P-47D Thunderbolts of the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) 56th Fighter Group taxiing and taking off from RAF Halesworth airfield in England in World War 2. They are on mission ("Ramrod to Emden) escorting U.S. bombers in raid on German U-Boat Base at Emden, Germany.The first P-47 seen is serial 41-6261 "Bat Out of Hell" (coded UN-B) flown by LT Gordon Batdorf of the 63rd Fighter Squadron. Others seen in the sequence include P-47s including: 42-74750 ("Lady jane") and 42-74635. Officer fires a flare to signal takeoff. After taking off in pairs, the aircraft of the 63rd Squadron assemble in a formation of 16 aircraft and then join other squadrons of the 56th Fighter Group to proceed on their mission.
Scene from filming of "Combat America" at RAF Polebrook in England. U.S. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress parked on an airbase. Several takes of AAF Gunner, Sergeant Posti, with belt of 50 caliber ammunition over his shoulder talking with Captain Clark Gable, standing near the plane.
Scenes from filming of "Combat America," at RAF Polebrook, Northamptonshire, England, during World War 2. B-17s parked on the airfield. U.S. Airmen standing near and on balcony of the Base Operations control tower building. Interior of Quonset Hut barrack. An airman reading. Four U.S. Army Air Force Officers posing in Class A uniform with blouse and hat.
Several takes of scene from filming of "Combat America." Activities of the United States Army Air Forces stationed at RAF Polebrook, Northamptonshire, England, during World War 2. Airmen sleeping in barracks.Posters pasted on the wall in the background. A U.S. AAF Officer, wearing patch of 351st Bomb Group, on his jacket, enters the room and awakens them by pulling their covers off. Airman gets out of bed.
Activities of the U.S. AAF military units stationed at RAF Polebrook , Northamptonshire, England, during filming of "Combat America" in World War 2. Officers coming out of a quonset hut. Soldiers seated in a jeep. A trailer attached to the jeep. Bombs loaded on the trailer. The jeep leaves the area. U.S. Army Air Force personnel in parade formation.
Two U.S. Army Air Force fliers of the 351st Heavy Bomb Group stand in front of a large wall map during World War 2. A U.S. Army Air Force Warrant Officer, Mr. Steele, holds a packet of chewing tobacco and puts some in his mouth.. USAAF fliers seated on chairs watching the filming, are amused. Suddenly, one of them gets up and looks out the window. They all get up and leave the room quickly.