American M-26 heavy Pershing tanks parked on a battlefield and firing their guns. U.S.gun crew throwing spent shells and other items out of a 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7, while it is firing. (This gun was called Priest, by the British.) Several of them lined up and firing.
Opening scene shows a battlefield wooden cross marking the grave of Private Robert. Woods. His photograph is shown.The narrator is an American Pastor of a predominantly African American congregation speaking from the pulpit about men who served America during World War 2. He cites U.S. Army bomber pilot, Colin Kelly, whose photograph is also seen. The pastor also mentions Meyer Levine, Kelly's bombardier (unseen) and an African American sailor, named Dory Miller, who shot down Japanese aircraft while defending the battleship West Virginia during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Miller is seen shaking hands with officers on the deck of a Navy ship. Camera focuses on a banner in the church displaying stars for the members of the congregation in the Armed Forces. He leads in a prayer of thanks for "this land which our fathers have helped to build." Camera pans over the congregation. The choir and congregation join in singing "Onward Christian Soldiers." Next, a large formation of African American soldiers marches in a parade. They wear uniforms including M1917 steel helmets, and carry rifles and field packs. Scene updates to African American soldiers marching wearing World War 2 M1 steel helmets. Scene shifts to African American Army Colonel and another officer reviewing marching troops on a snowy field. Next, African American women in the WAC (Women's Army Corps) are seen marching. African American troops are seen, again, parading in World War 1 steel helmets, and then others are seen parading in garrison caps. More views of these various groups parading with a glimpse of mounted cavalry inserted, as well. As the film ends, the background music is the singing of "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho." (World War II; WW II; World War 2; World War Two)
United States Marines in Bougainville, New Guinea during World War II. A Marine paints a white cross for a burial yard. A cross at the cemetery bearing a sign that reads' Cemetery no.1' A105 mm Howitzer in foreground on an island. A truck tows a 155 mm Howitzer on a carriage. Landing area and artillery dugout on the shore. Three anti aircraft gun and mount dug in off the shore. Three shell cases lying on ground. Cemetery as men dig graves. A M3A1 tank moves into a jungle. Turret of M3 Stuart tank.
Seoul, South Korea wide shot with traffic during the Korean War. Pedestrians climb stairs and cross foot bridge across road. Moped or motor scooter shares road with cars amidst new buildings. People in crosswalk, men in business suits and women in traditional Hanbok robes. The South Korean jazz band "Rhythm and Blues" plays. Shots of Asian saxophonist, bass player, trumpet player, and drummer playing. South Koreans dancing in night club. Sign near Korean DMZ--"Light & Weapons Line. Personnel will not travel beyond this point unless they are armed or wearing flak vests--steel pots. All vehicle lights turned off at this point. "SAFETY FIRST" Truck carrying troops stops at DMZ check point 30 miles north of Seoul. Soldier inspects truck and waves it through check point. Soldier emerges from tunnel and scans horizon with binoculars. Soldiers hidden in weeds viewing with binoculars. Guard approaches pill box protected with sand bags and barbed wire. Guard with M60 machine gun in fox hole lined with sand bags. Close up of M60 machine gun.
Woman pointing to crew member names written on the side of the Memphis Belle. Damage on top of plane from previous missions. Message written either on a bomb or inside the plane reads, "Bomb Hell out of them for us!!" Other messages written include, "Armorer Sgt. O.C. Champion Ill," "Crew Chief M/Sgt. Joseph M. Giambrone PA," "STUKA," "Tech Supply B'Ville OKLA," and "Peggy Davis Orange, Calif." Star on side of Memphis Belle. "SALLY" written on side of B-17 below two swastikas.
United States and Australian soldiers confer over battle plan in jungle near Salamaua, Papua New Guinea during the Salamaua-Lae campaign in World War 2. United States and Australian soldiers follow Papuan local in jungle. United States and Australian soldiers traverse jungle carefully with Papuan locals. Australian soldier hides in tall grass. Soldier uses telescope to look for Japanese enemy soldiers in jungle. Soldier uses a machine gun to fire at Japanese soldiers in jungle. Soldier in foxhole firing mortar rounds. Soldiers fire with machine gun and cannons at Japanese soldiers. Dead Japanese soldiers in fox holes and around jungle of Salamaua after battle with American and Australian forces. American and Australian soldiers carry an injured comrade in a stretcher. A soldier being treated for injury from attack by a Japanese sniper in the jungle. Medic puts soldier's arm in a sling. Papuan locals carry an injured soldier in stretcher through a jungle. Papuan locals, carrying injured soldier, cross a jungle bridge over Francisco river. An Allied soldier assists his blind comrade out of the muddy jungle. Blinded soldier walking through muddy trail with assistance from another soldier. Soldiers lying in stretchers in the emergency airfield near Salamaua. An injured soldier boards a support aircraft with assistance. Support plane takes off from emergency airfield. Support plane flies over Salamaua. Allied soldiers pay respect to their fallen comrades over makeshift graves. An army chaplain reads a prayer for the dead soldiers. At an airfield near Port Moresby, Allied troops load supplies in bomber. United States Air Force pilot in cockpit. Australian Air Force co-pilot in cockpit. A Douglas C-47 Skytrain takes off from airfield to Salamaua. Douglas C-47 Skytrain in flight. Douglas C-47 Skytrain begins to malfunction mid-flight. Douglas C-47 Skytrain performs an emergency belly landing on runway. American and Australian soldiers disembark from Douglas C-47 Skytrain after belly landing. United States and Australian soldiers point out towards enemy positions. American and Australian soldiers wade through jungle river. American and Australian soldiers crossing bridge in jungle together. American and Australian soldiers engage in battle with Japanese, firing mortar rounds. Several shots of mortars being fired including M2 mortars. M1919 Browning machine gun being fired while ammunition belt fed by soldier. Soldiers admiring the blade of a captured Samurai sword. Soldier smiling after battle and giving the thumbs up sign.
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