United States troops in the Solomon Islands during World War II. Tactical maneuver of bypassing some Japanese held islands and advancing to more strategic positions is explained. Trucks and jeeps parked on an island. Soldiers aboard vehicles board a landing craft. An officer instructing a group of soldiers. The soldiers aboard the landing craft underway at sea. A barrage balloon in flight overhead. The soldiers look for enemy airplanes. The landing craft underway at sea. The soldiers unloading equipment from the landing craft at an island. Soldiers working with picks and shovels on a field.
Opening scene shows an M8A1 75mm Howitzer motor carriage (variant of M8, using M5A1 Stuart tank chassis). It moves slowly toward the camera along a dirt road on Saipan during World War 2. Closeup shows short gun barrel and driver in turret above, speaking on radio. Bodies of many Japanese soldiers are seen, recently killed in final attacks culminating in their organized suicide assault (AKA "the Tanapag Plain banzai attack") on July 6th and 7th, 1944. A marine throws a hand grenade at a clump of foliage. (Note: Principal American defenders included units of the 105th Infantry, that bore the brunt of the assault, together with 165th Infantry; 23rd Marines; 24th Marines; 25th Marines; 20th Marine,Engineers; and 10th Marines, plus supporting artillery units.
U.S. Army Air Forces begin operations on Saipan after its capture from the Japanese during World War 2. Japanese Zero fighter planes parked in a jumble on Saipan, after its capture by American forces in 1944. American soldiers are seen walking about and U.S. Army engineers are repairing the field for use. The first American P-47 to arrive, after Saipan is secured, lands on the airfield. Its pilot, Major Henry E. McAfee, Commander of the 19th Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, poses by his P-47 named "Jeanie." At another area of Saipan, U.S. Marines administer medical aid, including blood plasma, to a wounded comrade. A P-61 of the 6th Night Fighter Squadron lands on the field. Aerial views of Saipan, showing destroyed structures and buildings.
Three crew members stand on deck of a U.S. aircraft carrier, anchored off Ulithi Atoll during World War 2. One holds an anemometer, with its buckets spinning. A TBF avenger aircraft on deck ready to be catapulted. It launches and is seen flying away above a variety of naval vessels at anchor. View from an aircraft flying fast and low, past Ulithi Atoll. A TBF avenger landing on the Ulithi airstrip. (Note: At TC 00:28 through 00:36, the Destroyer Tender, USS Prairie AD15, is seen with several destroyers tied to it. She rescued survivors from the sinking of the Oiler, USS Mississinewa, AO-59, by a Japanese Kaiten suicide submarine, on November 20, 1944.)
U.S. Army Air Forces P-47 Thunderbolt fighters of the 19th Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group during air strike missions against Japanese forces on Tinian Island, Mariana Islands during World War 2. strafing ground targets. Smoke billows up from exploding targets. Fighter strafing anti aircraft gun positions and troop positions on island. P-47s as they go into a dive. Various views of P-47 strafing targets. Ground crew of Thunderbolt campaign. P-47 in flight.
Battle of the Pacific campaign of World War 2 fought on the island of Tinian, Mariana Islands. U.S. landing craft approaching shores of Tinian. Gun crew fires artillery at enemy positions. Explosions and smoke billowing up on island.
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