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  4. The Air Force Story, Chapter VII: The Air War Starts. 1939-December 7, 1941

Motion Picture MP92-4

The Air Force Story, Chapter VII: The Air War Starts. 1939-December 7, 1941

Administrative Information

Original Format(s)
Motion Picture
Footage
500 feet
Running Time
13 minutes 53 seconds
Film Gauge
16mm
Sound
sound
Color
Black & White
Produced by
United States Air Force
Restrictions
Unrestricted
Description

The film examines the new designs being created by U.S. aircraft companies, lend lease, the U.S. military buildup, and world events during the two years leading up to American entry into World War II.

Date(s)
1953

SD-quality copies of already digitized motion pictures are available for $20, and HD-quality copies of already digitized motion pictures are $50. Copies of motion pictures not already digitized will incur additional costs.

This item does not circulate but reproductions may be purchased.

To request a copy of this item, please contact truman.reference@nara.gov​​​​​​​

Please note that this video belongs to a different video collection than the items available to be borrowed by teachers, from our Education Department.

Moving Image Type
Motion Picture

Shot List

  • Reel 1
     
1:00   Allied military leaders take a closer look at air power and approve the B-12 and B-19 (1939).
1:35   Adolf Hitler orders “lightening war” on Poland; first aerial blitz in the world (September 1, 1939).
3:00   U.S. troop expansion put into operation with volunteers and draftees.
4:36   Mass production of complex military aircraft began after factory conversion (1940).
5:12   Voice of Franklin D. Roosevelt ordering build-up of American troops and weapons.
5:29   New models ready: B-25 Mitchell by North America, B-38 Lightning, B26 Marauder by Martin, B-24 Liberator by Consolidated, B-39 Airtober by Bell and Kitty Hawk by Curtis.
6:11   German forces attack Denmark, Norway and Belgium by air wars as it advances toward France.
6:43   Paris surrenders to Germany (June 22nd).
7:12   Invasion of Britain.
8:43   Transfer of 50 over-age American destroyers to Britain for leases to rights in order to establish air and naval bases in Newfoundland and Caribbean.
9:34   Col William E. Kepner and Col. E. W. Duncan mentioned: simulations of actual war conditions made.
10:26   Honolulu alerted and B-17’s sent to Islands (December 6, 1941).
11:05   Japanese task force also heading for Honolulu, Hawaii for surprise attack at Pearl Harbor and Hickam Field.