War Films : What War Films Have You Seen? 2016 Edition.

War TV: NAVY LOG: "Rock Breaks Scissors"1956

CONTAINS SPOILERS

NAVY LOG: "Rock Breaks Scissors"1956

NAVY LOG was a series that ran from 1955 to 1958. It was an anthology series based on real stories and exploits of the U.S. Navy during WW2, The Korean War and the then current, Cold War. The series ran for a total of 102 episodes. The series features plenty of just unclassified footage of various naval actions etc. The Navy was more than happy to help with tech and film footage.

This particular episode is the 32nd episode of the series.

This episode is set during the Korean War. An American destroyer is assigned lifeguard duty off the North Korean coast. The destroyer's job is to rescue any Navy airmen who might need to ditch in the area. Needless to say a Navy flyer is hit by flak and crash lands just off the coast. The problem here is that in order to reach the pilot, the ship will need to go through mined waters.

The destroyer's Captain, James Seay needs to decide if risking the ship and crew is worth one pilot. Of course the Captain decides to enter the bay and attempt a rescue. The destroyer makes it through the mines and pulls in the badly burnt pilot.

Also in the cast is, Joey Forman, Robert Carson, Ray Gordon and Robert Keys.

ALFA TAU! 1942 Italian Submarine Action

CONTAINS SPOILERS

ALFA TAU! 1942

This one is an Italian war film made during the Italian involvement in World War Two. The Italians, like all the other combatants knocked out flag-wavers for the home front. This one is about the crew of the Italian submarine, "Enrico Toti".

The film starts out in port and deals mainly with the everyday life of the various officers and crew of the submarine. We see the crew go through training and having a glass or two after hours. We get to see the lives of their women folk and their families as well. There is also the odd British air-raid to break up the routine. This goes on for a good two thirds of the film.

When the "Enrico Toti" finally goes to sea, the pace really bumps up a couple of notches. There is a run in with several British torpedo aircraft. (actually Italian SM- 79 Sparrow bombers) The sub is hit by one of the torpedoes but the torpedo luckily is a dud. The crew manage to down one of the British aircraft with their anti-aircraft fire.

There is now a hook up with a German U-Boat for the transfer of a wounded man to the Germans. The submarine is then sent to help the crew of a damaged Italian Air Force tri-motor floatplane. They help repair the aircraft and see it off.

Now comes the defining moment for the "Enrico Toti" The submarine becomes involved with a British Royal Navy submarine. Both ships are on the surface and are quickly barking at each other with their deck guns. The range rapidly closes as the two ships try to nail the other with a torpedo. The Italian anti-aircraft weaponry chases the British submarine's gun crew below decks. The main deck gun then manages to put several rounds into the Royal Navy submarine, sinking her. The "Enrico Toti" now returns to home port for repairs and to drop their wounded.

The battle depicted in the film actually happened. The "Enrico Toti" and HMS "Triad" ran into each other at dawn on 15th October, 1940, in the Gulf of Taranto. HMS "Triad" was the only Royal Navy submarine lost to an Italian submarine. There were no survivors from the "Triad".

The "Enrico Toti" spent most of the war as a training boat with the odd run to carry supplies to North Africa.

The first part of the film is heavy going, but once the action starts, it turns into a well mounted wartime flag-waver. The cast is made up of mostly Italian Navy submariners.

The film was directed by Francesco De Robertis. This is the second war film from the director that I have seen. The other title was 1952's, CARICA EROICA.

War Tv: THE SILENT SERVICE "The Sea Devil Attacks Puget Sound" 1958

CONTAINS SPOILERS

THE SILENT SERVICE "The Sea Devil Attacks Puget Sound" 1958

This is the 41st episode of the U.S. war series, "The Silent Service". The series was about the exploits of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. Each episode is a stand-alone tale of the actions of a particular submarine. Most of the stories are about actions against the Japanese Navy and merchant fleet in the Pacific. There is also the odd tale from the Korean conflict. The series ran for 78 episodes during 1957 and 1958. The stories were all based on actual events. Some pretty good attention to detail here with the U.S Navy allowing filming on several WW 2 era Gato class subs.

Each episode started and ended with retired Real Admiral Thomas M. Dykers giving a breakdown of the action. Dykers became a writer, producer and technical adviser after leaving the service. He worked on films such as, TORPEDO ALLEY, FLAT TOP, THE FROGMEN, HELL AND HIGH WATER and SUBMARINE COMMAND.

This episode is about the USS "Sea Devil". The episode takes place in September 1951 during the Korean War. The "Sea Devil" has been assigned to test the defences of Puget Sound. There is a real fear that a Soviet submarine could enter the sound and attack Seattle. The "Sea Devil" will need to get by the various ASW aircraft and destroyers guarding the sound.

The Captain of the "Sea Devil", Jim Davis, comes up with a ploy to allow him to sneak by the defenders. He uses a small 3 man fishing boat as cover to shield them from ASW radar and sonar. There are a few close calls but the stunt works. This proves to the Navy that they need to beef up the ASW in the area.

The "Sea Devil" served in World War Two sinking 6 Japanese ships during 5 patrols. She also damaged the Japanese aircraft carrier, "Junyo". The "Sea Devil" was kept in service till November 24th 1964. She was expended as a live target on that date.

War Tv: FLIGHT: Derelict 1958

CONTAINS SPOILERS

FLIGHT “Derelict” 1958

FLIGHT was a military television series that ran on in syndication on U.S. tv during 1958 and 1959. The series had the full cooperation of the US Airforce for the production of the 38 episode run. This is the 12th episode of the production run.

This episode has a Boeing B-47 Stratojet bomber on a transfer flight from the lower 48 to Alaska. The flight goes wrong about 10 minutes from their destination. They experience an electrical fire in the radar wiring. The observer gets his hands badly burnt trying to douse the fire. The B-47 pilot radios base about the problem.

The fire is close to the oxygen lines so the base tells the crew to head out over the sea and jettison. The pilot and co-pilot jettison but the observer’s chute opens while he is still onboard. He is now stuck onboard the aircraft. He tries to radio the base but the set is having difficulties. He can receive signals, but cannot send any.

At the base, the Commanding officer has decided to shoot the plane down. The Air Force cannot take a chance on the aircraft falling into Soviet hands. A flight of fighters is quickly launched and head out over the Bering Sea to shoot down the B-47.

The man onboard of course can hear all this chatter. He does not want to be shot down, so he climbs up into the pilot’s seat. As the fighters close in, the man waggles the wings to show there is someone onboard. The fighters now come closer for a look before firing. The fire by this time has gone out and the bomber circles back to base for a safe landing.

The cast includes, Christopher Dark, William Cassidy, Robert Christopher, Steve Ihnat, Ray Montgomery and Patrick Waltz.

If the viewer is a military aircraft buff, then this series is for you.


War Tv:THE SILENT SERVICE "The Bergall's Revenge" 1958

CONTAINS SPOILERS

THE SILENT SERVICE "The Bergall's Revenge" 1958

This is the 42nd episode of the U.S. war series, "The Silent Service". The series was about the exploits of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. Each episode is a stand-alone tale of the actions of a particular submarine. Most of the stories are about actions against the Japanese Navy and merchant fleet in the Pacific. There is also the odd tale from the Korean conflict. The series ran for 78 episodes during 1957 and 1958. The stories were all based on actual events. Some pretty good attention to detail here with the U.S Navy allowing filming on several WW 2 era Gato class subs.

Each episode started and ended with retired Real Admiral Thomas M. Dykers giving a breakdown of the action. Dykers became a writer, producer and technical adviser after leaving the service. He worked on films such as, TORPEDO ALLEY, FLAT TOP, THE FROGMEN, HELL AND HIGH WATER and SUBMARINE COMMAND.

This episode is about the USS "Bergall". This is the second episode of the series to deal with a patrol of this particular submarine. In this episode, the "Bergall" has been repaired from damage received in its last patrol. It is ready for more action.

The Navy wants to use the "Bergall" to test a new "cutie", a new torpedo that homes in on the sound of Japanese escorts. The catch here is that the submarine must get in close to use the "cutie", they also need to do a down the throat shot against the escorts.

In early 1945 the submarine is sent into the waters off Bali to test the new device. The first week they do not spot any ships. They are however forced under on several occasions by patrolling Japanese aircraft. Finally, they come up on a Japanese patrol craft and go in for a shot. The new torpedo closes on the escort hitting the ship, and sending her to the bottom.

The next night they again find a patrolling escort vessel off Bali. This time however, the torpedo homes in on a group of dolphins turning them into sushi. The escort gives the "Bergall" a dose of depth charges for their trouble. The next attempt at using the "cuties" has two of the torpedoes chase each other around. The submarine does manage to add another escort to their score card before returning to their base in Freemantle, Australia.

The cast includes, Hal Baylor, Pat Hogan, Dennis Cross and Leonard Nimoy.

Check out episode 6 of the series for an earlier patrol of the "Bergall'

War Tv THE SILENT SERVICE "The Unsuccessful Patrol" 1958

CONTAINS SPOILERS

THE SILENT SERVICE "The Unsuccessful Patrol" 1958

This is the 43rd episode of the U.S. war series, "The Silent Service". The series was about the exploits of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. Each episode is a stand-alone tale of the actions of a particular submarine. Most of the stories are about actions against the Japanese Navy and merchant fleet in the Pacific. There is also the odd tale from the Korean conflict. The series ran for 78 episodes during 1957 and 1958. The stories were all based on actual events. Some pretty good attention to detail here with the U.S Navy allowing filming on several WW 2 era Gato class subs.

Each episode started and ended with retired Real Admiral Thomas M. Dykers giving a breakdown of the action. Dykers became a writer, producer and technical adviser after leaving the service. He worked on films such as, TORPEDO ALLEY, FLAT TOP, THE FROGMEN, HELL AND HIGH WATER and SUBMARINE COMMAND.

This episode is about the USS "S-34". This particular submarine was one of the oldest in service in the Navy, having been launched in 1919. By the time WW2 had arrived she was being used for training. After Pearl Harbor, she was refitted and assigned to Dutch Harbor in Alaska.

In early 1942 the Japanese landed troops on two of the Aleutian Islands, Kiska and Attu. "S-34" was sent out on her first patrol on April 15, 1942. This episode is about the 2nd patrol on June 17th, 1942.

The "S-34" is patrolling off Attu Island and sights a large tanker in the harbour. The tanker is topping up a Japanese destroyer. The submarine sneaks past a Japanese patrol boat at the harbour entrance and approaches the tanker. The "S-34" though has the bad luck to ground on an unseen reef.

The "S-34" manages to back off the reef as the Japanese destroyer come charging towards them. "S-34" fires a pair of torpedoes and dives. The tin fish miss and the destroyer is soon on the spot dispensing a less than friendly brace of depth charges. The submarine hits bottom and decides to stay put for a spell. They now hear a hell of a racket coming from the surface. It seems that the Japanese destroyer has grounded on the same reef the "S-34" had hit.

After a 10 hour stay on the bottom, the air in the submarine is starting to get foul. The Captain decides to surface and hotfoot it to the harbour exit. The submarine is successful in their escape and make for Dutch Harbor. The submarine was so badly damaged she was sent to the lower 48 for repairs.

The "S-34" would complete 7 wartime patrols sinking one small cargo ship and several fishing junks. She was taken off active service in July 1943 and used for training the rest of the war. She was sold for scrap in 1946.

The cast is made up of, Robert Knapp, Alan Reed Jr, Hal Smith and Norm Leavitt.

War Tv: THE SILENT SERVICE "The Story of the USS ASPRO" 1958

Contains Spoilers


THE SILENT SERVICE "The Story of the USS ASPRO" 1958

This is the 44th episode of the U.S. war series, "The Silent Service". The series was about the exploits of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. Each episode is a stand-alone tale of the actions of a particular submarine. Most of the stories are about actions against the Japanese Navy and merchant fleet in the Pacific. There is also the odd tale from the Korean conflict. The series ran for 78 episodes during 1957 and 1958. The stories were all based on actual events. Some pretty good attention to detail here with the U.S Navy allowing filming on several WW 2 era Gato class subs.

Each episode started and ended with retired Real Admiral Thomas M. Dykers giving a breakdown of the action. Dykers became a writer, producer and technical adviser after leaving the service. He worked on films such as, TORPEDO ALLEY, FLAT TOP, THE FROGMEN, HELL AND HIGH WATER and SUBMARINE COMMAND.

This episode is about the USS "Aspro". The episode is about the submarine's 7th and last wartime patrol. It is early August 1945 and the "Aspro" is on lifeguard duty off the coast of Japan. The job of submarines on lifeguard duty was to pick downed filers out of the drink.

The "Aspro" is buzzed by a PBY flying boat that radios that there is a downed pilot up ahead. The pilot is in the drink just 5 miles off the Japanese coast. The "Aspro" races to the location at flank speed. This is dangerous because the submarine must be on the surface to rescue the pilot.

Needless to say the Japanese are not going to let this happen without a go at the submarine and the downed pilot. Several Japanese aircraft dive at the submarine to strafe. This forces the "Aspro" to crash dive leaving the pilot at the mercy of the Japanese. The submarine surfaces again and is again forced under. The arrival of a flight of American Hellcat fighters chase off the Japanese for a few minutes.

The "Aspro" surfaces again and heads back to the pilot's position. The Japanese are soon back in force making themselves a pest. The submarine stays on the surface and fights it out. Her gunners manage to down a pair of Japanese aircraft before the pilot is finally brought on board. They dive and head back to base. The A-Bombs are dropped the next week ending the conflict.

The "Aspro" completed 7 patrols sinking 6 Japanese ships including a large I class submarine. The "Aspro" would be kept in service until 1962 when she would be expended as a target off of San Diego. The "Aspro" lives on in film with a large role in the 1959 movie, BATTLE OF THE CORAL SEA with Cliff Robertson.

The cast of the episode include, Ross Elliott, Simon Scott, Ken Mayer and Warren Frost.

WAR TV: THE SILENT SERVICE "The Thresher Story" 1958

CONTAINS SPOILERS

THE SILENT SERVICE "The Thresher Story" 1958

This is the 45th episode of the U.S. war series, "The Silent Service". The series was about the exploits of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. Each episode is a stand-alone tale of the actions of a particular submarine. Most of the stories are about actions against the Japanese Navy and merchant fleet in the Pacific. There is also the odd tale from the Korean conflict. The series ran for 78 episodes during 1957 and 1958. The stories were all based on actual events. Some pretty good attention to detail here with the U.S Navy allowing filming on several WW 2 era Gato class subs.

Each episode started and ended with retired Real Admiral Thomas M. Dykers giving a breakdown of the action. Dykers became a writer, producer and technical adviser after leaving the service. He worked on films such as, TORPEDO ALLEY, FLAT TOP, THE FROGMEN, HELL AND HIGH WATER and SUBMARINE COMMAND.

This episode is about the USS "Thresher". This is the second episode to deal with this particular submarine. This episode deals with the 5th and 6th patrols of the "Thresher". It is September 1942 and the "Thresher" is patrolling in the Gulf of Siam. Her job is to lay one of the first minefields deposited by a U.S. submarine.

On the return trip back to Freemantle Australia, the submarine comes up on a Japanese tanker. The tanker has grounded on a reef and is a sitting duck. The Captain, Donald Buka, decides to surface and dispatch the tanker with the deck gun. The 3 inch deck gun needs over 70 rounds to finally sink the enemy vessel.

Now the "Thresher" damn near sinks herself when there is a runaway torpedo in a tube with a closed outer door. The torpedo damages the outer door and requires a diver to go over the side. The submarine crew just barely gets the "hot" fish out of the tube in time to disarm it. The main torpedo tech, Frank Gorshin, gets a first rate dressing down.

After some repairs in port, the "Thresher is sent on patrol again. While the repairs were happening in Freemantle, the 3 inch gun has been replaced by a massive 5-inch job. On the new patrol the submarine sights a large Japanese ship and fires 5 fish. All 5 are misses or duds.

The "Thresher" surfaces and moves in to try out the new deck gun. The Japanese ship spots the "Thresher" and starts firing at the submarine. The submarine's new gun turns out to have a damaged sight. The gun crew is forced to fire using binoculars and sighting down the barrel. The Japanese vessel turns on the submarine and steams at the "Thresher" to ram. The "Thresher" however manages to get in a few hits and sinks the Japanese ship.

This is a pretty good episode with plenty of deck gun footage being used. The rest of the cast includes, William Bryant, Don Haggerty and Joseph Sargent.

The "Thresher" would complete 14 wartime patrols sinking 17 ships for a total of 66, 000 tons. The "Thresher" was decommissioned in 1947 and sold for scrap the following year.

LAND OF MINE (Under Sadet) 2015

CONTAINS SPOILERS

LAND OF MINE (Under Sadet) 2015

This Danish film is set just after the end of the Second World War. It tells the tale of a little-known bit of post war history. The Danish army garbs up several thousand German prisoners of war and puts them to work clearing mines.

The story follows a tough Danish Sergeant, Roland Moller, who is put in charge of a small detachment of young pow's. The Germans are all young lads of about 16-17 who had been drafted into the army late in the war.

The young men are put through a quick course on dismantling the various types of mines. They are then sent off to various parts of the Danish West coast. The German's had planted close to two million mines on the coast.

Moller puts the Germans lads to work clearing a nearby section of the beach. At night he locks the boys in a barn. The first several days the Germans are not supplied with any food. This of course affects their ability to defuse their quota of mines. One of the lads blows off both his arms off because of fatigue.

Moller might hate the Germans, but this is just murder. He hits a Danish Army base and steals some rations for the Germans. The Germans take all the abuse heaped on them by the Danes and the visiting British officers. Moller starts to rock the boat with his higher ups about this treatment. This just gets Moller in crap with the chain of command.

Several more of the lads are killed and more prisoners are brought in to take their place. Moller reverts back to form when his dog is killed running in a section that was cleared. He has the boys walk over every square foot of the section to make sure no others were missed.

Moller again softens when he returns from a trip to his base. He finds the Germans risking their lives to rescue a local child who had wandered onto an uncleared section. Moller promises the boys that they can all go back home after their section of beach is cleared. After the section is cleared, there is only 4 out of 14 lads left alive. Moller loads the survivors on a truck and wishes them good luck back in Germany.

He then finds out that his swine of a commanding officer, has assigned the 4 kids to work on another section of beach. This results in a heated discussion with the officer. The man tells Moller that as far as he is concerned, the more dead Germans, the better.

Moller, knowing it could cost him his stripes, hunts down the 4 boys at their new posting .Using faked papers he takes custody of the boys and drives them to within 100 yards of the border. He then tells them to hotfoot it for home.

The use of prisoners to do dangerous work was of course against the rules of the Geneva Convention. About half of the 2000 POW's used in clearing the mines were killed or wounded.

As a military history buff, I was surprised I had never heard about this chapter of World War Two.

This powerful film is well worth a watch for those interested in the era. The acting, direction and cinematography are all first rate.

Re: LAND OF MINE (Under Sadet) 2015

sounds promising...I knew demobbed Germans were treated like shyt left out in the weather no shelter inadequate food etc in months after WW2, but I did not know about mine-clearing or mines in Denmark..

Re: What War Films Have You Seen? 2016 Edition.

"20-Juli" 1955.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVrr-wp7Hxs


in case one does not recognize significance of title, 20-July was the go-date of the Staufenberg bomb plot...this was the original "Valkyrie"...some good German WW2 equipment still lying around as props, although generous use is made of archive footage, the airplane he111 Staufenberg is seen commuting in is not the same airplane as we see idling close-up on tarmac..when it revs up it's engines, though, the prop-wash caused the soft-top on the Kubelwagen is almost blown into closed position..

You will have to brush up your German, because there are no subtitles...

Re: What War Films Have You Seen? 2016 Edition.

I have this one on dvd. Good film.

Re: What War Films Have You Seen? 2016 Edition.

CONTAINS SPOILERS

THE SILENT SERVICE "The Thresher Story" 1958

This is the 45th episode of the U.S. war series, "The Silent Service". The series was about the exploits of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. Each episode is a stand-alone tale of the actions of a particular submarine. Most of the stories are about actions against the Japanese Navy and merchant fleet in the Pacific. There is also the odd tale from the Korean conflict. The series ran for 78 episodes during 1957 and 1958. The stories were all based on actual events. Some pretty good attention to detail here with the U.S Navy allowing filming on several WW 2 era Gato class subs.

Each episode started and ended with retired Real Admiral Thomas M. Dykers giving a breakdown of the action. Dykers became a writer, producer and technical adviser after leaving the service. He worked on films such as, TORPEDO ALLEY, FLAT TOP, THE FROGMEN, HELL AND HIGH WATER and SUBMARINE COMMAND.

This episode is about the USS "Thresher". This is the second episode to deal with this particular submarine. This episode deals with the 5th and 6th patrols of the "Thresher". It is September 1942 and the "Thresher" is patrolling in the Gulf of Siam. Her job is to lay one of the first minefields deposited by a U.S. submarine.

On the return trip back to Freemantle Australia, the submarine comes up on a Japanese tanker. The tanker has grounded on a reef and is a sitting duck. The Captain, Donald Buka, decides to surface and dispatch the tanker with the deck gun. The 3 inch deck gun needs over 70 rounds to finally sink the enemy vessel.

Now the "Thresher" damn near sinks herself when there is a runaway torpedo in a tube with a closed outer door. The torpedo damages the outer door and requires a diver to go over the side. The submarine crew just barely gets the "hot" fish out of the tube in time to disarm it. The main torpedo tech, Frank Gorshin, gets a first rate dressing down.

After some repairs in port, the "Thresher is sent on patrol again. While the repairs were happening in Freemantle, the 3 inch gun has been replaced by a massive 5-inch job. On the new patrol the submarine sights a large Japanese ship and fires 5 fish. All 5 are misses or duds.

The "Thresher" surfaces and moves in to try out the new deck gun. The Japanese ship spots the "Thresher" and starts firing at the submarine. The submarine's new gun turns out to have a damaged sight. The gun crew is forced to fire using binoculars and sighting down the barrel. The Japanese vessel turns on the submarine and steams at the "Thresher" to ram. The "Thresher" however manages to get in a few hits and sinks the Japanese ship.

This is a pretty good episode with plenty of deck gun footage being used. The rest of the cast includes, William Bryant, Don Haggerty and Joseph Sargent.

The "Thresher" would complete 14 wartime patrols sinking 17 ships for a total of 66, 000 tons. The "Thresher" was decommissioned in 1947 and sold for scrap the following year.

SKY COMMANDO 1953 Dan Duryea and Mike Connors

CONTAINS SPOILERS

SKY COMMANDO 1953

This quickie was put out by the Sam Katzman's B-Unit at Columbia Pictures.

This one starts at an American airfield during the Korean War. An American pilot, William Bryant, blames his Commanding Officer, Dan Duryea for the death of his brother on a ground support mission. Duryea's executive officer, Michael Fox, takes Bryant aside and tells him a story about Duryea from the WW2. The film now goes into flashback with Fox narrating.

Duryea is charge of a squadron taking reconnaissance photos for missions to be flown by the US 8th Air Force. Duryea is known in the unit as a tough and hard commander, disliked by his men. His personal aircrew hold him responsible for the death of his popular co-pilot during a mission. Joining the crew is a new co-pilot, Mike Connors.

It is now time to introduce the female of the piece, Frances Gifford. Gifford is a war correspondent assigned to do a story on the recon group. Needless to say she falls for the dashing co-pilot, Connors, and the pair are soon an item.

The heavy bombers have just returned from a raid over the heavily defended German city, Bremen. They need someone to do a flight over the city to see if another raid is needed. Duryea and his crew draw the assignment. They are sent off into less than stellar weather conditions to get the pictures.

When they arrive over Bremen, the cloud cover forces their B-25 down low to get their photos. The ship takes a load of anti-aircraft fire and several of the crew are killed. The plane just barely makes it over the channel back to England for a crash landing. The remaining crew including a wounded, Connors, blame Duryea for being reckless and getting their comrades killed.

While Connors is in hospital to recover from his wounds, the unit is shipped off to North Africa. And so is war correspondent, Gifford. Connors follows once the medical repairs heal.

The unit is now switched over to flying B-24 Liberators and assigned to fly on the raid against the Polesti oil fields in Romania. They face heavy Axis resistance and Duryea's aircraft is shot down. The B-24 manages to crash land in Yugoslavia, where the crew is soon grabbed up by the local partisans. Duryea and the boys have valuable photos of the raid high-lighting several oil installations missed in the raid. The surviving crew makes it to the coast, to be whisked away by a partisan fishing boat to safety.

This is not a good film. It has that filmed in a week look to it for a reason. Principal filming only took 8 days. The rest of the production time was spent sewing together the myriad of combat footage used to pad out the run time. The story, if one can call it that, is sub-par at best, even for a Sam Katzman production.

The director, Fred Sears, pumped out close to 50 films during his (1949-1958) career. Quite a lot of it was low rent drivel like this one, but he did turn out a few watchable films such as, WORLD WITHOUT END, UTAH BLAINE, RUMBLE ON THE DOCKS, THE 49th MAN, CELL 2455 DEATH ROW and CHICAGO SYNDICATE.

This was the third film for Mike "Touch" Connors, who after a career in b-fodder, would strike gold with the long running (1967-1975) Private Detective series, MANNIX. It was also the last film for former star, Frances Gifford. One can only guess that Dan Duryea had no idea what he was signing up for when he joined this production.

The stock footage used is all jumbled up and has B-25, B-24, A-20, Stuka, various marks of Me 109, P-40, F-86 and P-80 aircraft being shown. There is even a segment used during the Polesti raid with C-47's transports on screen. The model work is also less than stellar.

Having said all this, it does only have a run time of 69 minutes.
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