Film opens showing animated map of Pacific and avenue of attack against Japan via the Aleutian Islands in World War 2. . Scene shifts to the Aleutian Islands, where American P-47 aircraft are seen parked on an open ramp in severe winter weather. Next, American Army truck convoys are seen traversing subarctic Canada on the Alcan highway, with supplies to sustain U.S. forces in the Aleutians. U.S. soldiers and airmen are seen obtaining various items and playing volleyball on a ramp at an airbase. Fog shrouds the Aleutians keeping aircraft grounded. Soldiers look at maps and plan targets. Aircrews are briefed about their mission and targets. U.S. Army Air Forces B-24 Liberator bombers fly in formation over snow-covered peaks. View looking down on a B-24 headed toward Japan. Airmen in a headquarters plotting the disposition of aircraft reporting to them by radio. View above thick clouds with nothing in sight. (But exploding bombs are heard.) (World War II; WW II; World War 2; World War Two)
Montage of scenes recorded after the Battle of Monte Cassino in World War 2. Opening scene shows New Zealand 19th RHQ tank in Mignano Montelungo, as the 24th New Zealand Battalion re-enacts its entry into the ruins of Monte Cassino, on March 26, 1944. In this restaging, 24th Battalion infantrymen are shown moving through rubble of destroyed town, firing small arms and one throwing a hand grenade. Narrator identifies "Hangman's Hill," (which was held by the 1st battalion 9th Gurkha Rifles) at Monte Cassino. In this restaging , New Zealanders, scramble over rubble, and dig out a "wounded" comrade, while explosions occur in background. Medics "attend" to him. Other NZ troops fire small arms from behind rubble barriers. A huge explosion occurs in background. A British artillery piece (obscured by debris) fires rounds. Infantrymen fire small arms. A camouflaged British tank fires its gun. In change of scene, other British troops advance cautiously near a damaged building and take several German soldiers prisoner. View of the destroyed Monte Cassino monastery and castle on Castle Heights. Ruins of building adjacent to the "Hotel Excelsior,"below the castle. Several medics with Red Cross flag in distant rubble. Views from destroyed Monastery atop the mountain. (World War II; WW II; World War 2; World War Two)
A demonstration shows bar charges being placed and exploded against a wall in the United States. The bar charges are placed against concrete anti vehicular obstacles. Vertically placed bar charges against an obstacle. The bar charges are placed against a log wall, a masonry wall and a concrete wall for detonations. Soldiers place C-2 and other charges with a thickness of 8 inches against the concrete wall. Explosives being detonated and smoke rises. The soldiers carry the charges. An explosion occurs and billows of smoke rise up. A tank passes through the gap created as a result of the explosion. M1, M2 and M3 demolition blocks being used for the purpose. (World War II period).
7th War Bond drive opens at Times Square in New York City, during World War 2. A large number of people gathered at the occasion. Crowd gathered around a statue of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi in Iwo Jima, Japan. (This is the original plaster edition created by sculptor Dr. Felix W. de Weldon, which served as the model for the future Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington Virginia). Soldiers seated as they look at the flag raising statue. Three survivors of the flag raising raise the American flag at the ceremony to promote the sale of bonds during the 7th War Bond drive: Pfc. Rene A. Gagnon, Pfc. Ira Hayes and PhM 2/c John H. Bradley, USN.
Gun crew,on the USS New York (BB-34),wearing steel helmets, check out her 3-inch antiaircraft gun on the stern deck, as she departs from U.S. Argentia Naval station, Newfoundland, during World War 2. Sailors are dressed in winter clothing. Snow-covered hills in background. As they are underway, a large transport ship is seen astern. Scene shifts to warmer, sunny weather at sea. Sailors play a game with quoits on the deck of the USS New York. Others relax in a warm sunny spot. Sailors stand on the deck. An island visible nearby. Sailors download a bomb from a Vought OS2U Kingfisher aircraft aboard the battleship New York. International maritime flags displayed near the bridge.
Film opens with slate showing date: 6 June 1944, in World War 2. German newspapers report that combined forces of Britain, and the Soviet Union finally decided to launch their invasion of Europe. Headlines say "Invasion launched at Moscow's orders." A map highlights cities along the coast of France. Formations of Allied warplanes shown in flight overhead. Light signals seen in the dark as German forces send information about the attacks. Closeups of German military men communicating by radio and telegraph. Defense forces are called to battle stations by alarms and announcements. Responding soldiers grab rifles from a rack and rush through tunnels in their fortifications. They climb to man weapons atop their bunkers. Artillery shells being raised by hoists to them from bunkers below. Searchlights scan the dark sky for Allied aircraft, and anti-aircraft guns fire in the night, including a 2 cm Flakvierling 38, four-barreled gun. German forces firing on Allied paratroopers. German sailors aboard destroyers and fast attack "E" boats fire at Allied warships. Daylight scenes of Allied ships and German shore batteries firing at them. U.S. Porter-Class, and Benham-class destroyers firing at land targets in France. German soldiers loading and firing Atlantic Wall coastal defense guns. An allied ship explodes off the coast. More views of German coastal guns firing and another Allied ship hit and exploding. More coastal gunfire.
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