Here I was singing the praises of my fellow Pollardvidians when I received this in my in-box from Mr. Bill Humphreys.
ON THE WING
HITS BIG AND LITTLE SCREENS
OVER VETERENS DAY WEEKEND
LongShot Productions, in conjunction with BBTFilms will release their 90-minute documentary
project about the 15th air force, titled ON THE WING, on both the big and little screen over this year’s Veterans Day weekend. On Friday November 10th the film will be featured on WMUR Ch. 9’s New Hampshire Chronicle airing 7:30 pm. The show will not only highlight the film, but also the recent reunion of the 465th Bomb Squadron that was held in Portsmouth, NH.
The film focuses on the effect that WWII had on this squadron during their tour of duty, which covered the last 18 months of the conflict. ON THE WING was first screened at the groups reunion September 29th and introduced the release of the picture on DVD. On Sunday November 12, 2006 the film will receive its first public screening at Seacoast Repertory Theatre, 125 Bow Street, Portsmouth, NH. Tickets will be available at the door for $6.00 general admission. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the film will roll at 7:00 pm following the SRT matinee performance of The Diary of Anne Frank, which begins at 3:00. A cash bar will be available in the lobby. LongShot Films, BBTFilms and SRT are pleased, to be teamed together in honor and respect of Veterans Day with this inspirational paring of programs, which will present the effect of World War II on the citizens of Europe as well as those who fought for freedom.The documentary includes dramatic footage of the B-24 in flight, which was gathered through the courtesy, and generosity of the Collings Foundation, based Stowe, Massachusetts. Collings maintains and flies one of the few, if not the only airworthy B-24 in existence. The plane featured in the film was on display at Pease International Tradeport during the recent bomb squadron reunion. A memorial visit to the plane by members of the 465th will be included in the NH Chronicle story on November 10. ON THE WING is an emotional look at the 15th air force and one of the shortest and most intensive air battles to occur over central European air space during World War II.
On August 3rd 1944 – a two-minute air battle in the skies above Ehrwald, Austria involved more than 50 American and German aircraft – among them the B-24, the Messerschmitt and the Folke Wolf. The resulting loss totaled 16 aircraft, 8 on each side and more than 30 men. Today, the relationship built between the men and their steady companion, the B-24 Liberator, is recalled each year as these patriotic airmen of WWII attend reunions – only to face the realization of their dwindling numbers. More than 1000 WWII vets pass away each day. Their stories, which detail the effect of war on their lives, embody the root of this film. In the course of the picture, we return to what remains of the Pantanella air base in Southern Italy – which was home for members of the 464th and 465th bomb groups of 15th Air Force.
The project includes in-depth interviews with the remaining members of these groups, as well as those from the 781st, 782nd and 783rd. Senator George McGovern, who flew with the 455-bomb group, is featured as he recalls the difficulty of keeping the B-24 aloft as well as his sense of responsibility to the safety of his flight crew and the successful accomplishment of their missions. Oscar Bosche, a German fighter pilot, responsible for shooting down a number of the B-24’s, talks about the Ehrwald dogfight - the effect it had on him as an individual and as a member of the German forces. His comments appear in counter point to those of the late Lee Englehorn, whose plane was shot down by Bosche during the attack. The film then follows Englehorn, to the farmhouse in Strad, Austria where after surviving 16 days alone in the Alps, he surrendered himself to the German SS.
ON THE WING was conceived and developed by Brad Branch of LongShot who is also serving as Executive Producer along with Co-Exec. Frances “Genc” Gencarelli. Bill Humphreys of BBT is partnered as producer, director and editor. The project, which was shot entirely on location in Austria, Germany, Canada, and Italy as well as throughout the U.S. brings us the story of courage, survival and the B-24. As the first entry in an ongoing series of documentaries on the 15th air force, we relive the stories of ultimate sacrifice by our countries oldest living veterans of world conflict. The root of liberty, as seen through the eyes of those who upheld it, more than 60 years ago.
For further information be sure to visit www.bbtfilms.com or e-mail BH@bbt.films.com
Way to go, Uncle Bill!
