Two howitzer 240mm artillery guns fire simultaneously, camouflaged in sandbag and dirt emplacements with netting over top. Scene changes to the backside of the artillery, where American soldiers crouch and cover their ears, flinching when the weapon is fired. Medium shot of the barrel as the weapon fires and recoils, smoke trailing out. Scene changes again and soldiers wheel a 240mm projectile to the weapon, where a team of four men use a long staff to push the projectile into the weapon. More scenes of the weapons firing at German targets and men ducking, covering their ears. Medium shot shows a soldier pulling the lanyard to fire the weapon, which recoils violently.
Three 105mm Howitzer artillery guns fire. An American soldier cleans the bore of the weapon with a long-handled swab. The gunner adjusts the panoramic telescope by hand, and a soldier loads a shell into the breech, which is then closed and the lanyard pulled to fire the weapon. Smoke trails out of the barrel. Scene changes to a view of a larger, 155mm Howitzer. American soldiers carry a projectile on a tray, which is pushed into the bore by two men using a long staff. Bags of propellant are loaded next, the breech is closed, primer is inserted, and the lanyard is pulled, firing the weapon. Soldiers cover their ears and stand back from the recoil. The weapon is reloaded and fired again.
A mobile mortar crew from the U.S. Army operates a 4.2 inch mobile mortar. The shirtless U.S. Army soldiers fire multiple shells rapidly. A soldier using a field telephone receives information on a new Japanese enemy position and the mortar crew disassembles the weapon in a practiced manner. The soldiers load the heavy mortar into a two-wheeled cart, which is lifted into the bed of a truck to be transported to the new position. The crew unloads the mortar and wheeled cart from the truck and runs toward their destination. Men follow behind with ammunition boxes. At the new position the crew swiftly reassembles the mortar, laying for fire. A soldier is hoisted up to an observation post in a tree. Wide view of the surrounding jungle and wetland with Mount Bagana in the background. The narrator notes that the Japanese have been located at the base of the mountain. Close up shots of the mortar crew loading and firing shells toward the Japanese position.
Soldiers of the First Special Service Force (FSSF, also called the "Devil's Brigade") (elite joint American-Canadian commando unit) conduct a raid on an enemy German position in Anzio, Italy, during WW2. A soldier draws in the dirt using a stick, briefing the soldiers for the attack. The FSSF troops carry rifles, machine guns, and rocket launchers (bazookas). The soldiers surround the German outpost and begin firing. Various close and medium angles of the soldiers firing rifles, machine guns, rocket launchers, and a rifle grenade. The soldiers advance toward the enemy position. German prisoners of war (POW) walk on a road. A larger group of German prisoners stand and sit, idle. Close up of the prisoners' faces, one smokes a cigarette.
Stockpiles of Pierced Steel Planking (PSP), also called Marsden matting at Burtonwood supply and repair depot, the largest depot in the world during WW2. Dozens of tractors, trucks, and other military vehicles parked in neat rows. Assorted rolls of metal meshes, platforms, wiring, and cable. A crane in action lifting supplies, teams of men working to organize, stock, and inspect the materials. Numerous shots of men at work, supplies such as fuel barrels, small boats, and tractors. Aircraft including American and British gliders, P-47 Thunderbolt, A-20 Havoc, P-38 Lightning, B-17 Flying Fortress, and B-26 Marauder. Engineering equipment at a British depot in Thatcham, England. Additional scenes of men at work in the depots.
U.S. Army soldiers waterproof U.S. tanks and military vehicles by hand during World War 2. Close up shots of men applying putty to seal the vehicles. Tanks with deep wading exhaust trunks, also called "breathers," are tested and driven in water. The wading snorkels are released off the back of an M4 Sherman tank and M10 tank destroyer as the tanks begin to drive on land.
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