In this 1957 episode of The Big Picture, “King Of Battle” (TV-356), viewers are treated to a history of American artillery. The episode opens with shots of artillery guns firing (00:20) and Sikorksy H-19 Chickasaw helicopters landing. Sergeant Stuart Queen (00:58) addresses viewers from his office, introducing the episode on American field artillery. Artillery fires at night. U.S. troops and tanks move across various terrains. A communications network passes along a platoon’s request for artillery support (02:29). The history of American artillery dates back to the Revolutionary War. An image of a cannon from 1776 (03:05) shows the first American artillery; the episode then features a reenactment of the Battle of Bunker Hill (03:27). Images of Civil War-era artillery (03:55) show the next phase in the heavy guns, and another reenactment—this time of Gettysburg—wraps up the 19th century. The episode presents various shots of World War I artillery (04:30). Allied commanders call to field support, ordering artillery attacks. There are scenes of trench warfare and the problems facing moving artillery. Tractors and horses move heavy guns (05:47) before giving way to large trucks (06:37). But transport is still difficult because of the huge proportions of heavy artillery guns. On 1 November 1918, Allied soldiers rush across no-man’s land (07:11) as part of the Meuse-Argonne offensive, aided by artillery. There are more shots of various artillery guns, including a 16mm gun. The destruction from artillery is devastating: fields and towns are left in ruin (07:58). Artillery fire caused most of the casualties in WWI (about 70%, according to the film). U.S. soldiers return from Europe (08:58) to parades. Peacetime doesn’t last long as Adolf Hitler (09:22) and the Nazis threaten Europe. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the first peace-time draft bill (09:31). Men enlist and train for war. The bombing of Pearl Harbor (10:07) pushes the U.S. into war. In the Pacific, U.S. troops fight Japanese forces, invading islands (11:03) and fighting in dense jungle terrain. Men fire mortar rounds. The movement of artillery is extremely difficult in this type of terrain (12:15). However, artillery is highly effective against the Banzai Charge of the Japanese (12:33). U.S. soldiers rush Japanese positions, firing artillery and machine guns. In North Africa (14:14), a different kind of terrain requires different tactics, including airstrikes. Hill 609 is pounded by U.S. artillery (14:40), forcing the Germans to surrender. A liberated Tunis rejoices. In Anzio, Italy, Allied forces advance with the support of artillery (15:38). Artillery pounds the German stronghold of Casino (16:00), which is then bombed by U.S. planes. Mass rocket power (rocket batteries—16:40) are used for the first time against the Nazis. The episode shows scenes of destruction from artillery use. During the Korean War, the same artillery is used, but the techniques improve. An artillery unit receives request to provide Charlie Company with artillery support (18:11); coordinates are given and artillery fire begins, enabling the men of Charlie Company to secure the hill. Scenes of used artillery shell dumps (19:25) show the importance artillery plays in the Korean War. A H-19 air-delivers artillery ammunition (19:41). Artillery guns fire at distant positions (20:18). A battery commander is ordered to move to a new position, so his unit moves the artillery gun into an open field and breaks the gun down into pieces (21:00) for transport via helicopter (21:58). The mobile, self-propelled 90mm gun (22:42) is light, fast, and can be transported by air. A 280mm canon (23:22) is moved with its twin tractor units. Men load the canon (23:39) and deliver a massive payload. Small rockets from WWII are used as well; a corporal missile (24:43) is positioned and then fired, reminding viewers that artillery is truly the “King of Battle.”
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