Training of U.S. paratrooper pathfinders prior to Allied invasion of Normandy, France during World War 2. U.S. Army Air Forces C-47 aircraft in flight as American paratroopers make practice jumps. A paratrooper lands at drop zone at North Witham training area in England during practice. On June 5th, 1944 C-47 aircraft with invasion stripes parked at an airfield in England.
British civilians and British Expeditionary Force soldiers prepare for World War II. After the Nazi German invasion of France, British civilians flee from England due to the threat of war. A man with his family crosses railway tracks in England. Two women embark onto a ship to evacuate threat of war. British citizens on a crowded street corner, near an Italian restaurant. A sign on a window reads "British Restaurant" in an attempt to prevent boycott and prejudice by British citizens who might not otherwise visit an Italian restaurant. A notice reads "This shop is owned by a British subject who has registered for the H. M. forces." A man seen removing the "Italian" sign and painting over it. Indian Army troops loyal to the British crown are seen lined up for inspection. They march as they prepare for the war.
Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower at his headquarters in England during World War II. General Eisenhower at a desk. He says that American citizens have made many sacrifices to win the war and preserve their freedom. He says that the war must be brought to a speedy conclusion. He urges the Americans to buy bonds to make Allied victory quick and decisive one. A sign reads ' 5th War loan'.
U.S. Army Air Forces B-17s of the 8th Air Force, return after the first raid on Rouen, France during World War 2. Several U.S. Army Air Forces B-17 aircraft are seen coming in to land at an airfield in England. Brigadier General Ira Eaker who personally flew the B-17 "Yankee Doodle," to lead this mission, jumps from the aircraft and shakes hands with Major General Carl Spaatz, Commander of the 8th Air Force. (Other crew members of the B-17 "Yankee Doodle" are seen quietly leaving their aircraft.) Later, Eaker, smoking a cigar, is interviewed by a group of civilian and U.S. Army reporters.
A U.S. intelligence officer interviews members of a flight crew upon their return from a bombing mission in World War 2. Pilot of the aircraft says that as the B-17 aircraft approached the target over the river, they were hit by Flak in the left wing and tail surface. The Pilot says they dropped their bombs effectively and were attacked by "109s or 190s" (Messerschmitt Bf 109s or Focke-Wulf FW-190s) that dove down on them and swooped up underneath. He refers to his ball turret gunner sitting next to him and says he knocked off one of them. The gunner says he saw the German plane when it came down from the tail, dove under, and started coming up. When asked, the gunner says the German plane was about 900 feet away when it was hit by his machine gun fire. He also noted they were the last ship in the bomb run. Next, after questioning the tail gunner, the intelligence officer asks the Bombardier about his actions. He explains that after releasing his bombs, he began to plot their positions as they exploded on the ground. He notes they got good bursts on the engine sheds, on the concentrations of box cars in the center of the marshalling yards, and on the viaducts leading to the center of the bridge. He notes that all the bombers ahead of them hit some part of the target, with most dropping their bombs right where they were supposed to. (World War II; WW II; World War 2; World War Two)
British Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden at an airfield in England during World War II. A car arrives at the airfield and U.S. officers Lieutenant General Jacob L. Devers and Major General Ira C. Eaker get off the car. The two officers talk to each other. British Foreign Secretary arrives and talks to the officers. Secretary Eden and Lieutenant General Devers board a U.S. Army Air Forces C-47 aircraft. Aircraft taxis and takes off. Major General Eaker and other officers talk to each other.
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