Operation Crossbow

Operation Crossbow (The Great Spy Mission) (1965)

Operation Crossbow (alternate title: The Great Spy Mission) is a 1965 war/spy film with George Peppard, Sophia Loren, Trevor Howard and John Mills leading an all-star cast. Directed by Michael Anderson (The Dam Busters, Around the World in Eighty Days,) it is a heavily fictionalized account of the real Operation Crossbow, which was the Anglo-American effort to neutralize German V-weapons during World War II..

Although top-billed, Sophia Loren actually has a small role. She was brought in to bring in viewers, and casting her was not difficult as she was married to the producer, Carlo Ponti. She did not succeed, however, as the film did poorly in its initial release. Blaming the title for perhaps suggesting that the film was about actual bows and crossbows, it was re-released under the more obvious title, The Great Spy Mission.

The following weapons are used in Operation Crossbow:

MP40

German troops are armed with MP40 submachine guns. Lieutenant John Curtis/Erik van Ostamgen (George Peppard) makes extensive use of one in the ending.

MP40 submachine gun - 9x19mm

This MP40 actually appears to be missing a piece.

Despite being a fighter pilot and an engineer, Curtis does what so few do in WWII movies: firing the MP40 using the extended shoulder stock.

Walther P38

German officers are armed with Walther P38s. Bamford (Anthony Quayle) appropriates one from one of them.

Walther P38 WWII dated with black grips - 9x19mm

Bamford with a P38.

As good of a shot as they come.

A P38 next to a dead officer.

Beretta Jetfire

Frieda (Lilli Palmer) uses a suppressed Beretta Jetfire in one scene.

Beretta 950B Jetfire - .25 ACP‎

Frieda reveals her Jetfire.

Karabiner 98k

German troops are armed with Karabiner 98k.

Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Bofors 40mm

A Bofors 40mm is seen in the background in one scene. Almost all the AAA scenes in the film used existing wartime stock footage, so an actual gun (or mockup) was rare.

Bofors 40mm L/60 AA gun in a wheeled trailer mounting - 40×311mmR

The Bofors 40mm can be seen in the background.

Trivia

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Alternative poster