U.S. Army Ptsd Training Film Introduction to Combat Fatigue 23284 (1944)

Synopsis

The 1944 U.S. Army training film Introduction to Combat Fatigue (T.F. 8-1402) is designed to help U.S. soldiers suffering from combat fatigue understand the origins of their physical and emotional symptoms. An officer narrates the short film, which uses combat scenes to recreate the stresses that lead to combat fatigue, following U.S. Marine Ben Edwards as he experiences combat situations that lead to combat fatigue. The narrator explains that fear is a universal emotion, and it has its uses. Soldiers storming across a field bunker down when taking fire ( 02:56 ), before pushing forward. However, the negative impact of fear on humans is that humans continue to remember the fear-inducing events, and this can take a toll on the person’s psyche. The narrator introduces viewers to a hospital ward ( 04:13 ) where Edwards is struggling with combat fatigue. The story of Edwards begins in a ship’s sleeping quarters, where Edwards and several other soldiers discuss the upcoming assault. The narrator explains that the anticipation of fighting can wear on a man’s nerves. The soldiers then descend the side of the ship into LCPs ( 09:11 ) and make their way to shore. As Edwards and his unit step onto the beach, the narrator explains that Edwards is a good fighter because he uses his fear as a useful tool to be cautious and alert for signs of danger. The troops move into the jungle and dig in ( 11:25 ). According to the narrator, their fear disappears as they realize that the enemy…

Uploader's description on archive.org

Details

Running time

31 minutes

Language

English

Collection

Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

• Stock Footage