Montage of scenes illustrating development of mechanized warfare beginning with American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) engaged in World War I. U.S. Army infantry soldiers moving out of trenches going "over the top" into "no man's land" and advancing on battlefield. U.S. troops firing Browning M1917 machine gun,1903 Springfield rifles, and Stokes mortar from trench positions. Soldiers firing mortar are wearing gas masks. AEF trucks and other vehicles ostensibly an improvement over horses, but seen having difficulty in mud. A truck pulling a large artillery gun. A German 80cm K (E) rail gun (developed in 1934) shown at the Rugenwalde Test Range in Germany. It moves along curving rails and is elevated to its maximum elevation (65 degrees). Two World War 1 rail guns firing. An American World War I Naval 14-inch rail gun firing. Allied heavy howitzers firing in World War 1 (one with gun crew in gas masks). American gunners with a French 75 field piece and caisson. French soldier advancing in no-mans-land. The Wright brothers brought warfare into the air with their Wright Flyer airplane, seen being maneuvered on the ground by U.S. Army personnel at Fort Myer, Virginia in July 1909. A De Havilland DH-4 airplane taking off in World War I. A German Fokker D.VIII aircraft in flight. Three U.S. Army Air Service Curtiss P-1B Hawk pursuit aircraft in flight, circa 1926. Aerial dogfight scene including view from behind a pilot in open cockpit biplane (from feature film, circa 1927). Brief view of Renault FT tank maneuvering in World War I. Narrative and clips shift to historical perspective of warfare, showing use of horse and chariot, starting in ancient Assyria and use of elephants in later years by Hannibal. Pictures of mounted soldiers, in the middle ages, waging war in armor, and being transported in a wagon. Shift to World War I showing British Mark IV tanks maneuvering in a field.
Sketches of U.S. Army Infantry in the United States. 'Follow Me' statue at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. The sketches depict infantrymen in various conflicts in American history, from Washington in the Revolution to combat in Korea. An infantryman holds the American flag. U.S. Army Infantry during the invasion of Africa. They fight in the Korea War.
Infantry soldiers advance on a battlefield in the European Theater. The soldiers fire weapons from bunkers. A U.S. Air Force aircraft taxis and takes off during an emergency. Soldiers disembark from the aircraft and rescue wounded men. Missiles are launched. Prisoners of war are captured by the soldiers. 'Follow Me' statue at the U.S. Army Infantry School in Fort Benning, Georgia.
Actor Vic Morrow, who plays role of Sergeant Saunders on TV series, "Combat" speaks about his experience during his visit as a guest of the Commanding General at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning in Georgia. He speaks about famous Infantry units, beginning with the Rogers' Rangers during the French Indian War in 1756. Dramatized scenes with reenactors show the rangers running through a forest during the French And Indian War. They advance and snare a sleeping Native American Indian and then battle with a North American Indian tribe. Scenes of cobblers, blacksmiths, farmers and bookkeepers joining the army to fight against Britain during the American Revolution. They advance on the battlefield during the American Revolution. Sketches depict infantrymen advancing during a war.
From a film about U.S. troops including African American soldiers who battled courageously during World War II. U.S. troops and WACs (Women's Army Corps) including African American soldiers parade along a street. An African American pilot. U.S. Army Major-General Clarence H Kells decorates Sergeant Joe Louis (famous boxer) with the Legion of Merit medal at Fort Hamilton, New York, in 1945. U.S. soldiers perform different tasks. Closing slates include a slate saying the film is not to be shown to the general public, and a second slate stating "Seized Enemy Material...under License Number LM-185"
Summer Olympics of 1960 in Rome, Italy. At the exercise field athletes work out and run on track. African American Athlete and soldier of U.S. Army Irwin Robertson from Fort Lee, Virginia practices running and long jump. Donald G. Bragg practices pole vault.