Introduction to Midway Island and the Battle of Midway. Scenes of U.S. Navy and Marines on Midway Island during World War 2. Map of the Pacific locates Midway and other places. U.S. Navy PBY Catalina patrol planes in flight. Pilot in the cockpit of a patrol plane. View from the sea of Midway Island. U.S. Navy PT boats in the harbor. A Catalina just landed is recovered by sailors, in swim suits,who pull it ashore on a ramp. A U.S. Marine Corps honor guard carrying Marine Corps and American flag, leads a contingent of Marines marching across a pier. Sea birds in flight and Gooney birds on the ground, on Midway Island. U.S. military personnel relaxing at sunset. One plays the song,"Red River Valley," on an accordian. Others smoke and converse. Thunder is heard from isolated storm clouds in the distance.
Japanese bombing attack on Midway Island in World War 2 (Battle of Midway). Opening scene shows map with Midway Island in context .of the Pacific Ocean. A Navy Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat is seen among clouds. Closeup of the plane from another in formation with it. View of gunner with machine gun in blister of a PBY. Views from the PBY of Midway Island, from above and from low over the water. Two PT boats in the harbor. A PBY seaplane lands and is next seen being towed tail first up an incline, by sailors using lines. A U.S. Marine Corps color guard leads a contingent of Marines marching in formation along a pier, where some submarines are docked. F lock of white sea birds photographed against blue sky and Gooney birds on the white sands of the Island. Marines silhouetted in front of a beautiful sunset. The are relaxing. One plays an accordion. Sentries are alerted by some thunder from clouds in the distance. Next, B-17E bombers are seen near sandbagged positions on the airfield. Air crews gather for briefings. Camera pans over several B-17s being loaded with bombs and refueled. Glimpse of a railroad engineer who served 38 years on the Ironton railroad, standing next to a steam locomotive.( He is ostensibly related to one of the flyers.) Brief views of the flyer’s mother and sister. B-17 taxiing on number 1 and 4 engines (unusual). Several B-17Es taking off. One is Number 41-2524. Others with readable numbers are 41-2611, 41-2632, 41-2648, and 41-2437. Suddenly, several Japanese aircraft are seen in loose trail formation overhead. Marine fires machine gun from a defensive position. Black flak clouds form from exploding U.S. antiaircraft rounds. One Japanese aircraft falls burning toward the sea. Several U.S. Marine Chance-Vought SB2U Vindicator aircraft take off to engage the Japanese bombers. The U.S. aircraft maneuvering overhead. More machine gun fire from defenders on Midway. A bomb explodes close to the camera, sending debris flying. More machine gun fire, and another bomb strikes near the shoreline with a huge explosion. Explosions on other areas of Midway. A hangar burning. Another bomb strike close to the camera. Marines running past burning and destroyed aircraft, and raising the American flag, as fires burned and the bombing continued.
U.S. patrol plane from Midway Island sights a Japanese fleet during World War 2. One of a newly arrived B-17E bombers parked on ramp at Henderson Field, Midway Island. Group of U.S. airmen discussing plans. Several B-17 aircraft seen, including one in sand-bagged revetment. Ground and aircrews prepare B-17Es for a mission. Views of a B-17 crew member's family back home. His father, a railroad engineer poses in front of his Ironton Railroad steam locomotive in Pennsylvania, United States. His mother sits, knitting and his sister is seen speaking on the telephone. B-17E number, 41-2437, taxiing, unusually, using numbers 2 and 4 engines. B-17Es taking off on a Battle of Midway mission, including aircraft numbers: 41-2524, 41-2611( of the 31st Bomb Squadron, 5th Bomb Group), 41-2532, 41-2437(of the 98th Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Group). Tail of parked B-17E number 41-2648 clearly seen in one scene.
Burial services for fallen U.S. servicemen on Midway Island after Battle of Midway in World War 2. Chaplain before flag draped caskets. Marines give 3-volley salute. U.S. Navy Captain, USMC (US Marine Corps) Colonel Harold Douglas Shannon, and USMCR (US Marine Corps Reserve) Major James Roosevelt salute. Boats on water for burial at sea. Formation of aircraft. A Marine looks through binoculars. Smoke and flame rise from burning building on Midway Island. A man crosses out signs with paint brush indicating lost Japanese aircraft and battleships in Battle of Midway.
views of Midway Island from periscope of a submerged U.S. submarine close to shore. Numerous installations are seen.
Views from an American submarine of Midway Island during World War 2. American installations such as antenna masts are seen and waves beating against the shore.