This U.S. Navy film presents the history of USMC Marine amphibious operations and explains the development of the Navy’s amphibious doctrine as well as its use in vertical assaults. It also shows a large scale Atlantic Fleet exercise, probably conducted in Puerto Rico / Vieques. It opens with amphibious landing craft unloading from transport vessels including USS Fort Mandan (LSD-21) (:26) as well as a point of view shot from aboard a Landing Craft Infantry or LCI. A fleet of landing crafts and Naval vessels circle near a shoreline (1:07). Explosions erupt as the fleet fires in support of the landing mission (1:41). The film addresses the multiple times and locations amphibious landing missions had been used such as in Guadalcanal (1:46), in North Africa, Sicily, Iwo Jima and Okinawa (2:34) during WWII. Celebrations are seen in the streets as one pedestrian holds a newspaper with a headline reading “The War is Over” as the Japanese surrendered in 1945 (3:10). Sailors are shown returning home after the war (3:25). After WWII, amphibious landing missions were conducted during the Korean War (3:45), and during the Cuban conflict in 1962 (4:12). In 1965 marines landed in the Dominican Republic (4:20) during the Dominican Civil War. They also were utilized during the Vietnam War (4:37). The White House is pictured in Washington, DC which provides the order to land landing forces (4:57). A sign in Norfolk follows reading ‘Commander Amphibious Force US Atlantic Fleet’ (5:07) as these forces must be prepared at all times for beach invasions. Many men and equipment go into these missions and planners are seen in a briefing room (6:15). A montage of other men who partake in the actions follows including the store keeper, the signalmen (6:29), gunner’s mate, hospital corpsmen (6:32), the ship’s cooks (6:37) mechanics and engineers who service the ship while it is afloat (6:44). The boiler room of the vessel is shown (6:48) as well as a sailor navigating the ship’s course (6:54). Supplies are loaded (7:18). Close up shots show food supplies being loaded aboard ship (7:36). Vehicles (8:21) and tanks (8:26) are loaded for transport on an LCI marked ACU-2, or Assault Craft Unit 2. Various ships which serve the mission are shown including USS York County (LST-1175) (9:15), the attack cargo ship (9:20), the amphibious command ship (9:25), dock landing ship for armored vehicles (9:30), light transports for specialized missions including USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) (9:36), amphibious assault ships (9:41), amphibious transport docks (9:49) and tank landing ships including USS De Soto County (LST-1171) (9:55). Sailors prepare for their missions and bid family members goodbye (10:59). Since WWII, much of the operations are conducted in the same manner though the ships have been upgraded (11:12). Replenishment at sea (12:10). During classroom lectures, seamen learn details of the beach landing missions (12:18). Recreation aboard the vessels are depicted as images of sailors playing records (12:56), pool (13:05) and card games (13:26). At 14:12 an African American sailor salutes as he boards ship. Marines are seen boarding ship (14:25). They may spend anywhere from days to months onboard (14:45). Footage of the mess hall (15:51). The Admiral of the amphibious assault forces is seen aboard the Flagship of the Amphibious Task Force (16:08). Conferences are held to ensure cohesiveness (16:35). The Admiral is then pictured with the Marine General (16:50). Communication lines are maintained between the Flagship and the Pentagon (17:09). A Navy Douglas A-3 Skywarrior reconnaissance aircraft (17:39) takes photographs of the areas chosen for landings prior to the mission. Submarines search the shoreline prior to the landings (17:53). Underwater swimmers, Underwater Demolition Team UDTs or SEALs, seek out mines and other traps (18:01). Intelligence reports are gone over to update the assault plans (18:36). Naval long-range guns begin firing at shoreline installations (18:54). Underwater demolition team UDTs spill out from Higgins boats (19:04) to blow up any mines or barricades (19:27). A whistle is blown and the order is given to land the landing force (19:43). Armored amphibious forces are seen assembling (20:50). Marines prepare to move in (21:01). Other Marines are seen heading for helicopters which are to take them to shore (22:37). Helicopters fly overhead (23:17). The first wave hits the beach and unload (23:37). Landing crafts follow with more men (23:56). The Navy hospital Corpsmen move wounded soldiers (24:49). Helicopters continuously transport men and supplies from ship to shore (25:20). Produced by American Film Productions (27:12).

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