This black and white film, Combat Bombing, was filmed as a restricted film in the mid 1940’s and was an official training film for the War Department (which was dissolved September, 1947). Its number was T.F. 1-3466. The film describes and shows actual footage of the various types of bombs used in World War II and emphasizes how the personal are to hit the targets given to them. The film was produced by the First Motion Picture Unit of the Army Air Forces unit. This unit produced film during WWII from July 1942-December 1945 for the Department of War.
The film opens with the words “This film is Restricted” (0:07-0:12) followed by the words “Official Training Film, T.F. 1-3466, War Department (0:14-0:17). The film opens showing a roomful of pilots being briefed (0:39-0:51). It then shows the loading of bombs on a bomber (0:52-1:10). Martin B-26 Marauder (built from 1941 to 1945) taking flight (1:12-1:22). A North American B-25 Mitchell introduced in 1941 (1:23-1:25), a Consolidated B-24 Liberator produced for 1940-1945 (1:26-1:27), a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress produced from 1936-1945 (1:28-1:29), or a Boeing B-29 Superfortress produced from 1943-1946, all ready for war (1:30-1:33). A view of bombs being dropped from an aircraft (1:47-1:54). A view of Demolition Bombs being dropped on installations (1:56-2:06) and their results (2:07-2:20). Bombs are fused for delay in low flight situations (2:21-2:40). A demonstration of Frag Bombs, or Fragmentation weaponry, which was filled with iron pellets and broken porcelain (2:42-3:35). Parachutes can be added to make Parafrag Bombs (3:36-4:05). Demonstration of Incendiary Bombs designed to start fires (4:07-4:39). Gel Bombs, or Napalm, use a mixture of a gelling agent and petrol in this type of Incendiary Bombs (4:39-5:20). Pathfinder bombs or smoke bombs (5:21-5:53). To use these bombs you need to: 1. Come in at a low level (5:54-6:55), 2. Come in at a high level (6:56-7:44), 3. Know your enemy, his planes, and your target area (7:45-8:48), 4. Deliver your bombs to the right target (8:49-9:15). Some bomb targets (9:15-11:56). Target misses (9:27-9:41). Moving targets (10:32-10:49). Close-up of results of the bombings (11:56-15:06). Aerial view of bombs hitting a ship from 16,000 feet above (15:07-15:52). Planes flying low over unknown land areas among frag and smoke bombs to drop their Incendiary Bombs (15:53-17:05). Views of targets on fire (17:06-17:27).
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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
