MovieChat Forums > Red Tails (2012) Discussion > The premise of this movie is false

The premise of this movie is false


From The United States Strategic Bombing Survey:

The attacks in the winter of 1944 were escorted by P-51's and P-47's and with the appearance of these planes in force a sharp change had been ordered in escort tactics. Previously the escort planes had to protect the bomber force as their primary responsibility. They were now instructed to invite opposition from German fighter forces and to engage them at every opportunity. As a result, German fighter losses mounted sharply. The claimed losses in January were 1,115 German fighters, in February 1,118 and in March 1,217. The losses in planes were accompanied by losses in experienced pilots and disorganization and loss of the combat strength of squadrons and groups. By the spring of 1944 opposition of the Luftwaffe had ceased to be effective.


The movie Red Tails has an artificial plot running through it based on the false premise that the (white) fighter pilots freely opted to leave the bombers in order to boost their victory totals. It was, in truth, standard policy and those pilots acted as ordered. While the USAAF was happy with the outcome of this policy in gutting the German fighter arm, all it would have required to change policy was new orders.

The premise of this movie was both false and absurd.

 Entropy ain't what it used to be.

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"The premise of this movie was both false and absurd."


Of course it is but this is Hollywood we are talking about and Hollywood has its own methodically thought-out agenda to push.

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But in this movie, it's put forth as history.

 Entropy ain't what it used to be.

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Based on true events does not mean a moment by moment retelling. Lawrence of Arabia is an amazing biopic but by no means 100% accurate. It's called dramatic license. The pitch was simple; Glory in the skies. Not as well done but a decent movie the illuminates real events. That's all it was after.

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Ultimately it was Doolittle's strategy to decimate the Jagdwaffe so it could not oppose the landings in Normandy adequately...that being said I think said policy was applied only to the 8th AAF. The 'Forgotten 15th' had a lot of bad times because of inadequate numbers of long range fighters. Heck a few times, the 15th had to cease long range ops due to severe losses (it had to stand down during Big Week for one) until more long range escorts could be brought it. The P38 groups were just not up to the task or the numbers.





Why can't you wretched prey creatures understand that the Universe doesn't owe you anything!?

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