An American freighter is spotted by the lookout on an Italian submarine. Members of the crew rush to the controls of the sub to ready for attack. Activities in the Engine Room of submarine. The Italian submarine fires on the American ship and the freighter is seen sinking. (World War II period).
Civilians return to Italy during World War II. Italian hospital ship Saturnia (later the U.S. Army Hospital Ship Frances Y. Slanger) underway in the Mediterranean Sea. Women and others on the deck of a ship. Civilians disembark from the Saturnia and the Vulcania as they return from East Africa. Women and children on the deck of a ship.
A map shows countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. German army and Italian army motorized units occupy Southern France during World War 2. German and Italian soldiers, tanks, and artillery move along on a road. Many German Quad 20mm anti aircraft guns (Flakvierling 38) in the Port of Marseilles, including some by the Marseille Basilica, high above the port . Ocean liners in the port. German soldiers sit around a truck. Sailors prepare equipment and guns. French officers explain the port facilities to German officers. Civilians in the city. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians on the streets. Sign for the town of Cerbere. Motorized columns including German tanks proceed to the border with Spain. German and Spanish troops fraternize. Soldiers greet each other and interact. Fortifications are constructed on the South France coast. Axis soldiers camouflage artillery on the beach.
German warplanes flying overhead. German planes and battleships bombard an American led Allied supply convoy in the Mediterranean Sea off North Africa. Bombs burst close to ships. An Italian torpedo boat launches a torpedo that strikes and sinks an American vessel. Italian crew members seen on their torpedo boat. German Dornier bombers in formation flight.
Allied invasion convoy of ships underway in the Mediterranean Sea during World War II. Amphibious landing of Fifth United States Army at Salerno during Allied invasion of Italy. General Mark Clark and Vice Admiral Henry Hewitt seen talking at time of "Operation Avalanche." An animated map shows Sicily, Salerno and Naples. The soldiers memorize every mountain and valley. Ships and supplies pour in. Night time invasion underway as U.S. soldiers invade Italy under attack from German soldiers. Soldiers seen on tanks advancing. General Eisenhower and Admiral Cunningham seen in discussion on a ship as terms of surrender of Italy are carried out, and Italian ships head toward Allied ports.
Allied invasion of Sicily, Italy during World War II. Allied warships underway in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Sicily. Explosions occur in the background on the coast. Soldiers come down a landing net onto a landing craft. Soldiers loaded onto a landing craft as it pulls away. Landing crafts head for the beach. U.S. Army Lieutenant General George S. Patton looks through a pair of binoculars towards the shore.