Allied invasion of Europe during World War 2. Opening scene shows sailors preparing to launch a landing craft. Skies are dark above and some barrage balloons are aloft. A Landing Craft Tank (LCT), filled with soldiers, slowly approaches a secure beachhead where U.S. Army trucks are driving along the beach. Next, the LCT has beached and lowered its front ramp. It is still some way from the beach. Soldiers ride jeeps down the ramp and through the water toward the shore. Some soldiers are seen dug in on the beach. Others march informally along the beach. Jeeps and trucks drive along the beach. Dark black smoke rises in the background An M4 Sherman of the 70th Tank Battalion, fitted with a bulldozer blade, moves past a fallen (dead) soldier partially covered with a tarp, lying on the sand. Small clusters of soldiers are setting up positions in the sand. Medics carry two stretchers towards a landing craft as they wade through the surf. Soldiers wade ashore from a stranded LCT.
Several U.S. soldiers set up defenses inland from a Normandy invasion beachhead during World War 2. One, in a sand-bagged position, loads cartridges into a bandolier. Closeup of two others in a sand-bagged communications center containing radios; light and other signalling equipment. The soldier loading rounds into a bandolier is seen again. A group of soldiers appear relaxed as they converse. View of the beach, where landing craft are beached and caterpillar tractors move about. A Rhino Ferry (barge) containing many trucks, sits in the water, close to shore. Two soldiers in a DUKW amphibious vehicle move along the beach.
Logistic support during Normandy invasion of World War 2. Soldier of U.S. 101st Airborne Division walks toward Normandy beachhead where large supplies of military equipment are seen onshore. Several landing craft are beached and tractors equipped with "A" frames move across the sand. U.S. Soldiers occupy a sand-bagged bunker. Radio antennas are set up. Scene changes to closeup of Army 6x6 camvas-covered trucks making their way from a Rhino Ferry (barge) across shallow surf to the beachhead. A barrage balloon is aloft in background.
A moment of comedy during the Invasion of Normandy. A soldier directs traffic at an intersection while a G.I. bothers him to light his cigarette. The lighter doesn't work, and the G.I. throws it on the ground. A truck drives past them. The soldier approaches a woman for a light instead. Sign on a building reads, 'Penchurch S'
U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) Captain Melvin J. Hitchcock of the 66th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group, in cockpit of his P-47, talks to crew chief, before a mission. 12th Air Force patch seen on his left shoulder. Other pilots in cockpits talk to their respective crew chiefs.One pilot is smoking a cigar and passes it to his crew chief who looks askance at it . Crew chief stands on wing of P-47, putting cowling on engine. Insignia of the 65th Fighter Squadron is seen on the aircraft.
Interior of a light plane cabin and view past head and shoulder of the pilot, through his open window, of rugged Corsican coastline. Ruined fortifications on hilltop. A church or monastery, undamaged, perched on high cliff above the ocean. View of coastline and beach.