Summary: Explains the need for meticulous planning and economy in solving the supply problem for a global war, with examples from the work done by the US Army Service forces.
Description: Shortage of basic raw materials (rubber, copper etc) following losses to Japanese in the Pacific was overcome by substitution of readily available materials (wood, steel etc) and by new designs. Opening sequence illustrates extent of Japanese advance, and quantity of equipment ("7 tons per man") needed in modern war. Lieutenant General Somervell explains work of War Department in response to "the greatest challenge any nation ever faced;" several examples follow. Steel replaces aluminium in searchlights; plastics (from soya beans) replace steel in aircraft escape-hatch; stamped bomb parts replace expensive millings; steel replaces brass for shell cases etc; wood and paper replace steel tubes and springs in army beds; plastic substituted for metals in buttons and canteens, camel-hair matting for rubber in padding tank interiors. New designs save space (in packing) and materials (boots, flare pistols). Film ends with appeal to the Home Front over crosscut production and combat film: "if you keep it flowing, they can keep attacking."
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:CUS 227
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:NON-IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1944
Production Country: United States of America
Production Details: United States War Department (Production sponsor)
Special Service Division, Army Service Forces (Production company)
Signal Corps (with) (Production company)
Army Air Force Orchestra (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Somervell, Brehon B (person)
Keywords: industry, United States - general (object name)
propaganda, United States - practical (object name)
society, United States - precautionary (object name)
United States of America (geography)
ersatz (concept)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 3
Footage: 2085 ft; Running time: 23 mins
