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BAPTISM OF FIRE

This notable film "Baptism of Fire" was produced by the US Army Pictorial Services in WWII. It was created as part of the "Fighting Man" series of films, to prepare U.S. Army recruits for the grim business of combat against Axis troops. The film has impressive production values and a highly realistic (for the time) battle sequence. After it was released in 1943, the film was nominated for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards (it was also nominated for an Oscar in 1944). The film's plot surrounds the narrative of a G.I. named Bill; who is played by Elisha Cook Jr. Bill is a green recruit who is new to the front and preparing for his first taste of battle. The film was intended to teach fighting men that by acquiring knowledge, such as how to identify the enemy and learning the basics of how to fight hand to hand, they might reduce their anxiety, and achieve more personal security leading to a higher chance that they will be effective and both survive combat and succeed in the mission. The film opens as the Radio Telephone Operator or RTO spots enemy planes flying in formation (:23). He calls the sighting in and the men are called to action (:43). Whistles blow, soldiers dive into dug outs and ready their weapons for firing (:55). The sergeant receives a call the planes have moved to a different direction (1:12). The young soldier Bill appears (2:02) as he is called for detail. An Army ambulance sits spinning stuck in the mud (2:29). As the men work to free the entrenched vehicle, Jim is recognized by a wounded soldier within the ambulance (3:33). Some of the soldiers drift to sleep against their machine guns en route (5:07) to relieve a squadron. Soldiers discuss the moment with which the battle becomes real and is no longer practice maneuvers (5:42). The group jumps from their transport vehicle to rest (6:48). Jim is instructed not to allow worry of the worst to consume him but to learn as much about the enemy and the situation as he can (7:19). Jim reminisces about home (8:24). He says goodbye to his girl Jane (9:17) at the gate. Men are called back to the vehicle (10:58). Foot soldiers move alongside tanks (12:55) cutting tracks into the dirt. The squadron leader reminds men of the mission noting the enemy position (14:24). Soldiers express anxiety over the quiet; the waiting period prior to the start of a mission (14:50). A whirring sings through the air and a bomb hits the ground throwing dirt as Bill and a comrade duck for cover (15:22). The sound of explosions increase and draw nearer (15:59). The signal is called and the men spring from dug out positions (16:27) into action. Long range guns rip holes in the earth (17:02). A sentry gun blows back (17:12). Fighter planes zoom in (17:30). One after another, German Stuka planes break from formation to dive bomb and strafe, (18:03) as Jim watches from below. Soldiers drop to the ground (18:24). Jim begins to feel more confident in his movements (19:30). A burning man escapes from his tank (20:10). Bill finds Pete as he begins to freeze in his position (20:35). The character Pete; played by Peter Whitney, (20:51) drops his rifle in a panic and runs into Jim and Bill. Jim readies his rifle (22:09) noticing the Nazi soldiers making an error and ‘bunching up’. A fellow combat soldier is hit in the throat (22:48). Jim hesitates to fire at an enemy soldier as a friendly soldier swoops in with a bayonet (23:38) saving the green soldier. Jim recognizes his rifle is smashed (24:20) lying next to a dead man. He snags the dead soldiers rifle and canteen (25:07). He recalls being warned of momentary paralysis during training (25:33). Bill is found wounded (26:12), hit by a sniper. Pete and Jim set the wound (26:57). Jim shoots his first Nazi soldier (27:31) and discovers more confidence. As the fighting lines mingle, men begin to fight hand to hand (29:06). Jim successfully bayonets an attacking Nazi soldier (30:02). Pete and Jim fight side by side (30:32). Combat subsides as the wounded are lifted on litters from the battle field (31:21). An RTO calls in the information that the objective had been reached (31:34) as his own wounds are dressed. The wounded and more seasoned soldiers return to the convoy (32:37). The trio mull over the recent battle and what went wrong and right as others celebrate their win in a tavern (33:12).

Credits

Cast
Elisha Cook Jr., Peter Whitney
Music
William Lava
Complete catalog record
This notable film "Baptism of Fire" was produced by the US Army Pictorial Services in WWII. It was created as part of the "Fighting Man" series of films, to prepare U.S. Army recruits for the grim business of combat against Axis troops. The film has impressive production values and a highly realistic (for the time) battle sequence. After it was released in 1943, the film was nominated for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards (it was also nominated for an Oscar in 1944). The film's plot surrounds the narrative of a G.I. named Bill; who is played by Elisha Cook Jr. Bill is a green recruit who is new to the front and preparing for his first taste of battle. The film was intended to teach fighting men that by acquiring knowledge, such as how to identify the enemy and learning the basics of how to fight hand to hand, they might reduce their anxiety, and achieve more personal security leading to a higher chance that they will be effective and both survive combat and succeed in the mission. The film opens as the Radio Telephone Operator or RTO spots enemy planes flying in formation (:23). He calls the sighting in and the men are called to action (:43). Whistles blow, soldiers dive into dug outs and ready their weapons for firing (:55). The sergeant receives a call the planes have moved to a different direction (1:12). The young soldier Bill appears (2:02) as he is called for detail. An Army ambulance sits spinning stuck in the mud (2:29). As the men work to free the entrenched vehicle, Jim is recognized by a wounded soldier within the ambulance (3:33). Some of the soldiers drift to sleep against their machine guns en route (5:07) to relieve a squadron. Soldiers discuss the moment with which the battle becomes real and is no longer practice maneuvers (5:42). The group jumps from their transport vehicle to rest (6:48). Jim is instructed not to allow worry of the worst to consume him but to learn as much about the enemy and the situation as he can (7:19). Jim reminisces about home (8:24). He says goodbye to his girl Jane (9:17) at the gate. Men are called back to the vehicle (10:58). Foot soldiers move alongside tanks (12:55) cutting tracks into the dirt. The squadron leader reminds men of the mission noting the enemy position (14:24). Soldiers express anxiety over the quiet; the waiting period prior to the start of a mission (14:50). A whirring sings through the air and a bomb hits the ground throwing dirt as Bill and a comrade duck for cover (15:22). The sound of explosions increase and draw nearer (15:59). The signal is called and the men spring from dug out positions (16:27) into action. Long range guns rip holes in the earth (17:02). A sentry gun blows back (17:12). Fighter planes zoom in (17:30). One after another, German Stuka planes break from formation to dive bomb and strafe, (18:03) as Jim watches from below. Soldiers drop to the ground (18:24). Jim begins to feel more confident in his movements (19:30). A burning man escapes from his tank (20:10). Bill finds Pete as he begins to freeze in his position (20:35). The character Pete; played by Peter Whitney, (20:51) drops his rifle in a panic and runs into Jim and Bill. Jim readies his rifle (22:09) noticing the Nazi soldiers making an error and ‘bunching up’. A fellow combat soldier is hit in the throat (22:48). Jim hesitates to fire at an enemy soldier as a friendly soldier swoops in with a bayonet (23:38) saving the green soldier. Jim recognizes his rifle is smashed (24:20) lying next to a dead man. He snags the dead soldiers rifle and canteen (25:07). He recalls being warned of momentary paralysis during training (25:33). Bill is found wounded (26:12), hit by a sniper. Pete and Jim set the wound (26:57). Jim shoots his first Nazi soldier (27:31) and discovers more confidence. As the fighting lines mingle, men begin to fight hand to hand (29:06). Jim successfully bayonets an attacking Nazi soldier (30:02). Pete and Jim fight side by side (30:32). Combat subsides as the wounded are lifted on litters from the battle field (31:21). An RTO calls in the information that the objective had been reached (31:34) as his own wounds are dressed. The wounded and more seasoned soldiers return to the convoy (32:37). The trio mull over the recent battle and what went wrong and right as others celebrate their win in a tavern (33:12). This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com Transcript Follow along using the transcript. Show transcript PeriscopeFilm 759K subscribers Videos About Support Us on Patreon
Transcription

foreign [Music] planes flying high motored flying south straight for us Roger enemy plane spine loaded flying south straight for us sir alert enemy planes still flying south looks like they got a date for lunch someplace else sergeant all clear Roger all classer sounded like a bunch of them I'd like to get my hands on one of the juries flying them I was dreaming about my girl what's the matter with you guys are you nervous you hit the dirt like he was running for home with a score tie in the night yeah I noticed you got some dirt on you too oh sure that's because it's orders but you don't catch me diving into a shell hole for no German square head not me brother you forget one thing Pete high explosive Cuts everyone down to size if I get my hands on one of those guys he's gonna wish it was high explosive see how much further you think it'll be Bill 100 miles I've heard about Talent say we move out of dark oh hey yo I want you three men for detail what's up Sergeant you'll find out come on well at least there's one thing out here it can't be KP [Music] let's get my hand bronzer equipment foreign come on back here Alex go come on give me the gun come on get some beef into it get the lid out of your ass come on push Jim come on let's go thank you okay hold it thanks Sergeant thanks for the lift you guys [Applause] everybody okay in here oh when you men give me a hand here come on a hand give him a hand okay sorry oh yeah I'm Jim Monahan oh yeah Jim who is it forgot about the bandage it's Fred Grant Jim Maybe it's good to hear your voice what are you doing up here oh we're bivouac in the woods near here I guess our outfit's going up to relieve yours I mean okay Soldier we gotta pull out of here yeah so long Freddy give them hell kid yeah yeah sure Fred what's wrong with him fine who is he friend of mine guy I've known since we were kids now he's blind hey you guys let's get going come on come on Jim [Music] foreign [Music] you better try I have there's no use smoke try and get that friend of yours ready off your mind thinking about it won't do you any good it's not him sorry enough for him poor guy assistant everything seems to have hit me all of a sudden I'm sure I know until you saw him it was like being out of Maneuvers again it hasn't sunk in yet but in the morning it's a real thing yeah that's it is it like that with you too I've been trying to get set for tomorrow morning for a long time though I mean I've had as much training as you it's not just training I've been trying to get my mind ready too oh foreign [Music] oh straight nuts about about getting your mind ready what did you mean well you know something pretty bad is going to happen to me you didn't do one or two things you can worry about it till you're ready to blow your top or you can find out as much as you can about what it's really going to be like you take the second choice I mean find out as much as you can you're giving yourself a break because nothing's ever as bad as you think it's gonna be how the hell can he get set for what's coming tomorrow morning today they gave me a rifle I started thinking about the day when I really use it I thought about it so much I nearly blew my tongue what did you do I started talking to whoever I could find that had been through it before a couple of our non-coms had they don't open up easy and they don't talk much if they don't kid you it's tough but then there are a lot of other guys that have been through it before us keep that in your mind well you can sort of get set for it it's an awful close bill scared yeah you got plenty of company I've been thinking about the thoughts I know that's one of the things you gotta forget well how the hell can you forget it I've been thinking about home so hard like Aiken all over I've been thinking about that 10-day furlough I had just before we shoved off I had a hell of a good time doing the same things I used to get fed up doing before I got in the army when I had to leave because I knew we were going overseas soon folks didn't go to the station they knew that Jane that's my girl wanted to go with me alone [Music] Jane and I didn't talk much on the way to the station when we got there people were already going through the gate we both knew that it might be goodbye for a long time Jane had wanted to get married when my draft number first came up I didn't think it was right I was pushing right then that we had in fact she was crying it wasn't time to go back I found I hadn't said one damn thing I'd really wanted to how can you stop thinking about those things make yourself you got it Jim every guy I talked to said the same thing your first battle your worst fight isn't with the Enemy it's with yourself I know it sounds corny a lot of corny things are true does it really help you to forget I mean does it make you not so scared that's right you've got to forget your civilian life it's a past we can't get back to not for a long time maybe but here's the way it works you're going into battle by the way you start thinking about home then you start thinking about all the things that can keep you from getting back there again the result you're too scared to think about your job and if you want to come back this is one job you gotta think about yeah I get it Adam all right man load them up [Music] hey where you been I was looking for you oh we've been talking come on you guys as soon as we get moving the sooner I can start tearing those mugs apart oh shut up who says so I do okay sergeant [Music] thank you [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] all right [Applause] [Applause] [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] we all know the situation the enemy holds that Ridge across the valley our job today is to take it first and second squads will be an assault third squad on support the attack is done attacking dog I could tell you anything but more of this waiting bill first formation pure casualties that way God if I'm gonna get it make it quick Tomy cut it out [Applause] hey [Music] get back to where you belong foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] thank you foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] mm-hmm [Music] [Music] ings [Music] foreign [Music] [Applause] after this gotta get up follow the tanks the hell would it stay here you blind doesn't he know what's going on can I can not so bad now is at first like Bill said coal as ice little guy too look at them all walking right into [Music] thank you drop the rifle one the special Bears will take care of them keep moving my legs no strength gonna be sick hey let me go what the hell's the matter with you get back in there and fight [Music] tear them apart was he big yellow shut up wasn't I gonna do it 10 seconds ago maybe I would if he hadn't foreign [Music] they must be green too we remembered not to do that foreign the whole thing's crazy it's gonna stop foreign [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] dead okay don't look at him I've learned that haven't I how'd I get here what happened last oh yeah rifle smashed water did I drink it don't remember we'll have to touch him can't do it don't be a damn fool you've got to get his rifle anyway first battle your worst fight isn't with the Enemy it's with yourself I'm tired what do you mean it's only starting settling down though I'm learning why couldn't I stick it into that bastard I remember now being at practice instructor called it momentary paralysis warned us why didn't I think more about what they put me oh get your head up there and see what's going on Sniper got it dirty bastards [Music] how you doing fella [Applause] big tough guy wasn't that ah forget it it's okay guys got a right to be secured if we can lick it thank you foreign give it to him that's what they mean by a good soldier to get the bastard that got him [Applause] hey Pete take care of him come on I'm all right good morning foreign here it comes this is it kill or be killed I thought I could do that I guess I never thought anybody would try and kill me well I've got it licked now now I can fight foreign [Music] you okay yeah thanks [Music] you're damn right I can fight [Music] [Music] objective reached now consolidated now moving George 3 to make contact with lazy fox 7. Roger pretty tough going in spots I haven't got detailed casual reports yet I'd say five to eight percent it could have been worse [Music] [Applause] [Music] Kim when this is over I'm gonna take one of those tin cans home with me I'll be your chauffeur hey what else are you guys with take it easy Joe [Music] thank you [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] no I got nothing to be ashamed of I did okay after that guys think so I can tell Bill call the shop it don't matter how big you are in that kind of a fight thought I had the odds all figured out didn't I well don't cut yourself down too much at least you have the right angle keep your mind off yourself I was right that's what you gotta do yeah that's what it was like walking upstairs in a big building at night you climbed one flight and it was dark it came to a landing and you walked down a level Hall with a light on for a while you thought that's all I was to it Bang there you are climbing another flight and it's dark same thing levels off and gets light again you reach the top and look down what were you scared of the dark no no you won't be scared like that again good guys you sure find out what guys are like I don't know what the hell are we waiting for [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music]

Sources

  1. YouTube channel: PeriscopeFilm · video ↗ — title, year, description, catalog record, video
  2. Wikidata · Q4857586 ↗ — length, color, country, genre, credits
  3. 16mm Filmography editors — creator

Original permalink · Record added 2025-01-23 17:19:38