Synopsis
(1) "At Saipan, after briefing, the members of the 21st bombing Command take to Super Fortresses and roar into the sky - destination Tokyo! They shower tons of bombs and incendiaries on the huge sprawling city as they hit factories, steel mills and docks. Mass civilian evacuation of Tokyo was ordered after this raid. Japs Raid Saipan - Saipan is attacked by Jap raiders, 14 of which are shot down, after they had started spectacular fires and caused minor damage." scenes of Japan fighter planes strafe B-29s on Saipan, but 14 of 15 raiders shot down, and B-29s take off on bomb raid; map of attack on Japan; "with Tokyo aflame the Superforts head for home" (2) Bombs Soften Manila for Final Drive - "U.S. Navy carrier-planes swarm in on Manila and give it a severe going over, from the shore-line deep into the heart of the city. Returning to their flat tops, some of the damaged ships make miraculous lands." scenes of US fighters attack enemy ships and planes around Manila; a Hellcat lands on carrier with one wheel gone, but safe; (3) Flying Plane Picks Up Soldiers - "U.S. Army Air Forces develop revolutionary air pick-up techniques to rescue stranded airmen. Subject in unique harness, is picked up by nylon rope from low flying plane into which he is reeled." scenes of special pickup system tested on sheep, then a volunteer parachuter, pulled up by nylon rope, in experiments by Air Technical Command; (4) Heavy Snow Blankets Canada - "Canada suffers worst blizzard in 72 years. Traffic…
Uploader's description on archive.org
Details
- Running time
- 7 minutes
- Collection
- News & Public Affairs
Reviews on the Internet Archive
★★★ · And Kilroy Was There · Christine Hennig · 2006-03-18
Newsreel from WWII reporting successful bombing raids on Japan by US B-29s. This has some scenes of great nose art on the planes. Also included are stories about the bombing of Manila, an incredibly dangerous-looking device designed to allow airplanes in flight to pick up soldiers from the ground, a blizzard in Canada, and the Green Bay Packers winning the National Championship. A fairly interesting slice of life from the war years. Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: **. Weirdness: **. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: ***.