Film opens showing a Captain, Intelligence officer with the U.S 8th Airforce 97th Bombardment Group, debriefing Captain William “Bill” Musselwhite, Commander of the 342nd Bombardment Squadron, about his unit's experience participating in the first Eighth Air Force heavy bomber mission in World War II, attacking the Rouen-Sotteville marshalling yards in France, on August 17, 1942. Referring to a map, he asks Captain Musselwhite where his Squadron dropped their bombs. Musselwhite points out the path of his units aircraft and that his first aircraft overshot the target, but those following dropped "on range," bracketing the target on left and right, with one "stick" of bombs going right down the middle. He mentions one ship straying over the town of Rouen, itself.
British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden at an airfield in England during World War II. Anthony Eden reviews troops at the airfield. Lieutenant General Jacob L. Devers and Major General Ira C. Eaker accompany the Secretary. Eden shakes hands with the officers at the U.S. bomber station. Secretary Eden looks on with an aircraft in the background. A man seated in the cockpit with Nazi German swastikas on the door of the plane. Secretary Eden shakes hands with flight crew members lined up at the bomber station. Officers including Colonel Curtis Le May, Colonel Archie Old, Colonel Peterson also present at the air base.
French colonial army in Kairouan, Tunisia. A map of Tunisia depicts the location of Kairouan. French Saphis on camels in a desert. French colonial troops march past a French officer. African Americans march during the parade. Camels lift their heads to view planes flying overhead. Saphis ride camels and soldiers march. Tanks roll during the parade. (World War II period).
U.S. Army Air Corps 1st Provisional Wing at an annual training in California, United States. U.S. Army Air Corps World War I pilots pose in front of an aircraft before participating in maneuvers. Group of pilots including Captain Frank O.D. Hunter. A pursuit plane piloted by Captain Hunter in flight as it demonstrates aerobatic maneuvers. Aircraft rotates in mid air. A formation of LB-6, B-2 and P-12 aircraft in flight during the Air Corps exercise.
A drill to evacuate babies at a hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during World War II. An air raid alarm being sounded as nurses carry babies out from a room at St. Vincent hospital for evacuation. Babies being handed over from one person to another, with nurses, nuns, and soldiers all participating in a line. Babies with tags attached to them being placed in a bus. Babies and nurses in a moving bus on the way to a safe facility. Babies at an underground air raid shelter play room. Nurses and nuns look after the children as they play.
United States Anti Aircraft units operate guns in California desert. Anti aircraft units in vehicles advance across the California desert. Men at the M1 90mm anti aircraft gun. Guns being fired. 40mm Bofers Anti aircraft gun fires on tank as it is dragged in the desert. Tank destroyed by guns. At night search light being used to locate the aircraft and anti aircraft guns fire. Tracers seen in the night sky. (World War II period).
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