The American Invasion

This is the story of American flyers stationed in Britain during WWII. Most of us only know of this era from watching classic films like "Twelve O'clock High" and "Command Decision." Some of that history, both social and military has been covered more recently by "Yanks," "Hanover Square," and "Memphis Belle." The wonderful thing about documentaries is that they provide us with historical background and newsreel clips that can't be included in dramas designed for entertainment. This documentary focuses on the men who flew the B17 bombers into occupied France and later, into Germany. It devotes more than half of its time to the social interactions between the young American servicemen, and the local British villagers, and we see the result in the final newsreel clips of British war brides boarding ships to America, many with infants in their arms. To see another side of this story, don't miss "Bomber Boys," hosted by Scotch brothers Ewan & Colin McGregor. It details the RAF's use of the Lancaster Bomber in nighttime raids into France and Germany. To protect their planes, the RAF bombed at night, while the Americans concentrated on daylight tactical bombing that made them more visible to enemy fighters and anti-aircraft fire. Because of that policy, a tragic number of American 8th Air Force flyers were killed in the period dating from their arrival in the summer of 1942 to VE Day in 1945. Interviews with aging American veterans and British ladies, make this a fun and informative 90 minute documentary.