B-17Fs of the 8th Bomber Command, 1st Bomb Division, 305th Bomb Group, 366th Bomb Squadron, landing at their base, RAF Chelveston, in Northamptonshire, England, during World War II. The first to land displays a dozen yellow bombs, for missions, painted under the pilot's cockpit window, and Squadron code KY, and L, on its fuselage. Its tail number is 42-5053. The second plane to land displays KY and D, on fuselage, and tail number 42-29553. The third, shows the squadron's KY, but other markings are not readable. The fourth to land displays some mission bombs below its cockpit window, the Squadron KY, and J on the fuselage. Its tail number is 41-21624. Bomb Group tail codes and nose art are not seen on any of the aircraft. But, researchers have identified names of three of them: Bloody Tangier Show (42-5053), Arkie II (42-29553),and Madame Betterfly (41-24624), and estimate the film to have been shot between 3/1/1943 and 5/19/1943.
Allied troops arrive in Tunisia during Operation Torch of World War II. German aircraft and Allied aircraft engaged in dogfights. Explosions and scenes of aircraft crashing to the ground. Soldiers watch the aircraft through binoculars. Battle of Kasserine Pass in February 1943: Allied tank destroyers blast German tanks "at point blank range" according to narrator, who also notes it was the German's first real battle with American troops. German prisoners of war being marched by Allied soldiers. British troops in Tripoli, Libya in January 1943. Elevated view shows Capitoline Wolf statue in Tripoli with British armor parked below. British Army Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery receives surrender of Italian officials. British General Montgomery seated in a jeep passing through the city. People applaud.
Title card says “Erprobungsstelle der Luftwaffe Peenemünde- West” (“Test site of the Peenemünde-West air force” in English). “Flakzielgerät 76 V99 Schnittaufnahmen 4.8. 1943 HK” (“Anti-aircraft target device 76 V99 cut recordings 4.8. 1943 HK” in English). A V-1 rocket, also known as a buzz bomb or doodlebug, on a launch ramp in Germany during World War 2. The Argus engine on the V-1 fires up, but the rocket fails to launch from the ramp.
Title card saying “Flakzielgerät 76 Trickaufnahmen Argus 11. 12. 1943 HK” (“Flak target device 76 trick shots Argus 11.12.1943 HK” in English). An Illustration showing the parts of the Argus engine of the V-1 rocket, an early cruise missile developed in Germany during World War 2, with the parts named in German. Animation demonstrates how the pulse-jet action works on the Argus jet engine.
Title card says “Erprobungsstelle der Luftwaffe Karlshagen” (“Test site of the Air Force Karlshagen” in English). “Flakzielgerät 76 Schnittautnahmen 29.11.1943” (“Anti-aircraft target device 76 cut recordings 11/29/1943” in English). A V-1 rocket, also known as a buzz bomb or doodlebug,launches into the sky from a testing area at Air Force Karlshagen, in Western Pomerania, Germany during World War 2. External view of launch tower. Closeup view of the bottom of V-1 launching ramp, also known a Walter catapult.
Title card says “Geheime Kommandosache” (“secret commando operation” in English). “Erprobungsstelle der Luftwaffe Karlshagen” (“Test site of the Air Force Karlshagen” in English). “Flakzielgerät 76 Schnittautnahmen 14.10.1943” (“Anti-aircraft target device 76 cut recordings 10/14/1943” in English). Close up of V-1 glide bomb Argus pulse jet engine. Disassembly shows various components of the intake on the Argus engine, including the crucial spring controlled flap valve system, designed to close after each pulse of the engine.
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