Made prior to the outbreak of World War II (WWII) as the United States began a build-up of its naval forces, “The Battle” shows a gigantic fleet exercise (known in the day as a “fleet problem”, see below) and promotes the capabilities of the two ocean navy. Features footage of battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, submarines and various support craft including hospital ships and supply vessels. Many vessels are shown including the North Hampton class battleship Chicago (CA-29), the USS California (BB-44), and the submarine USS Permit (SS-178), tender USS Brazos (AO-4), and the Auk-class mine sweeper USS Strive (AM-117).
At least one portion of the film is from mid-1941 with USS North Carolina (BB-55) being commissioned 9 April 1941 from 10:01-10:29. Other observations are as follows: from 03:42-03:45 Porter-class destroyer USS Porter (DD-356) sunk by torpedo 26 October 1942 at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands; from 04:55-05:00 and 05:08-05:10 Grumman F3F fighters 8-F-1 and 8-F-2 from USS Hornet (CV-8) which was launched 14 December 1940 and commissioned 20 October 1941; from 05:00-05:03 USS Saratoga (CV-3); at 05:50 Farragut-class destroyer USS Hull (DD-350); from 06:07-06:11 floatplanes being catapulted with USS Omaha (CL-4) markings ; from 10:01-10:29 North Carolina-class battleship USS North Carolina (BB-55) possibly during her commissioning ceremony.
Fleet problem was the term used by the United States Navy to describe each of 21 large-scale naval exercises conducted between 1923 and 1940. They are labeled with Roman numerals, from Fleet Problem I through Fleet Problem XXI. A 22nd Fleet Problem exercise, scheduled for 1941, was canceled because of World War II.
The fleet problems were usually once a year exercises in which U.S. naval forces would engage in mock battles. One or more of the forces would play the part of a European or Asian navy. They were the culmination of the Navy’s annual training maneuvers.
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