Film begins showing Brigadier General James M. Gavin, Commander of the Force A (parachute) contingent of the 82nd Airborne Division, standing on the hood of a jeep, at an airfield, to brief his paratroopers as they prepare for the D-Day invasion, during World War 2. A C-47 transport plane taxis behind the assembled group of troopers. Barbed wire is strung in the foreground. Paratroopers are issued French currency before departure. Some gamble with it using dice. Troops are seen playing volleyball on a field surrounded by trees. On an airfield, one trooper hits ground balls with a soft ball and several others field it. Some other troopers sit in grass next to the ramp, assembling wooden containers for airdrop. Two Army Air Forces mechanics fasten a tow bar on the nose wheel of a British-built Horsa Mk.II glider. They then tow it with a tug. View from above of Horsa gliders and C-47 tow airplanes, all in D-Day paint stripes, lined up on an airfield ramp. Paratrooper tent camp is viewed from above. Then, General Dwight D. Eisenhower and other senior officers are seen visiting paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division, at the camp, on June 5, 1944, as they prepare to board their aircraft. Famous closeup of General Eisenhower speaking to a tall paratrooper who has his face camouflaged with grease paint.View looking down, as Eisenhower circulates among the troopers. Closeup of him conversing with another one directly.
U.S. Paratroopers boarding C-47 aircraft, on June 5th, 1944 during World War 2. Huge naval task force underway in the English Channel. C-47s loaded with paratroopers taking off, the evening of June 5th. C-47s taking off towing gliders. Formations of C-47s and gliders passing over the Naval task force in the English Channel. Three pet dogs with troops on one of the ships.
Allied forces invading Normandy France, during World War 2. Formations of U.S. A-20 bombers from the 416th Bomb Group, in striped paint, fly over the Allied invasion task force in the English Channel. Allied warships begin bombarding the French coast. Allied troops climb down rope nets from their transport ships into landing craft, and head toward the beaches. A landing craft is struck and sinks with troops aboard. Troops on landing craft from the USS Bayfield (APA-33) hit the beach. U.S. soldiers on the beach being hit by German machine gun fire. Others seeking refuge under a cliff where they treat the wounded.
Battle-weary American soldiers attend an open air chuch service by a barn in Normandy. U.S. gunners commence a concerted artillery barrage before tanks and infantry advance toward Saint Lo, France, in World War 2. Various artillery and tanks are seen, including one M4 Sherman Crab Tank (Mine sweeper). P-47s, flying low altitude close support missions, bomb a critical target, and troops move ahead on the way to Saint Lo. Two German soldiers run to surrender. Saint Lo falls. Scenes of the devastation in the city.
General Patton standing in jeep driving through France, during World War 2. Soldier at side of road salutes. Two pet dogs riding on U.S. military vehicle. U.S. infantry hiking along roadsides. German prisoner with arm in sling escorted by U.S. soldier carrying rifle with fixed bayonet. U.S. infantry taking a break. Destroyed bridge in background. U.S. infantry marching down Champs Elysee with Arc de Triomphe in background, being cheered by enthusiastic French crowds. American honor guard walking along street. (But all spectators looking in opposite direction.) U.S. Lieutenant General Omar Bradley with French General Charles de Gaulle and French officials, saluting. American infantry again on the move in the countryside.
Allied Operation Dragoon during World War 2. Invasion convoy of ships heading to French coast, on August 15, 1944. Three divisions of the United States 7th Army make amphibious landing on the coast, and proceed rapidly into interior of France. U.S. Sherman tanks entering the French city of Lyon on September 3, 1944. Local newspaper headline about the city's liberation . Infantry of the 7th Army moving through destroyed French towns. U.S. infantry and armor (Sherman tanks) fire at German positions in a French village.
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