Setting: Airbase at North Field, Tinian Island in Marianas Islands. Public Affairs Officer, Major John F. Moynahan (not seen) identifies Captain Kermit K. Beahan, bombardier of the B-29, "The Great Artiste." (Note: Captain Beahan was the regular pilot of the B-29, "The Great Artiste", which was scheduled to carry the bomb. But it needed to be re-instrumented for the mission. So, instead, its crew simply switched airplanes with the crew of the B-29 "BocksCar" which was already properly configured. Thus, "BocksCar" was the airplane from which bombardier Beahan actually dropped the bomb.) When asked about his experience, Captain Beahan recalls being greatly relieved when clouds parted and the target, Nagasaki, could be clearly seen. He felt that dropping the bomb on Nagasaki, was the biggest thrill of his lifetime. (World War II period).
U.S. military base in North Field, Tinian Island in Marianas Islands, South Pacific. 'Enola Gay' the B-29 bomber that dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, parked on the ramp. The fuselage of Enola Gay. Name Enola Gay painted on its nose. (World War II period).
The bombing of Ballale by the U.S. aircraft during World War II. United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) B-24 Liberator and P-38 Lightning in flight over the target area. Planes in flight over the clouds. Bombs being dropped over the target area. Aerial view of the Ballale Island. Smoke arises due to explosions on the island. Airplanes flying in formation.
United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in the Ballale Islands, Solomon Islands during World War II. B-24 Liberator landing on the airbase. P-39 Airacobra and B-25 Mitchell land. Airplane taxiing on the airstrip. Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service Mitsubishi A6M Zeros fly in formation.
Surrender of Japanese Imperial forces leads to end of World War II. Wake Island on map. Formal Surrender of Japanese garrison on island. Marine officers at Wake Island. Flag raising ceremonies and wreckage of planes on islands. Officers present include USMC General Sanderson, Commander Cross, Commander Masek, Lieutenant Colonel Roberson, and Commander Walter Bayler (who had been the last American to leave Wake Island before its takeover by Japanese forces in December 1941).
Invasion of Okinawa. U.S. naval bombardment and shelling on island of Kerama Group. Landing crafts approach beach. LVT (Landing Vechicle, Tracked) move up on beaches of Okinawa. Infantry and armored units of 3rd Battalion, 305th Regimental Combat Team takes immediate control of beach. Japanese caves shelled by howitzers. Troops move inland and further. Japanese suicide boats along caves on shores destroyed by bombs. Japanese interpreter of U.S. 3rd Battalion asks a Korean prisoner in fields to go up hill and persuade Japanese for surrender. Korean prisoner goes towards hill with truce flag. Japanese come down hill. Surrendered Japanese Lieutenant sits with other men. American forces land on another island on Kerama Group where no civilian or military resistance is encountered. Flag rose at captured island. Troops plan invasion of another Kerama Group island aboard ship. Invasion of Tokashiki by U.S. troops. U.S. troops move inland. Troops march along trails on hill. Wrecked houses in town. Officer looks through binocular from observation post. American flag behind officer. Artillery fire shelling Tokashiki Island. (World War II period).
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