A Republic P-47D Thunderbolt aircraft, with bubble canopy, in flight over clouds as seen from another plane flying extremely close. At one point, the two airplanes move a little too close as slipstream of lead plane (unseen) forces the P-47 to adjust. The P-47 has tail number: "226716" and "K" and "E4" are painted on its fuselage which indicates it was one of the P-47D-27s of the 362nd Fighter group, 377th Fighter Squadron (or later, of 86th Fighter Group, 525th Squadron). Slate at start notes the P-47 footage was shot by Air Force Lieutenant Colonel William Clothier, a famous cinematographer.
Backwards looking view from underside of a P-47 plane on takeoff roll. there is noticeable movement of rudder to keep plane straight during the roll. View from an airplane of bomb falling over mountainous terrain. Four P-47s flying low over water and farm country. Their moving shadows are clearly visible on the ground. (World War II period).
Various dramatic scenes captured by newsreel cameramen. French antiaircraft batteries firing during World War I. Aircraft in flame tailspins into earth after being struck by gunfire. Bombs falling towards earth. A capsized ship sinks in water. Bombing of the obsolete battleship New Jersey (BB-16), by one of General Billy Mitchell's bombers, during test, in 1923. View from directly above the battleship as it is hit by a bomb, and view as it capsizes and sinks.
Soldiers of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) marching informally, on the cobblestone streets of a town on the Belgian—French border during the so-called "Phoney War," at start of World War 2, in 1939. Some local residents watch and wave to the troops. Some children are seen, including a small girl held in her mother's arms. Soldier on bicycle and a canvas-covered utility vehicle are seen along with the marching infantry. The atmosphere is relaxed with no hint of hostilities.
Following the Armistice ending World War 1, several German submarines are seen pulled up beside a ship. Washed clothes from crew members is seen drying on the decks. One of the submarines is U-91, commanded by Paul Koenig, which surrendered to the French on November 26, 1918. A large ship is crowded with men displaying Italian flags with cross and crown on them.
View of bridge across the Marne River destroyed by retreating German soldiers. View shifts to U.S. Army XX Corps troops, trucks, jeeps, halftracks and tank destroyers crossing a pontoon bridge erected by Army Engineers nearby, at the bridgehead captured on 27 August 1944, during World War 2. French civilians watch from the bank of the river and wave as troops pass through their village. Using this crossing, the XX Corps continued its advance on Rheims.
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