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).
Aerial views from airplane flying very low over portions of Luzon, Philippines, after liberation by the U.S. in World War II. Smoke from farmers burning parts of their fields. View of Clark Field and environs. Barracks and other installations, including a hospital with red cross on the roof. Aerial view of the Holy Rosary Church in Angeles City, Pampangga, Philippines whose roof was damaged by an American Mitchell B-25 bomber on January 7, 1945. The bomber, dubbed the "SAG Harbor Express" of the 499th Bomb Squadron, had been hit by Japanese anti-aircraft artillery. 2nd Lt. Arthur Browngardt was manning the bomber, and perished with all crew as the plane crashed near Holy Angel Academy. Destroyed and damaged Japanese warplanes on Clark Field. Two Americans (one with a rifle) and a local mechanic examining an undamaged Japanese Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber (tail number: 763-12). They open the fuselage door and go inside.
Gun camera footage of U.S. Army Air Force 19th Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group aircraft. Footage from aircrafts of Lt. Towner on August 1 and Lt. Taylor on August 5, 1945. Shows ground, ship, and railroad targets in Kyushu Japan being struck. Incoming anti-aircraft fire is seen. (World War II period).
A review of the events that occurred in the year 1945. The Battle of Bulge between Germans and Allied military. Allied military tanks and soldiers after victory in the battle. Soldiers smoke cigarettes. Destroyed and burnt U.S. Army tank and jeeps. British Army troops advance in trucks, towards Normandy. Infantrymen walk across farms towards the enemy. Fleet of bombers airplanes of the Allies fly on a mission. The tank units advance across farmlands. Soviet forces greet American officers.
Russian troops leave Iran and street riots in Iran. Russian troops leave Iran in 1945 after the end of World War II. People walk carrying bouquets. A Russian officer gets into a jeep. People of Iran look at the departure of the Russian troops from the balcony of their buildings. People stand on both sides of a road. Russian Army vehicles move past. Last part of clip is unrelated, and shows scenes of street riots in Iran in 1950. Police or military guards ride horses during the riots to push back the crowd of Iranian civilian protestors.
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