Star Wars and World War ll

[jamesmitchell2]

I just watched Star Wars (the original one) on TV and am sure the final scene in which Luke Skywalker and the Rebels destroy the huge star ship was a direct ripoff of an English World War ll movie in which pilots had to destroy an underground German research lab. The Germans had placed a prisoner of war camp on the earth's surface above the prisoner camp, and the planes had to "bounce" a bomb into an air vent in order to destroy the lab and not the prisoners.

In order to do this, the planes had to follow a narrow pathway to the vent, and aim the bombs to fall down a small opening, in turn to explode underground.

What is the movie???? It's driving me nuts.

Doug

[jamesmitchell2]

I found the answer. The movie is "The Dam Busters," a 1955 English movie about the invention and use of bouncing bombs during WWII.

Doug Mitchell

[SRF]

I don't recall any POW camp in "The Dam Busters". I do seem to recall a 1960's film about an underground rocket factory that the heroes had to open to roof of so it could be hit by bombers. I believe George Peppard was in it. Maybe that's what you were thinking of?

[Aussie Dave]

Mosquito Squadron is the name of the movie you saw.



The Bouncing Bomb used in the film was a real weapon. Known as Highball (a smaller version of the Dambusting Upkeep bomb), it was originally designed by Dr. Barnes Wallis to be utilized against battleships, such as the Tirpitz. The Highball bomb weighed 1,280lb (580kg), carried 600lb (272kg) of explosive, and was small enough to be carried in tandem by a Mosquito fighter-bomber. Prior to release the bomb was imparted with a backward spin of 700-900 revolutions per minute, and dropped at high speed (360 mph (580km/h)) and low altitude (60 ft (18.2m)).


Cheers,
Dave

[lufttiger]

I've never heard of that flick, i have seen the dam busters tho, not bad.

[Aussie Dave]

Originally Posted by lufttiger

I've never heard of that flick, i have seen the dam busters tho, not bad.

If you are interested LT, here is a link to Mosquito Squadron's Theatrical Trailer.

http://worldwartwozone.com/forums/vb...502-10542.html


Cheers,
Dave

[jamesmitchell2]

Thank you so much for your reply. I just did some more research on it, and you're absolutely right, it was Mosquito Squadron. There's even a reference in one of the articles that George Lucas might have been influenced by this film. Thanks again.

Doug Mitchell
USA

Originally Posted by Aussie Dave

Mosquito Squadron is the name of the movie you saw.



The Bouncing Bomb used in the film was a real weapon. Known as Highball (a smaller version of the Dambusting Upkeep bomb), it was originally designed by Dr. Barnes Wallis to be utilized against battleships, such as the Tirpitz. The Highball bomb weighed 1,280lb (580kg), carried 600lb (272kg) of explosive, and was small enough to be carried in tandem by a Mosquito fighter-bomber. Prior to release the bomb was imparted with a backward spin of 700-900 revolutions per minute, and dropped at high speed (360 mph (580km/h)) and low altitude (60 ft (18.2m)).


Cheers,

Dave

[Aussie Dave]

Originally Posted by jamesmitchell2

Thank you so much for your reply. I just did some more research on it, and you're absolutely right, it was Mosquito Squadron. There's even a reference in one of the articles that George Lucas might have been influenced by this film. Thanks again.

Doug Mitchell
USA

No worries mate, glad I could help.

Cheers,
Dave