This black-and-white World War II-era film takes a look at combat conditions on the ground and in the air during WWII. The film has a cold open, with a narrator detailing conditions suffered by both Allied and Axis forces, but by mark 02:30 delves into the role of air power during the war and how it supports ground troops. Between World War I and World War II, we are told, the relationship between air power and land power was unclear. By the 1940s, Allied forced realized air power can weaken any positions and his ability to fight, as we see an aerial view of bombing raids at mark 02:45. Fighters are also useful tools, an at mark 04:00 we see squadrons in flight. “Fighters can make it possible for you to enter the enemy’s air, and make it prohibitively costly for him to enter your air,” explains the narrator.
The discussion turns to the strategic air force at mark 05:20, as we are told how its primarily mission is to paralyze and disarm the enemy, as a map of Germany fills the screen. This is accomplished primarily by bomber crews, and only after a thorough study of German industrial areas, as well as a review of date gathered during reconnaissance missions. By mark 08:45, film takes a look at German still production for the civilian and industrial markets as well as for weapons production. In destroying steel manufacturing and other areas such as ball-bearing plants, German defenses are further weakened. Mark 10:52 takes a look at the tactical air force, and its offensive actions coordinated with ground troops. By gaining air superiority, isolating the battlefield, and joining in combat with ground troops, the enemy can be further neutralized, we are told. The film continues by discussing additional roles served by the air forces in a theater, before again turning attention to the specific role of a tactical air force at mark 15:20, including reconnaissance and fighter aviation. The success of any land-based operation, we are again reminded at mark 22:05, relies heavily on how long it takes the air force to complete its job of neutralizing targets.
Following the lengthy discussions, the film turns to how such operations were put into effect at El Alamein, beginning at mark 26:09. Following a discussion of the fall of France and North Africa in 1940, the film spends nearly 20 minutes discussing how Allied forces battled Axis forces in the Mediterranean Sea before finally claiming victory at El Alamein in 1942.
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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, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
