View of the Hudson River from an aircraft flying North, over the New Jersey shoreline. United States Navy warships are seen in the Hudson River, on the occasion of President Truman's first official visit to New York City, on Navy Day, October 27, 1945. Approximately 50 ships were anchored in the Hudson. The first clearly identified is the Battleship, USS Missouri(BB-63) with the Destroyer USS Renshaw (DD-499) tied alongside (bringing President Truman aboard during his review of the fleet). Others seen include the USS Midway (CVB-41); the USS Enterprise (CV-6); The USS Augusta (CA-31); and the USS Boise (CL-47). Several more surface ships are seen followed by six submarines on the surface, as the aircraft approaches the George Washington Bridge. More warships seen North of the bridge. Scene shifts to the USS Missouri and USS Renshaw, again. Next, the aircraft flies past a Navy blimp hovering below, over the river. The Aircraft Carriers, Enterprise and Midway are seen again. Glimpses of the New York City shore and buildings are seen at times in the film, as well as the palisades on the New Jersey shore, near the George Washington Bridge.
Air raids and battle in Japan in the Pacific Theater near the end of World War II. A cemetery of United States military soldiers in the Japanese island of Okinawa. Memorial at the tombstone of Ernie Pyle built by the 77th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. General Doolittle, General Henry Arnold, General George Kenney, General Ennis Whitehead and other officers during a discussion standing before planes at the 48th Air Force base. B-29 aircraft advances towards Tokyo. Bomber aircraft dropping of a number of guided bombs towards their targets. Targets include Japanese airplane factories, shipping industry, military supply chains in the cities of Tokyo, Nagasaki, Nagoya, Okinawa and Yokohama of Japan. Explosion and smoke arises from bombed targets on ground. Aerial wide and close up views of a B-29 aircraft in flight. Narrator notes that on 05 August 1945, Enola Gay, a B-29, carries the atomic bomb and flies towards Hiroshima. Atomic explosion seen signifying the one in Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, but narrator indicates the image seen is that of the first atomic explosion (the Trinity test) during on July 16, 1945 in New Mexico. Immense cloud of smoke and light. This atomic explosion, the first of two, was pivotal in compelling Japan to surrender unconditionally. Film ending includes public service announcement image "Buy Bonds. Hold Them. Victory Loan."
Film opens showing people in an American city (possibly Chicago) celebrating the Allied victory over Japan on VJ Day, August 15th, 1945. Scene shifts abruptly to Chicago, Illinois, where French General Charles de Gaulle is seen saluting in a reviewing stand at Victory Plaza near Lasalle Street entrance to City Hall. (On August 24th, he had accepted an invitation from Mayor Edward Kelly to stop in Chicago on August 27-28, 1945, during his visit to the U.S. and Canada.) Next, general de Gaulle and Mayor Kelly are seen in an open car in a motorcade amidst crowds of well-wishers. Enthusiastic spectators run along side their car. Glimpse of a dense crowd of people, including a contingent of sailors in dress whites. Final scene shows General de Gaulle speaking with reporters and photographers near a sign reading "W-G-N." (A Chicago radio station). (World War II period).
Celebration of the 38th anniversary of the U.S. Army Air Forces, dating back to establishment of the Aeronautical Section of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, in 1907. Airmen of the Army Air Forces march in formation on the flight line at Wright Field in Dayton,Ohio. Aviation pioneer, Orville Wright, is seen in the reviewing stand. A color guard marches past the the reviewing stand. A 4-engine German Junkers JU-290 transport aircraft is seen parked on the field. (It arrived on July 31, 1945, after being flown to Wright Field from Europe, by U.S. Air Forces Colonel Harold E. Watson and co-pilot Captain Fred McIntosh,who were delivering it to Air Technical Intelligence Headquarters.) The crew of the JU-290 (named "Alles Kaputt") pose in front of it. Colonel Watson, is seen holding a Dachshund dog. The JU-290 takes off on a demonstration flight. A new U.S. P-80 "Shooting Star" jet airplane (serial number 44-84995) is rolled out for all to see. It takes off in a demonstration flight. (Late in World War 2.)
The U.S. officers in Bologna, Italy in April 1945 (World War II). U.S. Army General Lucian K Truscott Jr arrives in USAAF Stinson L-5B Sentinel aircraft. Army Air Forces C-45 Expeditor taxis to a halt and U.S. Army General Mark W Clark, General Henry "Hap" Arnold and Major General Alfred Maximilian Gruenther exit from the airplane. They are greeted by General Truscott. Generals Truscott, Clark and Arnold drive off in a jeep.
Views of the U.S. Army Air Forces fair hosted at Wright Field, near Dayton, Ohio, in October, 1945.The highlights of the event were exhibits of captured German and Japanese aircraft, rockets, and equipment. A German V-2 Rocket Motor on display. Soldiers observe the rocket. A German Junkers Ju 388 Störtebeker multi-role aircraft on display. A German Messerschmitt ME-262 Schwalbe fighter on display. A German pilot's victories recorded on the side of a plane. Two soldiers take a look at a Japanese Kamikaze bomb. One of them gets into the bomb seat. American officers and soldiers view the exhibits. 'Alles Kaputt' written on the side of a German Junkers Ju-290 bomber (one of the candidate aircraft, with further development, in Germany's Amerika Bomber project for a long-range bomber capable of striking the United States). Soldiers walk under the plane. 'Transient Aircraft' written on the control tower building in the background. (World War II period).
CRITICALPAST.COM: About Us | Contact Us | FAQs - How to Order | License Agreement | My Account | My Lightboxes | Shopping Cart | Advanced Search | Featured Collections | Website Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy ©2026 CriticalPast LLC.
License Agreement |
Terms & Conditions |
Privacy Policy
©2026 CriticalPast LLC.