Released in 1941, “Target for Tonight” is a Crown Film Unit documentary directed by Harry Watt. The movie — which uses obvious re-enactments, some model and process shots and some degree of acting — shows the crew of a Wellington bomber nicknamed “F For Freddie” preparing for, and taking part in, a nighttime raid over Occupied Europe and Germany. Despite the fact that the movie isn’t entirely non-fiction, the film was awarded an honorary Oscar for Best Documentary in 1942.

The Royal Air Force engaged almost exclusively in night time bombing raids during WWII, after daylight raids proved extremely costly. The American Army Air Force preferred daylight attacks, although in 1943 as losses mounted they were called off for a time. Notably, an American documentary counterpart from WWII is entitled, “Target for Today”.

The Vickers Wellington bomber shown in the film was a long-range medium bomber designed during the mid-1930s. Led by Vickers-Armstrongs’ chief designer Rex Pierson; a key feature of the aircraft is its geodetic airframe fuselage structure, which was principally designed by Barnes Wallis. The Wellington was used as a night bomber in the early years of WWII, but was eventually superceded by larger four-engined “heavies” such as the Avro Lancaster. The Wellington then continued to serve in other capactities, particularly as an anti-submarine platform.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com