Nostalgia World War II Video Library #7

192. NOSTALGIA WORLD WAR II VIDEO LIBRARY #7 (1943-1944-USA). Produced by the Signal Corps. An Academy Award nominee, and some extraordinary combat films designed to inspire the World War II homefront workers to continue their efforts at winning the war.
1. BAPTISM OF FIRE (1943). With EUSHA COOK, JR. One of the Army’s “Fighting Men Series,” this stirring film, although staged with professional actors, looks so authentic that it was nominated for an Oscar as Best Documentary! Facing his initiation into combat, a young man learns that his first enemy is himself: he must overcome his fears, forget the distracting memories of peacetime life, and concentrate on the tough job ahead. At first he panics at the explosions, air attacks and casualties, but then he enters into the battle wilh great enthusiasm-engaging in rough hand-to-hand and bayonet combat, and vowing to “give it to the bastards.” Designed for training purposes, the film certainly succeeds in delivering its gung-ho message; but its vivid portrayal of combat also makes it a horrifyingly grim reminder of war’s horrors. One of the most memorable movies to come out of World War II! 2. FILM COMMUNIQUE, FIFTH ISSUE (1944). a) P-47’S COME TO TOWN. Newly-built American P-47’s (“Thunderbolts”) are shipped by convoy to England and sent into the fierce batlles over Germany. Extremely exciting aerial footage! b) TWO MILLION DOLLAR HILL. After taking an Italian hill at a tremendous cost (hence the title), U.S. infantrymen run out of food, and have to be supplied by mule trains (“the slogging drudgery of war, a parade without flags or music”). The heroic doughboys look forward to the good meals back home, when the war is over: “and we’ll get it over!” c) A FEW QUICK FACTS. Simple cartoons illustrate interesting facts and figures: the amazing combined distance flown by all our air transports in a day (equal to 120 times around the world!; Chinese privates, fighting the Japs for 6.5 years, have each earned only $40.56- “and the respect of the entire civilized world”; our Navy now has fourteen times as many ships as at the start of the war, thanks to the men and women of the shipyards, d) HAWAIIAN JUNGLE TRAINING. Thrilling scenes of simulated battle conditions at the Army’s Training Center in Hawaii, turning out “thousands of men, learning every cunning, every trick, to take vengeance on the treacherous Japs, to make them pay in blood for the lives of the Americans they tortured and murdered” (in places like Tarawa, the Gilberts and the Marshall), e) BLOODY TARAWA. As good a combat film as youll ever see, this details the battle for Tarawa Island, and our victory after three grueling days: “an example of the cooperation necessary between the combat team at the front and the combat team in the factories.” The pure “hell” of Tarawa, portrayed through superior footage of beach landings, our slow but steady advance, our picking off enemy soldiers, and our smoking out those who have fled underground. An invaluable document of “the bloodiest operation in the history of the Marine Corps.” 57 minutes total. Propaganda