,220 --> 00:04:44,580 Plenty of handbooks to study. 78 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:47,400 And I hope my crew can read. 79 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:52,520 Cal. Yeah? 80 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:54,480 Thanks for your attitude. 81 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:55,720 I'll forget it. 82 00:04:57,360 --> 00:04:59,020 What's the lady situation around here? 83 00:04:59,700 --> 00:05:03,540 There's only one lady for you at Smoky Hill. A lady called B -29. 84 00:05:09,940 --> 00:05:10,940 Yes, 85 00:05:12,140 --> 00:05:14,080 there were ladies at Smoky Hill, plenty of them. 86 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:15,880 Tall ones and small ones. 87 00:05:16,380 --> 00:05:20,440 And after 50 missions in the Mediterranean with the 15th Air Force, 88 00:05:20,440 --> 00:05:21,440 look good to me. 89 00:05:22,180 --> 00:05:23,180 Especially one. 90 00:05:26,220 --> 00:05:27,480 Oh, here's the major now. 91 00:05:34,730 --> 00:05:37,390 Just pulling guard duty around your favorite nurse till you showed up, 92 00:05:37,990 --> 00:05:39,670 Standing off the wolves. Thanks, Wurzel. 93 00:05:40,090 --> 00:05:41,090 Don't hurry away. 94 00:05:42,910 --> 00:05:44,070 Sorry I was late, Helen. 95 00:05:44,290 --> 00:05:45,290 Tough day. 96 00:05:45,610 --> 00:05:48,890 All these new crews coming in. This place is like Grand Central Station. 97 00:05:49,710 --> 00:05:51,170 It's nice to relax with you. 98 00:05:51,430 --> 00:05:53,310 A very pretty speech, I believe. 99 00:05:53,590 --> 00:05:55,770 Oh, the professor always is good at making pretty speeches. 100 00:05:57,070 --> 00:05:58,450 My name is Calvin. 101 00:05:58,810 --> 00:05:59,850 Calvin, my friend. 102 00:06:00,090 --> 00:06:01,930 This is a very dangerous man, Helen. 103 00:06:02,490 --> 00:06:04,940 Casanova. Do they have that word in your native language? 104 00:06:05,280 --> 00:06:06,099 Yes, they do. 105 00:06:06,100 --> 00:06:07,480 Oh, yes, it's international. 106 00:06:08,280 --> 00:06:13,180 Fine, Lieutenant, uh... All for Pete's egg, Tom. What's her name? 107 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:15,520 Okay. 108 00:06:16,060 --> 00:06:17,060 Lieutenant Landers. 109 00:06:17,480 --> 00:06:18,480 Helen to her, friends. 110 00:06:18,980 --> 00:06:20,200 Thanks for the introduction, cousin. 111 00:06:21,080 --> 00:06:22,180 Don't mention it, cousin. 112 00:06:22,620 --> 00:06:25,800 You know, I'd like to buy a drink to celebrate the occasion, but you can't 113 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:27,620 anything here but Coke and orange pop. 114 00:06:27,900 --> 00:06:29,600 Oh, not if you know where to look for it. 115 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:32,440 I found a box. Yeah, I see there. 116 00:06:34,430 --> 00:06:35,670 Well, well, well. 117 00:06:35,990 --> 00:06:37,690 So it was the same West. 118 00:06:38,230 --> 00:06:40,070 You been having engine trouble lately, Captain? 119 00:06:40,950 --> 00:06:42,830 Oh, I beg your pardon, Major. 120 00:06:44,570 --> 00:06:48,010 Did the Major tell you about Plesty? I've got it out. What for? 121 00:06:48,830 --> 00:06:49,830 Well, I'll tell you. 122 00:06:50,130 --> 00:06:53,950 I'm going to tell the whole world how this wrong -way guy goofs off overseas 123 00:06:53,950 --> 00:06:57,150 ends up on a gravy train. Stay here. This guy's a no -count. 124 00:06:57,410 --> 00:06:58,450 Speak to your pony. 125 00:06:59,370 --> 00:07:02,230 Tom, shall we see that movie on the post? 126 00:07:04,490 --> 00:07:05,490 Yeah, thanks, Alan. 127 00:07:10,470 --> 00:07:13,210 I know you must be wondering about what that doctor said. 128 00:07:14,110 --> 00:07:15,490 I'd like to tell you about it. 129 00:07:16,610 --> 00:07:18,930 You'll hear about it sooner or later anyway. 130 00:07:19,550 --> 00:07:20,850 Oh, it doesn't matter, Tom. 131 00:07:22,530 --> 00:07:28,110 On our bombing mission to the Ploesti oil fields, the big one, I turned back. 132 00:07:30,410 --> 00:07:32,370 I claimed I had serious engine trouble. 133 00:07:33,110 --> 00:07:34,500 And? You didn't? 134 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:36,600 No. 135 00:07:36,980 --> 00:07:38,700 I'm sure it wasn't as simple as that. 136 00:07:39,980 --> 00:07:41,060 You're right, it wasn't. 137 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:44,480 If I'd have been alone, I'd have gone through with it. 138 00:07:45,540 --> 00:07:47,100 But I like that crew. 139 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:48,920 We've been together right from the start. 140 00:07:49,840 --> 00:07:51,500 This was to be our last mission. 141 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:56,280 The 24th mission, we lost two crew members torn up by flak. 142 00:07:57,920 --> 00:08:00,940 About halfway to the target on the 25th, I... 143 00:08:01,950 --> 00:08:04,310 I suddenly didn't want to take those kids to Ploesti. 144 00:08:05,070 --> 00:08:06,610 I knew it was going to be hell on wheels. 145 00:08:07,230 --> 00:08:08,950 I wanted them to go on living beyond that. 146 00:08:11,030 --> 00:08:12,790 I really was having a little engine trouble. 147 00:08:13,630 --> 00:08:15,350 Might or might not have made it to the target. 148 00:08:17,270 --> 00:08:18,710 I guess I took the easy way. 149 00:08:20,950 --> 00:08:23,510 Thanks for telling me, but you didn't have to. 150 00:08:24,310 --> 00:08:25,310 Yes, I did. 151 00:08:25,710 --> 00:08:27,210 I've wanted to for a long time. 152 00:08:27,570 --> 00:08:29,410 Been afraid someone else would tell you first. 153 00:08:31,500 --> 00:08:33,539 There mustn't ever be any doubt between us. 154 00:08:34,919 --> 00:08:37,179 Come on, let's make that move. 155 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:46,560 Tom West and his gang of Simon Legrees put us through three weeks of back 156 00:08:46,560 --> 00:08:47,560 -breaking groundwork. 157 00:08:47,820 --> 00:08:50,300 Where should those oil cooler switches be? Automatic. 158 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:53,000 Right. 159 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:55,760 Where are the fuel shuttle valves? Right here. 160 00:08:57,380 --> 00:08:59,480 What's the first item on the checklist of engine failure in flight? 161 00:08:59,910 --> 00:09:02,130 Well, come on, come on. You're flying 30 ,000 feet and you've got engine 162 00:09:02,130 --> 00:09:03,130 trouble. What would you do? 163 00:09:03,350 --> 00:09:05,050 Your engines are catching on fire. What would you do? 164 00:09:05,530 --> 00:09:06,730 I'd call the auto club. 165 00:09:08,950 --> 00:09:11,230 All right, you gunners. Let's make with the gun sights, huh? 166 00:09:11,530 --> 00:09:12,530 You're first, Frenchy. 167 00:09:12,730 --> 00:09:13,730 What do we shoot? 168 00:09:15,410 --> 00:09:16,409 Five bucks. 169 00:09:16,410 --> 00:09:17,490 The 11. 170 00:09:18,950 --> 00:09:20,150 That'll be a fin, French. 171 00:09:22,190 --> 00:09:23,950 Oh, you pretty things. 172 00:09:26,570 --> 00:09:28,250 Finally came the day we've been waiting for. 173 00:09:28,650 --> 00:09:30,310 Our first flight in a B -29. 174 00:09:31,230 --> 00:09:32,230 Pilot to crew. 175 00:09:32,590 --> 00:09:34,130 Our status today is this. 176 00:09:34,470 --> 00:09:36,330 The right scanner's blister is cracked. 177 00:09:36,590 --> 00:09:39,590 We're restricted for pressurized flight above 25 ,000 feet. 178 00:09:40,290 --> 00:09:42,490 I'll turn it over to you at 25 ,000, Cal. 179 00:09:42,850 --> 00:09:44,430 They get flight paper, this. 180 00:09:45,390 --> 00:09:46,390 Pilot to crew. 181 00:09:46,750 --> 00:09:47,810 Ready to start engines. 182 00:09:50,310 --> 00:09:51,510 Left scanner to pilot. 183 00:09:51,910 --> 00:09:53,750 Fire guard standing by number one engine. 184 00:09:54,470 --> 00:09:55,870 Ready to start number one. 185 00:09:57,610 --> 00:09:58,610 Bad number one. 186 00:10:22,270 --> 00:10:24,470 Quiet the crew. Stand by the taxi. 187 00:10:24,750 --> 00:10:25,890 Hydraulic pressure's okay. 188 00:10:26,410 --> 00:10:27,410 You have the actions. 189 00:10:27,790 --> 00:10:28,790 Roger. 190 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:01,900 4038 calling Smoky Hill Tower. 191 00:11:02,260 --> 00:11:04,540 Smoky Hill Tower to 4038, go ahead. 192 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:07,740 4038 requesting permission to take off. 193 00:11:08,320 --> 00:11:10,140 Roger, you're clear for immediate takeoff. 194 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:11,440 Roger. 195 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:14,900 Pilot to crew, stand by for takeoff. 196 00:11:30,990 --> 00:11:31,990 Speed 90. 197 00:11:38,590 --> 00:11:39,590 120. 198 00:11:44,990 --> 00:11:45,990 130. 199 00:11:47,830 --> 00:11:48,830 135. 200 00:11:49,430 --> 00:11:51,030 Hey, what's wrong with this thing? 201 00:11:59,850 --> 00:12:00,850 Wheels up. 202 00:12:03,950 --> 00:12:05,970 Does this thing always take that much runway? 203 00:12:06,790 --> 00:12:07,790 Not always. 204 00:12:08,070 --> 00:12:10,190 Today we're grossing 130 ,000 pounds. 205 00:12:12,950 --> 00:12:14,070 Left scanner to pilot. 206 00:12:14,370 --> 00:12:17,050 Left gear coming up. Right scanner to pilot. 207 00:12:17,250 --> 00:12:18,690 Right gear coming up. 208 00:12:19,030 --> 00:12:20,030 Flaps up. 209 00:12:23,770 --> 00:12:25,030 Left scanner to pilot. 210 00:12:25,560 --> 00:12:29,540 Left flap coming up, sir. Right scanner to pilot. Right flap coming up. 211 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:30,880 Tail gunner to pilot. 212 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:32,080 Tail skid up. 213 00:12:32,620 --> 00:12:35,360 Roger. Reduce power to condition two. 214 00:12:35,720 --> 00:12:37,440 Left gear and flap up. 215 00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:42,160 Number one and two engines look okay, sir. Right gear and flap up. Number 216 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:43,560 and four engines okay, sir. 217 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:48,280 Me, the hottest gunner in the Air Force, a flap and gear in the gear. 218 00:12:49,120 --> 00:12:51,240 Hey, Shaker, you're on the interphone. 219 00:12:51,480 --> 00:12:53,580 You want to make a broadcast about your gunnery? 220 00:13:06,730 --> 00:13:08,430 25 ,000 feet, I took the controls. 221 00:13:10,070 --> 00:13:13,510 Set up the automatic pilot with the bombardier and prepare to drop practice 222 00:13:13,510 --> 00:13:16,130 bombs. Right. Going back to see how the students are doing. 223 00:13:16,970 --> 00:13:17,970 Cheers. 224 00:13:18,230 --> 00:13:19,230 Senator PDI. 225 00:13:19,650 --> 00:13:21,430 Roger. Get the table up, Jordan. 226 00:13:24,710 --> 00:13:25,870 Tight quarters, sir. 227 00:13:26,290 --> 00:13:27,290 You get used to it. 228 00:13:31,110 --> 00:13:34,190 They say this thing will take a full load up to 35 ,000 feet. 229 00:13:34,680 --> 00:13:36,360 Well, we've got a full load of practice bombs. 230 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:37,840 Let's find out. 231 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:51,020 No, no, not yet. Let me show you once more. 232 00:13:51,780 --> 00:13:52,780 Look. 233 00:13:53,300 --> 00:13:56,420 You never try to turn this until you release the lock. 234 00:13:56,880 --> 00:13:58,780 Now, you see how simple... 235 00:14:03,950 --> 00:14:05,950 Hey, Ted, this baby really can climb. 236 00:14:07,410 --> 00:14:08,410 Open. 237 00:14:09,370 --> 00:14:11,050 Locked. Let's do it now. 238 00:14:14,230 --> 00:14:16,390 Pull it. 239 00:14:23,910 --> 00:14:26,070 Pull it. Come on, kid, pull that forward. 240 00:14:26,400 --> 00:14:28,000 The pilot's open. It won't be long now. 241 00:14:28,220 --> 00:14:30,820 Yeah, well, the chute ain't open. What's the matter with that silk? Why don't it 242 00:14:30,820 --> 00:14:33,160 open? Who is it? Who went out? Why don't it blossom? 243 00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:35,100 Hey, you guys, who is it? It's Dak. 244 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:36,660 He was riding my chair. 245 00:14:36,860 --> 00:14:39,780 Gosh, Tinker, I was scared it was you. 10 to 1, he's out cold. 246 00:14:40,040 --> 00:14:41,040 Must have hit his head. 247 00:14:41,100 --> 00:14:42,380 You get a chance, poor guy. 248 00:14:42,620 --> 00:14:44,120 25 ,000 feet. 249 00:14:44,340 --> 00:14:48,040 Right out of my chair. You and your rabbit's foot. There'll be nothing left 250 00:14:48,040 --> 00:14:49,460 him. Why don't they make those chutes automatic? 251 00:14:49,800 --> 00:14:51,000 There goes the silk. It's open. 252 00:14:51,440 --> 00:14:52,299 That's a boy. 253 00:14:52,300 --> 00:14:53,380 Yeah, boy. 254 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:54,760 That's a boy sack. 255 00:15:11,600 --> 00:15:12,620 reading the plane's status today? 256 00:15:13,060 --> 00:15:14,060 Yes, sir. 257 00:15:14,420 --> 00:15:18,120 Did you understand why the plane's flight was restricted at 25 ,000 feet? 258 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:19,119 Yes, sir. 259 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:21,600 And why in blazer did you climb to 30 ,000 feet? 260 00:15:21,860 --> 00:15:25,260 Frankly, I thought the crack on the right scanner's blister was so minute I 261 00:15:25,260 --> 00:15:26,400 didn't think it was weak enough to blow. 262 00:15:27,300 --> 00:15:30,720 If Sergeant Stack is still alive, I'm sure he'd appreciate that statement. 263 00:15:32,940 --> 00:15:36,060 It censures the fact that you failed to absorb the basic rudiments of the 264 00:15:36,060 --> 00:15:37,200 cabin's supercharging system. 265 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:40,480 No doubt you've missed many other equally important details. 266 00:15:41,250 --> 00:15:44,370 Therefore, you're going back to ground school. Until you and your crew know 267 00:15:44,370 --> 00:15:45,610 plane from nose to tail. 268 00:15:45,890 --> 00:15:48,070 Can't take any chances on ruining this program. 269 00:15:48,350 --> 00:15:50,730 You know how much money and sweat's been poured into it. 270 00:15:51,430 --> 00:15:54,590 The entire air corps from General Arnold down is depending upon it. 271 00:15:55,590 --> 00:15:58,690 A lot of Washington big shots are bucking against the whole project. 272 00:15:59,090 --> 00:16:02,350 A few incidents like this one today and they'll say the B -29's a washout. 273 00:16:03,270 --> 00:16:06,530 Even if you knew everything there is to know about the ship and could handle 274 00:16:06,530 --> 00:16:09,990 your duties and your crew perfectly, you'd still find plenty of bugs to keep 275 00:16:09,990 --> 00:16:11,360 guessing. Remember this, Cal. 276 00:16:11,660 --> 00:16:16,460 When you command a B -29, you're solely responsible for your crew and a million 277 00:16:16,460 --> 00:16:17,460 -dollar airplane. 278 00:16:20,780 --> 00:16:24,480 Well, I don't blame you for being sore, Professor. 279 00:16:25,380 --> 00:16:27,060 If I were you, I'd feel the same way. 280 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:34,660 You sure took your time opening that chute. What happened? 281 00:16:35,740 --> 00:16:36,980 My hands were cold. 282 00:16:37,700 --> 00:16:39,440 He falls on 30 ,000 feet. 283 00:16:39,790 --> 00:16:44,190 where there's no oxygen, 40 below zero, and only suffers a little frostbite. 284 00:16:45,450 --> 00:16:47,370 Aren't you ashamed of yourself, Sergeant? 285 00:16:47,910 --> 00:16:50,230 Can't you see the tears in my big red eyes? 286 00:16:52,550 --> 00:16:55,430 In a few sweating months, we learned a lot about the B -29. 287 00:16:57,050 --> 00:17:02,530 That airborne killer was big as a house, fast as light, and temperamental as a 288 00:17:02,530 --> 00:17:03,530 Siamese cat. 289 00:17:03,990 --> 00:17:06,970 But if you treated her right, she'd behave like a perfect lady. 290 00:17:07,690 --> 00:17:09,170 A fighting lady, that is. 291 00:17:09,710 --> 00:17:13,050 She was armed with enough guns to take care of herself against any attack. 292 00:17:13,270 --> 00:17:17,369 Her powerful engines could lift her out of range of enemy flak. She could out 293 00:17:17,369 --> 00:17:19,010 -climb and out -run any fighter. 294 00:17:19,849 --> 00:17:26,329 And in her sleek belly, she carried ten tons of fire and sudden death. 295 00:17:37,550 --> 00:17:41,630 All she needed now were bases of operation within 2 ,000 miles of the 296 00:17:41,630 --> 00:17:45,510 throat. Yes, she could fly 2 ,000 miles and back. 297 00:17:46,230 --> 00:17:49,030 The Army and the Navy would see that she got her bases. 298 00:17:50,570 --> 00:17:55,290 I was beginning to catch some of Tom's fever for the big ship, and my whole 299 00:17:55,290 --> 00:17:56,710 was eager to take her into combat. 300 00:17:57,610 --> 00:17:58,650 What a weapon. 301 00:17:59,150 --> 00:18:03,550 She could double in spades any airplane ever built by anybody, anywhere. 302 00:18:04,830 --> 00:18:06,890 And when she laid her eggs on the target, 303 00:18:11,679 --> 00:18:13,920 General Wolf was the daddy of the B -29. 304 00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:18,820 From the day General Hap Arnold said, build it, the big bomber was General 305 00:18:18,820 --> 00:18:19,820 Wolf's baby. 306 00:18:19,860 --> 00:18:23,700 And like a good parent, he worried about it and was proud of it. 307 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:29,060 Men, you've got a big job to do. You've got a great machine to do that job. 308 00:18:30,260 --> 00:18:32,820 A long -range weapon to hit the enemy where it hurts. 309 00:18:33,860 --> 00:18:34,860 In the heart. 310 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:37,940 There's plenty of kinks to be ironed out. 311 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:40,240 I know that you men can iron them out. 312 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:44,720 The B -29 will make good. 313 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:46,400 It's got to make good. 314 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:49,260 And now, fellas, your school days are over. 315 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:50,960 You're ready for action. 316 00:18:52,920 --> 00:18:54,380 Your commanding officer will brief you. 317 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:56,040 Good luck. 318 00:19:00,140 --> 00:19:02,620 You were previously alerted, so this should not surprise you. 319 00:19:03,060 --> 00:19:05,200 As of now, you are all respected to the base. 320 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:08,640 You will take off tomorrow at 0700. 321 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:11,580 Your first stop will be Gander Lake, Newfoundland. 322 00:19:11,920 --> 00:19:14,060 There you will be briefed on the next leg of your flight. 323 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:18,000 From Gander on, your route must remain secure for now. 324 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:20,360 Weather briefing, 0500 tomorrow. 325 00:19:21,100 --> 00:19:22,100 Attention! 326 00:19:29,340 --> 00:19:30,340 I'll miss you, Professor. 327 00:19:30,760 --> 00:19:31,860 I'll be right with you. 328 00:19:33,160 --> 00:19:35,620 Oh, I dropped in to say goodbye. 329 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:37,240 We're shutting off tomorrow. 330 00:19:37,820 --> 00:19:38,920 Tom's going too, isn't he? 331 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:40,200 Yeah. 332 00:19:40,460 --> 00:19:42,260 You really light up for him, don't you? 333 00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:43,980 He told me about Plovesi. 334 00:19:44,560 --> 00:19:45,560 He did? 335 00:19:46,420 --> 00:19:51,280 He told me that he turned back because he wanted his men to go on living, 336 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:52,280 all. 337 00:19:52,700 --> 00:19:53,700 It's true, isn't it? 338 00:19:54,880 --> 00:19:56,440 Oh, let's not talk about Tom. 339 00:19:57,720 --> 00:19:59,080 I came to say goodbye to you. 340 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:01,440 Goodbye, dear. 341 00:20:02,300 --> 00:20:03,300 God be with you. 342 00:20:18,670 --> 00:20:19,670 Someday I will. 343 00:20:43,230 --> 00:20:45,810 Hey, where do you guys think you're going? I know. 344 00:20:46,240 --> 00:20:49,260 They're fixing on giving us an escort right to the edge of the schoolyard. 345 00:20:49,380 --> 00:20:50,640 Pretty brave bunch, ain't they? 346 00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:52,340 We're going as far as you are, Mac. 347 00:20:53,360 --> 00:20:54,360 Maybe farther. 348 00:20:54,600 --> 00:20:57,740 Somebody must have forgot to tell you little boys we're going into combat. 349 00:20:58,080 --> 00:21:00,220 We plan to get there before you ate balls. 350 00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:03,120 We'll have everything ready when you make that crash land. 351 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:06,000 Jess, how about arbitrating this dispute? 352 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:09,580 Why don't we have a little wager on the first plane to get there? 353 00:21:09,820 --> 00:21:10,820 Get where? 354 00:21:10,860 --> 00:21:12,280 Wherever we're going. I'm for that. 355 00:21:13,020 --> 00:21:14,020 How much? 356 00:21:16,410 --> 00:21:17,369 You name it. 357 00:21:17,370 --> 00:21:18,430 They're a poor -looking bunch. 358 00:21:18,810 --> 00:21:19,890 Let's go easy on them. 359 00:21:20,290 --> 00:21:21,650 Don't do us no favors, country boy. 360 00:21:22,030 --> 00:21:23,030 Just name your bet. 361 00:21:23,630 --> 00:21:24,990 Looks like they're asking for it. 362 00:21:25,610 --> 00:21:27,110 Let's shoot to work. I'm with you. 363 00:21:27,310 --> 00:21:29,290 Okay. How about a must -pay when we get there? 364 00:21:31,270 --> 00:21:32,270 You've got a deal, Davis. 365 00:21:33,110 --> 00:21:34,470 It's going to be a pleasure to take your dough. 366 00:21:35,050 --> 00:21:36,650 Don't spend it before you make it, Junior. 367 00:21:37,470 --> 00:21:38,470 Home, James! 368 00:21:48,430 --> 00:21:49,430 Beg pardon, Major. 369 00:21:49,550 --> 00:21:51,210 Lieutenant Landers would like to see you. 370 00:21:53,550 --> 00:21:54,550 Thanks. 371 00:22:00,570 --> 00:22:03,650 Morning. Tom, you didn't come over last night to say goodbye. 372 00:22:04,370 --> 00:22:06,650 Well, I started to, but... But what? 373 00:22:07,750 --> 00:22:08,750 Something interfered. 374 00:22:08,990 --> 00:22:10,650 Oh, something important? 375 00:22:12,250 --> 00:22:13,630 Well, I guess it was. 376 00:22:14,090 --> 00:22:16,330 Anyhow, here I am with my pride in my hands. 377 00:22:17,360 --> 00:22:18,820 I didn't think it mattered to you, Helen. 378 00:22:19,080 --> 00:22:20,100 Saying goodbye to me. 379 00:22:21,120 --> 00:22:22,120 Were you right? 380 00:22:23,700 --> 00:22:24,700 You want me to? 381 00:22:25,260 --> 00:22:26,260 Of course. 382 00:22:31,600 --> 00:22:32,600 Takeoff time. 383 00:22:32,820 --> 00:22:36,900 I... I wish you were coming in instead of going out. 384 00:22:38,860 --> 00:22:39,860 Goodbye, Helen. 385 00:22:40,040 --> 00:22:42,060 If you want to say goodbye to Cal, you better hurry. 386 00:22:42,300 --> 00:22:43,300 The plane's over there. 387 00:22:43,460 --> 00:22:45,140 I'll be right here watching you go. 388 00:22:51,950 --> 00:22:52,950 All right. 389 00:23:20,330 --> 00:23:23,030 Well, Mabuccos, we're off again and nobody knows where we're heading. 390 00:23:23,350 --> 00:23:24,309 Radio to pilot. 391 00:23:24,310 --> 00:23:26,490 We're heading for the poorhouse if we lose this race. 392 00:23:27,110 --> 00:23:29,150 Pilot to radio. What's that about losing a race, Pop? 393 00:23:29,890 --> 00:23:33,630 Well, it's just a little personal arrangement your crew made with Major 394 00:23:33,630 --> 00:23:35,570 Jokers. What kind of an arrangement? 395 00:23:36,610 --> 00:23:37,770 Ride scanner to pilot. 396 00:23:38,470 --> 00:23:41,110 It's just a dang sure way to make a few bucks, Skipper. 397 00:23:41,650 --> 00:23:45,170 We laid a month's wages. We beat the school teachers to where some ever were 398 00:23:45,170 --> 00:23:47,350 going. Pilot to crew. You're crazy. 399 00:23:48,110 --> 00:23:49,730 Hey, Shaker, my wage is two. 400 00:23:50,250 --> 00:23:51,250 Yes, sir. 401 00:23:52,510 --> 00:23:54,510 I guess I better see what this trade will do. 402 00:23:55,390 --> 00:24:00,130 Smoky Hill to Gander, to Marrakech, to Cairo, to Karachi. 403 00:24:00,870 --> 00:24:01,950 Halfway around the world. 404 00:24:02,750 --> 00:24:05,090 Destination, Karagapur, India. 405 00:24:06,930 --> 00:24:08,070 What's our position, Bill? 406 00:24:08,870 --> 00:24:11,330 Karagapur Airfield, dead ahead 50 miles. 407 00:24:11,790 --> 00:24:14,110 All right, you gamblers, wake up and collect! 408 00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:19,120 This is my sleeping beauty. We are about to go under the wire. 409 00:24:19,340 --> 00:24:20,340 The winners. 410 00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:21,640 Hey, gang. 411 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:23,400 We won. 412 00:24:23,700 --> 00:24:25,600 We won. The skipper said we won. 413 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:26,840 Oh, we won. 414 00:24:29,180 --> 00:24:30,180 Remember, 415 00:24:32,020 --> 00:24:33,980 boys, be kind to the unfortunate. 416 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:37,220 Don't be too rough on the major's gang when they pay you off. 417 00:24:39,380 --> 00:24:40,760 Let's have a little music, I'd say. 418 00:24:41,160 --> 00:24:42,160 Try BBC. 419 00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:43,280 Right. 420 00:24:43,630 --> 00:24:48,210 It's too bad about all those nice young American Marines who had to die at 421 00:24:48,210 --> 00:24:52,830 Guadalcanal, at Tarawa, and now in Admiralty Island. 422 00:24:53,130 --> 00:24:54,210 And for what? 423 00:24:54,450 --> 00:24:59,790 You'll find out. To your politicians and your generals, I say, your efforts are 424 00:24:59,790 --> 00:25:05,750 hopeless. And now, greetings from your girlfriend to the boys of the 20th Air 425 00:25:05,750 --> 00:25:10,590 Force, General Wolf's boys, now approaching Kharagapur. 426 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:15,720 And a very special greeting to the boys in the B -29s. 427 00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:23,100 Serial numbers, 6 -2 -2 -7, 6 -3 -1 -4, 6 -3 -2 -9. 6 -3 -1 428 00:25:23,100 --> 00:25:27,820 -4? That's our number. Yeah. 6 -2 -5 -4. But she's broadcasting from Tokyo. Oh, 429 00:25:27,820 --> 00:25:31,060 wait. How come she knows so much? 6 -3 -1 -2. It would be some people in India 430 00:25:31,060 --> 00:25:32,600 don't like us. 2 -6 -5. 431 00:25:33,620 --> 00:25:35,560 6 -3 -1 -4 to Garagapur Tower. 432 00:25:35,780 --> 00:25:37,980 6 -3 -1 -4 to Garagapur Tower. Come in, please. 433 00:25:38,640 --> 00:25:40,500 Garagapur Tower to 6 -3 -1 -4. 434 00:25:41,050 --> 00:25:41,669 Come in. 435 00:25:41,670 --> 00:25:43,630 6 -3 -1 -4, request landing instructions. 436 00:25:44,070 --> 00:25:45,310 Roger, 6 -3 -1 -4. 437 00:25:45,850 --> 00:25:46,850 Traffic left. 438 00:25:46,890 --> 00:25:48,350 Landing runway 1 -3. 439 00:25:48,610 --> 00:25:51,070 Wind south, southeast, 2 -0. 440 00:25:51,470 --> 00:25:52,490 Roger, Garagobor. 441 00:25:53,070 --> 00:25:56,350 And order up the beer for the first B -29 you ever saw. 442 00:25:56,610 --> 00:25:59,290 But you're not the first B -29, Captain Calvert. 443 00:26:00,230 --> 00:26:01,570 Hey, Cal, that's west. 444 00:26:02,370 --> 00:26:05,990 For your information, the nearest beer is 8 ,000 miles west of your present 445 00:26:05,990 --> 00:26:08,250 position. What took you so long, Cal? 446 00:26:08,870 --> 00:26:10,170 Oh, I might have known it. 447 00:26:10,750 --> 00:26:14,870 He nursed his gasoline, skipped Karachi and made it from Cairo in one hop. 448 00:26:15,310 --> 00:26:18,950 Our flight to India and that shakedown mission to Bangkok were just warm -ups 449 00:26:18,950 --> 00:26:20,650 for the first inning of our game with the enemy. 450 00:26:22,270 --> 00:26:26,670 Tomorrow, we start over the Himalayas to China, where Chiang Kai -shek is 451 00:26:26,670 --> 00:26:28,670 building airstrips for us in the Chengdu Valley. 452 00:26:29,430 --> 00:26:33,690 Next day, we landed at Chengdu on Chiang Kai -shek's handmade airstrip. 453 00:26:33,890 --> 00:26:35,510 And I mean handmade. 454 00:26:36,170 --> 00:26:37,430 Get a load of that, will you? 455 00:26:37,900 --> 00:26:39,600 Boy, that's what I call a personal test. 456 00:26:39,980 --> 00:26:40,879 Just imagine. 457 00:26:40,880 --> 00:26:45,320 All that work so our little old B -29 will have a place to lie. For a job like 458 00:26:45,320 --> 00:26:46,460 that, you need a lot of muscle. 459 00:26:46,880 --> 00:26:48,860 For a job like that, you need a lot of pull. 460 00:26:49,060 --> 00:26:50,060 Oh, no. 461 00:26:50,720 --> 00:26:51,720 Hey, gang. 462 00:26:52,520 --> 00:26:53,520 Get a load of that. 463 00:26:53,680 --> 00:26:54,680 Yeah. 464 00:26:55,120 --> 00:26:58,540 I wonder how they did it in the olden days. On their hands, brother. On their 465 00:26:58,540 --> 00:26:59,540 hands. 466 00:27:00,700 --> 00:27:01,679 Hey, Nelson. 467 00:27:01,680 --> 00:27:02,680 You know everything. 468 00:27:02,760 --> 00:27:03,679 Tell us. 469 00:27:03,680 --> 00:27:04,820 What makes are those mouths? 470 00:27:05,120 --> 00:27:06,320 Chicken croquettes, maybe. 471 00:27:06,840 --> 00:27:08,320 No, that's the bookkeeping system. 472 00:27:08,560 --> 00:27:10,460 It's a record of the work done by each family. 473 00:27:10,720 --> 00:27:12,260 Say, you're right smart, considering. 474 00:27:12,960 --> 00:27:14,580 Maybe you can tell us what that is. 475 00:27:14,780 --> 00:27:15,759 That's tongue oil. 476 00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:17,780 It dries out and hardens the runway surface. 477 00:27:18,040 --> 00:27:18,979 Tongue oil? 478 00:27:18,980 --> 00:27:22,020 Now, just how do you spell that, bright boy? T -O -N -G? 479 00:27:22,260 --> 00:27:23,620 No, T -U -N -G. 480 00:27:23,820 --> 00:27:24,819 It's a bean. 481 00:27:24,820 --> 00:27:27,760 Not that loose thing you got flapping around that big mouth of yours. 482 00:27:29,080 --> 00:27:30,860 And usually he's pretty big. 483 00:27:31,240 --> 00:27:35,780 Like every other place in the world, someone yells lunch and all words stops. 484 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:38,080 Time to want we get rice pudding for chow. 485 00:27:39,280 --> 00:27:40,640 Awful nice with glass hoppers. 486 00:27:43,520 --> 00:27:45,280 Well, pardon my chopsticks. 487 00:27:52,360 --> 00:27:53,360 Well, men. 488 00:27:53,620 --> 00:27:56,360 We now have a fair idea of what the B -29 will do. 489 00:27:56,920 --> 00:27:57,920 Theoretically, that is. 490 00:27:58,880 --> 00:28:01,140 Now we come to the practical part. The bombing. 491 00:28:02,700 --> 00:28:04,660 Tomorrow, we take off on a... 492 00:28:04,910 --> 00:28:05,970 Night raid on Japan. 493 00:28:10,330 --> 00:28:13,510 Ours will be the first land -based air attack on the NIP's homeland. 494 00:28:16,350 --> 00:28:19,770 This is the beginning of the organized destruction of the Japanese industrial 495 00:28:19,770 --> 00:28:20,770 empire. 496 00:28:21,610 --> 00:28:24,070 You and your crews will be briefed at 0500. 497 00:28:25,330 --> 00:28:26,590 I will lead the flight. 498 00:28:27,790 --> 00:28:28,790 Good night, fellas. 499 00:28:38,830 --> 00:28:39,830 That's it. 500 00:28:40,430 --> 00:28:42,030 What'd you guess on the target, Tom? 501 00:28:43,130 --> 00:28:44,510 We'll know at 0500. 502 00:28:46,330 --> 00:28:47,950 I got a letter from Helen yesterday. 503 00:28:48,290 --> 00:28:49,290 Who did I? 504 00:28:49,830 --> 00:28:52,210 She's got a wonderful mother instinct, that girl. 505 00:28:52,530 --> 00:28:54,530 Yeah? Yeah, she told me to look after you. 506 00:28:55,650 --> 00:28:57,470 What? Told me to look after you. 507 00:28:58,390 --> 00:29:04,630 This is Tokyo Rose, your girlfriend, with news and music just for you. 508 00:29:05,350 --> 00:29:06,350 And especially... 509 00:29:06,940 --> 00:29:08,680 for the B -29 boys in China. 510 00:29:09,160 --> 00:29:10,380 Listen to me, boys. 511 00:29:10,760 --> 00:29:12,740 Fly back over the hump to India. 512 00:29:13,120 --> 00:29:17,620 I hate to think of all of you getting killed, and that's just what will happen 513 00:29:17,620 --> 00:29:18,620 if you try to dodge. 514 00:29:45,539 --> 00:29:51,620 We have too many fighter planes and too many anti -aircraft for you to get 515 00:29:51,620 --> 00:29:53,880 through. It would be suicide, boys. 516 00:29:54,420 --> 00:29:55,420 Suicide. 517 00:29:55,760 --> 00:29:58,820 And now, a little tune to remind you of home. 518 00:30:00,260 --> 00:30:01,860 Getting that old Ploesti feeling? 519 00:30:04,720 --> 00:30:07,600 Engine trouble, fella. I've known you too long not to know the signs. 520 00:30:09,660 --> 00:30:11,000 What is this, a shock treatment? 521 00:30:13,100 --> 00:30:14,560 Tell me I don't have what it takes. 522 00:30:15,060 --> 00:30:16,060 No, sir. 523 00:30:16,800 --> 00:30:18,720 I just don't want you to get in another jam. 524 00:30:28,430 --> 00:30:30,570 My 24th mission, I had two crew members killed. 525 00:30:31,610 --> 00:30:36,210 My 25th at Ploesti, I reported engine trouble, bombed a secondary milkman 526 00:30:36,210 --> 00:30:37,210 target. 527 00:30:37,410 --> 00:30:39,070 There was no serious engine trouble. 528 00:30:39,610 --> 00:30:42,310 My flight leader knew it, but he didn't turn me in. 529 00:30:43,050 --> 00:30:45,270 Instead, I was assigned to your B -29 program. 530 00:30:47,230 --> 00:30:49,350 I was just listening to Tokyo Rose. 531 00:30:50,450 --> 00:30:52,410 I'm worried about tomorrow's raid on Japan. 532 00:30:53,530 --> 00:30:54,770 For my crew, that is. 533 00:30:57,160 --> 00:30:59,740 I don't know if I'll do any better than I did on my 25th. 534 00:31:01,140 --> 00:31:02,140 Sit down. 535 00:31:04,020 --> 00:31:05,760 You asking me to take you off the mission? 536 00:31:06,280 --> 00:31:07,280 No, sir. 537 00:31:07,640 --> 00:31:10,140 Just thought maybe you could help set me straight. 538 00:31:12,980 --> 00:31:15,460 Well, I'm no psychoanalyst, Tom, but I'm glad you came in. 539 00:31:15,700 --> 00:31:16,900 Makes things easier for me. 540 00:31:18,160 --> 00:31:20,680 I'd already decided to take you off combat duty. 541 00:31:21,920 --> 00:31:24,160 You're more valuable to us than engineering work. 542 00:31:24,800 --> 00:31:26,140 And effective now... 543 00:31:26,460 --> 00:31:30,320 You're the bomber command engineering officer, replacing Colonel Oakley, who 544 00:31:30,320 --> 00:31:31,500 lost over the hump last week. 545 00:31:33,040 --> 00:31:35,900 Filling his shoes is a tough job, Tom, but you've got the background. 546 00:31:37,440 --> 00:31:40,660 I'll be counting on you to find the bugs in the B -29 and come up with the 547 00:31:40,660 --> 00:31:41,660 proper modifications. 548 00:31:42,120 --> 00:31:46,240 Thank you, sir. I appreciate your confidence in me, but what happens to my 549 00:31:46,540 --> 00:31:49,140 Well, I'll send them back to Wendover, Utah. We've had a request for an 550 00:31:49,140 --> 00:31:50,740 experienced crew for a special mission. 551 00:31:52,300 --> 00:31:53,820 Well, good luck on your mission tomorrow, sir. 552 00:31:56,140 --> 00:31:57,220 I'm not leading a mission. 553 00:31:57,720 --> 00:32:00,580 General Sanders is replacing me and taking over my command here. 554 00:32:02,020 --> 00:32:03,380 I've been ordered to right field. 555 00:32:05,100 --> 00:32:08,100 General Arnold feels I'm more useful on the ground. 556 00:32:09,040 --> 00:32:10,920 Good luck on your new job. Thank you, sir. 557 00:32:11,460 --> 00:32:16,000 Remember, Tom, you don't win medals on the ground, but you do help to win wars. 558 00:32:16,300 --> 00:32:17,300 Yes, sir. 559 00:32:49,800 --> 00:32:53,680 Dear Mom, this is a funny place to be writing a letter. 560 00:32:55,100 --> 00:32:57,160 But I've got to do something to keep from thinking. 561 00:33:10,640 --> 00:33:11,640 Shaker. 562 00:33:12,300 --> 00:33:13,600 Shaker, you there? 563 00:33:14,420 --> 00:33:15,440 What are you saying, boy? 564 00:33:16,360 --> 00:33:17,360 Do you see anything? 565 00:33:17,940 --> 00:33:18,940 Nothing. 566 00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:21,800 Yet. I thought I saw a fighter out there. 567 00:33:22,160 --> 00:33:23,160 A light. 568 00:33:23,440 --> 00:33:25,000 Too early for fighters, Penis. 569 00:33:25,380 --> 00:33:26,520 That's one of our own ships. 570 00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:28,000 Pilot to crew. 571 00:33:28,820 --> 00:33:30,800 Penis was right in reporting what he imagined he saw. 572 00:33:32,080 --> 00:33:34,560 You guys that flew with me and the 24s get on your toes. 573 00:33:34,900 --> 00:33:37,960 Gotta be sharp as a new man and they're trying like all get out to be the best. 574 00:33:39,460 --> 00:33:40,800 Jess? Yes, Cal? 575 00:33:41,360 --> 00:33:44,240 Get those bombs on the target or we'll kick you out without a parachute. 576 00:33:44,780 --> 00:33:45,780 Okay. 577 00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:51,130 Bill? Yes, Cal? Remember the day, Billy boy, we were heading for Naples out of 578 00:33:51,130 --> 00:33:52,630 Libya, and ended up in Sicily? 579 00:33:52,950 --> 00:33:53,950 Yeah. 580 00:33:54,230 --> 00:33:55,930 We don't want to end up in Calcutta tonight. 581 00:33:56,430 --> 00:33:59,650 I'll get you to Iwata right on the button, and back to Chengtu. 582 00:34:00,650 --> 00:34:02,290 Couldn't make it back to Kansas, could you? 583 00:34:03,730 --> 00:34:04,730 Sheikha. 584 00:34:05,710 --> 00:34:06,710 Sheikha, can you hear me? 585 00:34:07,370 --> 00:34:08,368 Yes, dear. 586 00:34:08,370 --> 00:34:09,409 We hear you. 587 00:34:12,030 --> 00:34:13,030 Out at the radar. 588 00:34:13,650 --> 00:34:15,270 What do you see in your crystal ball, Tony? 589 00:34:15,719 --> 00:34:16,719 Radar to pilot. 590 00:34:17,100 --> 00:34:19,460 I'm getting a good blip from Kamishima Island. 591 00:34:19,800 --> 00:34:21,580 Dead ahead, four miles. 592 00:34:24,219 --> 00:34:25,219 Pilot to crew. 593 00:34:25,380 --> 00:34:28,219 Get on your oxygen masks, flak vests and helmets. 594 00:34:28,540 --> 00:34:29,780 Check in when you're all set. 595 00:34:37,760 --> 00:34:43,900 Our target was the Imperial Iron and Steel Works at Yawata. 596 00:34:44,460 --> 00:34:49,179 Except for the brave hit -and -run raid of the Doolittle Flyers in 1942, we were 597 00:34:49,179 --> 00:34:51,600 the first Americans to bring bombs to the Japanese homeland. 598 00:34:52,840 --> 00:34:53,840 Radar to pilot. 599 00:34:54,360 --> 00:34:56,340 Over initial point, new heading. 600 00:34:56,920 --> 00:34:59,020 1 -0 -8 degrees. 601 00:35:00,820 --> 00:35:02,540 Turning to 1 -0 -8. 602 00:35:02,820 --> 00:35:04,500 Check that heading, navigator. 603 00:35:07,060 --> 00:35:08,140 Navigator to pilot. 604 00:35:08,360 --> 00:35:09,360 Heading okay. 605 00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:11,340 Target 60 miles ahead. 606 00:35:12,430 --> 00:35:14,210 Ground speed, 240 knots. 607 00:35:15,410 --> 00:35:17,450 Estimate over target in 15 minutes. 608 00:35:18,110 --> 00:35:19,110 Radar to pilot. 609 00:35:19,990 --> 00:35:21,810 I'm picking up the coastline now. 610 00:35:22,190 --> 00:35:23,850 Range, 35 miles. 611 00:35:24,250 --> 00:35:26,150 Let me know when you spot the target. Roger. 612 00:35:27,030 --> 00:35:28,310 Pilot to bomber, dear. 613 00:35:28,510 --> 00:35:30,450 Ready to open bomb doors in four minutes. 614 00:35:30,930 --> 00:35:32,350 Reaching bomb panel switches. 615 00:35:32,690 --> 00:35:33,690 Roger. 616 00:35:34,690 --> 00:35:35,690 Radar to pilot. 617 00:35:36,950 --> 00:35:38,650 Target coming in at 20 miles. 618 00:35:39,790 --> 00:35:41,170 Turn right four degrees. 619 00:36:01,960 --> 00:36:02,960 Pilot to bombardier. 620 00:36:03,520 --> 00:36:04,900 Open the bomb bay doors. 621 00:36:07,060 --> 00:36:08,460 Bomb bay doors coming open. 622 00:36:14,040 --> 00:36:15,680 Radar to pilot and bombardier. 623 00:36:16,760 --> 00:36:18,180 Target is coming in clear. 624 00:36:19,440 --> 00:36:20,820 Range 15 miles. 625 00:36:21,780 --> 00:36:22,980 Radar to bombardier. 626 00:36:23,660 --> 00:36:24,980 Is the bomb site ready? 627 00:36:25,340 --> 00:36:27,360 Roger. Get ready for sighting angles. 628 00:36:28,360 --> 00:36:29,600 Coming up on 53. 629 00:36:30,240 --> 00:36:32,060 Ready. Hack. 630 00:36:32,380 --> 00:36:33,380 53, check. 631 00:36:34,000 --> 00:36:35,000 Radar to pilot. 632 00:36:36,120 --> 00:36:37,600 Correct two degrees left. 633 00:36:38,320 --> 00:36:39,500 Radar to bombardier. 634 00:36:40,440 --> 00:36:42,500 Coming up on 46 degrees. 635 00:36:44,020 --> 00:36:45,020 Ready. 636 00:36:45,880 --> 00:36:47,320 Hack. 46. 637 00:36:47,660 --> 00:36:48,660 Hack. 638 00:36:48,900 --> 00:36:50,080 Looks like a good run. 639 00:36:50,380 --> 00:36:51,380 We ought to get a shot. 640 00:36:52,020 --> 00:36:53,500 Now. Bombs away. 641 00:37:23,760 --> 00:37:27,200 Shaker, check the bomb bay. Is it clear? Indicator shows bomb stuck on number 642 00:37:27,200 --> 00:37:28,200 two rack. 643 00:37:34,420 --> 00:37:35,540 One bomb's hung up. 644 00:37:36,240 --> 00:37:39,360 Left scattered a pilot. One bomb's hung up in the rear bomb bay, sir. 645 00:37:40,100 --> 00:37:41,500 Turn the bomb bay light on, Shaker. 646 00:37:42,060 --> 00:37:43,820 Take a good look. That bomb may be armed. 647 00:37:44,380 --> 00:37:47,400 Well, the bomb bay door's open, sir. The light'll shine out. The Japs will see 648 00:37:47,400 --> 00:37:48,620 it. Never mind that. 649 00:37:48,980 --> 00:37:51,620 If that bomb goes off, we won't have to worry about the Japs. 650 00:37:52,759 --> 00:37:53,820 It's armed, all right. 651 00:37:54,060 --> 00:37:56,460 The armament wire's loose and the nose veins are spun off. 652 00:37:56,680 --> 00:37:57,680 The fuse is live. 653 00:37:57,960 --> 00:37:58,960 All right, Shaker. 654 00:37:59,360 --> 00:38:01,420 Better get in the boundary and try to get it loose. 655 00:38:01,980 --> 00:38:02,980 Don't jar it. 656 00:38:03,040 --> 00:38:04,040 Don't worry, Captain. 657 00:38:04,160 --> 00:38:06,240 We'll fix her if you'll just hold this crate steady. 658 00:38:07,380 --> 00:38:10,260 All crew members, check your oxygen masks. We're going to depressurize. 659 00:38:10,540 --> 00:38:14,400 O 'Hara, start depressurizing. Use the emergency valve. Make it snappy. 660 00:38:14,680 --> 00:38:15,780 Rest scanner to pilot. 661 00:38:16,180 --> 00:38:17,180 Shaker's ready to go. 662 00:38:17,440 --> 00:38:18,800 Okay, we're depressurized. 663 00:38:19,440 --> 00:38:20,440 Open the door. 664 00:38:59,920 --> 00:39:02,100 Looks like the Japs have spotted the link to Bombay, sir. 665 00:39:02,640 --> 00:39:03,920 Shaker can't work in the dark. 666 00:39:09,520 --> 00:39:11,600 Don't shoot it, Shaker! It'll go off! 667 00:39:41,060 --> 00:39:43,360 Frenchy. Frenchy, is she going away? 668 00:39:44,000 --> 00:39:45,000 Stand by, Peterson. 669 00:39:46,280 --> 00:39:47,280 Yes, sir. 670 00:40:01,500 --> 00:40:02,500 Engine out of pilot. 671 00:40:02,720 --> 00:40:04,000 Number four engine is hit. 672 00:40:04,220 --> 00:40:05,220 More pressure dropping. 673 00:40:05,520 --> 00:40:06,520 Better feather. 674 00:40:06,620 --> 00:40:07,620 Roger. 675 00:40:12,760 --> 00:40:14,260 Reggie, how's Shaker doing? 676 00:40:14,680 --> 00:40:16,060 He's still working, sir. 677 00:40:20,780 --> 00:40:21,780 Come away! 678 00:40:24,180 --> 00:40:26,240 You can close the bomb bay doors now. 679 00:40:26,520 --> 00:40:27,520 Roger. 680 00:40:28,840 --> 00:40:30,180 Peanuts, Shaker's okay. 681 00:40:33,800 --> 00:40:35,620 Peanuts, what does the target look like? 682 00:40:40,810 --> 00:40:42,350 She's lit up like a Christmas tree, sir. 683 00:40:42,930 --> 00:40:43,930 Roger. 684 00:40:44,410 --> 00:40:45,630 Bob, send a strike report. 685 00:40:45,970 --> 00:40:47,650 Call me when Bomber Command receives your message. 686 00:40:47,990 --> 00:40:48,990 Roger. 687 00:40:49,870 --> 00:40:50,970 Couldn't have liked you, baby. 688 00:40:52,350 --> 00:40:54,870 If you could just get us home on three fans. 689 00:41:00,530 --> 00:41:02,050 Any report on that strike yet? 690 00:41:02,590 --> 00:41:03,590 Not yet, General. 691 00:41:04,670 --> 00:41:06,650 You're as nervous as an expectant father, General. 692 00:41:06,870 --> 00:41:07,870 Worse than that. 693 00:41:08,620 --> 00:41:12,360 Nature has a way of taking care of its own problems, but this thing, this man 694 00:41:12,360 --> 00:41:14,060 -made B -29 is in the balance. 695 00:41:15,300 --> 00:41:18,400 And the fate of a fine man is being weighed against it. General Arnold. 696 00:41:18,940 --> 00:41:22,720 A big axe is poised over Hap's neck on this one. How about your own neck? Mine 697 00:41:22,720 --> 00:41:25,720 too, but I'm out here where things are happening. He's back sweating it out in 698 00:41:25,720 --> 00:41:29,180 Washington. Why, my message to him tonight is you have to either make him 699 00:41:29,180 --> 00:41:29,839 break him. 700 00:41:29,840 --> 00:41:30,880 First strike report, sir. 701 00:41:34,460 --> 00:41:36,380 Send a message to General Arnold. Yes, sir. 702 00:41:36,620 --> 00:41:37,680 Say just one word. 703 00:41:38,390 --> 00:41:39,710 Betty. Yes, sir. 704 00:41:40,750 --> 00:41:42,430 Sure glad to send that message. 705 00:41:42,750 --> 00:41:43,750 Hap will sleep tonight. 706 00:41:44,030 --> 00:41:46,290 His B -29 has cut its eye teeth. 707 00:41:47,410 --> 00:41:52,610 In January, our new boss, Major General Curtis LeMay, took over the 21st Bomber 708 00:41:52,610 --> 00:41:57,390 Command on Guam and ordered my outfit to Tinian, where a very pleasant surprise 709 00:41:57,390 --> 00:41:58,390 was waiting. 710 00:42:01,590 --> 00:42:03,490 Housewarming present for the angel of mercy. 711 00:42:04,510 --> 00:42:05,510 Help! 712 00:42:08,040 --> 00:42:09,880 Don't you know this area is off limits? 713 00:42:11,440 --> 00:42:12,960 I'm surprised at you, Sergeant. 714 00:42:13,600 --> 00:42:14,600 Get out of here. 715 00:42:14,860 --> 00:42:15,860 Yes, sir. 716 00:42:15,960 --> 00:42:17,700 Sir, how did you get in? 717 00:42:17,900 --> 00:42:19,800 Those CDs can do anything but play poker. 718 00:42:20,060 --> 00:42:21,300 It's exactly what I needed. 719 00:42:21,900 --> 00:42:25,400 How do you happen to know so much about nurses' quarters and the furniture 720 00:42:25,400 --> 00:42:26,178 they're in? 721 00:42:26,180 --> 00:42:27,480 Naughty old Marine told me. 722 00:42:28,180 --> 00:42:29,260 Let's move it over here. 723 00:42:31,700 --> 00:42:33,520 The sight pan's getting in again. 724 00:42:33,840 --> 00:42:35,720 Those jabbed beddies are from Iwo Jima. 725 00:43:35,350 --> 00:43:36,890 We'll have you in the bomb shelters in a minute. 726 00:43:42,770 --> 00:43:45,470 Don't bother with me, Lieutenant. Get under cover, quick. 727 00:43:45,750 --> 00:43:46,810 We'll both make it, Frank. 728 00:43:52,990 --> 00:43:54,790 All right, I'll take it. 729 00:44:44,200 --> 00:44:45,200 Nose wheel down. 730 00:44:45,700 --> 00:44:46,700 Roger, Colonel. 731 00:44:46,920 --> 00:44:50,280 I'll start the assembly pattern here, using a five -degree bank. 732 00:44:50,500 --> 00:44:54,180 Right. Try to cut the assembly time down. We can't afford to waste fuel 733 00:44:54,180 --> 00:44:55,118 for stragglers. 734 00:44:55,120 --> 00:44:56,120 Yes, sir. 735 00:44:56,940 --> 00:44:57,940 Pilot to radio. 736 00:44:58,240 --> 00:44:59,940 Irwin, fire the flares. 737 00:45:00,920 --> 00:45:01,920 Uh, roger. 738 00:45:20,400 --> 00:45:21,400 There's a red flare. 739 00:45:22,140 --> 00:45:23,140 And a green one. 740 00:45:23,860 --> 00:45:24,860 Roger. 741 00:45:27,360 --> 00:45:28,840 Watch for phosphorus marker. 742 00:45:57,450 --> 00:46:00,390 into the bore and explode the oxygen tank. We'll all be killed. 743 00:46:46,060 --> 00:46:48,140 leader to take over. Better get this man back to base. 744 00:46:49,460 --> 00:46:50,740 Blue leader to blue one. 745 00:46:51,080 --> 00:46:52,420 Blue leader to blue one. 746 00:46:52,820 --> 00:46:54,360 Blue one to blue leader. Go ahead. 747 00:46:54,680 --> 00:46:55,680 Take the lead. 748 00:46:56,140 --> 00:46:57,140 Proceed with mission. 749 00:46:57,500 --> 00:46:58,720 We've had an accident aboard. 750 00:46:59,320 --> 00:47:01,660 Turning back to base with a serious casualty. 751 00:47:01,900 --> 00:47:02,900 Red Irwin. 752 00:47:03,120 --> 00:47:04,120 God bless him. 753 00:47:06,600 --> 00:47:07,600 Who's Red Irwin? 754 00:47:08,420 --> 00:47:09,420 I don't know. 755 00:47:09,960 --> 00:47:10,960 Pilot to crew. 756 00:47:11,140 --> 00:47:12,660 We're taking lead. Engineer. 757 00:47:14,080 --> 00:47:15,970 Lower nose. Close wheel for assembly signal. 758 00:47:19,170 --> 00:47:22,690 All America knows Red Irwin now and is proud of him. 759 00:47:23,270 --> 00:47:27,130 For his heroic action aboard the city of Los Angeles, they gave him the 760 00:47:27,130 --> 00:47:28,470 Congressional Medal of Honor. 761 00:47:30,070 --> 00:47:33,630 30 ,000 feet above the target, light flak and few Jap fighters. 762 00:47:34,070 --> 00:47:36,090 But even so, we didn't all make it home. 763 00:47:36,650 --> 00:47:40,430 In those waters north of Jap -held Iwo Jima, fuel shortage, battle damage and 764 00:47:40,430 --> 00:47:43,770 mechanical failure meant ditching. And ditching meant capture or death. 765 00:47:44,440 --> 00:47:48,900 How we flyers hated that black, gritty pork chop of an island halfway to Tokyo. 766 00:47:49,160 --> 00:47:53,000 And what a day it was for the B -29s when the Marines, God bless them, got a 767 00:47:53,000 --> 00:47:54,980 foothold on the sands of Iwo Jima. 768 00:48:14,640 --> 00:48:17,620 On the 4th of March, while a battle was still raging on the north end of the 769 00:48:17,620 --> 00:48:21,720 island, a crippled B -29 tried a forced landing and got away with it. 770 00:48:21,960 --> 00:48:24,460 For us, the scourge of Iwo Jima was ended. 771 00:48:24,720 --> 00:48:27,400 A man could get his mind on more pleasant things than death. 772 00:48:27,920 --> 00:48:29,080 Hey, I'm in luck today. 773 00:48:30,260 --> 00:48:31,260 Oh, how especially. 774 00:48:34,400 --> 00:48:37,300 You and that bathing suit? Oh, thank you, sir, for the vitamins. 775 00:48:37,980 --> 00:48:39,740 Vitamins? For my ego. 776 00:48:40,040 --> 00:48:43,020 Oh, don't tell me your ego needs building up. Oh, indeed it does. 777 00:48:43,690 --> 00:48:46,810 After six months on this post, my ego is positively anemic. 778 00:48:47,990 --> 00:48:49,630 No sheer nylon stocking. 779 00:48:49,870 --> 00:48:50,970 No beauty parlors. 780 00:48:51,950 --> 00:48:54,170 I wish... What do you wish? 781 00:48:56,190 --> 00:48:58,990 I wish I could spend five hours getting ready for a date. 782 00:48:59,550 --> 00:49:02,410 Just to see the light in a man's eyes when everything is perfect. 783 00:49:02,930 --> 00:49:03,930 What man? 784 00:49:04,990 --> 00:49:05,990 You, for instance. 785 00:49:07,610 --> 00:49:10,910 Soon as you boys dropped in a bump and told you to make him quit, I... 786 00:49:11,390 --> 00:49:15,530 I'm going home and spend every cent I've saved just darling up. 787 00:49:18,330 --> 00:49:19,530 You're a doll right now. 788 00:49:24,890 --> 00:49:26,930 I've been waiting for a whole year for that kiss. 789 00:49:27,190 --> 00:49:28,830 Are you sure it isn't just geography? 790 00:49:29,110 --> 00:49:30,110 What do you mean, geography? 791 00:49:31,070 --> 00:49:36,090 Being on an island, 6 ,000 buyers from the United States, 40 ,000 men and 36 792 00:49:36,090 --> 00:49:37,090 women. 793 00:49:37,830 --> 00:49:40,290 It wasn't geography when I kissed you goodbye in Kansas. 794 00:49:41,130 --> 00:49:42,410 Don't tell me about love. 795 00:49:42,610 --> 00:49:43,610 We barely met. 796 00:49:44,110 --> 00:49:46,270 Whoever loved, loved not at first sight. 797 00:49:46,970 --> 00:49:49,590 Christopher Marlowe, can't you find words of your own? 798 00:49:51,450 --> 00:49:52,450 Find words? 799 00:49:54,850 --> 00:49:56,830 I'm sorry, I can't spare you for combat. 800 00:49:57,330 --> 00:49:59,690 I'd just like to go along with Cal on one mission. 801 00:49:59,930 --> 00:50:04,670 Why? You know the scuttlebutt about me. I'm more interested in the quality of 802 00:50:04,670 --> 00:50:05,670 your work in this department. 803 00:50:06,010 --> 00:50:07,790 The scuttlebutt seems unimportant. 804 00:50:08,070 --> 00:50:09,550 I'd like a chance to disprove it, sir. 805 00:50:09,880 --> 00:50:13,080 You know, Don, well, if you go along to Rubberneck, that means 200 pounds less 806 00:50:13,080 --> 00:50:14,400 gasoline the plane can carry. 807 00:50:14,860 --> 00:50:16,940 You, an engineering officer, of all people. 808 00:50:17,800 --> 00:50:21,040 You know, there's not enough extra room in one of those wagons for a Nazi here, 809 00:50:21,060 --> 00:50:23,440 but you want to clutter it up even more just to feed your ego. 810 00:50:25,500 --> 00:50:26,500 Okay, Tom. 811 00:50:26,960 --> 00:50:29,920 I wish I could go myself. Maybe that's why I got so riled up about it. 812 00:50:30,440 --> 00:50:33,180 I'll tell Calvert he's carrying a passenger on his next mission. 813 00:50:33,940 --> 00:50:37,340 Thank you, sir. In the meantime, that new outfit on the north end of the 814 00:50:37,340 --> 00:50:38,680 is to be treated with special care. 815 00:50:39,130 --> 00:50:40,630 I want you to go over and see what you can do for them. 816 00:50:41,070 --> 00:50:42,070 509? 817 00:50:42,850 --> 00:50:43,709 What's up? 818 00:50:43,710 --> 00:50:44,710 I don't know. 819 00:50:44,910 --> 00:50:45,910 Let's leave it that way. 820 00:50:46,810 --> 00:50:47,810 Yes, sir. 821 00:50:52,550 --> 00:50:53,550 Skipper! 822 00:50:54,130 --> 00:50:55,130 Velaski! 823 00:50:55,230 --> 00:50:58,810 How you been, Skipper? Oh, fine, fine. Sure glad to see you, sir. Good to see 824 00:50:58,810 --> 00:50:59,830 you. You join this group? 825 00:51:00,150 --> 00:51:02,190 No, just a social visit. What have you been doing? 826 00:51:02,770 --> 00:51:05,710 Modifying. Modifying? Well, that's what we started out doing, modifying. 827 00:51:06,050 --> 00:51:07,470 Then we modified the modifications. 828 00:51:08,010 --> 00:51:10,390 And now we're modifying the modifications of the modifications. 829 00:51:10,770 --> 00:51:11,770 It's driving me nuts. 830 00:51:11,950 --> 00:51:13,770 Do you know what it's all about, Skipper? Don't you? 831 00:51:14,190 --> 00:51:15,049 Heck no. 832 00:51:15,050 --> 00:51:16,190 We're not allowed near those ships. 833 00:51:16,470 --> 00:51:18,850 All I know is some kind of a gimmick, bomb site or something. 834 00:51:19,370 --> 00:51:20,550 We're not allowed over that fence. 835 00:51:21,290 --> 00:51:24,510 Surrounded by MPs and feather merchants all over the joint. We're not even 836 00:51:24,510 --> 00:51:26,810 supposed to talk about it. Yeah, I know. Sorry I asked. 837 00:51:27,290 --> 00:51:28,450 Rest of the crew still with you? 838 00:51:28,830 --> 00:51:29,830 Sure, Jim. 839 00:51:29,970 --> 00:51:31,430 Sure, I'll tell you all about it. 840 00:51:31,710 --> 00:51:32,710 Come in. 841 00:51:39,850 --> 00:51:40,808 What's wonderful? 842 00:51:40,810 --> 00:51:41,810 Your outfit? 843 00:51:42,490 --> 00:51:43,490 Huh. 844 00:51:43,990 --> 00:51:47,750 Your... Hey, you want a Ouija? 845 00:51:48,330 --> 00:51:49,229 What's that? 846 00:51:49,230 --> 00:51:50,230 I'll show you. 847 00:51:53,530 --> 00:51:57,050 Like this? 848 00:51:57,350 --> 00:52:01,670 Yeah. Now all you do is ask a question and it spells out the answer. Like 849 00:52:02,090 --> 00:52:03,090 What do you want to know? 850 00:52:04,230 --> 00:52:05,730 Who stole my last pair of nylons? 851 00:52:07,590 --> 00:52:12,000 Nylons? The mystery of the ages at your fingertips, and you want to know about 852 00:52:12,000 --> 00:52:15,260 nylons? Well, it's a mystery to me. I'll get another pair. 853 00:52:16,040 --> 00:52:17,460 All right, then you ask it something. 854 00:52:17,940 --> 00:52:20,940 Okay. Weegee, read my mind. 855 00:52:21,160 --> 00:52:22,280 What am I thinking about? 856 00:52:25,900 --> 00:52:28,040 Well, come on. Tell me what I'm thinking about. 857 00:52:28,780 --> 00:52:31,160 Well, what do you know? The school teacher. 858 00:52:31,480 --> 00:52:32,480 Hey, 859 00:52:35,860 --> 00:52:37,960 where you guys been hiding? Utah. 860 00:52:38,430 --> 00:52:39,450 Are we at war with Utah? 861 00:52:39,770 --> 00:52:42,730 Yeah, but we won. And now we're here to finish the Japs. What outfit? 862 00:52:43,230 --> 00:52:44,230 Very hush -hush. 863 00:52:44,550 --> 00:52:45,810 The 509th? 864 00:52:46,010 --> 00:52:47,010 Shh. 865 00:52:47,070 --> 00:52:51,350 Say, what are you guys doing over there? Oh, uh, mixing hecklesportle with salt. 866 00:52:51,550 --> 00:52:52,790 Yeah? Yeah. Why? 867 00:52:53,150 --> 00:52:56,490 Well, uh, to get a compound known as hecklesportle salt. Yeah, what's that 868 00:52:56,930 --> 00:52:59,410 Eggs. We like hecklesportle salt and pepper on our eggs. 869 00:53:01,270 --> 00:53:02,630 Oh, a wise guy, huh? 870 00:53:03,810 --> 00:53:04,810 Where's Stack? 871 00:53:04,830 --> 00:53:06,410 If he's alive, over there. 872 00:53:14,250 --> 00:53:16,390 Save old stack. Hey, look at those. 873 00:53:16,650 --> 00:53:18,110 How was that, Barney? 874 00:53:18,570 --> 00:53:19,570 Well, what do you know? 875 00:53:20,270 --> 00:53:21,269 Ouija board. 876 00:53:21,270 --> 00:53:23,330 Is that all you guys can find to do with your time? 877 00:53:23,570 --> 00:53:26,710 Oh, listen, Mac, this thing had a personality. It told me everything. 878 00:53:27,110 --> 00:53:28,590 Now, it'll tell you twice as much. 879 00:53:28,810 --> 00:53:29,950 Got a split personality. 880 00:53:30,370 --> 00:53:31,370 Oh, no. 881 00:53:31,710 --> 00:53:35,050 This old groundhog been bothering you, Connie? No, no, all in fun. 882 00:53:36,290 --> 00:53:39,430 How you been shooting, Barney? Pretty good, teacher, pretty good. 883 00:53:39,980 --> 00:53:41,140 I got credit for two Zeeks. 884 00:53:41,360 --> 00:53:42,360 You look bush. 885 00:53:42,700 --> 00:53:45,620 I think your old professor should relieve you on your next mission so you 886 00:53:45,620 --> 00:53:46,620 get some sleep. 887 00:53:46,860 --> 00:53:48,100 You mean you want combat? 888 00:53:49,240 --> 00:53:52,200 How would you like to go back home and tell your kids you fought this war with 889 00:53:52,200 --> 00:53:53,200 monkey wrench? 890 00:53:53,600 --> 00:53:54,860 I'll try and fix it with a skipper. 891 00:53:55,680 --> 00:53:56,680 I'll be around. 892 00:53:56,900 --> 00:54:00,340 And if he okays you for the mission, I'll be right here with Connie, wishing 893 00:54:00,340 --> 00:54:01,340 good luck. 894 00:54:02,040 --> 00:54:08,660 Captain, is it okay if I go along on this mission? 895 00:54:09,050 --> 00:54:10,690 You heard the briefing's going to be pretty rough. 896 00:54:11,230 --> 00:54:13,750 Well, I'd like some action, sir, the tougher the better. 897 00:54:14,570 --> 00:54:16,470 You think you can handle it, Barney? No, sure, sir. 898 00:54:16,750 --> 00:54:17,750 He taught me the job. 899 00:54:18,470 --> 00:54:20,430 Okay, get in Barney's gear and stand by for inspection. 900 00:54:20,630 --> 00:54:21,630 Thank you, sir. 901 00:54:22,290 --> 00:54:23,290 All right, Tom. 902 00:54:23,650 --> 00:54:25,150 Operation says you're with me on this one. 903 00:54:25,410 --> 00:54:28,250 Yep. If that's okay with you. Sure, good to have you aboard. 904 00:54:28,750 --> 00:54:29,750 Want to fly mine, sir? 905 00:54:29,970 --> 00:54:31,730 No, thanks. I'll just sandbag this one. 906 00:54:32,230 --> 00:54:33,230 Sure you want to make it? 907 00:54:33,750 --> 00:54:36,070 Our target's Mitsubishi aircraft flying near Tokyo. 908 00:54:36,430 --> 00:54:37,430 A lot of flak there. 909 00:54:37,530 --> 00:54:38,530 I know. 910 00:54:38,720 --> 00:54:39,720 I'll go along, Cal. 911 00:54:39,880 --> 00:54:43,180 Good. Besides, you've got a heck of a lot more to lose than I have. 912 00:54:43,940 --> 00:54:44,940 What do you mean? 913 00:54:44,960 --> 00:54:48,920 I don't... She said if there could be any one guy for her, it'd be you. 914 00:54:49,180 --> 00:54:50,180 She say that? 915 00:54:50,300 --> 00:54:51,420 Well... Hey, Junior. 916 00:54:52,000 --> 00:54:53,220 You've got a mission to fly. 917 00:54:55,720 --> 00:54:56,720 I'll be back. 918 00:54:58,320 --> 00:54:59,760 This was going to be the big one. 919 00:55:00,940 --> 00:55:05,500 154 ships from our Tinian base, one minute apart, 69 tons each. 920 00:55:15,020 --> 00:55:16,580 Two wings from bomber command on Guam. 921 00:55:17,780 --> 00:55:19,260 Cyprian, 73rd. 922 00:55:29,220 --> 00:55:32,740 452 B -29s on their way to dish out to the May treatment in Tokyo. 923 00:55:48,460 --> 00:55:49,460 and coming up. 924 00:55:50,880 --> 00:55:55,020 Once our worst headache, now a base for the P -51s, our fighter escort. 925 00:55:56,680 --> 00:56:00,460 With extra belly tanks for distance and one of our 29s through the navigating, 926 00:56:00,760 --> 00:56:03,440 the pea shooters would escort us clear to the target. 927 00:56:04,320 --> 00:56:06,060 Everything went well right up to Japan. 928 00:56:06,620 --> 00:56:10,240 The engines ran like watches. Our gas consumption was right on the button. 929 00:56:10,520 --> 00:56:13,840 Even our flak suits went on easy without the usual amount of cussing. 930 00:56:22,120 --> 00:56:23,120 Climb with the bombardier. 931 00:56:23,600 --> 00:56:24,600 Ken? 932 00:56:24,940 --> 00:56:26,800 Set up the PDIs. Roger. 933 00:56:31,120 --> 00:56:32,280 You're on autopilot. 934 00:56:32,560 --> 00:56:33,560 Roger. 935 00:56:34,100 --> 00:56:35,940 30 miles to the IP, Captain. 936 00:56:36,660 --> 00:56:39,760 Okay. Pilot the crew. Get the cap out for fighters. 937 00:56:41,420 --> 00:56:42,420 Check your gun switches. 938 00:56:42,940 --> 00:56:43,940 Get them all on. 939 00:56:45,040 --> 00:56:47,220 Yeah, Gunner. Peanut, see any Japs? 940 00:56:47,880 --> 00:56:48,880 No, sir. 941 00:56:49,320 --> 00:56:50,920 Only about pea shooters, that's all. 942 00:56:51,790 --> 00:56:53,310 A block of bogeys at four o 'clock high. 943 00:56:54,850 --> 00:56:56,510 The pea shooters dropped their belly tank. 944 00:58:40,840 --> 00:58:44,060 Even those weird phosphorus bombs dropped on us by their fighters. 945 00:58:44,760 --> 00:58:48,580 We'd been burning a city a day, and this was about their last desperate effort 946 00:58:48,580 --> 00:58:49,580 to stop us. 947 00:59:16,750 --> 00:59:17,750 Get that table up! 948 00:59:32,870 --> 00:59:33,870 Tom? 949 00:59:34,090 --> 00:59:35,410 You better get me out of this seat. 950 00:59:37,330 --> 00:59:38,330 Drive him! Take over. 951 00:59:38,810 --> 00:59:40,630 Get the bombs on the target. I will. 952 00:59:41,010 --> 00:59:42,010 Get him out of here. 953 00:59:45,260 --> 00:59:46,560 Get the kid with some plasma. 954 00:59:47,260 --> 00:59:48,400 He's going into shock. 955 00:59:49,460 --> 00:59:51,400 Check his dog tags for blood type. 956 00:59:57,880 --> 00:59:58,880 Pilot, CFC. 957 00:59:59,100 --> 01:00:02,360 Stack. You hit? Any damage back there? I'm okay. 958 01:00:02,580 --> 01:00:05,440 But the Tensmith's gonna have a big job to do on this crate. 959 01:00:05,700 --> 01:00:06,700 Get up here quick. 960 01:00:06,760 --> 01:00:08,180 Roger. Pilot to radar. 961 01:00:08,500 --> 01:00:09,540 Anybody hit back there? 962 01:00:10,840 --> 01:00:12,200 I think Shaker's killed. 963 01:00:12,680 --> 01:00:14,060 Look and see, Frenchie. Look. 964 01:00:15,880 --> 01:00:16,880 He's dead, Peanuts. 965 01:00:18,920 --> 01:00:20,040 Stay where you are, Peanuts. 966 01:00:20,780 --> 01:00:21,780 Don't leave him, boy. 967 01:00:26,360 --> 01:00:27,360 Yes, sir. 968 01:00:57,000 --> 01:00:59,380 Get him out of here. Get his chute off. 969 01:00:59,940 --> 01:01:00,940 Put him in the tunnel. 970 01:01:05,580 --> 01:01:07,980 I hate to think of all of you getting killed. 971 01:01:08,400 --> 01:01:13,060 We have too many fighter planes and too many anti -aircraft for you to get 972 01:01:13,060 --> 01:01:14,060 through. 973 01:01:18,760 --> 01:01:20,200 Are we turning back, sir? 974 01:01:25,260 --> 01:01:26,260 Take over that bomb site. 975 01:01:27,240 --> 01:01:28,700 We've got to hit that target. 976 01:01:28,980 --> 01:01:29,980 Yes, sir. 977 01:01:39,180 --> 01:01:42,260 Radar, what's ground speed and drift? 978 01:01:42,980 --> 01:01:45,440 Ground speed, 298 knots. 979 01:01:46,880 --> 01:01:48,880 Drift, three degrees right. 980 01:01:50,500 --> 01:01:52,060 Four miles to target. 981 01:01:52,480 --> 01:01:53,480 Roger. 982 01:03:20,110 --> 01:03:21,730 the tail gunner. Did you see our bombs drop? 983 01:03:23,550 --> 01:03:24,550 Yes, sir. 984 01:03:24,630 --> 01:03:27,070 They seem to be right on the factory or in the yard. 985 01:03:28,370 --> 01:03:29,650 Can I come up now, sir? 986 01:03:30,350 --> 01:03:32,210 Stay where you are till we get to the coast, Peanuts. 987 01:03:40,790 --> 01:03:44,230 Major, B -29 is ditching right below us. 988 01:03:44,870 --> 01:03:45,870 About one o 'clock. 989 01:03:55,310 --> 01:03:56,310 Hello, Blue Plate. 990 01:03:56,950 --> 01:03:57,950 Hello, Blue Plate. 991 01:03:58,510 --> 01:03:59,550 This is Blue Leader. 992 01:04:00,850 --> 01:04:05,470 Concentrate Dumbo about 440, bearing 160, true from BB. 993 01:04:06,010 --> 01:04:07,010 Ditching there. 994 01:04:07,550 --> 01:04:08,550 Do you read me? 995 01:04:09,470 --> 01:04:11,030 Blue Leader from Blue Plate, roger. 996 01:04:11,830 --> 01:04:12,769 Proceeding to position. 997 01:04:12,770 --> 01:04:13,770 Out. 998 01:04:17,490 --> 01:04:18,490 Pilot to crew. 999 01:04:18,970 --> 01:04:20,770 We'll orbit until Dumbo shows up. 1000 01:04:32,330 --> 01:04:36,410 There's a bogey gonna scrape the rafts. I see it. It's a jet patrol plane. 1001 01:04:36,690 --> 01:04:39,150 Yeah. Them guys will be sitting ducks. 1002 01:04:39,370 --> 01:04:40,370 Where's our pea shooters? 1003 01:04:40,490 --> 01:04:41,710 They're on their way back to Ewol. 1004 01:04:48,390 --> 01:04:49,390 Calvert's a crew. 1005 01:04:50,310 --> 01:04:53,290 Let's get him. What do you say? It's Captain Calvert. He's alive. 1006 01:04:53,670 --> 01:04:54,670 Yeah! 1007 01:04:55,250 --> 01:05:00,470 Hey, Captain, General LeMay ain't gonna like this. Using a B -29 for a fight. 1008 01:05:00,570 --> 01:05:02,130 Hey, get on that gun sight, man. 1009 01:05:38,650 --> 01:05:41,610 Got boats coming this way about five miles off. 1010 01:05:41,910 --> 01:05:43,830 Let's work them over till Dumbo gets here. 1011 01:06:24,270 --> 01:06:24,988 Canada pilot. 1012 01:06:24,990 --> 01:06:26,130 Here comes Dumbo. 1013 01:06:47,870 --> 01:06:50,830 Hey, here comes one of our destroyers. 1014 01:06:52,730 --> 01:06:53,930 We can go home now, Skipper. 1015 01:06:54,670 --> 01:06:55,670 Hello, garage? 1016 01:06:55,710 --> 01:06:56,930 Send my car around. 1017 01:07:04,510 --> 01:07:11,330 I hope nothing happens to Skipper and 1018 01:07:11,330 --> 01:07:12,330 Stack. 1019 01:07:14,510 --> 01:07:15,510 Sergeant. 1020 01:07:16,110 --> 01:07:18,650 Yes, ma 'am. Any sign of Captain Carver's plane? 1021 01:07:18,990 --> 01:07:19,990 Not yet, ma 'am. 1022 01:07:37,070 --> 01:07:38,410 Landing gear down and locked. 1023 01:07:40,470 --> 01:07:41,490 Flaps coming down. 1024 01:08:38,920 --> 01:08:39,920 No! 1025 01:09:18,890 --> 01:09:19,890 Help. 1026 01:09:20,330 --> 01:09:21,330 Instructor. 1027 01:09:22,850 --> 01:09:23,850 Watch his head. 1028 01:09:24,830 --> 01:09:29,109 No. No. Get off him. Come on. He's dead. You can't help him. No. 1029 01:09:29,630 --> 01:09:30,630 No. 1030 01:09:30,890 --> 01:09:32,290 He's going to go. It's not out. 1031 01:09:32,770 --> 01:09:34,810 There's some men in the way. We'll get to them to the tail. 1032 01:09:35,130 --> 01:09:36,130 Yes, sir. 1033 01:10:00,270 --> 01:10:01,310 Is everybody out of there? 1034 01:10:01,710 --> 01:10:06,050 No. Phoenix, he won't leave Shaker's body. Take him. Major. 1035 01:10:06,870 --> 01:10:09,070 Major, don't go back in there. Come on, Shaker. 1036 01:10:13,370 --> 01:10:15,570 Phoenix, where are you? Come on, Shaker. 1037 01:10:15,870 --> 01:10:17,270 We got to get out of here, boys. 1038 01:10:19,990 --> 01:10:20,990 Let me go. 1039 01:10:21,110 --> 01:10:22,110 Let me go. 1040 01:10:22,210 --> 01:10:23,210 Take it easy, Scott. 1041 01:10:23,230 --> 01:10:25,890 Major, Wes is in there. I got to get him. Come on. 1042 01:10:32,820 --> 01:10:34,880 Venus, get out of here. You can't help Schaefer now. 1043 01:10:35,140 --> 01:10:37,340 Help me throw him out of here. We've got to get him out of here. 1044 01:10:37,880 --> 01:10:38,880 Help me. 1045 01:10:41,740 --> 01:10:48,640 And so Tom 1046 01:10:48,640 --> 01:10:49,640 West died. 1047 01:10:50,400 --> 01:10:52,060 A few weeks later, the war ended. 1048 01:11:05,070 --> 01:11:06,890 Another mighty weapon had been born. 1049 01:11:07,410 --> 01:11:10,850 A weapon that would revolutionize warfare and begin a new age. 1050 01:11:11,530 --> 01:11:14,930 The men who perished in the B -29s did not die in vain. 1051 01:11:15,450 --> 01:11:19,630 Their brave battle of the skies saved the lives of thousands of fighting men 1052 01:11:19,630 --> 01:11:20,630 the ground. 1053 01:11:20,950 --> 01:11:23,750 But now it seems the book of war has not closed. 1054 01:11:24,670 --> 01:11:27,030 All horsemen of the apocalypse ride on. 1055 01:11:27,550 --> 01:11:31,930 But as long as we are alive as a nation, the men of the heavy bombers will be 1056 01:11:31,930 --> 01:11:33,970 ready to fight for the American way of life. 1057 01:11:34,570 --> 01:11:37,070 for freedom under God.