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Nostalgic Pilgrimage with Veterans of the USAAF 2nd Air Division, including Actor James Stewart

1975 , Duxford (Cambridgeshire)

Cat no. 139135

Anglia Television news report from Duxford of actor James Stewart and the United States Army Air Force Veterans of World War Two.

Veterans Of The United States Army Air Force (USAAF) 2nd Air Division, including Hollywood film actor James Stewart, visit some of the airfields from which they flew during their military missions of World War Two. Veterans and members of the public gather on the runway at Duxford for the unveiling of a customary image on the side of a Liberator bomber – a reclining nude, ‘Delectable Doris’. Interview with the former pilot of the aircraft, and his wife – the inspiration for the image – recollecting the story of its creation, and their early years together as young sweethearts. Interviews with the American veterans, the former pilots, recalling the practical implications of flying the planes and performing their duties, and remembering the difficulties and casualties of war, but also the fond memories of time spent in East Anglia. A Hawker Sea Fury aircraft soars overhead, and former pilot and American film actor James Stewart is interviewed. Stewart argues that despite having a successful acting career at the time, he felt a sense of duty to enlist because his country was at war. The veterans attend a memorial ceremony at Madingley, and James Stewart places a wreath in remembrance.

Keywords

Actors; Airbases; Aircraft; Celebrities; Delectable Doris; Hawker Sea Fury; Liberator; Military bases; War memorials; War veterans; World War Two

Other Places

Madingley Military Cemetery, Cambs

Manifestations

Nostalgic Pilgrimage with Veterans of the USAAF 2nd Air Division, including Actor James Stewart

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