Summary: The Royal Australian Air Force in action in the Pacific.
Description: The film concentrates on a squadron of Kittyhawks acting principally in a ground support role during the 'island hopping' campaigns, but the commentary makes frequent tributes to the previous battle honours (New Guinea etc) of the Air Force and the squadron. Principal activities shown:- the squadron provides air cover for an invasion force; the force lands, digs in - RAAF ground team build an airstrip, the squadron flies in; living conditions (heavy rain, floods); a Beaufighter reconnaissance flight over next enemy island ("preparing for the next leap in the giant game of island leapfrog"). A complete picture of a 'softening up' sortie by the Kittyhawks: loading up (using captured bombs); pilots putting on kit (including survival gear); briefing; take-off and action; the return (with some aircraft badly damaged).
Production Details: Commonwealth Department of Information, Australia (Production sponsor)
Filmcraft (Production company)
Smart, Ralph (Production individual)
Allan, Jack S (Production individual)
Trerise, J W (Production individual)
Carty, William (Production individual)
Coffey, Frank (Production individual)
Bird, Walter C (Production individual)
Thomas, Wilfrid (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Australian Air Force (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: Bristol Beaufighter & [Australian] (object name)
aircraft, United States - combat: Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk & [Australian] (object name)
operations, Australian air - routine (object name)
operations, Australian air - sortie (object name)
Pacific Ocean (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 16mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 681 ft; Running time: 20 mins
