1. Peace comes to America (10:46)

Date:
1945
Main contributors:
Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972
Summary:
Asserts that although World War II is over, Americans still have responsibility for their government and veterans of the war. Features appearances by President Harry S. Truman, Secretary of the Treasury Fred M. Vinson, and Ted R. Gamble, national director of the War Finance Division.

2. Remember these faces (17:27)

Date:
1945
Main contributors:
United States. Navy
Summary:
World War II film showing the horror of the Pacific war with extensive coverage of the care and treatment of the wounded. Created in support of the 7th War Loan drive, the film encourages the general public to purchase war bonds to aid the recovery of wounded servicemen.

3. Secrets (07:11)

Date:
1945
Main contributors:
United States. Navy Department
Summary:
Discusses the importance of various secret weapons used throughout World War II, such as radar and the atomic bomb. The film emphasizes the development and use of these weapons as being critical to winning the war, thereby justifying their costs. Ends with a plea to purchase victory bonds to support research that will prevent future wars.

4. Target invisible (08:32)

Date:
1945
Main contributors:
Kennedy, Arthur, 1914-1990
Summary:
Illustrates the use of radar on a bombing mission over Japan, and explains the work of the radar operator in the bomber's crew.

5. The enemy strikes (11:54)

Date:
1945
Main contributors:
United States. War Department
Summary:
Uses captured German footage to show the unexpected Nazi counter-attack at the Battle of Ardennes, begun on December 16, 1944. Extends a plea for the American people to remain in their war-time jobs.

6. Time for sale (02:57)

Date:
1945
Main contributors:
United States. War Finance Division
Summary:
Incorporates footage originally used for the Japanese-produced newsreel, New Philippines News to show the horrible conditions that American prisoners experienced in enemy camps in the Philippines as a way to raise money through the sale of War Bonds.

7. Voyage to recovery (05:09)

Date:
1945
Main contributors:
United States. Navy
Summary:
Wounded Americans, back from battlefields and task forces all over the world gave rise to the Navy's most important postwar mission--get them well and send them home.

8. Watchtower over tomorrow (13:19)

Date:
1945
Main contributors:
Cromwell, John, 1888-1979
Summary:
"Beginning with a prologue by Secretary of State Stettinius, who points out that our Government under the leadership of President Roosevelt has been working to avoid future wars, the film proceeds to depict pictorially the incidents which culminated in the Dumbarton Oaks Conference and the San Francisco meeting and shows one way of avoiding a third World War."--Educational Screen, June, 1945, 248. Opens with footage from the 1936 film "Thing to Come" to warn against the destructive power of weapons in the near future. Presents a fictionalized account of the founding of the United Nations.

10. Battle wreckage (10:09)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Army Pictorial Service
Summary:
Explains why large quantities of war materials, in particular steel, are needed for the war effort. Shows the sea battle and beachhead landing of the Normandy invasion.

11. Pincers on Japan (18:58)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
National Film Board of Canada
Summary:
"Canada's place in the strategy of Pacific warfare is the subject of this wartime film. Convoys, carrying the sinews of war, steam out from her ports, while along her western coast lookouts and patrol boats keep constant vigil. The close cooperation between the United States and Canada in the Pacific is illustrated."--NFB website.

12. RAF & 8th Air Force report from Britain (07:02)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Army Pictorial Service
Summary:
"Includes a report from Britain showing the RAF and the 8th Air Force on a hedgehopping bomber flight over France and Germany, and the 5th Air Force report from New Guinea." ("News and Notes," Educational Screen, June, 1944, 266.) Shows a film clip claiming to be an "Official German Newsreel," with footage of American planes that have been shot down and have crashed onto German soil. Shows how Germans salvage metal from these American aircraft to use for their own war effort and explains that each crashed plane is indicative of loss of soldiers' lives.

13. Silence! (03:15)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Army Pictorial Service
Summary:
Contrasts the silence and wreckage of a battlefield with the noise and action in a war production plant. Advocates buying more war bonds to end World War II more quickly.

14. Survival of the fittest (16:41)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
Grashin, Mauri
Summary:
Shows the function of the physical training program of the Army Air Forces during World War II. Starts by celebrating the exploits of Army Air Force war heroes. The main story is a fictional story about two American fighter pilots who are forced to parachute from disabled planes. The uninjured man brings his wounded comrade through water and knee-deep marshlands to safety. The excellent physical condition of both men is presented as largely responsible for their survival. Includes footage of Army Air Force soldiers engaging in physical exercise.

15. Target Berlin (17:14)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
Borneman, Ernest, 1915-
Summary:
"The story of the Lancaster airplane, the first large bomber built in Canada. Shown are the workers involved in its construction, and the crew who ferried it overseas, as well as the combat crew who took it on its first flight over Berlin."--National Film Board of Canada website.

16. The case of the tremendous trifle (20:01)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Army. Signal Corps
Summary:
Shows to the men and women of American industry the vital importance to the war effort of all the little parts that they are making. Discusses the importance of ball bearings to the Nazi war effort and the Allied strategy of crippling the bearings industry. Shows the planning and intelligence gathering that led to the bombing of ball bearing factories in Schweinfurt.

17. The Earthmovers (14:07)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Army. Signal Corps
Summary:
Shows heavy equipment of all types used by the Corps of Engineers and the Seabees during World War II. Describes how the "work power" of military construction units clears beaches of mines, constructs new roads, builds bridges and airstrips, and sets up water purification systems. Contrasts the pre-technological building techniques of China, India, and Africa with the technological might of the U.S. military.

18. The Negro soldier (39:23)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
Capra, Frank, 1897-1991
Summary:
"This War Department enlistment film aims to recruit African Americans in its World War II engagement. The documentary has as its framework a black minister's explanation to his congregation of the reasons they should join the armed forces to fight the Nazis. The viewer sees historical re-enactments of African Americans as valued participants in U.S. armed conflicts dating from the American Revolution. Scenes also detail Black accomplishments in the country's history, with footage of Blacks as they served as judges and school teachers, conducted orchestras, played football, and served the U.S. Army in World War II. Footage is included of Jesse Owens and other Blacks as they competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. "The Negro Soldier" was produced by Frank Capra and directed by Stuart Heisler, with music by Dimitri Tiomkin."--National Archives and Records Administration description.

19. Three cities (10:44)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Office of War Information. Domestic Branch. Bureau of Motion Pictures
Summary:
How workers in three American cities solved wartime living problems in 1944.

20. What makes a battle (13:57)

Date:
1944
Main contributors:
United States. Army Pictorial Service
Summary:
Warning: contains graphic footage. Shows the planning and execution of the invasion of the Marshall Islands by the combined U.S. armed forces during World War II. Starts with praise for the American people for their efforts at building military machinery to be used in the war in the Pacific. Includes combat footage from the American assault on the Marshall Islands.