United States Army Air Forces operations in Germany during final days of World War 2 in Europe. United States Army Air Force P-47 Thunderbolts taxiing on a ramp in front of an open hangar at Fritzlar Air Base. A group of crew chiefs conversing. Trees in the foreground. P-47 takes off. Crewmen pushing a bomb trailer. A crew chief reading the pony edition of the "Times." Mechanics work on jeeps. An airman, followed by a pet dog, climbs steps to a trailer. Enlisted man talking to a Tech Sergeant who leans out window of a building. An L-5 liaison airplane taxis in a parking area. Three U.S. soldiers walking across the perimeter strip. Enlisted men shake hands with pilot of the L-5, who carries a German cavalry sword as a souvenir. They walk into building through door with sign reading: : "Colonel Stecker, Commanding." (Colonel Ray Stecker is Commander, U.S. 365th Fighter Group, of the 84th Fighter Wing.) ground crewman washes down ramp with a hose. P-47 and refueling truck in background.
Remains of the Lockheed XP-38 that crashed at Mitchel Field, New York, the day before, after a cross-continental flight from March Field, California. The airplane was flown by Lieutenant Ben Kelsey, who escaped without injury. But the airplane was totally destroyed.
Roman Catholic followers celebrate the feast day of St. Christopher, the patron saint of transportation, in Baldwin, New York. Exterior of Saint Christopher’s Church (11 Gale Ave, Baldwin, NY 11510, United States). People gather outside the church. A statue of Saint Christopher carrying the infant Jesus. Children riding bicycles on the street. Motorists driving their vehicles. They receive blessings from Roman Catholic priests. A priest sprinkle holy water on the car.
U.S. Army 88th Division troops advance along a road, in the Apennine Mountains of Italy, in final days of World War 2. Members of an Italian Alpinieri Brigade greet them. They serve wine to the soldiers as they pass through the area. Italian soldiers are gathered around a wagon where they drink wine from a large barrel. American infantrymen, in succession, without breaking step, sip wine from a metal cup offered by an Italian Alpinieri trooper. Another view of the Italian soldiers around the wagon containing their wine barrel. In change of scene, American infantry of the 10th Mountain Division are seen moving down a slope, single file, to a mountain road and then proceeding across a small stream in a barren region of the mountains. Later, as they proceed on either side of a mountain road, a jeep passes in the road center, raising dust. The Americans pass Italian troops relaxing near destroyed buildings. Several sit on remains of an Italian Centauro armored personnel carrier overgrown with weeds. Next, a mountain road is seen, clogged with jeeps and trucks. Along the side of the crowded road, Italian soldiers of the Salmerie da Combattimento, 5° group " Montecassino" (Baggage Combat, 5th group "Montecassino") are seen walking with their mules, fully loaded with rations and medical supplies. One of them has been identified as Mario Pace, (Rome 1923-1995) along with his mule, Adeodato. The Italian Baggage Combat Group and mules, continue along the road .(Note: Under the name "5th Pack Mule Group", this Italian unit was assigned the task of bringing supplies to front line combat troops in the mountains.) They are followed by U.S. soldiers on horseback with more horses and mules.
A film on the Women Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in the United States. Women coming out of barracks. They arrive at a mess. Women seated at a table and eating food. They talk amongst themselves. Recruits standing on the ground and practicing drill. A sergeant corrects a recruit. She demonstrates a salute. The recruits march. Buildings in the background. Recreation activities for the recruits. The recruits in a cafeteria talking and enjoying. A mail call for them. Recruits in barracks talking about the last day of their training. A woman ironing her uniform.
U.S. armor and infantry advancing in Germany during final days of World War 2, in Europe. American soldiers riding atop an M5A1 Stuart light tank move slowly along a dirt path in war-torn area of Germany. They follow another Stuart tank, loaded down with equipment and supplies. The tanks raise dust as they proceed. Scene shifts to U.S. infantrymen walking along a dirt road surrounded by damaged and destroyed buildings. A German civilian man passes them headed in the opposite direction. A U.S. soldier guards two German prisoners of war, as they walk with hands on their heads, past am M5A1 Stuart tank parked near a building. Change of scene shows several Stuart tanks parked at the side of a road in a town. A white surrender flag is displayed on a building in the foreground. A Stuart tank pulls out of position and passes the line of parked tanks. It is followed by a jeep and another tank. Another scene shows infantrymen climbing aboard a Stuart tank for a ride forward.
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