A film titled 'First Allied Airborne Army in Operation Varsity, 24 March 1945' about the successful airborne crossing of the Rhine river by the 1st Allied Airborne troops during World War II. Aerial views of aircraft and gliders on ground in areas the narrator describes as East Anglia (England, United Kingdom) and in the Paris, France area. U.S. Army Air Forces C-46, C-47 aircraft and CG-4 gliders on a field. British Halifax and Sterling bomber aircraft. A glider with nose art name, "Texarkana Belle." U.S. Army soldiers of the U.S. 17th Airborne Division near the glider aircraft. Soldiers load equipment into gliders and aircraft. Jeeps, vehicles and other equipment loaded onto gliders. Airborne troops waiting near the aircraft, smoking cigarettes and talking as they await takeoff time. Aircraft lined up on a field. Troops put on gear and board the gliders and towing C-47 Skytrain aircraft. Propellers turn as towing aircraft prepare to take off. Men ensure slack lines are taken up properly and engage the gliders being towed. Aircraft tow gliders as they take off. Gliders and aircraft in flight and ground crews waving to the aircraft in the sky.
The successful airborne crossing of the Rhine river by the 1st Allied Airborne troops during World War II. Aircraft lined up at an airfield in England, United Kingdom. British 6th Airborne Division gliders, British Halifax bomber aircraft and British Sterling bomber aircraft, together with U.S. Army Air Forces C-47 and C-46 aircraft take off from an airfield in the UK. British aircraft taking off and British soldiers waving as they pass by on the airfield. British 6th Airborne Division troops in the field. Airborne troops who will be parachuting to targets are briefed by officers as they stand in a group. Soldiers synchronize their watches. Soldiers put on equipment as they prepare to take off. Airborne troops fully loaded with gear ascend stairs to board propeller aircraft. Narrator points out visible tape placed over sharp corners and protrusions on the aircraft to ensure that no parachutes or equipment are caught and damaged. Soldiers entering through doorways of C-46 aircraft. Personnel at the control tower order aircraft to take off. Aircraft and gliders take off. An aircraft taxis for take off but partially loses control, hits some wheeled carts to the side of the runway, and finally comes to a rest off the runway without severe crash damage. Aerial views of aircraft in flight. Narrator notes that the forces flying from the British airfields are merging south of Brussels with similar Allied forces taking off from bases in France. Troops aboard an airborne aircraft. Allied paratrooper soldiers jump from both doors of C-36 aircraft and their parachutes are seen descending. View of pilot in a towing aircraft as he pulls back lever to cut his towed glider loose. A glider coming to rest in a field on landing. An allied aircraft falling to the ground in flames after being hit by German antiaircraft flak fire. Another allied aircraft is seen exploding upon crashing (with farm barn buildings in foreground partially blocking the view.) Troops in prone position beside gliders after landing, as they secure areas and regroup. Allied British and American Army soldiers enter a village and take German prisoners. Lines of Allied soldiers and equipment advancing near the Rhine.
Allied forces underway in the Atlantic Ocean prior to the Allied invasion of France during World War II. Silhouetted Allied sailor aboard a ship underway in the Atlantic Ocean. Sailors on the deck. One of them looks through binoculars. Sailors on the deck of a ship. A British officer on the bridge of a ship. An officer speaks on a loudspeaker. Water gushes as ship sails through the sea. An officer points towards the sea as he talks to other two officers.
Allied airmen and U.S. war correspondents in the European Theater near end of World War II. A poster in French shows a man erecting a wall and the slogan "Protege La France." A French boy wearing a beret stands beside it. Another poster reads 'Its a long way to Rome' and shows British and American flags superimposed over the city of Rome on a map of Italy. A U.S. Army Air Force airman poses near a small Army Air Force aircraft. A photographer and press correspondent talk to the airman. Another Allied airman wearing sun glasses. He removes his glasses and smiles.
Allied troops aboard a ship underway in the Atlantic Ocean prior to the Allied invasion of France during World War II. Allied ships underway at sea. A landing craft at sea. Allied officers aboard a ship. One of them smokes a cigar. A Landing Ship Tank underway at sea. A number of ships underway. A signalman looks through binoculars. Silhouetted face of a man aboard a ship. The open sea. British officers confer on the bridge of a ship. A man in an overcoat aboard a ship.
U.S. and other allied military officers in London, England shortly before the Invasion of France by Allied forces. A soccer (football) match played near London. The match in progress. A large number of people gathered to watch the match. U.S. Army officers and British officers seated in a stand as they watch the game of soccer. An officer smokes a cigar as he watches the game. A wounded soldier with bandaged face watches the game. (World War II period).
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