A Douglas R4D transport aircraft (number 245 seen on fuselage) takes off during World War 2. Jane Kendeigh, the first Navy flight nurse to land in an active Pacific combat zone, and a few U.S. Marines are inside a Douglas R4D airplane in flight, speaking to one another and taking care of injured soldiers that are lying on stretchers and beds throughout the aircraft. Kendeigh is seen next to a few loaves of bread and a plate of meat, making sandwiches. The cockpit of the airplane is shown, with its pilots speaking to one another. An injured Marine on a bed is offered something out of a bowl, and another is seen with his hand on his forehead, presumably sleeping. Finally, a few shots of soldiers sitting and standing throughout the plane, talking amongst themselves.
USS Bayfield APA 33 underway in the Pacific Ocean prior to the invasion of Iwo Jima. A naval officer briefs coxswains. The coxswains listen to the briefing. A terrain model of the beachhead at Iwo Jima. The officer and enlisted men talk.
From "The Last Bomb", showing U.S. Army Air Forces bombing targets in and over Japan during World War 2. B-29s taxi on airfield and take off from runway. Crew in cockpit of aircraft. More B-29s taxi on runway at Tinian airfield. B-29s leave flight lines at Saipan airfield. B-29s taxi and take off from runway. Last B-29 takes off from Saipan airfield. Controller in tower talking into radio. Controller in Guam attends phone call. Take off times of each wing are noted by men at desk. Man attaches copy on report board. B-29 in flight over Pacific Ocean. Crew inside the plane. Navigator marks the chart. Aircraft makes run over Iwo Jima Island. Bulldozer leveling the surface at Sulfur island of Iwo Jima. P51s parked at airfield. Officers discuss around chart. P-51s warm up in flight line. P-51s taking off from airfield. Group of P-51s in flight. Controller at Guam talks over phone. Officer marks positions of each wing on mission board. P-51s fly low over water. Pilot of P-51 speaks. Crewman's hand at instrument panel. P-51s in flight behind B-29s. Smoke marker is dropped from an aircraft. Groups of planes separate. B-29s defend against attacking Japanese planes. A Japanese plane drops phosphorous bomb which explodes in the way of formation of B-29s. P-51 peels off to attack Japanese plane and protect B-29. P-51 fires at Japanese plane. Japanese plane is hit and goes down in flames. Formation of B-29s heading for mission. B-29s dropping bombs on Tokyo.
Invasion of Iwo Jima, Japan by United States during World War II. United States Marines aboard a ship as they head towards Iwo Jima. A Catholic Mass being conducted aboard USS Talladega (APA-208). Marines with their heads lowered as a Chaplain conducts mass. Marines read from a holy book. Marines relax on the deck of the ship.
Dr. Edgar Maurice Cortright, United States Navy Lieutenant, narrates his experience on board the USS Saratoga (CV-3) at the time of its bombing by Kamikaze planes during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. Fire engulfs the aircraft and forward deck of the USS Saratoga. Men with fire hose running on deck. They hose the fire with jets of water. Thick black smoke rises from the forward portion of the flight deck. Medics carry burned victims on stretchers. Bullets and tracer fire firing from a night attack. USS Bismarck Sea near the USS Saratoga before being sunk by kamikaze attack in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Captain Lucian Ancel “Fish” Moebus putting anti-flash burn cream on his face after the kamikaze attack. Damage to the flight deck after the fire has been put out. Crewmen cleaning the deck.
Activities of the United States Marine Corps 5th Division at Iwo Jima, Japan during World War II. U.S. Marines aboard landing craft underway at sea. Various marines prepare to debark from the craft. Marines debark via landing net to small boat alongside. The base of Mount Suribachi under fire. Landing Ship Medium (LSM) loaded with troops, American flag flies from a flag mast as it gets underway for beach. Soldiers fire from battleships in the foreground. Smoke arises due to firing.