Another Military RG Example

Hi-
Here's another example from AMERICA'S FILM VAULT of the kinds of films located within the National Archives.

Records of the Army Air Forces, RG 18
1912-1945, 6,059 reels
This RG is divided into eight moving image series...but only four of them are included here for your review.

1. MOVING IMAGES RELATING TO MILITARY ACTIVITIES, 1912 -1946, [18] (2757); ten titles.
• Army Airship RS-1 — the first flight of the Army’s largest dirigible at Scott Field, IL; animated diagrams illustrate how the airship is constructed and give its dimensions, 1925.

2. MOTION PICTURE FILMS FROM THE “AIR FORCE PRODUCTION” PROGRAM SERIES, 1942-1944, [18-AF] (2768); 46 titles. This series consists of AAF training films that dramatize the training and experience of personnel in various military capacities and illustrate the design, inspection, maintenance, installation, and operation of equipment. The series also shows flying operations of military aircraft to include the B-17, B-25, P-40, and P-47, among others.
• Introduction to the P-39 — explains the capabilities of the P-39 pursuit plane; demonstrates how it is flown, 1942.
• The Sikorsky Helicopter — Igor Sikorsky traces the development of the helicopter; the VS-300 and the R-4 demonstrate their maneuverability when landing on the ground, water, and on a ship, 1943.
• P-38: Flight Characteristics — normal and emergency operating characteristics of the P-38, 1943.
• Ditching-Before and After; Featuring the C-46 “Commando” — discusses the contents and use of emergency flotation equipment; covers responsibilities of crew members when an airplane is forced into a water landing, 1944.

3. MOTION PICTURE FILMS FROM THE “COMBAT FILM REPORT” PROGRAM SERIES, 1942-1945, [18-C] (2815); 89 titles. This series reports on many specific subjects, such as: the evacuation of wounded, the salvage of a P-40, a smokescreen demonstration, photo reconnaissance, treatment of Japanese POWs before interrogation, and the Casino bombing.
• Evacuation of Wounded by Air — using an Algerian mission, demonstrates proper air evacuation techniques; preparation of transport planes and personnel in Maison Blanche; at El Guerrah, the walking wounded and stretcher cases are put aboard; at Maison Blanche, the patients are transferred to a hospital area, 1942.
• Target System for the Destruction of Axis Oil — the Axis Powers’ petroleum industry as studied by the AAF Bombardment Advisory Commission, 1943.
• Target Planning — describes another study by the AAF’s Bombardment Advisory Commission of Germany’s ball- and roller-bearing industry, 1943.
• Liberandos — chronicles the second major raid against the Ploesti oil fields in Romania, 1943.
• Expansion to Air Power — the growth, between June 1939 and December 1943, of the AAF, 1944.
• Mission to Rabaul, 12 October 1943 — the operations of the 5th Air Force in New Guinea leading to the bombing of Rabaul, New Britain; explains the tactical value of Rabaul, 1944.
• Conquest by Air — covers the various landmark bombing missions of the war in Europe, 1945.
• Lend-Lease Material to Russia Via Iran — traces the routes of Lend-Lease shipments from the U.S. to Iran; ships unloading at Basra, Iraq, and at Koremshar, Iran; large piles of supplies and equipment received; statistics on various shipments; activities at a General Motors assembly plant at Koremshar; a machine shop at Teheran; an airplane assembly field; Russian soldiers check supplies and equipment for shipment to the USSR, 1945.

I hope you are finding this information interesting.
Phil
www.pwstewart.com