Description
Object description
Official newsreel for the men and women of American War Industry covers military activity overseas: launch of first Tank Landing Ship (LST), P-47 fighters escort B-17 bombers against German FW 190 fighters, US Marine Corps field service in Pacific, locomotive assembly in Italy, Markham River paratroop drop in New Guinea.
Full description
"HITTING THE BEACH." Launch of LST, similar to type used in amphibious landings against Axis (Sicily, Salerno?). LSTs are loaded in Mediterranean port with armour and troops; pontoons lowered for off-shore landings. Amphibious DUKWs demonstrate their capability in and out of water; "Nazi" bombs fall nearby and one direct hit on vessel creates huge ammunition explosion.
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"DOG FIGHT." P-47 Thunderbolts based in England have magazines loaded, long range tanks refuelled, then taxi on apron and take off to rendezvous with B-17 bomber force. Camera-guns record destruction of attacking Focke Wulf FW 190s by P-47s (cowlings painted white to avoid confusion with FW 190s). Back at airfield 16mm film cassette is extracted from starboard wing of P-47 housing camera-gun, with electric power cable visible.
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"SUNDAY MORNING." United States Marine Corps men attend field service on palm-fringed shore of Pacific island; camera dwells on sombre faces.
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"CASEY JONES GOES G.I." USAAF P-51 Mustangs (fitted with Allison engine) strafe enemy railway trains and communications lines. US Army engineers repair knocked out railways, now used by softskin vehicles converted to run on rails (in Italy). Coal-fired steam engine boiler is insulated in asbestos, gauge controls fitted and narrow gauge bogeys assembled. Finished locomotive is fuelled with coal.
Full description
"HITTING THE SILK." General Douglas MacArthur orders combined US- Australian paratroop drop on Lae in Japanese-occupied New Guinea. Americans of US 503rd Parachute Infantry Division pull on their side-boots and check each others' kit. Men emplane in Douglas C-47 Skytrain aircraft of US Army Fifth Air Force which take off from metal mesh-covered airstrip. Aerial smokescreen is laid to cover parachute jump over clearly visible Markham River Valley on 5 September 1943.
Physical description
16mm