Witness a complete WWII strategic bombing mission over Germany, from the initial briefing to the perilous return, in this fully restored and colorized version of the 1944 classic documentary, “Target for To-day.” This film documents the incredible bravery of the US 8th Air Force crews who flew the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator deep into enemy territory.
Originally produced by the U.S. Army Air Forces, “Target for To-day” is not a Hollywood movie; it is a real-life documentation of a daylight precision bombing raid. There are no actors here—only the actual servicemen, from the generals planning the mission to the young aircrews facing enemy fighters and flak-filled skies. This film was created to show the American public the immense complexity, scale, and human cost of the strategic bombing campaign in Europe.
B&W Unrestored Version: https://youtu.be/yYOf7rumdxM
For the first time, this masterpiece of wartime filmmaking has been painstakingly restored, upscaled, and brought to life in full color, offering an unprecedented window into the past. Experience the tension of the pre-dawn briefing, the roar of hundreds of engines, the chilling view through the bombsight, and the anxious wait for every bomber to return. This is one of the most authentic cinematic records of the American air war in Europe ever produced.
This Dronescapes presentation preserves a vital piece of history, honoring the courage and sacrifice of the men who flew these dangerous missions.
General Characteristics
Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress
Crew: 10
Length: 74 ft 4 in (22.66 m)
Wingspan: 103 ft 9 in (31.62 m)
Powerplant: 4 × Wright R-1820-97 “Cyclone” radial engines, 1,200 hp each
Max Speed: 287 mph (462 km/h)
Armament: 13 × .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns; up to 8,000 lbs of bombs on short-range missions.
Consolidated B-24J Liberator
Crew: 10
Length: 67 ft 2 in (20.47 m)
Wingspan: 110 ft 0 in (33.53 m)
Powerplant: 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-65 “Twin Wasp” radial engines, 1,200 hp each
Max Speed: 297 mph (478 km/h)
Armament: 10 × .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns; up to 8,800 lbs of bombs.
Credit to : DroneScapes