U.S. Navy Aircraft Seventh Fleet PBY Catalina operations in Southwest Pacific during World War 2. Pilots and navigators of six PBY Catalina crews are seen planning the night's operations at a table in a flight planning hut. (These Catalinas are called "Black Cats" because they were painted black for night operations.) The Black Cat mission is to interdict Japanese supply ships at sea. Intelligence officer is seen briefing about locations of Japanese convoys and cautions that Japanese night fighters are stationed only 60 miles away.The pilots look at pictures of the type of warships that might accompany the Japanese convoys.They are briefed on Japanese antiaircraft batteries near harbor where convoy ships might anchor.And they are briefed on the weather. Ground crew pass a large box of foods to a PBY crewman.The aircraft taxis into the water. The weather is getting stormy.Ground crew remove landing gear. The PBY takes off. Views from inside the aircraft as it leaves the water and becomes airborne. Views from inside a PBY as lightning strikes outside in a storm. Crew members in their positions.Approaching the harbor where Japanese vessels may be anchored. Navigator plots position with dividers and calculates course using E-6B computer. Waist gunners ready at their stations. Crew member is posted as a lookout at an open bay in the PBY nose. There are no Japanese ships seen in the harbor. But the PBY is sighted by Japanese antiaircraft batteries that begin firing. They are also being hunted by Japanese night fighters. The pilot dives low towards the water to hide. Japanese fighter plane passes overhead. They resume search for convoy and lookout spots it. Radio operator informs other Black Cats via CW signal. As the Catalinas converge on the convoy, Japanese warships open fire on them.The "Cats" attack and hit a Japanese Cruiser, 2 freighters, and a tanker. One of the Catalinas is destroyed during its bomb run.
Island structure of USS Constellation CVA-64, as a helicopter takes off from the flight dock in Southwest Pacific. Front of the island over the side of ship. Several men on the Sponson deck, practice refueling drill. Three of the crew members on the edge of the Sponson deck. Man practices refueling drill. Flight deck of the aircraft is empty. View around the bow of the constellation. Sea trial personnel on the bridge of the ship. Men look over the forward part of the flight dock. Overlooking the starboard side of the ship to the wake as a starboard turn is made. Carrier tilts to one side during the turn. Overlooking the starboard forward part of the flight deck. Overlooking the forward part of the flight from the island structure.
A film titled 'Pacific Milk Run' . Formations of U.S. B-25 bombers, TBF torpedo bombers,and F4U Corsair fighters, in flight. U.S. Marines flying Douglas SBD Dauntless aircraft. A map shows the Japanese-held Gilbert, Marshall, Marianas, Caroline, and Solomon Islands in the Pacific. Marine Corps SBDs taking off and landing on a coral runway. Marine aircrews at breakfast mess. Intelligence officer confers with Marine Major General. Marine aircrews being briefed about a mission. Pilot and rear gunner board an SBD and take off on a mission with other SBDs as well as F4U Corsairs, and B-25 Mitchell bombers. SBDs peel off to attack Japanese targets. View from cockpit of a B-25 in formation with others. B-25s dropping bombs. Japanese aircraft rise to defend against the U.S. aircraft, including Zekes (Mitsubishi A6M Zeros); Nates (Nakajima Ki-27s) and Tonys ( Kawasaki Ki-61 aircraft). U.S. Corsairs engage the Japanese aircraft in dogfights. Marine SBD bombs a Japanese transport ship. U.S. aircraft formations returning from mission. An SBD lands and parks. Crew chief is briefed by pilot and begins repairs of battle damage. Marine aircrews play baseball and later drink beer.
A soldier of Republic of Korea, 36th Regiment fires a rifle at enemy positions during Korean War. He leans against an embankment as he fires. He brings his gun down and pulls the bolt.
French paratroops jump in two waves from C-47 aircraft over Indochina. Their parachutes float slowly to earth. A medic treats one trooper injured during the drop. The French troopers move from the landing area towards a region where smoke and fire are visible. They set up machine guns and fire. The French troopers destroy and burn a Viet Minh jungle camp.
Japanese propaganda film dramatizing the sinking of the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse off Malaya in December, 1941, during World War II. Contrived scenes include crew in aircraft talking to each other and to their headquarters on radio. Some of the ship bombardment scenes appear to use ship models. Others are actual naval battle scenes.
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