Great Korean War Movie, Bridges at Toko-Ri
- Thread starter davparlr
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michaelmaltby
Colonel
great film, great cast .... Wm Holden, Grace Kelly aka Princess of Monaco, Mickey Rooney
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mikewint
Captain
Agreed, Hollywood made a great movie with some fantastic footage of carrier operations during the war. Mitchner also wrote an interesting book about what was a fairly minor operation.
CAPT Paul N. Gray, USN, Ret,
USNA '41, former CO of VF-54.
The flight plan was to fly in at 15,000 feet until over the target area and make a vertical dive bombing run dropping the proximity-fused bombs on the guns and radars. Each pilot had a specific complex to hit. As we approached the target we started to pick up some flak, but it was high and behind us. At the initial point, we separated and rolled into the dive. Now the flak really became heavy. I rolled in first; and after I released my bomb, I pulled out south of the target area and waited for the rest to join up. One of the Corsairs reported that he had been hit on the way down and had to pull out before dropping his bomb. Three other planes suffered minor flak damage but nothing serious.
After the join up, I detached from the group and flew over the area to see if there was anything still firing. Sure enough there was heavy 37 MM fire from one site, I got out of there in a hurry and called in the reserve Skyraider still circling at 15,000 to hit the remaining gun site. His 2000 pound bomb exploded right over the target and suddenly things became very quiet. The shrapnel from those 2000 lbs. bombs must have been deadly for the crews serving the guns and radars. We never saw another 37 MM burst from any of the 56 guns.
From that moment on, it was just another day at the office. Only sporadic machine gun and small arms fire was encountered. We made repeated glide bombing runs and completely destroyed all the bridges. We even brought gun camera pictures back to prove the bridges were destroyed.
After a final check of the target area, we joined up, inspected our wingmen for damage and headed home. Mr. Michener plus most of the ship's crew watched from Vulture's Row as Dog Fannin, the landing signal officer, brought us back aboard.
CAPT Paul N. Gray, USN, Ret,
USNA '41, former CO of VF-54.
The flight plan was to fly in at 15,000 feet until over the target area and make a vertical dive bombing run dropping the proximity-fused bombs on the guns and radars. Each pilot had a specific complex to hit. As we approached the target we started to pick up some flak, but it was high and behind us. At the initial point, we separated and rolled into the dive. Now the flak really became heavy. I rolled in first; and after I released my bomb, I pulled out south of the target area and waited for the rest to join up. One of the Corsairs reported that he had been hit on the way down and had to pull out before dropping his bomb. Three other planes suffered minor flak damage but nothing serious.
After the join up, I detached from the group and flew over the area to see if there was anything still firing. Sure enough there was heavy 37 MM fire from one site, I got out of there in a hurry and called in the reserve Skyraider still circling at 15,000 to hit the remaining gun site. His 2000 pound bomb exploded right over the target and suddenly things became very quiet. The shrapnel from those 2000 lbs. bombs must have been deadly for the crews serving the guns and radars. We never saw another 37 MM burst from any of the 56 guns.
From that moment on, it was just another day at the office. Only sporadic machine gun and small arms fire was encountered. We made repeated glide bombing runs and completely destroyed all the bridges. We even brought gun camera pictures back to prove the bridges were destroyed.
After a final check of the target area, we joined up, inspected our wingmen for damage and headed home. Mr. Michener plus most of the ship's crew watched from Vulture's Row as Dog Fannin, the landing signal officer, brought us back aboard.
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
This movie has alot of nostalgia for me, because I grew up in a family that had several Navy vets. Especially my Uncle Bill, who had actually flown the Panther and Banshee (and gave me model kits of each type!).
A little more trivia regarding the movie, William Holden was actually taught how to taxi on the deck of a carrier in order to give authentic close up action shots. Also, the Panthers in the movie were from VF-192 and were used in another movie, "Men of the Fighting Lady" which was filmed in '54.
Another interesting fact: the bulk of the movie was filmed aboard the Oriskany, but because she needed to put in for repairs, they finished shooting aboard the Kearsarge (CV-33)
A little more trivia regarding the movie, William Holden was actually taught how to taxi on the deck of a carrier in order to give authentic close up action shots. Also, the Panthers in the movie were from VF-192 and were used in another movie, "Men of the Fighting Lady" which was filmed in '54.
Another interesting fact: the bulk of the movie was filmed aboard the Oriskany, but because she needed to put in for repairs, they finished shooting aboard the Kearsarge (CV-33)
I'll certainly look out for it...
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Loved this movie! Mickey Rooney's character was classic - AN ENLISTED PILOT!
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Something I remembered from a long time back, but I recall that Mickey Rooney had three characters killed by hand grenade...I know Bridges at Toki Ri was one, I can't think of the other two at the moment - looks like I may have to cheat by doing the "google thing".
AMC
Airman
My hat and scarf, Nester......
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Ok...the other two movies with Mickey Rooney and grenades are: "Ambush Bay" and "The Bold and the Brave"
mikewint
Captain
Don't recall either one, Dave
