Film Lens
Thunderbolt is a 1947 film directed by William Wyler and John Sturges that documents the aerial operations of Operation Strangle during World War II. The film focuses on the Twelfth Air Force's efforts to disrupt Axis supply lines to the Gustav Line and Anzio beachhead from their base in Corsica. It features combat footage recorded by the 12th Combat Camera Unit, which used cameras mounted on P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft and a B-25 medium bomber to capture the missions.
The narrative follows a P-47 squadron on an interdiction mission, showcasing the daily lives of the pilots and the intensity of their operations. The film includes a reenactment of a mission similar to one that took place on May 1, 1944, against a railroad tunnel in Italy, where Lt. Col. Gilbert O. Wymond Jr. was awarded the Silver Star. The film was initially shown to the press in late 1945 but was not widely released until 1947, with profits benefiting the Army Air Force Relief Society and the U.S. Treasury.
Why Watch
- •See P-47 Thunderbolt pilots in action over Italy.
- •Meet Lt. Col. Gilbert O. Wymond Jr. and his heroic story.
- •Find out how aerial operations supported ground troops.
Did You Know
•The film was shot in 16mm color by the Army Air Forces.
•Lt. Col. Gilbert O. Wymond Jr. received the Silver Star for a mission on May 1, 1944.
•Half of the profits from the 1947 release went to the Army Air Force Relief Society.
•James Stewart introduced the film in late January 1947.
Perfect For
World War II aviationMilitary history enthusiastsDocumentary film lovers