Camera pans across North airfield on Guam, Mariana Islands, in World War 2. Next a large group of Airmen are seen standing around a shiny B-29 bomber parked on the ramp. It has "K333" stenciled on left side of its forward fuselage. Its tail number is 42-224802. (This B-29 is named "Purple Shaft," but that is not stenciled on its left side.) The airmen walk around and examine it. Next, The aircraft commander, Lieutenant Warren Richard Aylsworth is seen speaking with a Captain, as they stand next to the plane. Others join in the conversation. (Note: The plane is scheduled to fly to Tinian this night, the 20th, but will land at Saipan, instead, because runway lights were not yet operational on Tinian. The "Purple Shaft" will be the first B-29 to arrive at Tinian, the following day, December 21, 1944.)
Invasion of Japanese held island of Guam, Mariana Islands by U.S. army during World War II. Battleships fire guns. Amtrack going in. LST (Landing Ship, Tank) fire at the island. Phosphorous shells burst in air. Landing crafts head towards the shore.
Invasion of Japanese held island of Guam, Mariana Islands by U.S. army during World War II. U.S. soldiers stand around a wounded soldier lying on a stretcher. Wounded soldier being transferred to assault boat. Assault boat pulls away. Landing crafts and ships on water in the background. Wounded soldiers being removed from assault boats.
Invasion of Japanese held island of Guam, Mariana Islands by U.S. army during World War II. U.S. gun crew aboard boat fires 75mm gun towards the shore. Smoke rises from an island in the background.
Invasion of Japanese held island of Guam, Mariana Islands by U.S. army during World War II. Damaged Japanese installations on the island. Soldiers carry ammunition on shoulders. Soldiers dig foxhole. Soldiers stand around on the beach. Amtrack in the background. Two soldiers behind embankment with radio equipment. Soldiers walk through debris. Amtracks on coastline. Soldiers sitting and standing around 57mm gun.
Invasion of Japanese held island of Guam, Mariana Islands by U.S. army during Pacific Campaign of World War II. Formations of U.S. Navy TBF Avenger torpedo bombers heading for Guam. U.S. task force including APs (Transports), LSTs (Landing Ships, Tank), AKs (Cargo Ships) in transport area. LCVPs (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) underway to beach. BB (Battleship) bombards beach. U.S. Navy SBD Dauntless dive bombers in flight.