A series of views filmed from the USS Essex (CV-9) of the USS Hancock (CV-19) after she was struck by a Japanese Kamikaze aircraft on April 7, 1945, off the coast of Okinawa, during World War 2. Opening scene shows the Hancock almost completely enveloped by smoke. Camera pans across the ship. Subsequent scenes show smoke abating somewhat. View from flight deck of the Essex, of the Hancock steaming away, from the Essex. Brief view of four Japanese aircraft in flight, low overhead, and seven more at high altitude. Sailors line edge of the Essex flight deck looking at black objects in the water. Scene shifts to earlier sight of the Hancock burning., as viewed from a position on the island of the Essex, occupied by an officer and some sailors, wearing headsets. It shows heavy black smoke rising from the Hancock. The Battleship, USS North Carolina (BB-55) appears briefly in the background, upwind of the Hancock. Another view shows the Essex flight deck where sailors watch as the Hancock maneuvers. More scenes fairly closeup of smoke enveloping the Hancock.
Film begins showing a map off Japan highlighting notable places including Mount Fuji, Tokyo Bay, cities of Tokyo, Yokohama, Shimoda, and Oshima. View from a ship in Tokyo Bay, heading toward tall island in the distance. Scene shifts to a dozen women in traditional kimona dress singing and dancing on a bluff overlooking the water. A colorful horse circles about in the background as the women dance. Next, two women dressed in traditional kimona, carry large trays on their heads. Glimpse of three farmers with a horse. Views of heavy waves and clouds at waterfront. Strong wind blowing snow off a mountain peak. A speeding steam locomotive pulling a train along the shore of Tokyo Bay. Mount Fuji in the near background.
Reconstruction showing a Japanese Admiral at headquarters on a Pacific Island during World War II. A Japanese four star Admiral and Staff Officer in headquarters listen to war results on radio. Admiral hears of kamikaze suicide of 43 Japanese aircraft, he stands up and bows to shrine.
Battle of Iwo Jima, Japan during World War II. Slate in Japanese says "Iwo Jima" and "battle clouds approaching." Animated map of Iwo Jima. Waves crash against rocks on shores of Iwo Jima. Japanese pilots board fighter aircraft and take off. Air raid siren sounds on Iwo Jima and Japanese soldiers on Iwo Jima ready their antiaircraft guns and prepare to fire. Guns being fired in the skies overhead at American bomber aircraft (unseen). Trail of bombs exploding on Iwo Jima as bombs from American bombers hit the island.
A U.S. Army helicopter gunships being readied for a mission, at Soc Trang, Vietnam during the Vietnam War. A sign reads 'Welcome To Viking Island, Home Of The Blue Diamond, Devils Of The Delta'. A UH-1B Iroquois helicopter parked at the base. The fronts of the helicopters display a big blue diamond with a caricature of a Viking holding a machine gun under each arm spouting flame. These belong to the 13th Aviation Battalion, 121st Assault Helicopter Company of Tigers and Vikings at Soc Trang, Vietnam. (Tigers had lift misssion and Vikings were gunships.)
U.S. Army Air Force ( USAAF ) B-29 Superfortress bombers in flight over the Pacific Ocean soon after World War II. Interiors of a B-29 Superfortress bomber aircraft in flight shows a U.S. army cameraman taking motion pictures. B-29 Superfortresses in flight. A formation of B-29s above the clouds. Aerial view of a Pacific island. A B-29 aircraft in flight.
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