“Tarawa”, “The News Parade”, “Allied Chiefs Meet! In Egypt and Persia”, “In Cairo, President and Prime Minister meet with China’s Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek”, 27/47
“This is a silent news film compilation of World War II footage from November-December, 1943 (Castle Films # 147), depicting battles between the American and Japanese forces in the South Pacific and Allied diplomatic conferences in Cairo and Tehran. Intertitles are as follows: -Allied Chiefs Meet! In Egypt and Persia! -In Cairo, President [Franklin D. Roosevelt] and Prime Minister [Winston Churchill] meet with China’s Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek! -Japan’s fate is planned! -Teheran, Iran (Persia) Russia’s Premier Marshall [Joseph] Stalin arrives – —to join Roosevelt and Churchill. Future attacks against Hitler are planned! -President Roosevelt introduces Sarah Churchill Oliver to Stalin! – Churchill presents “The Sword of Stalingrad” to Stalin! -U.S. Marines Capture Tarawa! -U.S. ships laden with Marines steam toward Gilbert Islands! -Prayers before battle! -An enemy U-boat is blasted! -U.S. warships unleash a tremendous pre-landing bombardment! -First wave of Marines starts for the hostile shore! -1,500 tons of shell-fire rake the island! -Marines press on – toward submerged coral reefs! -Our Marines, forced to wade ashore, are perfect targets for enemy snipers! -Jap pill-boxes are blasted! -A flame-thrower goes into action! -Reenforcements! (sic) -On the 2nd day, the battle reaches its firey (sic) heights! -U.S. Marines stalk a Jap concealed entrenchment! -The Battle rages for 3 days and nights! -Crossfire sweeps the island like a hurricane! -Frightened Japs rush right into the gunfire of our leathernecks! -Admiral [Harry W.] Hill and Major Gen. [Holland] Smith who led the attack! -A Marine comforts the only surviving native! -Tarawa is won – but the record is grim – 3,883 U.S. casualties! -Lieut. Col. [Arnold] Johnston hails his battle-scarred Marines! -The U.S. Marines again raise “Old Glory”! -True to the traditions of their Corps and their Country!”
