"Liberty Through Victory" B-29 video

[DarthRider]

As many of you know, my son Bill developed & runs a website dedicated to the World War II air operations in the Pacific Theater, specifically the 444th Bomb Group operating first out of India and later Tinian Island.
http://www.444thbg.org/

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/444thbg/Tri-N61-SkelleherPic.jpg

Bill's website has become a source of information and reference material for authors, scholars and historians around the world. More importantly, it has been the vehicle & catalyst for the few remaining B-29ers to share their stories, renew old friendships and enjoy reunions.
It was created and exists solely in their memories and honor.

Last year Bill began production of a documentary video entitled "Liberty Through Victory", the history of the 444th Bomb Group (Very Heavy, Special), 20th Air Force, and it's men, aircraft and missions.
The vid is scheduled for release in September, 2009, but in the meantime he has produced this YouTube trailer.

I've told him of the Cafe's interest in WWII and that many of us have connections with relatives and friends who served. He asked me to share the trailer with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqahpOCcD3w&feature=channel_page

I'll keep you posted on the release of the finished video.


It's easy to see where the boys' thoughts were...

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/444thbg/LadyInWaiting-AsylumerPicCOLOR.jpg

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/444thbg/VICGIRL1-DKenneyPic.jpg

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/444thbg/JourneyForMargaret-SkelleherPic.jpg

http://www.444thbg.org/0506Update/RoundTripTicketCrew.jpg

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/444thbg/Hombicrismus-CM%20Pic.JPG

http://webzoom.freewebs.com/444thbg/CharlesHarperCFC-ChHarperPic.jpg

[1MPH]

Very nice Dave. Will be looking for the video in the fall.
Loved the music brought me back to my childhood...Thanks.

[Griffon]

That's great stuff Dave! I'm going to be looking for this when it comes out. I'm a big fan of swing music, so it's good to hear it on the soundtrack! Good work Bill!:eusa_clap:

[JCsman]

Nifty.

I'll be on the look out for this too.

[Donson]

Count Me in!

[Gord]

Dave - scintillating stuff. Can't wait for the release! You will of course keep the Cafe informed! As a history graduate and military history afficianado, I gotta get this!

[DarthRider]

Thanks for the support guys, Bill will appreciate it and I do too!
Will keep you posted.

[Deans BMW]

Just watched the teaser, thought it was great, looking foward to the final cut.

[DarthRider]

Here's a little more info on the documentary that Bill sent me.
The next-to-last one is my favorite!

- Will be 45 minutes long, including credits
- High quality video interviews with 2 444th Vet's
- Audio interviews from 3 444th Vet's
- Have located brief footage of the 444th in flight over India (VERY, VERY RARE!!!)
- Video clip of 444th awards ceremony on Tinian
- Color & B/W Signal Corps B-29 video
- B-29 training & development video
- Australian Newsreel showing a 444th crew's rescue from the S. China Sea
- Still photos of all kinds (color & B/W)
- Distribution being researched by a 444th Vet's Grandson in LA who is a professional actor / model
- Hope to submit to documentary film festivals
- Hope to be able to get film shown on cable (History & Military channels, etc.), and maybe PBS
- Soundtrack composed by me
- Will have professional narration

[Rchop]

Very nice Dave, thanks for posting. I'm looking forward to seeing the entire film :023:

[Tassie Devil]

Thanks Dave,

Enjoyed that....

MORE PLEASE!!!!:jive:


Cheers,

JQ

[Donson]

In the spring of 82,I think,the CAF-CONFEDERATE Air Force parked their B-29,FIFI on our military ramp at Amarillo International Airport. I was attending A&P school and working,fueling Military,Airline,Civilian and NASA traffic (lots of NASA traffic at Amarillo).Anyway I was leaving a long,hot,shift on the military line,on an open tug,when one of our west Texas storms blew up. Almost instantly,I was in a hailstorm,golf ball size-the closest shelter was FIFI. I spent an hour alone under one of the only flying B-29s in the world,and thought about the history that was sheltering Me from the storm....

[DarthRider]

This from son Bill. The video still on track for a Fall release. Bill is talking with some film festivals & documentary TV about running it.

From Bill:
The second video trailer for the 444th Bomb Group Documentary: "Liberty Through Victory" is now available online. You can view the clip at the link below. Please rate & comment if you have a YouTube account! Also, please send the link to anyone you think might be interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEfnfDeavfo
Thank you,
Bill Howe
www.444thbg.org

[Arby]

Good stuff, Dave & Bill. Look forward to the finished product.

RB

[DarthRider]

Hey guys, several expressed an interest in my son Bill's documentary video, "Liberty Through Victory".
Due to "production delays", it was not released in September as planned, but it is now available...and it is good. Very good!
We're working now to get it shown on PBS or the Documentary Channel, and maybe at some film festivals.

Here is the final 3-minute trailer for the hour-long DVD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nCaXTi1faY&feature=player_embedded

Here's what I wrote about it in the 444th BG's Newsletter:
Our long-awaited 444th BG Documentary, “Liberty through Victory” is finished and just released! This is the true story of the 444th Bomb Group from conception, to training, to India, to China, to Tinian…and Japan!
Not “just another” B-29 airplane video, this is the history of the first – and finest – B-29 unit ever established. The only unit to hold the unique designation, “Very Heavy Special”.
The regular price of the DVD is $29.00, plus $3.00 shipping. However, any member who is current on their dues, or any member who pays their dues by the end of the year, can email Bill directly for an online code that will get them the DVD for only $22.00 with FREE shipping…a savings of $10.00!
And...anyone can join or pay their dues for an annual minimum of $5.00, so why not join now and get 10 bucks off the DVD? That’s better than a stimulus check!

EDITOR’s NOTE: I saw “Liberty through Victory” and to say it is excellent is an understatement! If you love B-29s and the Vets, do yourself a big favor and get a copy! Also, the DVD and other Web Store items will make fine Christmas presents…I’ll be doing much of my shopping right here!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tomorrow I will post simplified ordering instructions. You can get your DVD(s) and a nice discount, the easiest possible way!

http://www.444thbg.org/TriangleNsOnTinianRunway-Small.JPG

[Donson]

Last Friday.at Peckerheads meeting,I had the pleasure of watching LIBERTY THROUGH VICTORY, with Betty,Dave,and Beezer.I have to say I was very impressed,and I highly recommend it to anyone with even the slightest interest in Military History.Lots of excellent footage,and interviews with some of the Men who were there,in the flesh,and to whom We owe so much.I am ordering the Video,without a doubt!

[JCsman]

Well timed, Donson. I was about to ask the status.

Now I'll just ask about availability. How 'bout it Dangerman, think I can give it to myself by Christmas?

[Tassie Devil]

Thanks for the info Dave,
I'll be following with much interest...

Cheers,

JQ.

[DarthRider]

Well timed, Donson. I was about to ask the status.

Now I'll just ask about availability. How 'bout it Dangerman, think I can give it to myself by Christmas?

Bill, I think you missed the post before Donson's.
Christmas? Yes!
Details tomorrow AM.

[DarthRider]

OK guys, we worked the ordering out as simply as possible. This is not a fully developed E-commerce site, so it won't be quite as "clean" as we'd like...the attraction here is the content!

Regular price for the DVD is $29.00 + $3.00 shipping, total $32.00, and you can order that way if you like.
But the DVD is on sale for $22.00 including shipping for *members* of the 444th BG Association. There are Membership levels starting at only $5.00 per year, so that would make a total of $27.00 for DVD & Membership, a savings of $5.00.
Sorry, but the membership & DVD must be ordered separately, either by PayPal or Credit Card. It is a secure "shopping basket" but it won't allow combining Membership Dues with Web Store items.
You can pay with personal check if you prefer.

Ordering Instructions.

MEMBERSHIP
Click: http://www.444thbg.org/jointhe444thbg.htm
Follow simple sign-up & payment instructions.
In the text field, mention "Cafe".
Done.

DVD
Click: http://www.444thbg.org/apps/webstore/
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the "Liberty Through Victory" DVD MEMBERS ONLY PRICE $22.00. (add any other Web Store items if you like). Click "Add to Cart".
Adjust the number of items, should you want more than 1 copy. Click "Check Out With PayPal".
Log on to PayPal, or choose the Credit Card option.
At the "Review Payment" screen, click on the link, Please click PayPal Link to pay securely. Type "Cafe" in text box.
Click "PAY NOW".
Done!

Again, sorry it's a bit complicated...couldn't be helped. But it is for a good cause and you'll get a way cool DVD!

For you "Furiners"...disregard the "U.S. Orders ONLY please" notation. We'll cover shipping charges as a Christmas present!

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!

http://thumbs.freewebs.com/Members/viewThumb.jsp?fileID=129218515&size=large

[Arby]

Mine's on the way! Looking forward to veiwing it.
Thanks Dave!

RB

[DarthRider]

Thanks Arby...if you like it tell your friends! It's great for WWII, B-29 and aviation fans.
The money all goes to the upkeep of the website & forum.

[JCsman]

Thanks Arby...if you like it tell your friends! It's great for WWII, B-29 and aviation fans.
The money all goes to the upkeep of the website & forum.

The fair JC has been shown the link and a (not very subtle at all) hint dropped that this should appear in my stoking on Christmas day... Should that fail, I have a birthday on January 3 and I'll buy my own danged copy!

[DarthRider]

Hope your hints work better than mine do.
I've been hinting for a new bike for 3 years...:028:

[panthercity]

Hope your hints work better than mine do.
I've been hinting for a new bike for 3 years...:028:
Three years! Hah! That's nothin'. I've been askin' Santa for a pony for 57 years!