Plane's Captain and a sailor check oil on engines of a U.S. Navy PBY Catalina amphibian before starting during World War 2. Plane Captain and sailor turn props through by hand in preparation for starting. Engines started on PBY-5 Catalina. This sequence is repeated from different angle. It taxis across the hard ramp, past a sandbagged antiaircraft gun emplacement. The aircraft proceeds down a ramp into the water, where it continues taxiing slowly. In next sequence, it is seen returning again.
British colors of Merchant Marine fly from ship. British troops aboard the ship. Personnel aboard ship get fresh air and stacks in the background. Troops on weather deck, underneath life boats. Two crewmen stand by a 50 cal. Machine gun, mounted at deck's edge. Gun crew stands by 4''gun. Ship's gun crew, stand by a 4'' gun, mounted on ship. Crew stands by 50 cal. Machine gun. Water-cooled, 50 cal Machine gun. Stack in the background. (World War II period)
Local Pacific Islanders are seen in wooden dugout boats in the vicinity of U.S. Navy warships, in a bay during World War 2. Closeup of a man in one canoe with an outrigger. A boy sitting in one carrying a box of fruit. U.S. military engineers aboard a ship, look at shore with binoculars. Sailors in stern of a boat flying Naval ensign. Sailors on a barge, transport the fuselage and float of a OS2U Kingfisher Floatplane to an island, where they bring it ashore amidst grove of palm trees. Sailors roll 55gallon drums of fuel shore from a barge. A jeep is lowered over the side of a ship and driven ashore. Supplies, including foodstuffs, are brought ashore. Cartons containing canned corned beef; canned cherries, and many other foods, are stacked up in a warehouse. Engineers chart water depth in a bay as they mark boundaries for construction of a seaplane base. Caterpillar tractors level trees and clear land for the base. Soldiers install a 155mm long tom gun in position for coastal defense. Marines prepare temporary shelters of palm fronds. A U.S. Navy PBY Catalina seaplane flies overhead.
Japanese flag on a Japanese aircraft carrier. Japanese aircraft take off to attack Pearl Harbor. Squadron of Japanese aircraft in flight, and dropping bombs over Pearl Harbor. U.S. Navy ships being destroyed by Japanese bombing at Pearl Harbor. Chester W Nimitz gives a brief speech when he takes command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. He shakes hand with his senior officers. Animated map depicts the Japanese and American bases. Sweeping elevated view of an American ship building dock area as many workers build new warships for World War 2. Close-up views of war production workers building ships. New ships being launched including an aircraft carrier and also the Liberty Ship SS Richard Bassett. View of interior of a U.S. Navy submarine. Officer with cigar in mouth viewing target through periscope. Shot of torpedo being fired from submarine and then view through periscope as a target ship is hit and explodes. Dramatic shot of a U.S. Navy submarine surfacing. The submarine breaks the surface and its bow shoots high into the air as it breaches and then settles to complete surfacing. Scene of United States warships firing at Japanese enemy ships, and U.S. Navy aircraft taking off for attack from aircraft carrier. Narrator indicates it is for Battle of the Coral Sea and Battle of Midway. Scene from deck of U.S. Navy ship of sky filled with flak and fire as American ships work to down a Japanese airplane. Fire on deck of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier after attack by a Japanese aircraft. Burning wreckage of Japanese aircraft in water close to an American Navy ship. Scenes of U.S. Navy ship guns firing and hitting Japanese aircraft that crashes into the sea. An aerial view of a Japanese airplane hit by an attacking U.S. aircraft, as seen from the American aircraft gun camera.
Opening scene shows bombs exploding in the water next to a U.S. aircraft carrier during the Battle of Midway in World War 2. View from an American warship of a Japanese Carrier-based Zero aircraft attacking low above the water. Bombs exploding all around an aircraft carrier with aircraft parked on her flight deck. Black smoke rising from a bomb striking the carrier. Somewhat obscured view of Japanese aircraft maneuvering and black flak clouds in the sky, from antiaircraft guns firing at the Japanese planes. A large explosion in the water. A barrage balloon seen aloft. Glimpse of U.S. warship on fire, viewed from another U.S. ship.
Views in semi-darkness of U.S. Navy sailor survivors in life boats, from the USS Wasp (CV-7), approaching the Cruiser, USS Helena (CL-50) during World War 2. Smoke rising from the USS Wasp (CV-7) as viewed from the Helena. As night falls, the fires aboard the USS Wasp are all that is visible.