Passengers jam a train at an open air railway platform in China. Many sit, together with their belongings, on roof of the train. Some persons on the station offer to sell food to occupants of the train. Change of scene shows Soviet Lieutenant General Vasily Chuikov, advisor to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, having an amicable conversation with a Chinese Major General and his aide in World War II.(The latter has injury to his nose.) Next, several Russian troops are seen standing guard in unkempt town square, containing a monument. They appear unsettled by the presence of the cinematographer. Building in background flies Soviet flag and has large picture of Stalin on it. Views are shown of a modern building with drive up ramp to entrance (airport terminal?) and then of a stylish train station displaying Chinese (KMT) and Soviet flags and pictures of Lenin and Stalin. ( Glimpse of a tall white monument with a Soviet T-34 tank on top, followed by another view of the train station.) Next a corner building in the city is seen with Armed Chinese guards protecting sacks of food supplies piled up next to it. A Chinese officer walks past the guards and into the building. View of car and pedestrians on a dusty city street. More views of the Chinese guards and foodstuffs. (Note 1: The images seen here are mixed in place and time, including 1941 and 1945..) (Note 2: Soviet Lieutenant General Vasily Chuikov was recalled from China at end of 1941, and placed in command of the Soviet 62nd Army responsible for the defense of Stalingrad.)
An empty snow-covered courtyard next to an abandoned building with Russian writing on it reading: "СССР и Китад" (USSR and China). A hand cart sits with a carton on it. A low wall extends from the courtyard enclosing what appear to be residential buildings. Laundry is hung on a line to dry, behind one of the houses. View down the snowy street. View, back again to courtyard and building with Russian writing on it. An American Army officer walking through rubble of badly damaged factory during World War II. Another American joins him and they inspect damaged and destroyed heavy machinery. They are joined by several other persons. More views of bombed out buildings.
U.S. Marine Corps F4U aircraft of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing are seen along with U.S. Army Air Forces P-38 in flight over Southern Okinawa, during World War 2. Numerous scenes of the aircraft attacking positions of enemy Japan with napalm incendiary bombs. Balls of fire erupting and smoke rising from the hills. Formation of Corsairs returning from the mission.
The Aleutian Islands Campaign during World War 2. U.S. Army Air Forces B-24 and B-17 bombers on bombing mission from Adak Island to Kiska, Aleutian Islands. The B-24 aircraft in formation over the Pacific Ocean. Navigator at his position with compasses and chart. Gunners test turrets and guns. Scene shifts to the B-17s flying at low level over water. Small iceberg seen off wing of B-17. One B-17 displays number 19162 on its tail. Kiska volcano seen. Scene shifts again, to B-24 Liberator bombers maneuvering over Kiska, then shifts again, to B-17s on a low altitude bomb run. Bombardier over bomb sight dropping bombs. Views of bombs falling from the higher flying formation of B-24s. Low altitude bomb run by B-17s. Gunners firing at ground targets.Bombs falling. Some black Flak bursts are seen. Flights of B24s and B-17s returning from Kiska, as fires burn at the targets.
Street activities in Kyoto, Japan. Markets and an amusement arcade including early Pachinko machines. People operate penny arcades. People in an open air market. People near a cobbler shop. People buy from shops. They walk on a sidewalk. Street trams passing by. Women in kimonos.
As film begins, an officer of the Swedish ship M.S. Gripsholm, is seen in the ship's frozen food storage area directing the placement of food provisions for their forthcoming voyage to Japan. Armed U.S. Navy sailors stand guard on the pier alongside the ship. Supplies are loaded through a side door of the ship. The captain and another ship's officer review some papers on deck. The Swedish flag flies from the railing behind them. View of the ship's port side from a boat (unseen) in the water. American flag on camera ship is seen as it motors away from the Gripsolm. Closer port side view of the ship. Sign on starboard stern railing reads: "Beware of propellers." View from camera boat approaching the Gripsolm's stern.
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