This 1945 film “Appointment in Tokyo” is a report on the U.S. campaign in the Pacific. It was produced by the Signal Corps (1:31). Some material was taken from captured official Japanese newsreels (1:49). The scene opens in the Philippines (:46). On May 5th, 1942 Japanese forces took Corregidor, the last bastion of American power in the islands (1:58). Gen. Jonathan Wainwright (2:02) is pictured across from Masaharu Homma (2:06). The U.. flag is replaced by the Japanese Imperial flag as Bataan surrendered in 1942 (2:26). Mariveles, in the province of Bataan, where prisoners were held after the Bataan Death March (2:40). Japanese forces move towards Malay, Borneo and New Guinea while creating an open route to invasion of Australia (3:16). General Macarthur’s 500 fighting planes were up against nearly 3,000 Japanese planes (3:30). US forces only consisted of 11 fully equipped divisions (3:33). The US industry machine went into full swing churning out necessities for war (4:02). Shots show assembly line workers wheeling out carts of artillery (4:09). Shortages existed due to most of the supplies being sent to Europe. A supply line to the Pacific is secured by the Navy’s victories at Guadalcanal and Solomon Islands (4:35). On March 2nd, 1943 (5:13) a Japanese convoy moved for the Bismarck Sea as General George Kenney’s 5th Air Force (5:18) laid a heavy attack. The convoy is hit (5:41) and this moment became the turning point for the Pacific War. Douglas MacArthur and Chester Nimitz are pictured (6:08). They wanted to make two routes back towards the Philippines, one from Hawaii (6:20) and another from Australia (6:23). Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber (6:59). An amphibious assault (7:14) as men storm the beaches. US forces landed on Admiralty Island (7:40) as the Japanese forces sat at Wewak (7:47). U.S. forces surprised Hollandia (7:49). From here the main target was the Philippines (8:19). Expanse of dead Japanese left in wake of battle (8:28). U.S. soldiers kneel respectfully next to casualties (8:41). Admiral Nimitz meets with military officials in Hawaii (8:56). Bombers take off from carrier decks (9:06). Westmoreland and Nimitz are pictured (9:30). Troops rush from Amtrak’s to the shore (9:32). From Hawaii, forces went to Gilbert (9:41), Marshall and the Marianas Islands. Palau and Morotai (9:58) completed the ‘bridge to the Pacific’. A combat convoy from Pearl Harbor (10:22) in early October of 1944, moved towards a strike on the enemy stronghold. Nimitz directs the final target to be the Philippians (11:12). The Chaplain delivers a service to the men aboard ship (12:22). Soldiers ready themselves by shaving, packing bags and writing letters home (13:46). Long range gun mounts are adjusted (15:22) as the sun sets and mission nears. On October 20th, 1944, MacArthur’s troops return (15:51) to the Philippines as guns begin firing (16:11). The assault waves near the shore (16:39). The Japanese General Yamashita commanded the opposing forces. Japanese troops fire at Allied forces as they touch sand (17:40). The US flag is raised (18:08). Graphic footage shows the assault waves pushing inland (18:41) and into the jungles (19:11). Grenades and flame throwers (19:49). Japanese surrender (20:47). Douglas MacArthur on the beachhead (20:51). Yamashita sought to protect Leyte. Captured footage shows Japanese fighters arriving in Leyte (21:16). Long range guns fire (21:27). The Imperial Navy arrived (21:45) aiming for Leyte Gulf. The US Navy reacts (22:14) fighting at night for the first engagement (22:14). Heaviest artillery on the ground was positioned to face the sea (22:43). Japanese fighter planes are hit (23:13). US Navy carriers are seen hit and smoking (23:40). Bombers land on unfinished Leyte air strips (23:48). The third engagement followed to the east (24:16). Wreckage and bodies float in the water (24:37). The secured beachhead (24:47). Infantry push farther inland (24:58) slowed by mud (25:21). Wounded soldiers receive treatment (26:12). Filipinos shown living under the Imperial flag (26:57). Photographs are shown of mutilated bodies in hospital beds (27:20). Philippine schools were shut down during the occupation (27:31). A sign orders civilians to salute Japanese Army sentries (27:36). Most crops were harvested for Japanese use (27:45). General George Kenney’s (28:14) forces delivered bombs to Luzon (28:17).

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