USAF Story: Air War Against Japan
USAF Story: Air War Against Japan
Produced in 1947 by the Department of the Air Force, this film regards the role the United States Army Air Force (USAAF, U.S.A.A.F.) played in the air assault on Japan, 1944-1945. Excellent, though sanitized, footage of B-29 bombers arriving at Saipan; firebombing raids on Tokyo; the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima; Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri.
USAF Story: Air War Against Japan
Opening titles
USAF Story: Air War Against Japan
Air to air shots of three US B-29 Superfortress bomber planes in flight, en route to American base in Saipan. CUs white male pilots, co-pilots; air to air shot of landing gear being lowered. Panning LS B-29 Superfortress coming in for landing; panning LS B-29 dubbed "Joltin Josie" ("The Pacific Pioneer") landing at Isley Field in Saipan. B-29 Superfortress bombers landing, taxiing at U.S. air base in Saipan. Pilots U.S. General Haywood Hansell and US Major Jack Catton deplaning, greeting fellow soldiers; MS/CUs other B-29 crew members deplaning, being greeted by comrades; MSs Gen. Haywood Hansell standing on tarmac, speaking microphone: "Well, the first element of the 21st Bomber Command has arrived. When we've done some more fighting, we'll do some more sorting."
USAF Story: Air War Against Japan
Aerial shot of several U.S. B-29 Superfortress bomber planes parked on circular hardstands at U.S. air bases in South Pacific, probably Saipan. TLS military trucks (lorries) driving along tropical dirt road. LS/TLSs U.S. bombers of the 73rd Bombardment Wing being loaded, armed. TLS Jeep pulling into Headquarters of 21st Bomber Command, driving on rough bumpy dirt road. US Army officers, including US Major General Curtis LeMay (Curtis E. LeMay, here seated at table and smoking a fat cigar), in planning meeting, reviewing map on wall; MS/CUs General LeMay standing, pointing to Japan on map.
USAF Story: Air War Against Japan
Spinning propellers of B-29 Superfortress bomber planes idling on runway. Several B-29 Superfortress bombers taxiing on runway; rear view TLS military chaplain standing in FG, slowly making the sign of the Cross to a passing bomber; great over the shoulder MS bombardier or gunner in bomber pit during take-off; panning LS/TLSs massive U.S. B-29 Superfortress bomber planes taking off. MS chaplain standing near runway, signing the Cross, blessing the departing planes.
USAF Story: Air War Against Japan
Air to air shots of numerous U.S. B-29 Superfortress bomber planes in flight over ocean, en route to firebomb mission on Japanese mainland. U.S. Army pilots, navigators working during flight. Gunners and bombardiers relaxing, smoking cigarettes and talking during flight to Japan. Gunners taking gunnery turret positions, arming central fire control system weapons before engaging the enemy. Excellent aerial combat, U.S. B-29 bombers engaging Japanese Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu "Nick" fighter planes, .50 cal machine guns firing, unloading upon the overwhelmed Japanese fighters. Excellent aerial shot of Mt. Fuji (Mount Fuji) shrouded in clouds; air to air shot of B-29 bomber in flight, Mt. Fuji in BG; more excellent aerial combat footage, U.S. airmen manning weapons in bubble turrets, engaging the enemy. Extreme aerial shot of Tokyo, Japan. Excellent aerial shots of bombers releasing massive amounts of bombs; air to air shots of B-29s releasing payload of bombs; aerials of bombs falling, exploding on ground.
USAF Story: Air War Against Japan
Spectacular aerial shots of nighttime firebombing raid on Tokyo, Japan, by U.S. Army Air Force bombers, a literal firestorm of explosions and raging fires, the city ablaze and being torn asunder.
USAF Story: Air War Against Japan
Daytime aerial shots of wanton destruction and devastation wreaked upon Tokyo by U.S. firebomb raids; smoke, flames, burning oil refinery, industrial plants, thick black smoke flooding the sky. Aerial shots of firebombing aftermath, day; massive destruction, entire towns simply leveled, destroyed, annihilated.
USAF Story: Air War Against Japan
Low angle LS lone U.S. B-29 Superfortress bomber plane (allegedly the Enola Gay on her fateful run) flying over camera. Over the shoulder MSs bombardier during flight. Air to air shot of bomber bay door slowly opening during flight. Aerial shot of atomic bomb blast, burgeoning mushroom cloud on Hiroshima, Japan, as viewed from the Enola Gay. LSs atomic blast, mushroom cloud (neither Hiroshima or Nagasaki). Air to air shot of lone B-29 Superfortress bomber flying amongst puffy clouds.
USAF Story: Air War Against Japan
Japan formally surrenders to Allied forces: LS USS Missouri. U.S. General Douglas MacArthur (Douglas A. MacArthur) reading statement, Allied military officers standing in background. U.S. Navy officers standing at attention on deck during surrender ceremony. Japanese military and political dignitaries standing at attention on deck; high angle TLS Japanese diplomat signing document, General MacArthur and Lt. General Jonathan Wainwright watching.
USAF Story: Air War Against Japan
Low angle LSs numerous U.S. fighter planes in flight. LS numerous U.S. B-29 bomber planes in flight, flying over camera. Excellent air to air shots of several U.S. fighter planes (either P-47 Thunderbolts or F-6 Hellcats) in flight. Air to air shots of several B-29 Superfortress bomber planes in flight. Nice air to air shot of three B-25 Mitchell bombers in flight over scenic clouds. Air to air of five B-29s in flight.
USAF Story: Air War Against Japan
Closing credits.