This Film Communique Fifth Issue consists of several segments. The first, P-47s Come to Town, shows the arrival of American P-47 Thunderbolts in the European Theater, their assembly and combat role. The second, titled Two Million Dollar Hill, showing combat in Italy, with mules and men being used to deliver supplies to front line troops fighting German troops. The omnipresent mud makes it slow going. An animated short “A Few Quick Facts” shows the work of the Air Transport Command, how the Free Chinese forces are paid, growth of the U.S. Navy fleet during the war, and more. The “Quick Facts” series were animated by a number of different cartoonists during the war including members of the Warner Brothers and Disney staffs. “Hawaiian Jungle training” shows the use of Hawaii’s Jungle Training Center where Marines and Army troops are familiarized with jungle conditions. The bulletin ends with the solemn “Bloody Tarawa” showing the horrific battle for that island fought by U.S. Marines.
A series of incentive films reporting on the accomplishments of American armed forces around the world. Most issues were compilations of several short subjects compiled from combat film unit footage, animated “Quick Facts” or “Private Snafu” segments. Intended for non-theatrical screenings at war-industry factories, each film emphasized the essential role played by civilian war-workers in supplying the soldiers in battle on-screen.
A wartime advertisement for Eastman Kodak film claimed “production depends on workers’ enthusiasm. Thrilling movies of our weapons in action spur workers to greater effort. In these incentive films they can see their tanks, their planes, their guns blaze into action on the fighting fronts … the final test of their handiwork”
Many of the segments are intended to reassure civilian factory workers of the military’s effort to salvage and repair their handiwork after destruction in battle. 15th Air Force Report in the Ninth Issue, 5th Air Force Report From New Guinea in the Eighth Issue, and Yankee Rope Trick in the Sixth Issue all profile the resourcefulness of mechanics and technicians in the field salvaging and repairing damaged equipment.
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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
