Two escaped U.S. Army Air Force aircraft pilots, shot down in enemy territory in December 1943 during World War II, speak with U.S. officers after their rescue in 1944. Both pilots are dressed in civilian clothing, and one wears improvised shoes. (Footage shot around the time of the Battle of Cisterna).
Narrator describes the full bayonet butt strokes attack sequence step by step over slow motion footage of a soldier demonstrating the sequence. Group of soldiers practicing full sequence in a field in front of suspended straw dummies. Description and demonstration of the non-verbal commands used by an officer to train and signal soldiers to perform different movements in the butt strokes attack sequence. Two men practicing the sequence, one signaling and one using the bayonet.
Slow motion and full speed demonstration and description of the first move in the horizontal butt stroke bayonet attack sequence. American soldiers demonstrate attack while narrator discusses their mistakes. Slow motion and full speed demonstration and description of the second and third moves in the horizontal butt stroke attack sequence. Soldier performing demonstration has a very animated and determined look on his face. Normal speed description and demonstration of non-verbal commands used by the instructor to signal soldiers to perform certain moves in the sequence while practicing. Group practicing full sequence of attacks. M1903 Springfield rifle with bayonet attached used by soldiers.
U.S. Army step-by-step demonstration and description of the third (of three) method of disarming an opponent armed with a rifle and bayonet. Third method involves a kick to the crotch or shin and a twist to remove the bayonet from the opponents hands. Closeups of the M1903 Springfield rifle and training bayonet used by soldiers. Slow motion and full speed demonstrations of the third disarming sequence, with the soldiers switching roles with each disarm. Soldiers practicing all three methods of disarming an opponent at full speed, once again switching roles with each disarm. Pre-World War 2.
1930s U.S. Army training film describes how to disarm an opponent attacking with an underhand knife attack. Closeups of training knife and late 1930s U.S. Army uniforms. Two soldiers practicing the move slowly and at full speed, before practicing both disarming moves at will, switching roles with each disarm. Narrator advises attacking in pairs of two over footage of soldiers practicing a two against one scenario. Large group of soldiers practicing with bayonets by performing long thrusts and withdrawals on suspended straw dummies. Narrator advises that soldiers should practice bayonet skills on straw dummies each day while training.
Soldiers are outside a coop. One soldier feeds pigeons outside coop and enters the coop. Pigeons in the coop. Soldier selects two pigeons and places capsule on their legs. Pigeons are placed into special carriers. Carriers are picked up by jeep and driver. Pigeons are taken to a distant area for a flight mission to familiarize them with the surrounding territory. Soldiers open the special carrier and freed the pigeons for flight mission. A message is inserted into the capsule on the pigeon's leg and the pigeon is released. Soldier takes pigeon from the coop. Message is removed from capsule and soldier makes entry in code book. (World War II period).
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