Unused / unissued material

Earls Colne Airfield

16 July – 11 November, 1943

Various shots of Earls Colne Airfield in England. Various shots showing typical activity of USAFE (United States Air Force in Europe) bomber air base: B-26 Marauder medium bombers of the 323rd Bombardment Group taxiing on runway, combat crews leaving the Situation Room and Equipment Room with flak jackets, flak helmets, parachutes and Mae West bests and loading into jeeps headed to the hardstands, mechanics on bicycles, and even a farmer using horse-drawn plough in the fields of the Brick House Farm adjacent to the airbase. Various shots ground crews testing guns and propellers on the Marauders, which area easy to identify because they had four blades. Various shots grounds crew (armament crew) loading general purpose bombs into the bomb bays. Various shots of bombers landing back at base.

Various shots 9th Air Force officers in control room located at Marks Hall, which served as its headquarters. Marks Hall was adjacent to Earls Colne Airfield. The shots include the commanding officers studying maps, including Gen. Samuel Anderson, commander of the 9th Air Force, Col. Herbert B. Thatcher, the first commander of the 323rd Bombardment Group, Col. Carl R Storrie commander of 387th Bombardment Group. Various shots showing crews of the 323rd Bombardment Group leaving on bombing mission sometime between 16 July, 1943 (when the 323rd flew its first mission from Earls Colne) and 11 November, 1943, when Col. Wilson R. Wood succeeded Col. Thatcher as commander of the 323rd (establishing the last day on which the footage could have been shot): we see the combat crews leaving the Situation Room, piling onto jeeps (some sit on bonnet and roof) and driving to their awaiting bombers. Various shots of crews loading equipment on to Marauder bomber "Tail End Charley". Views of one of a 323rd lead bombardier in the Plexiglas nose (bombardier’s compartment) of the “Utah Game Cock” looking into the eye piece of his Norden Bomb Sight as the formation approached its target. The radio call codes unique to the 323rd Bombardment Group are visible on the fuselage – VT for the 453rd, RJ for the 454th, YU for the 455th and WT for the 456th BS. The third letter of the radio call code on the fuselage corresponds to a particular aircraft or aircrafts – for example WT-P.

Good Camera Unit crews, likely of the 4th Camera Unit, on board prepares for takeoff - all look young and nervous. In contrast, the combat crews display the “devil may care” attitude they developed after becoming battle-hardened. Various shots Marauders in cue and taking off. Various aerial shots of Earls Colne Air Field. Various shots row of bombers taxiing, taken from one of the planes. More aerial shots of fields, other airborne bombers in formation, gun fire from enemy planes.

Various shots in 9th AF control room located at Marks Hall: American servicewomen of the W.A. A. F., also stationed at Earls Colne Airfield, are moving model aero plane markers around a large table map, a male officer writes information on mission report chalk board, other officers (including Gen. Anderson) answer phones and study books. More aerial shots landscape (France. Belgium or Holland), we see Marauders dropping bombs on coast.

Some shots repeated, also some spacing between shots.

ORIGINAL 2002 DESCRIPTION:

Unused / unissued material - dates and locations unclear or unknown.

Various shots of American air base in England (East Anglia?) Various shots showing typical activity of USAFE (United States Air Force in Europe) air base: bombers taxiing on runway, crews of airmen on jeeps, mechanics on bicycles and even a farmer using horse drawn plough in fields next to air base. Various shots ground crew testing guns and propellers on bomber. Various shots ground crew loading bombs on to plane. Various shots planes landing.

Various shots USAF (United States Air Force) officers in control room looking at maps, including Colonel Carl R Storrie of 387th Bombardment Group. Various shots showing bomber crews leaving on bombing mission: we see them leaving their barracks, piling onto jeeps (some sit on bonnet and roof) and driving to bombers. Various shots crew loading equipment on to Marauder ? bomber ("Tail End Charley"). Various C/Us of cameraman on board bomber checking his camera.

Good C/Us crew on board bomber as plane prepares for takeoff - all look young and nervous. Various shots planes taking off. Various aerial shots of air base. Various shots row of bombers taxiing, taken from one of the planes. More aerial shot of fields, other airborne bombers in formation, gun fire from enemy planes. Good C/U pilot flying plane.

Various shots in USAF control room: American servicewomen (women's USAF?) are moving model aeroplanes around a table map, a male officer writes information on mission board, other officers answer phones and study books More aerial shots landscape (France?), we see planes dropping bombs on coast.

Some shots repeated, also some spacing between shots.