Setting: North Field, Tinian Island in Mariana Islands, South Pacific, almost a week after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima Japan, August 8, 1945, during World War II. Public Relations Officer, Major John F. Moynahan (not seen) is interviewing members of the Crew of the B-29, Enola Gay, from which the bomb was dropped. Here he interviews Captain William Sterling "Deke" Parsons of the U.S. Navy who was weaponeer aboard the Enola Gay, during the mission. and who now serves as Scientific Head of the Atomic Bomb Project in the Pacific Theater. Captain Parsons describes the events of the mission from their early morning departure through the actual bombing. He notes that the actual bombing went smoother than earlier practice missions.
The Pacific Theater of World War II during the Year 1945. Attack on Japanese island of Okinawa by the United States Military. United States Navy ships from the sea, launch a number of missiles towards the islands. The missiles traverse an aerial route and destroy the target Japanese positions. United States Marine Corps raid the island moving in amphibious landing tractors towards the island. Battle between Japanese soldiers and U.S. Marines. American flag hoisted on Okinawa after four months of furious battle. Officials and Military Commanders and soldiers salute the flag.
Armed Italian Partisans escort several Italian Fascist officials, who walk with their hands raised along a street in Ivrea, Northern Italy, during final days of World War 2, in Europe. Local citizens walk along beside and behind them, including some on bicycles. Another scene shows Italian Partisans escorting several soldiers, of the Italian National Republican Army, with their hands on their heads. This group is also followed by a large number of local citizens. Scene shifts to an American jeep carrying an officer and two U.S. soldiers. It is followed by an automobile, seen, later parked with another near a sidewalk, where several Italian Republican Army officers are conversing cordially with American soldiers of the U.S. 92nd Infantry Division.(By May 5, 1945, all Nazi German forces in Italy, had capitulated.) Italian women and children seen in a small open bus.
Bomb bay of United States Army Air Force B-29 aircraft opens. Interior view of aircraft shows bombardier in nose as he looks through bomb sight. Actual atomic bomb detonation over Nagasaki Japan as seen from B-29 aircraft on August 9, 1945. View of mushroom cloud rising rapidly from an atomic blast (a different blast; not Nagasaki or Hiroshima). Ground views of devastated city of Hiroshima following atomic bombing in World War 2.
Wartime news film entitled: "Manila Cleanup." View of the Pasig River, dividing North and South Manila. American tanks and tank destroyers on North bank, firing at Japanese positions on the South side of the river. Exploding shells on South side. U.S. troops fire 155mm howitzers at low elevation, blasting the walls of Intramuros and adjacent buildings. The 540th Field Artillery fire 240mm guns point blank against the ancient walls. Troops firing machine guns at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Manila Post Office buildings. Troops of the 3rd Battalion, 129th Infantry, 337th Division, crossing the river in small assault boats, under covering fire. Landing on the South Bank, troops fan out around and about the walled city. Japanese forces resist from fortified pill boxes and machine gun nests near the public buildings. U.S. troops breach a section of the wall and elements of the 37th Division enter Intramuros on February 23, 1945. U.S. soldiers sheltered behind wall as others employ flame throwers. U.S. Soldiers prepares a TNT charge to blow up walls and seal underground passageways. A destroyed Japanese pill box at base of wall with many dead Japanese soldiers are seen. U.S. artillerymen firing 155mm howitzers directly at Japanese troops holed up in the Legislative, agricultural and finance buildings. Troops of B Company, 148th Infantry Regiment, advance from the Manila City Hall, towards the Legislative building. They direct flame throwers at Japanese fortifications under the wall. Soldier with flame thrower passes through group of riflemen and fires into hole in wall. U.S. soldiers fighting room to room in the walled city. On February 24th U.S. troops defeat the last Japanese resistors of Manila in World War II.
On January 30, 1945, 121 members of the 6th Ranger Battalion and 286 Filipino guerrillas are seen setting out on a 30 mile trek behind Japanese lines, to free Allied prisoners of war (POWs) and civilians from a Japanese camp near Cabanatuan City, in the Philippines, during World War 2. They stretch out in a long, informal column as they traverse low flat lands and ford a wide shallow river. The men carry weapons and supplies (some on their heads) as they move along, almost like a Safari. Scene shifts to rescued prisoner, Major Emil P. Reed, U.s. Army Medical Corps,26th Cavalry. He was the senior officer among prisoners at the Cabanatuan prison camp number 1. He recounts being told by the Japanese Commandant that commencing January 7th, they were free at their own risk, but also assured them they would not be molested by the Japanese if they stayed within their regular camp area. Sergeant Samuel E. Goldy, Signal Corps, also speaks a few words about that period when Japanese were departing. Next the camera records the Rangers and Filipino guerillas returning with the approximately 500 freed POWs. Some Filipino women and children watch them return. At one point, the cadre climb aboard army trucks and continue their journey in a convoy. The POWs climb down from their trucks at the 92nd Evacuation Hospital, in Guimba, Luzon. Some take pleasure is simply lying down on the grass at the site. Many gather around hospital staff handing out packages of treats, including cigarettes, candy and the like. A couple of them express pleasure as they smoke cigarettes. Two frail and injured are seen hobbling with canes. Some appear seriously malnourished. A group are seen trying on new clothes. A British prisoner, Sergeant Robert Bell, Manchester Regiment, British Army, speaks of his experience. He was taken prisoner in Singapore and sent to Thailand where he worked to build a railway for the Japanese. Many prisoners died there from disease and malnutrition. He was one of a small number who survived after being on a Japanese ship with other prisoners when it was sunk by American dive bombers. Sergeant Walter Ring, of San Roque, Luzon, is seated, relaxed on a chair, as he recounts his experiences. Two young Filipino boys sit on the grass at his feet. He reaches to one, whom he says is his son Louis and to the other, his son Sam. His captivity began on Bataan in 1942. Finally, after rest and rehabilitation, the former POWs are seen heading away from the battle fronts to be transported back to the U.S.A.
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.