World War II: The Real Mighty Eighth

Discover the origins, and pioneers, of the Mighty Eighth and follow its birth and growth as it rises from the furnace of global conflict. As the world is plunged into war, for the second time in 20 years, the 8th Air Force carries out its first audacious missions against the Axis powers.

Having established the 8th Bombing group in England's green and pleasant land, German industry begins to feel the sting of The Mighty Eighth. The bombers cannot afford to let the pressure up for a moment, and the magic of the movies brings the air war to the big screen with the release of "The Memphis Belle" and "The Story of a Flying Fortress".

By 1943 The Mighty Eighth has become a sprawling giant of military air power. The sheer numbers of men and equipment now require a complex system of orders to launch as many as 600 planes at once. The planning and coordination of "Maximum Effort" raids is seen up close, as the 8th Bomber and Fighter Commands prepare for "Operation Point Blank".

Once again, the USAAF 1st Motion Picture Unit witnesses, first hand, a deadly mission against the tyranny of Nazi Germany. B17 and B24 Bombers of the Mighty Eighth are assaulted by deadly anti-aircraft guns and savaged by Herman Goring's Luftwaffe. Fighting their way to the target, mile by mile, to drop their bombs, the surviving crews can only then dare to hope they might make it home again!

A closer look at the men of steel, and the steel of industry that make up the heroes of The Mighty Eighth, following their roles, responsibilities, and profiling some of the gladiators of the sky. 8th Air Force bomber and fighter veterans discuss the experience of bailing out, and give witness to the courage and sacrifice of those who came home, and those who did not!

"Black Week" 1943 sees the worst casualties to date with missions bombing ever deeper into Germany. Veterans describe atrocities committed against captured aircrew, and The Mighty 8th set about crushing Nazi industry, preparing for invasion, destroying the Luftwaffe, reaching Berlin, smashing Hitler's Third Reich, and bringing to an end, the greatest conflict the world has ever known.