First scene of film shows waves rolling in on a shoreline. Next, four transport ships are seen underway in the Atlantic ocean. A transport ship is docked next to a large pier where war materiel is piled up and some allied soldiers are standing in formation, while others are proceeding across the pier. Closeup of the soldiers on the move reveals that they are British soldiers in battle gear. A wider view from atop a building shows the area to be industrial in nature, with smoke rising from foothills in the distance. Change of scene shows several U.S Landing Craft Infantry Large, LCI (L)s numbered: 322; 85; 86; and 325, docked in England, preparing for the D-day invasion of Europe in June, 1944. A formation of four American B-24 Liberator bombers is seen in flight. Clusters of bombs are seen falling from aircraft and exploding on the ground below. Paratroopers are viewed as they jump from an airplane. A convoy of LCI (L)s underway in the English Channel. Closeup of one (LCI number 31) is seen from a low flying airplane. Another view of LCIs silhouetted against light-reflecting water. American soldiers wading ashore, unopposed, from LCI number 36, during the continued invasion of Southern France, in August, 1944. Post D-day view from overflying aircraft of Allied troops assembling and moving inland from the Normandy beachhead. Closeups of Surrendering German soldiers carrying a white flag. Closeups of German prisoners. One of them displays his uniform sleeve identifying him as a member of Hermann Goering Division. He also wears the Iron Cross and another medal.
Germans arrive at theaters in New York, United States. Neon signs in German. A sign reads 'Brau-Haus'. People entering theater. A sign reads '86th ST. GARDEN'. Food products being displayed at a store.
British General Sir George Giffard who is the General Officer Commanding West Africa arrives in Brazzaville, Congo during World War II. Giffard and officers disembark from a BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation) de Havilland Express (D.H.86 Express) aircraft “Dione” (G-ADFF). He is greeted by French General Edgard de Larminat and British Consul General Major General Sir Edward Louis Spears. General Giffard salutes colors. A band plays. Troops march.
A Lufthansa Junkers Ju 52 (“Albert Dossenbach”) taking off overhead and in flight over Germany, pre World War 2. A Heinkel He 111 transport airliner (D-ABYE) with Nazi Swastika empennage in flight to left. A Lufthansa Junkers Ju-86 in flight. Lufthansa Focke-Wulf Condor transport plane (“Brandenburg”) in flight to right. Aerial view of airfield showing rows of Ju 52 transport planes and Focke-Wulf Fw-56 Stösser trainer aircraft.
U.S. Navy Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat fighter aircraft, from Squadron VF-12, with the number 59 painted on its fuselage, bursts into flames during landing on the deck of the aircraft carrier, USS Randolph (CV-15), in the Pacific near Okinawa. The F6F, piloted by Ensign Lowell Rund, experienced engine problems soon after takeoff and returned to the Randolph. As his F6F snags an arresting cable on the deck of the carrier, his centerline drop tank shackles fail and the 150 gallon fuel tank flies forward into the propeller, bursting into flames that engulf the aircraft. F6F-5 number 58, from the same squadron, gets caught in flames sweeping part of the flight deck of the Randolph. Firefighters carrying hose, respond. Other fire on flight deck seen in the background. They successfully rescue the pilot of number 58, who is seen on deck, as crew members help him remove his flight gear. (Not shown: Ensign Lowell Rund of number 59 was also rescued. He suffered third degree burns on his face and arms.) (World War II period).
Flight deck activities aboard a United States aircraft carrier underway in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. Gun gallery as damaged TBM Avenger aircraft is jettisoned over the side. U.S. Navy F6F aircraft lined up on the flight deck of the ship. Men push a F6F aircraft backwards on the deck. An aircraft carrier underway at sea as explosions occur at sea and water splashes. U.S. Navy F4U aircraft taxis along the flight deck of the aircraft carrier. Aircraft in flight. F6F hellcat jettisoned over the side of the carrier and being dropped in the sea. Crew on deck look on and watch the plane fall into the ocean. F6Fs warm up and taxi along the deck with plane handlers in the foreground. F6Fs take off from the deck.