Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In Big September 2009 Newsletter
You’re invited to drop by Zeno’s Drive-In www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com to take in this month’s five exciting combat documentary films playing for free over the Internet, including three Drive-in Premiers showing for the first time.
As always, all of the videos showing on our web site are for your free viewing pleasure.
Now showing At the Matinee at Zeno’s Drive-In
“The Fleet that Came to Stay” New - Premier! In March, 1945, the US Army, Navy and Marines, with the support of the British Pacific Fleet, launched “Operation Iceberg” against the Japanese Island of Okinawa, a key stepping stone for the invasion of the Japanese home islands. US troops landed successfully, leading to one of the bloodiest land battles in world War II. In response over the next tree months, the Japanese launched a series of terrifying kamikaze suicide aircraft attacks from land bases only 350 miles away against the screening Allied naval forces. The Japanese flew 1,900 sorties, sinking dozens of Allied ships and killing more than 5,000 U.S. sailors at the cost of 1,465 kamikaze planes. 2,200 other Japanese and 763 U.S. aircraft were also destroyed during the battle. Although no major warships were lost, several fleet carriers were severely damaged and knocked out of action. “The Fleet that came to stay” tells the high tension story of the defense of the landing beaches with some of the most exciting and dramatic air combat footage to come out of World War II. You’ll see nonstop action including determined Kamikaze attacks through a forest of FLAK, extensive gun camera film taken from US carrier planes defending the ships, and exciting air to ground attacks as Admiral Mitcher’s planes struck back at Japanese air bases. An added bonus are some remarkably clear shots of a captured (?) Japanese Kawasaki KI 61 Hien “Tony” fighter.
“Boeing B-47 Combat Maneuvers” New - Premier! In 1954 the Air Force conducted a series of maneuver tests that showcased the B-47’s medium bomber’s outstanding agility. Theses tests were specifically designed to explore the B-47s ability to 'toss bomb." The aircraft would approach the target low and at high speed, pull up sharply, open bomb bay doors, using momentum to literally fling the bomb towards the target and then execute the rest of a half loop Immelman turn so that they were flying back in the opposite direction at the top of the loop. This maneuver allowed the bomber to drop nuclear and high explosive weapons at low altitudes without danger of blast damage or flying directly over heavily defended targets. Seeing the big, sleek B-47 execute this maneuver (and barrel rolls too!) is truly memorable. Cameras located all over the aircraft give unique views during the test flights
“Ramrod to Emden” - Restored Print The 56th Fighter Group (made up of the 61, 62 & 63 squadrons) was one of the most storied Air Corps units of World War II. Home to aces like David Schilling (22 kills), Frances “Gabby” Gabreski (28), Robert S. Johnson (27), Fred Christensen (21.5), Walker Mahurin (21), and CO Hubert “Hub” Zemke (18), the 56th blazed an early trail across the skies of the ETO in their massive, but deadly P-47 Thunderbolts. “Ramrod to Emden” is the story of the Dec 11, 1943 bomber escort mission (aka “a ramrod”) to Emden, Germany. As you’ll see in the film, the 56th encountered heavy, determined opposition from Germans, but it proved to be an exceptionally productive day. With Lt. Col. Schilling leading 50 planes of the group, they claimed 17-0-5, with two aircraft lost in a midair collision and no aircraft lost to enemy action. Allied bomber losses were minimal.
“White Tailed Marauders” – Exclusive Restored Color Production Rare color film of B-26 Marauders in action in the Spring of 1945. See the 453rd, 454th, 455th, and 455th Bomb Squadrons operating against Germany from their base in Laon, France. All color footage really brings this bygone era startlingly back to life. Special treats include escorting P-38s and a round trip mission. A must for Marauder fans everywhere!
“The Battle at St Vith – New Premiere ~ World War II Classics Theater ~ This remarkable 1-hour documentary combines eyewitness testimony from key participants on both sides of a critical engagement in the Battle of the Bulge with outstanding archival footage, detailed maps, and a return to revisit the actual terrain where each phase of battle was fought. A linchpin of the offensive was the early seizure of the road and railroad crossroads of St. Vith. The Battle at St. Vith shows how a hastily formed, ad hoc group of American units managed to delay an overwhelming Panzer force for five critical days before being forced to withdraw, dealing the German plan an insurmountable delay. From the German side, you’ll hear frustration in the voices of Von Runstedt’s Chief of Staff, General Siegfried Westphal and General Hasso von Manteuffel, whose 5th Panzer Army was tasked with seizing St Vith, when they give lengthy reports on the battle. On the American side, you’ll hear vivid accounts of an aggressive defense from Gen. Robert Hasbrouk, Commander of 7th Armored, Col Gusten Nelson (28th Infantry), Gen William Hoge (9th Armored), Colonels Oliver Patton & Thomas J Riggs (106th Infantry), and General Bruce C Clark, Commander Combat Command B, 7th Armored, who led the spirited deference of the St Vith perimeter. In a series of memorable face-to-face conversations, Generals Clark and Von Manteuffel compare notes on the battle. And don’t miss rare late war footage of advanced German weaponry, including “King Tiger” tanks in action.
If you haven’t stopped by Zeno’s Drive-In before, we also feature 1940-45 vintage WWII Army & Navy films and pilot’s manuals on how to fly the F4U, F6F, P-38, P-39, P-40, P-47, P-51, P-61, TBF/TBM, AT-6/SNJ, B-17, B-24, B-25, A-20, A-26, B-26, B-29, and Stearman N2S . Alert! – Alert! There’s been an F-86 sighted over Zeno’s Drive-In!
That’s over 14 hours of rockin’ World War II props & jets for free viewing over the Internet!
Zeno
Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-In
World War II Aviation Videos Playing Online 24/7
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com
PS: If you have any concerns about using the RealNetwork’s RealPlayer to watch our videos, I highly recommend using the free “RealAlternative” player instead. (It’s what I use to play all my 'Net videos.) It’s built around the very popular “Media Player Classic” and will play RealVideo files just fine (along with just about every other video format including Quicktime & Windows Media), is independently produced, a very small download and has no annoying advertisements or “music guides.” You can download the RealAlternative player here:
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/real_Alternative.htm
Online Videos: Kamikazes, Looping B-47s, Zemke’s Wolf Pack, B-26s & Bulge Action