A U.S. New Orleans class cruiser underway with a task force in the Pacific, during World War 2. Upper of two 3x8 gun turrets seen (lower out of sight). Both the bow and the stern of ship are awash periodically. Three Navy TBF Avenger aircraft are seen in formation, flying slowly at low altitude overhead, all with landing gear extended.
Smoke rises from bombed aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CVL-23) off Luzon in World War 2. Time code 00:29,shows F6F-5 #7 "Paper Doll," of VF-27, (mount of Ensign Bob Burnell who painted most of the famous "cat mouths" on the cowls of VF-27 Hellcats).Pilots walk across flight deck of USS Essex (CV-9). TC:01:04, F6F-5 #47 (VF-15) is seen with Horizontal stripe near rudder tip identifying it as an Air Group 15 aircraft. Further along is F6F-3 #8 (VF-15) Late production -3 with superseded tri-color paint scheme and 7 Japanese victory flag emblems under cockpit. F6F-3 #F-11 (VF-27) Late production -3, "F-11" lettered prefix to aircraft number (unusual on an operational fighter probably indicating a recent replacement). Plane captain is cleaning windshield on the "Minzi III" when Captain David S. McCampbell, the top U.S. Navy ace, approaches and climbs aboard the aircraft. Thirty Japanese flags are painted on the fuselage below the cockpit. McCampbell straps in and starts his engine. He gives a "thumbs up" sign. "Airedales" push empty Hellcat belly tanks across Essex flight deck. A Destroyer fires antiaircraft guns. Japanese aircraft seen in flight over water. Fire from 40 mm guns. (Note: Some planes of Squadron VF-27 on the Princeton, were recovered on the Essex.)
Japanese newsreel early in World War 2. Identification silhouettes of U.S. warships. Surf breaking on a Japanese shore. View of a U.S. Aircraft Carrier, from a biplane that has just taken off. A U.S. Navy dirigible airship aloft over a U.S. battleship underway at sea. Large formation of what look like U.S. Boeing P-12 airplanes in flight. Glimpse of a U.S. Navy heavy Cruiser at Pearl harbor with the Aloha Tower lighthouse visible in the background. U.S. Navy crewmen in a submarine. More views of a U.S. Aircraft Carrier. A U.S. Navy submarine submerging. Aerial views of a coastline. Brief shot at end of clip shows Japanese children, all wearing sashes over one shoulder, as they shout a cheer together (possibly Banzai) and smile.
Japanese Asashio-class destroyer Asagumo at anchor, just prior to World War 2. A battleship behind it fires guns in salute. Sailors, in dress whites, line foredeck of a ship. Nautical flags fluttering overhead. Marines on deck hold rifles in present arms salute. High-ranking military delegation steps from small boat onto dock and thence up a ramp to a pier, where sailors are standing in formation. They inspect the formation. View from dock upwards at a Japanese warship. A band playing on the foredeck. Anchor being weighed. Japanese battleship underway at sea. View from airplane of two Japanese battleships underway. Two Japanese destroyers underway.
United States Navy fleet maneuvers in the Pacific, during the period between the World Wars. Numerous battleships are seen. Curtiss SOC "Seagull" Scout-Observation Planes launch from the battleships and join up to fly in formation above the ships.
Aerial views of U.S. fleet in bay near Ulithi Island in the Pacific during World War Two. Aerial view of the U.S. Cruiser, USS Chester (CA-27) underway.