Flight operations at Torokina Air Strip on Bougainville Island during World War 2. Pilot of Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Curtiss P-40 aircraft signals that he is going to start engine. He dons goggles and goes about starting engine. A group of RNZAF pilots conversing near one of their P-40s. Most of the pilots light up cigarettes. Camera focuses on New Zealand shoulder patch on one of the group. Scene shifts to active runway, where an RNZAF F4U Corsair aircraft takes off followed by an RNZAF Grumman TBF Avenger aircraft landing.
Flight operations at Torokina Air Strip, Bougainville Island during World War 2. An airman refuels the drop tank on a P-39 Airacobra fighter aircraft. He closes the lid of the fuel tank. Airmen place the hose back on fuel truck.. Brief glimpse of a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) F4U Corsair aircraft taxiing past. A United States Army Air Forces Lockheed P-38 Lightning aircraft taxiing.
Interior view from right side of an aircraft taking off from Torokina Air Strip on Bougainville Island, during World War 2. Numerous aircraft are seen parked near trees beside the runway, including U.S. Marine Corps F4U Corsairs; P-38 Lightnings; RNZAF P-40s; and USAAF Piper L-4 Grasshoppers. F4U Corsairs are taxiing beside the runway. Aircraft interior backward view from the departing aircraft's tail, shows the runway below and behind, with water on two sides. Next, the narrow airstrip is seen as the camera airplane flies overhead, just offshore, parallel to the runway. The camera continues to focus on the airfield as the plane climbs to higher altitude. Aerial view of small islands below, with small boats leaving wakes as they speed across the water. Next is view at lower altitude as the camera plane flies offshore parallel to the airstrip runway, as if on a downwind leg for landing. Next scenes are from above nearby Piva Yoke fighter airstrip, and parallel Piva Uncle bomber airstrip, which appears to be under construction. It is cut out of jungle and no aircraft are seen on it. The camera airplane's right rear horizontal stabilizer is seen momentarily as it flies slowly over the site. Some smoke rises from the area. Views of mountain and a river, as the flight continues. The final view is from offshore, over the sea.
Rituals conducted by a chaplain and celebrations in Bougainville, Solomon Islands. The chaplain hears confessions and celebrates Mass for the Marines under a tent in a jungle. The marines stand under the tent. They sit on their knees.
United States Marines groom themselves in a jungle in Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. One of the marines cuts hair of another one in the jungle. The marine getting the hair cut sits on a chair.
United States Marine fighting dogs in a jungle in Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. Bandaged police dogs in Bougainville. They move in the jungle. A group of marines move through the jungle with the dogs on leashes. (World War II period).