WINGED VICTORY ON FOOT profiles the famed 43rd Infantry Division, which was a formation of the United States Army from 1925 to 1967. It served in the Pacific during World War II. It was activated on 21 March 1925 as a New England National Guard Division in Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The 143rd Area Support Group of the Connecticut National Guard now carries on the heritage.
The film features footage of induction at 1:44, with troops receiving clothes. At the 1:58 mark, troops are seen training with rubber weapons with trucks standing in for tanks. The film traces the deployment of the unit to New Caledonia as a strategic reserve force. At 5:00, the landing on Rendova is shown, and then Munda. At 8:11, the landing at Atapi, New Guinea is shown in 1944. Xmas ceremonies in 1944 are shown at 9:35. At 9:46 the invasion of the Philippines is shown, with the 43rd striking at Luzon. The division swept towards the Ipo Dam, seen captured intact at 12 minutes. At 12:51, the voyage home for the Division is seen, back through the Golden Gate Bridge — 3 years older, 3 years wiser, and missing many buddies. A welcome home in San Francisco is seen at the 13 minute mark with a huge parade.
The 43rd Infantry Division was first activated in 1923, with the division headquarters in Hartford, Connecticut. The 43rd Division consisted of two infantry brigades, the 85th in Connecticut, and the 86th in Vermont. The 85th Brigade included the 102nd and 169th Infantry Regiments, both based in Connecticut. The 86th Brigade was made up of the 172nd Infantry Regiment in Vermont and the 103rd Infantry Regiment in Maine. In addition, the 68th Field Artillery Brigade was based in Providence, Rhode Island.
World War II timeline:
Activated: 24 February 1941.
Overseas: 1 October 1942.
Campaigns: New Guinea, Northern Solomons, Luzon.
Presidential Unit Citations: 4 Infantry Battalions (Luzon).
Personal Awards: MH-2 ; DSC-40 ; DSM-2 ; SS-736 ; LM-53; SM-51 ; BSM-2,496 ; AM-27.
Commanders: Maj. Gen. Morris B. Payne (February–August 1941), Maj. Gen. John H. Hester (8 October 1941]-July 1943), Maj. Gen. John R. Hodge (July 1943 to August 1943), Maj. Gen. Leonard F. Wing (August 1943 to inactivation).
Returned to U.S.: 19 October 1945.
Inactivated: 26 October 1945.
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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
