U.S. Army 817th Army engineers build airfield within 24 hours near Salerno, Italy, in World War II. Members of the U.S. Army 817th Engineers Battalion are seen employing construction equipment to create a new emergency airfield near Salerno, Italy, during World War 2. A bulldozer uproots trees separating a tomato patch from a wheat field so both can be combined to create a larger space for an emergency airfield. A road grader passes a soldier seated in a piece of parked construction equipment, as it levels the ground. The operator in the parked equipment takes a drink from his canteen. Next, soldiers are seen wielding picks, and other hand tools to untangle clumps of earth and roots. Camera shows them next, working at the edge of the large cleared earthen airfield. They pause to wave to a P-38 lightning aircraft that has just landed at the new field. The P-38 passes on its landing roll, raising a cloud of dust. (Note: Moments after the end of the clip, this, first to land, P-38 had a fatal collision with a water truck, concealed in dust at the side of the runway.
Slate states: “Dust causes crash. P-38 plows into water truck. Pilot escapes. Two killed.” Members of the U.S. Army 817th Engineers Battalion, who have been building an emergency airfield , near Salerno, Italy, during World War 2, respond when the first P-38 airplane to land at the field, crashes into a water truck at the side of the dirt runway. Smoke rises from the crash scene. Camera focuses on the burning P-38 aircraft and the water truck. Soldiers use improvised slings to move the bodies of two victims away from the crash site. Meanwhile, other P-38 aircraft continue to land at the field. Smoke continues to billow from the burning P-38 airplane.
Italian air force joins allies at North Korba Airdrome in Cape Bon, Italy. 31 Italian planes bring their own ground crews and doctors. Italian planes in flight. Planes take off from airfield. An officer salutes as he disembarks. Ground crew disembark from the Italian planes. Ground crew and doctors talk to Captain Francesco Aurelio Di Bella. Captain Di Bella drinks water. Ground crew and doctors seated in truck and truck driven. They eat food. 2nd Lieutenant Fulvio Andrei, fighter pilot, interviewed. Captain Francesco Aurelio Di Bella, one of Italy's torpedo bomber aces, interviewed. (World War II period).
U.S. 5th Army trucks carrying mules, drive through the center of war-torn Mignano, Italy., during World War 2. An MP (Military Policeman) stands in center of the intersection, directing traffic. The trucks drive past an Agip (Azienda Generale Italiana Petroli) gas station and war damaged buildings. Other army vehicles pass through the square on intersecting roads. A different view shows empty Army stake trucks moving past an open muddy area where a bulldozer and another vehicle are parked and a U.S sentry is posted. Scene shifts to Italians working on the remains of a destroyed building. Army trucks continue to drive through the MP-controlled intersection. A small donkey stands by a tree. Four local men and women picnic in the shade from building remains. Italian soldiers, standing in the back of a partially open truck, ride past the camera. More army trucks come through the town, carrying horses and mules, Closeups of the animals in the open trucks. An Italian soldier rides with mules, on one of trucks. Army trucks are seen parked in various places off the roads. Closeup of the MP directing traffic. His 5th Army shoulder patch is clearly visible. He uses hand signals and a whistle to direct traffic. The four Italians seen picnicking, earlier, are now in a sunny spot, outdoors, with their kitchen implements. Two troop trucks pass carrying a few soldiers, and towing damaged heavy field guns. Several Italian soldiers are seen in the second vehicle. More jeeps and trucks pass the MP at the intersection.
U.S. 5th Army vehicles cross two small bridges across the Volturno River, near Mignano, Italy, during World War 2. An MP (Military Policeman) monitors and directs traffic from side of the muddy road. Army engineers repair another bridge and use compressed air gun to drive fasteners. Closeup of the new bridge boards and construction work. Jeeps, trucks, personnel carriers, and other vehicles are all on the move. A destroyed civilian vehicle is seen at side of road.
Town of Mignano wrecked by shellfire in Italy during World War 2. Destroyed railway tracks. Artillery fired at Mountain of Cassino that is held by Germans. Smoke rises from fire. Collapsed building. African American soldiers at work in rubble searching for casualties. African American soldiers warm themselves by a small fire. One African American lights a cigarette using a burning piece of wood from a fire, and he smokes the cigarette.
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