Plans underway in the United States in 1944 for participation in the invasion of France during World War 2 by Allied forces. A U.S. Army sentry of the Army Service Forces (ASF) patrols a rail line, where military men and equpment are being transported abroad., during World War 2. ASF soldiers drive DUKWs (amphibious vehicles) up a ramp for loading into railroad box cars. A long line of DUKWs being driven for loading. Many men load 55 gallon drums of petroleum products into rail cars. An M3 Stuart light tank being driven on an open rail car. Soldiers loading motorcycles on a train. An Army M3 Half-track Amored Personnel Carrier (APC) driving onto a railroad train. (Narrator notes that it requires 75 trains to transport a single Armored Division by rail.) Men loading a 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7 (Called Priest, by the British) onto a flat rail car and securing it in place with wooden supports. Army personnel that would participate in an invasion are shown. Paratroopers with their packs. Women's Army Corps (WACs) fill their duffel bags with clothing and other items, and are then seen climbing aboard an open stake truck. An Army band plays and marches giving troops a sendoff at a train station. U.S. soldiers board passenger railroad trains, carrying their field packs and weapons. A steam locomotive pulling a troop train. A train load of Sherman M4 medium tanks and other equipment, including a caterpillar tractor, is seen underway. Unidentified tanks being fastened to rail flat car. Many Army trucks and heavy equipment on train passing a town train station. Military equipment moving on trains over bridges. Two ladies under hair dryers at a salon, discussing boys in service going overseas. United States Army troops bound for the war front are seen boarding railroad trains and also changing trains, monitored by Army military police (MPs) at night. Soldiers inside a moving train car occupy themselves by playing cards; shooting craps; An African American porter watches a game. An Army chaplain talking with some of the soldiers. A soldier reading a magazine. His seat partner keeps falling asleep against him. American civilians at a newsstand. Newspaper headline reads: "London expects invasion of Europe at any hour."
The United States troops setting up radar on a field in the United States. U.S. soldiers working on the sound ranging equipment. The equipment locates enemy positions. The soldiers setting up the radar. A soldier in radio room. A sign reads: 'Radio Detonator'. Soldiers working. Buildings in the background.
U.S. submarines at a harbor in the United States. A ship underway at sea off the coast of United States. Using signal lamp, Signalman aboard the ship is sending morse code blinker at night (though first dawn light of sunrise is visible). Low mountains in the background. Men aboard a boat underway. The sunrise view. (Unrelated: Clip ends with brief view of Kodak "china girl" for color timing. Lettering beside this "china girl" or "leader lady" indicates Kodak 79 ECO and she is wearing a 1960's psychedelic shirt or blouse)
U.S. submarine underway at sea in the United States. Submarine heading out to sea off the coast of United States. Destroyer escort with them. Escorting airplane fly overhead. Bow of the submarine. U.S. flag flying atop flag pole on the submarine.
United States Navy Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz aboard USS Bowfin at harbor in the United States. Officers standing aboard the submarine. They shake hands and discuss amongst themselves.
A United States Air Force C-47D Skytrain aircraft at an air base in the United States. The engines of the airplane start. The airplane taxis on a runway.
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