OUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

Year Published: 1930s

Format: 16mm

Description: "Our First Line of Defense" (c.mid 1930s) is a silent, black and white promo film for the United States Navy. Produced by Leslie Winik for the United States Navy, the film underscores the might of the United States Navy and offers a behind the scenes look at how the Navy operates from recruitment to training. This film likely takes place in the mid-1930s on the cusp of World War II based on the planes, battleships, and armament featured throughout. The film offers excellent footage of various battleships, destroyers, and aircraft carriers - some of which were destroyed at Pearl Harbor and others during fierce battles in the Pacific during WWII. Opening credits, title page (0:08). Dedication statement (0:25). Various shots of what appears to be battleship USS Missouri traveling in open waters (0:39). Wide shot of fleet of United States naval vessels (0:58). Shot of door with label that reads "Navy Recruiting Station," young man wearing suit opens the door (1:05). Induction into service. Doctor wearing white surgical gown conducts physical exam on young recruit, "ACCEPTED" is then written at the top of the young man’s enlistment form (1:20). Induction process: young man stands beside Navy officer in front of a hanging American Flag, two men shake hands after swearing allegiance to God, flag, country (1:36). United States Naval Training Station: Cadets wearing white uniforms march along lawn of a naval academy with rifles over shoulder, others march as part of Navy marching band/ as flag bearers (1:52). Battle maneuver training: perhaps USS Idaho among other battleships; white water in the wake of the ships’ paths (2:38). Fleet practices going radio silent to conceal position and only use silent means of communication; Cadets in cockpit of boat angle large searchlight, use binoculars to look out at the sea (2:59). Perhaps USS Lexington (CV-2) or identical sister ship USS Saratoga (CV-3) - USS Lexington and USS Saratoga, were used to develop and refine carrier tactics in a series of annual exercises before World War II (3:27). Fleet of Naval Aircraft Factory N3N or Vought FU planes’ propellers begin to rotate, warm up before take off for training exercise (3:40). POV from inside one of the airborne planes; Drill seeks to train Navy men to scan skies for the "enemy" (4:18). During drill "enemy" is sighted, cadets raise signal flags (4:38). Planes launched from ship to spot submarines: Curtiss SOC Seagull planes fly above water - this plane was an American single-engined scout observation seaplane that served on battleships and cruisers in a seaplane configuration (5:12). Close-up of cadet playing sound signaling "battle stations" on trumpet; Montage clips of cadets running to various stations on ship to get into battle position (5:41). Some cadets climb up iron staircase to reach control tower where they direct artillery (6:39). Battle ships lead charge; USS Case (DD-370) and other battleships speeding through waters, smoke billowing out of funnel (6:56). Launch of perhaps American 21-inch torpedo from 12 x 21 inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes at close range (7:17). USS Phelps (DD-360) (7:30). Torpedoes brought to upper deck of USN aircraft carrier; Martin T4M planes prepare for takeoff; Montage shots of aircrafts as they drop torpedo into waters (7:36). "Commence Firing" order given; montage shots of cadets loading 2000 pound projectiles, armaments into barrels of various caliber guns (8:34). "Cease Fire" command given; USS Oklahoma or possibly USS Arizona battleship (10:44). U.S. Navy planes fly over vanguard in Vic formation, show of aerobatics (11:08). Civilians look from shore as perhaps USS Wasmuth (DD-338/DMS-15) passes by in harbor (11:46). Navy officers arrive on shore; Crowd of loved ones and family members passionately embrace sailors (11:52). Closing credits (12:25).

Complete Record: