Hosted by Sgt. James Mansfield, this episode of “The Big Picture” profiles the 41st Sunset Infantry Division and the Hell Bent for Leather 1st Cavalry Division, first to enter Leyte and then Tokyo. The second half of the program gives an overview of the weapons used by the infantry in combat. It covers significant WWII battles, including Leyte, Tokyo, Los Negros Island, and Manila. The narrative also discusses the weapons used by infantrymen, the strategic operations in the Pacific, and the eventual victory over Japanese forces.

00:00: “The Big Picture,” a television report from the U.S. Army with Sergeant James Mansfield.

Today’s episode: the combat infantryman and the story of the 41st Infantry Division and the 1st Cavalry Division including their role in entering Leyte and Tokyo.

• 1:14: Colonel Quinn will discuss the weapons used by the combat infantryman. Story of the 1st Cavalry Division and the 41st Infantry Division.

• 2:44: Description of the 1st Cavalry Division’s history and role in past wars.

• 3:10: The transition from horseback to foot soldiers in the South Pacific during WWII.

• 4:01: Training for amphibious landings. The 1st Cavalry Division’s landing on Los Negros Island and the ensuing battle.

• 5:19 The battle against Japanese forces and the loss of a Signal Corps cameraman. Victory over Japanese forces.

• 6:29: The 1st Cavalry Division’s role in the Leyte landing in November 1944. Description of the landing and the support from rocket ships and the Army Air Force.

• 7:26: The landing at White Beach. The tough fighting conditions.

• 8:09: The capture of Tacloban. The drive to Manila in January 1945.

• 9:22-: The capture of Manila and the motivation to avenge General Wainwright. The planned invasion of Japan and the impact of the atomic bomb. The 1st Cavalry Division’s entry into Tokyo.

• 10:31: The pride of being troopers of the 1st Cavalry Division. A reflection on the modesty and heroism of the combat rifleman.

• 11:44: Building up U.S. military strength after Pearl Harbor. The Japanese control of key areas and the deployment of the 41st Division to Australia.

• 12:36: The formation of the 41st Division. Bombing of Port Moresby.

• 13:22: The 41st Division’s baptism of fire in January 1943. The start of the Lae-Salamaua operation.

• 14:03: Movement from Nassau Bay to join Australian troops; supply issues. Saying goodbye to fallen comrades.

• 14:28: Major General Fuller briefs staff. Plan to bypass Japanese stronghold and move to Hollandia and Itape.

• 14:40: Task force formation and strategy to deceive the enemy. Fleet protection by cruisers, aircraft carriers, destroyers, and minesweepers.

• 15:26: Rendezvous off the Admiralties and preparation for invasion. Convoys move into assault areas; Navy on alert. 41st Division starts for shore.

• 16:30: Landing on Hollandia Beach on April 22. 163rd Regimental Combat Team lands near Itape and secures airstrips. 162nd Infantry captures Hollandia. 186th Infantry moves inland to Lake Santani. Mission to secure Wakde Island. : Aerial and naval attacks coordinated with field artillery.

• 17:41: First assault wave on Wakde Island. Tough resistance encountered by the 163rd Infantry. Japanese defenders wiped out; light losses for the 41st Division. Securing another airstrip.

• 18:35: Plan to take Biak Island instead of Sarmi. Aerial and naval bombardment on Biak Island.

• 19:02: Poor visibility and strong currents hinder landings. Encountering organized enemy resistance on Biak. Japanese entrenched in caves.

• 19:54: 8,000 Japanese killed on Biak. End of the Biak campaign.

• 20:16: General MacArthur’s secret plans for clearing the southern Philippines. Landing on Palawan Island on February 28, 1945.

• 20:46: Enemy withdrawal into the hills. Bombers and artillery target Japanese positions.

• 20:56: Mission accomplished. General MacArthur’s deception strategy. First landings on Mindanao on March 10, 1945.

• 21:38: Objective to seize the airstrip northwest of Zamboanga City. Series of successful landings and deployment to secure eastern Mindanao.

• 22:56: Liberation of the southern Philippines. Atomic bomb on Nagasaki; Japan surrenders.

• 23:39: Occupation duty in Honshu, Japan. Deactivation on Dec. 31, 1945. Soldiers return home with pride.

24:45: Weapons used by the combat infantryman. Introduction of the M1 rifle, Browning Automatic Rifle, light machine gun, heavy machine gun. The 60mm mortar.

• 25:42: Introduction of the 81mm mortar. The 4.2-inch mortar, 57mm recoilless rifle, bazooka.

• 26:30: 3.5-inch rocket launcher, grenades and demolitions. Emphasis on the rifle as the primary weapon.

• 27:18: End

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com