U.S. infantrymen advance in Saint Lo, Normandy, France during World War II. Opening slate calls this subject "Big Push," referring to the Allied offensive to break out of the Normandy beachhead and push inland, during World War 2. (It's official name was "Operation Cobra.") An M4 sherman tank followed by a jeep, pass the camera. Another jeep passes in the opposite direction. Next, are seen a Sherman tank and two 3-inch Gun Motor Carriages,M10, loaded with sandbags and displaying aerial recognition panels on their tops. U.S. infantrymen move cautiously in brush at side of the dirt road, as more armor passes. A soldier positions his aerial recognition panel in place on his jeep. (These were fluorescent panels to prevent friendly fire from Allied aircraft.)
Liberation of American prisoners in Tokyo, Japan towards the end of World War II. U.S. personnel wave as LCVPs (Landing Crafts, Vehicle, Personnel) loaded with released American prisoners leave a dock. A Japanese guard on the dock. U.S. Navy F6F Hellcat fighters pass over LCVPs underway. A group of released prisoners of war on the dock waiting for transportation. A crane in the background. Released POWs in an LCVP underway towards hospital ship USS Benevolence (AH-13) anchored off the coast. Litter patients are hoisted aboard USS Benevolence from the LCVP. The LCVP comes alongside, men are assisted aboard USS Benevolence.
U.S. submarine Batfish on war patrol in the Pacific Theater during World War II. A periscope view from USS Batfish (SS-310) shows Japanese mountainous coastline.
German troops battle the enemy in Nettuno, Italy during World War II. A campaign map of Italy during the war. Hillocks in Nettuno. German Panzer tanks enter an Italian town. Troops march along a road. Vehicles towing artillery guns. Troops take up positions and look through binoculars. Smoke rises from Allied bombings. German antiaircraft guns are being fired.
German troops battle the enemy in Italy during World War II. A campaign map of Italy during the war. Abandoned and captured Allied tanks and vehicles. Allied prisoners (mostly U.S. Army POWs) are taken by German soldiers. American POWs resting at a roadside, receiving medical treatment, and gathered in a large group. Vapor trails left by Allied aircraft in the sky. German troops man antiaircraft guns. Smoke billows up from explosions in a field. German paratroopers advance. Troops fire machine guns and advance through a wooded area. A camouflaged artillery gun being fired. Field Marshal of German Air Force General Albert Kesselring observes the advance of the paratroopers. A German railway gun is being fired. Smoke billows up from the explosions.
Sequence starts at Tontouta Air Base in New Caledonia, on the near left side of runway 2 in the area of the 13th Troop Carrier Squadron ( a.k.a. the Thirsty 13th) with their plane "Lady Eve" on the right. (The 801st Medical Air Evacuation Squadron was assigned to the 13th TCS on January 9, 1943, and remained with it until the end of the war. But they also flew on planes of the 63rd and 64th TCSs, and with the Marines.) Takeoff is on runway 11 at Tontouta Air Base. A pilot and a co-pilot at the controls in the cockpit of a C-47. A navigator at work. C-47s in flight west over New Georgia, 10 miles southeast of Munda, near Eghelo. The plane landing at Munda has no tail number and is probably a U.S. Marine Corps plane. They evacuate wounded soldiers from Munda airstrip on New Georgia Island in the Solomon Islands during World War 2. Doors of the aircraft are opened. An ambulance backs to the door of the aircraft. Litter patients are removed from the ambulance and loaded aboard the C-47.
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.