Ford military M8 light armored cars rolling off a Ford production line in the United States. Three armored cars driven out of a Ford motor plant. A man walks to the entrance of the plant as the trucks are driven out. Circa 1944.
Activities of U.S. ship yard workers and soldiers aboard USS Wakefield in the Atlantic Ocean during World War II. Scenes in May 1944 as ship yard workers repair the fire damaged ship. Workers weld parts of the ship. A stern view of the ship. The ship at sea carrying thousands of troops. Bags hanging in the quarters of the troops. Soldiers rest in their quarters. Men look through binoculars and see an aircraft. Mounted guns aboard the ship. The troops standing near railings wave at the aircraft. The soldiers aboard the ship attend religious services. Ration is issued to the soldiers. The ship is underway at sea. A Coast Guard officer makes an announcement for all army personnel. The army personnel seated and resting on the deck listen to the announcement.
American industrialist, Henry J. Kaiser appeals for donating clothing to war victims in China and Europe during World War II. Seated at desk in office, he addresses the nation and announces a drive, commencing April 1, 1944, to collect used clothing for war victims, all over the world. Scenes shows : War victims in food lines. Starving and wounded civilian victims of war. An American woman and a girl at home in America select clothing for donation. Mr. Kaiser shows a banner which reads "what can you spare that they can wear?"
Plans underway in the United States in 1944 for participation in the invasion of France during World War 2 by Allied forces. A U.S. Army sentry of the Army Service Forces (ASF) patrols a rail line, where military men and equpment are being transported abroad., during World War 2. ASF soldiers drive DUKWs (amphibious vehicles) up a ramp for loading into railroad box cars. A long line of DUKWs being driven for loading. Many men load 55 gallon drums of petroleum products into rail cars. An M3 Stuart light tank being driven on an open rail car. Soldiers loading motorcycles on a train. An Army M3 Half-track Amored Personnel Carrier (APC) driving onto a railroad train. (Narrator notes that it requires 75 trains to transport a single Armored Division by rail.) Men loading a 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7 (Called Priest, by the British) onto a flat rail car and securing it in place with wooden supports. Army personnel that would participate in an invasion are shown. Paratroopers with their packs. Women's Army Corps (WACs) fill their duffel bags with clothing and other items, and are then seen climbing aboard an open stake truck. An Army band plays and marches giving troops a sendoff at a train station. U.S. soldiers board passenger railroad trains, carrying their field packs and weapons. A steam locomotive pulling a troop train. A train load of Sherman M4 medium tanks and other equipment, including a caterpillar tractor, is seen underway. Unidentified tanks being fastened to rail flat car. Many Army trucks and heavy equipment on train passing a town train station. Military equipment moving on trains over bridges. Two ladies under hair dryers at a salon, discussing boys in service going overseas. United States Army troops bound for the war front are seen boarding railroad trains and also changing trains, monitored by Army military police (MPs) at night. Soldiers inside a moving train car occupy themselves by playing cards; shooting craps; An African American porter watches a game. An Army chaplain talking with some of the soldiers. A soldier reading a magazine. His seat partner keeps falling asleep against him. American civilians at a newsstand. Newspaper headline reads: "London expects invasion of Europe at any hour."
A secretary, Helen Shaw, registers before polling officials during the 1944 elections. A man and a woman sign a logbook before voting. Hollywood actor, Lewis Stone, searches for his name and signs a logbook before voting. A matron signs a logbook. A farmer, wearing a fedora, filling out a ballot. Hollywood actress signs a logbook before voting. Americans of different occupations line up to sign a logbook before voting. An elderly shipyard worker fills out his ballot. During World War II, British-American stand-up comedian and USO Entertainer, Bob Hope, searches for his name on the voters’ index and goes inside the polling station. Man closes curtains to vote. View of man’s feet while voting. View of woman’s feet slightly crossed. View of voters’ feet behind the curtains. Man casts his vote in metal containers inside polling station. Ballot inserted in glass ballot box. Man enters polling booth. Election volunteer tally using a machine. A woman casts her vote in Precinct 7-A. Newspaper says “Millions at polls First Texas, North Carolina Reports”. Shipyard workers on top deck of ship end a day’s work to head to the polling stations to vote, walking through ship structure on their way out.
Germany and Japan defeated in World War II. The defeat of Germany is celebrated in United States. Scenes represent the life of a typical Japanese soldier: a flag is raised to celebrate his birth; boys in uniform play war; troops sack Nanking; and in1944 he is killed to attack over harbor in America. In a dramatization, a soldier with an American machine gun is killed. Dead Americans. American soldiers honor their dead comrades covered with United States flag.