In The Air Force Story’s “Chapter XVI: Maximum Effort, October 9, 1943” (SFP 263-16), viewers see how a coordinated attack on multiple German targets (Marienberg, Anklam, Gdynia, and Danzig) is carried out by several divisions of the U.S. Air Force. The film begins with shots of the B-17s and B-24s of the 8th Air Force Bomber Command in England. General Frederick Anderson briefs the Operations Command personnel on the upcoming mission (01:44). Anderson and his officers look at maps and weather forecasts; soldiers send out the field orders (03:38). General Bob Williams of the 1st Division reviews his field order (03:59). General Ross Wilson of the 3rd Division reviews plans for his men to attack Marienberg (05:06). Pilots assemble in the briefing room to learn the details of the mission (06:10). General Anderson briefs his pilots (06:45). A consolidated force of B-24 Liberators and B-17 Flying Fortresses fly in formation deep into German territory (08:00). A B-17 fights back against German plane attacks (08:33). B-24s drop their payloads on German targets (08:48). The 8th Fighter Command prepares to depart (09:56); Republic P-47 Thunderbolts take off to escort the returning task forces. The Thunderbolts take off and then fly in formation with the bombers. U.S. troops wait at an airfield to find out how many task force ships will return from the mission (10:35). A B-17, from what appears to be the Marienberg taskforce, returns and lands (11:03). Gunners in a bomber celebrate their return as they taxi to a stop (11:32). The pilots are debriefed on the mission (12:04), while strike photos are processed in a dark room (13:18). B-24s fly in formation (13:40), and the film concludes with P-47s flying in formation as well.

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