WGBH Lab | Sandbox | War in the Skies

WWII: Manufacturing Bombers

kdorwart — Thu, 2 Aug 2007 10:13:37 -0400

History , War , War in the Skies

In this excerpt of a U.S. War Department film, men and women work to manufacture parts for bomber planes.

WWII: Building B-29 Bombers

kdorwart — Thu, 2 Aug 2007 10:25:18 -0400

History , War , War in the Skies

With Germany now defeated, the US focuses its efforts on Japan. In this clip of a Boeing factory in Seattle, WA, attention turns towards building B-29 Bombers. Thousands of factory workers turn out to escort the newest bomber, adorned with the sign "On to Tokyo," to its debut.

WWII: B-29 Bomber Production

kdorwart — Thu, 2 Aug 2007 10:27:25 -0400

History , War , War in the Skies

The opening shot of a B-29 poster introduces the production of B-29 bombers. The camera closely follows production, which begins with sheets of aluminum.

WWII: B-29 Factory Workers

kdorwart — Thu, 2 Aug 2007 10:28:38 -0400

History , Technology , War , War in the Skies

In this montage of images from a B-29 factory, women, men, and minorities are shown drilling, hammering, and sweating as they work collectively to produce bombers as efficiently as possible.

WWII: Japan Bombed and Aftermath

kdorwart — Thu, 2 Aug 2007 09:09:31 -0400

History , War , War in the Skies

From 12,000 feet above, B-29 bombers drop 4,000 tons of bombs over Japan. Looking down from the planes, the bombs free fall to the ground, where they puncture the city below with flecks of fire. Smoke shoots up, eventually shrouding the view of the city grid.

WWII: Japan Bombing Aftermath

kdorwart — Thu, 2 Aug 2007 09:11:27 -0400

History , War , War in the Skies

After the smoke has cleared, a low-flying plane's eye view of Tokyo reveals a grid of complete rubble. The few buildings left standing are the only reminder of what once was.

Copyright: WGBH Educational Foundation

WWII: Rescue From Flames

kdorwart — Thu, 2 Aug 2007 09:14:46 -0400

History , War , War in the Skies

Rescue squads save a man out of the wreckage of a crashed plane, and then watch as the plane is consumed by flames.

WWII: Soviet Newsreel

kdorwart — Wed, 1 Aug 2007 13:17:20 -0400

History , War , War By Land , War in the Skies

In this Soviet newsreel, a plane plunges to the ground and explodes. With determination, a unit of tanks quickly traverse a bumpy path.

WWII: Aftermath At Sea

kdorwart — Wed, 1 Aug 2007 11:11:52 -0400

History , War , War By Sea , War in the Skies

The camera tilts from top to bottom, following a plane caught aflame, as it nosedives straight into the ocean. Meanwhile, black smoke pours out of a gunship, as the men on deck run to escape the flames.

WWII: The Modern Bomber

kdorwart — Wed, 1 Aug 2007 11:33:17 -0400

History , Technology , War , War in the Skies

Montage of the modern bomber, moving steadily through close-ups of different parts of the plane - spinning propeller, wheel, take-off.