HOME MOVIES: WWII 8mm COLOR

Genre: home movie

Year Published: 1943

Format: 16mm

Description: Shot by an unknown American G.I. during WWII, this 8mm color home movie shows images from the Italian campaign. The film starts with shots of Army Air Force crew cranking the propeller of a B-25 before showing C-47 cargo aircraft landing at an airfield, possibly Foggia. At 1:51 a soldier smokes a cigarette and another moons the camera (2:05). It appears there is snow on the ground, so likely dates to the winter of 1943. At 2:30 smashed hangars are shown at the air base, along with fuel trucks. At 3:02 is a post office, above it the sign seems to indicate that the base is part of a Tactical Squadron. However it is hard to read the unit number! At 3:25 are shots of tents on the sprawling base. At 3:37 shots from inside a C-47 on takeoff and then flying over the Italian countryside. At 5:00, another airbase is shown with an American Red Cross tent marked " Missions Inn " and " Clubmobile ". It is staffed by two women. At 5:05 a man poses in a jeep. Judging from his clothes it is now summer. At 5:18, target practice with a grease gun or machine pistol. At 5:30 are shots of an Italian city and the countryside. At 6:00, children pose for the camera in order of height. At 6:13, oxen move through a narrow town street. At 6:28, American airmen pal around with local kids. At 6:43, an American airman poses against a brick wall. At 6:54, paratroops board a C-47. At 7:14, an Italian port city is shown with ships at anchor. This could be Naples or Bari. At 7:38 the Liberty Ship SS Ignace Paderewski is shown at anchor. At 7:44, damaged dock facilities are shown. At 7:59, a sunken ship is seen in the harbor along with other destroyed vessels. At 9:03 a bell is rung by a group of servicemen. At 9:00 are sweeping views of Pisa. At 9:39 are shots from the leaning tower of Pisa and at 10:04 shots of the tower itself. At 10:44 a sign warns of land mines. At 10:47 are shots of the Italian coast line and a Roman aquaduct.

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