Numerous B-29 bomber aircraft operating against Japanese targets from Northern Marianas Islands bases during World War II in the Pacific. U.S. Army Air Force bombers are seen from following units: Guam-based 314th Bomb Wing, 39th Bomb Group (Tail Code "P"), 29th Bomb Group (Tail Code "O") and 330th Bomb Group (Tail Code "K"); Tinian-based 313th Bomb Wing, 6th Bomb Group (Tail Code"R"); Saipan-based 73rd Bomb Wing, 497th Bomb Group (Tail Code "A"). Aircraft of these units are all seen taking off on missions. View from inside cockpit of a B-29 aircraft taking off. Pilot calls for and signals "gear up" to copilot. View from nose of the aircraft as it flies low over some ships. On airfield, a ground controller/dispatcher is seen on radio telephone. View aboard a B-29, during mission, as bombardier signals that he has control of the B-29. Large clusters of incendiary bombs dropping from B-29s. Bombs away views of many bombs dropping from open bomb bay doors. Explosions and flashes on ground as bombs impact Japanese enemy targets. Huge clouds of smoke rise and obscure the scene after the strikes. B-29s returning to land after the mission. View from nose as a B-29 touches down and taxis on active runway. Crew members discussing mission in front of parked B-29. Final scene is of formation of B-29s from Saipan-based 73rd Bomb Wing, 499th Bomb Group (Tail Code "T").
Animated map of Tokyo, Iwo Jima, and Saipen. Arrows show attack on Iwo Jima. Aerial view of the island. Ships of United States Navy 5th fleet seen in the region. Numerous views of U.S. Navy ships shelling Japanese targets on Iwo Jima Island, with naval guns and rocket barrage. Smoke and explosions seen. View on a U.S. Navy landing craft after it is hit by a Japanese shell. Dead U.S. sailor on the deck of the ship. View of Aircraft Carrier in region. A U.S. fighter aircraft crash lands on the deck of the carrier. A U.S. plane crashes in ocean right beside a U.S. ship and sinks, but the pilot is thrown clear and is seen swimming. Crewmen on a nearby U.S. Navy destroyer ship throw a rescue ring buoy to the pilot of a fighter aircraft that crashed in the ocean. The pilot is returned from the rescue ship to his aircraft carrier via breeches buoy line between the ships.
United States Army Air Force at their base in the Japanese island of Iwo Jima, during World War II. Wrecker truck and other vehicles on the runway. Mechanics on hoist, work to remove engines of a B-29 bomber which crashed while take off. One mechanic sets the hoist at right position beneath a wing of the bomber. Another mechanic on hoist tries to get the belts of hoists.
United States Army Air Force at their base in the Japanese island of Iwo Jima, during World War II. Mechanics and airmen work to remove engines of a B-29 bomber which crashed while take off. One man stands on a hoist near wing of the plane and checks propeller blades. Men try to rotate the large propeller blades of the bomber.
United States Army Air Force at their base in the Japanese island of Iwo Jima, during World War II. Airmen of 21st Bomber Command Provisional Unit stand outside tents for mail call. A man with canned ration.They discuss their strategies. Soldiers carrying rifles talk with each other.
Planes of United States Army Air Force at their base in the Japanese island of Iwo Jima, during World War II. P-51 Mustangs of the U.S. AAF on the runway and parked. Mustangs take off and land during a routine exercise. Damaged B-29 bomber parked near the runway. Airmen and mechanics work on the damaged bomber.