Attack in the Pacific

There are over 10000 islands within the Pacific Ocean located between Asia and America, the vast majority of which possess little geopolitical importance in periods of peace but, during the Second World War, a good many of these outposts suffered through the dismal experience of armed conflict between two widely separated nations: Japan and the United States. This dramatic documentary, an Armed Forces Information Film, completed a year before the war's end, is dedicated to the men of the United States Navy, a fighting organization which fulfilled a most significant role in bringing about the defeat of Japan; the combat footage, although propagandistic, is startling. Following a valuable introduction describing the variegated Pacific islands and their denizens, effective use is made of film and graphics to describe the spread of Japanese military power from its base south to Australia, including the attack at Pearl Harbor, and provides excellent coverage of the methods used by members of the Allies, particularly the U.S., to prepare for counterattacks against Japan, bloodily advancing from island to island. Top-flight editing marks this work wherein all scenes are filmed by combat photographers, and although largely devoted to Naval/Marine achievements, the contributions of both the American Army and Army Air Force are highlighted as well, and scenes of the Jimmy Doolittle led bombing attack of Tokyo are particularly memorable.