Synopsis
Made in 1945, ACTION AT ANGUAR documents the invasion and capture of Angaur Island in the Palau group by the 81st ("Wildcat") Infantry Division in its first battle. The film begins in July 1944 as the troops relax at Honolulu and on Waikiki Beach. It then shows troops boarding transports and shows activities aboard a troop transport, including a wild Neptune ceremony at the Equator, en route to Guadalcanal for a practice landing in August. On Sept. 17, 1944 after a bombardment by ships and carrier planes the division begins a landing. The film contains many scenes of U.S. troops burning and blasting Japanese soldiers from their cave emplacements. Explains the tactics for securing "Suicide Hill." Shows Gen. Robert Richardson. The film ends with images of U.S. wounded being evacuated and receiving medical treatment, and exhausted or shell-shocked soldiers (at 26:30) taking some r&r from combat. Summary: The 81st Wildcats reflect on their transition from training in Waikiki to a grueling combat mission during WWII. After a long sea journey filled with anticipation, they arrive off Guadalcanal for a dry run before moving on to the critical assault on Angaur Island in the Palau group. Facing fierce resistance from well-entrenched Japanese forces using caves, snipers, and mortars, the Wildcats endure heavy fighting to secure beachheads and key objectives like phosphate plants. Despite intense enemy attacks, including mortar strikes on their supply dumps, they gradually push…
Uploader's description on archive.org
Details
- Running time
- 26 minutes
- Language
- English
- Collection
- Ephemeral Films
Subjects on the Internet Archive
- Stock Footage