Rare silent movies from Ridgewell, 1943-1945
T/Sgt. Frank Hrehocik completed 35 missions as a Radio Operator in the 533rd BS. In addition, using his own 8mm camera, he took some 200' of film. Some Black & White and some in Color. The film transfered to VHS and then to DVD for the family by his cousin Jerry Gergasko in Frank's honor.
These are clips Jerry made available on YouTube. The Flash media plug-in is required to view them.
September 12, 1944, Mission #187 of the 381st Bomb Group |
Bing Crosby visits and Smashing Time is christened |
London, England - color |
Mission #172 Aug 11, 1944 (film taken inside B-17G #44-6095 [VP-N] "Fort Worth Gal" of the 533rd.) and 533rd BS ships landing/ground- color |
Here are some silent 8mm film taken clips by Frederick Richter of the 858th Air Engineering Squadron, 448th Sub Depot. The family of Howard Wilson, also of the 858th, generously provided a copy after it was transferred to video tape. You can download those these video segments and view them on your computer.
- Scenes from London (690k - 25 seconds)
- 381st B-17's landing at Ridgewell (1.5mb - 58 seconds)
- 381st B-17 taxi and takeoff (792k - 29 seconds)
- 381st B-17 buzzing the field (283k - 11 seconds)
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London |
381st B-17 Landing |
Crated B-17 Engines |