A United States New Mexico class battleship (believed to be the USS Idaho) is seen underway off Okinawa in World War 2. Heavy flak (antiaircraft gun fire) in the sky. Japanese Kamikaze (suicide dive bombers) in the skies under heavy flak fire. Kamikaze dives and strikes a battleship that appears to be the USS Tennessee (BB-43) throwing up a ball of flame. In the background is a smoking Destroyer, probably the USS Zellars (DD777) which was already hit by one or two Kamikazes. The Zellars and Tennessee were a short distance ahead of the Idaho during the attack. The Zellars was dead in the water as the Idaho passed it.
Visiting Latin American military officers get hands-on experience with anti-tank gun at Fort Riley Kansas. U.S. Army Soldiers load 37mm anti-tank guns mounted on army jeep. Captain Gonzalo from Cuba, Lt. Nava Rotas from Mexico, Lt. Chavez from Peru take turns to adjust the gun, aim through the gun telescope and give the firing orders. (World War II period).
Opening scene shows Adolf Hitler reviewing German troops on parade. German paratroopers jumping from Junkers Ju-52 aircraft. View from the ground of paratroopers descending from three Ju-52s. The Japanese attack on Pearl harbor, December 7, 1941. Heavy smoke rising from the leaning USS Arizona after she is hit by bombs. Newspaper headline reading "Pearl Harbor Bombed!" American soldiers leaving Camp Stoneman, are seen assembled on a pier at the Pittsburg California waterfront to board one of the ferries that would take them to Piers 15 and 45 on the Embarcadero in San Francisco. A sign at pier reading:"Through these portals pass the best damned soldiers in the West." Glimpses of soldiers firing howitzers in World War 2. Glimpses of the civilians supporting the war effort. Auto factory workers walking near a war production plant during shift change. A new army truck leaves a factory. War production workers assembling the turret on a Sherman tank. Guns and turrets being manufactured. Factory floor filled with new pursuit airplanes. A B-25 Mitchell bomber aircraft taking off. Aerial view from bomber of its bombs exploding over enemy target below. Freight trains carrying United States military supplies. Supplies being loaded aboard a ship for the U.S. and Allies. The American battleship USS New Mexico firing a gun, and firing guns from triple turrets. Workers assembling aircraft engines in a war plant. A woman at work in a war materiel production plant. Gun camera images from warplane strafing a ground target. World War 2 Victory parade along 5th Avenue, New York City, in 1946. Washington Square triumphal arch in background. Various views of the parade. Laid off war plant workers looking for new jobs. Troops welcomed home: Ship carrying returning United States soldiers back home after the end of World War 2. Disabled soldiers and sailors making their war to a Military Air Transport Service C-54 aircraft. More views of the disabled veterans who were injured during World War II.
Mexico's President-elect Pascual Ortiz Rubio visits Washington D.C., United States. United States President Herbert Hoover welcomes the Mexican President-elect. President Herbert Hoover and Pascual Ortiz Rubio exit the White House building. First Ladies Lou Henry Hoover and Josefa De Ortiz stand next to their husbands.
U.S. Army cavalry troops on horseback and horse drawn carriages, during training exercises prior to participation in the Punitive Expedition in Mexico under leadership of General Funston. Troops fire rifles from bushes during exercises.
Atomic bomb production and its use in the United States. Doctor Ernest O. Lawrence experiments with the cyclotron at the University of California, Berkeley. View of the exterior and interior of the cyclotron. An animated diagram shows the results of the splitting of the uranium atom. Diagram shows a nucleus, electrons and protons. Atomic structures of Helium, Lithium and Uranium. A diagram of the creation of barium and krypton, and the release of atomic energy. Aerial and ground views of Y-12 atomic energy testing, uranium enrichment, and manufacturing plant at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Workers walking on the grounds of the the plant. The Trinity Shot first atomic explosion is shown near Los Alamos, New Mexico on July 16, 1945. Flash of explosion and a cloud of smoke rises as seen from U.S. Army cameras 6 miles away. Two other views of the explosion are seen from other camera positions while narrator explains the effects. U.S. President Harry S. Truman speaks of the need to keep the secrets of the atomic bomb among the U.S., the U.K, and Canada, alone, until they find successful techniques to control the bomb and protect the world from total destruction. He indicates that he will work the the U.S. Congress in the effort and make the power a force for world peace. Truman asks that God guide the U.S. in how to use the technology in His ways and for His purposes. (World War II period).