U.S. NAVY BLASTS MARSHALL ISLANDS

Duration: 16-si-sd

Year Published: 1942

Creator: Castle Films

Format: 16mm

Sound: Sound

Description: This Castle Films presentation (:09) is a part of the series known as "The Castle Films News Parade", which was sold for the home market during WWII. This short newsreel shows the first offensive action of the Pacific War by the U.S. Navy. On 1 February 1942, USS Enterprise's Task Force 8 raided Kwajalein, Wotje, and Maloelap in the Marshall Islands, sinking three Japanese ships, damaging eight, and destroying numerous airplanes and ground facilities. Enterprise received only minor damage in the Japanese counterattack, as TF 8 retired to Pearl Harbor. (The film claims to show Japanese cruisers and even an aircraft carrier sunk by American forces, but of course this is incorrect.) While Enterprise conducted this raid, sister ship USS Yorktown and Task Force 17 raided the Gilbert Islands. The film opens with footage of troop transports moving westward for the attack on the Marshall Islands (:34). Two troop transports are seen (:42) packed with Marines and supplies. Seamen of the Pacific Fleet lean over the rail of the transport ship (1:06) and transport packs of supplies (1:44). Battle stations are shown being cleared for action (2:23) as long-range guns are tipped upwards (2:29). Vice Admiral William Halsey goes over maps along with two other military officials (2:42) for the attack. A map is provided pointing to the locations of the Marshall and Gilbert Islands (2:50). From within the vessel’s radio room (3:14) a signal is flashed for the men to stand by for their orders. The bridge of the transport ship is then shown (3:18) along with the engine order telegraph (3:24). SBD-3 Dauntless and Douglas Devastator aircraft are seen on the deck of USS Enterprise preparing for take off (3:26). Crew carry machine gun belts over shoulders as they prepare for the mission (3:35). The SBD-3 Dauntless crafts take off (4:04) followed by Curtiss SOC Seagulls (4:45). Long range naval guns fire in support of the aircrafts (5:03). A Japanese cruiser is hit (5:59). According to a title card, in total 16 Japanese warships were sunk and 41 enemy planes were hit, actual numbers were far smaller (6:10). Shoreline installations are left smoking after the naval bombardment (6:45). An enemy bomber is hit (8:13) and crashes into the ocean. Japanese bases and oil tanks on the Marshall Islands are seen burning and in ruins after the attack (9:11). The end (9:58).

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Metadata Source:Educational Film Guide 1946