Summary: Largely based on the use of maps, the film is a brief statement of the war situation in the Far East, explaining the particular problems of fighting in the Pacific and strategic concepts designed to solve them.
Description: Introductory maps and stock shots indicate enormous distances; explain Japanese industrialisation, regimentation and militarism; and chart Japan's expansion until it is checked (some good action footage) in New Guinea and at Midway and Coral Sea. Then starts the 'Long March Back' (Guadalcanal), but simple military advance is too slow: its chief function is to buy time for development of more far-reaching methods (diagram shows Japan dependent on a web of communication with Pacific outposts, vulnerable if the strands are broken). Maps show various theatres of war and commanders: MacArthur, Halsey, Nimitz, Mountbatten (Quebec Conference shots) and Wingate; film of Chindits and Burma advance. Diagrams and typical stock shots explain Pacific island-hopping: the strategy of "aircraft carriers and bulldozers" begins to take effect.
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Verity (Production company)
Merton Park Studios (Production company)
Annakin, Ken (Production individual)
Annakin, Ken (Production individual)
Fisher, George (Production individual)
Larkins, W M (Production individual)
Lucas, Leighton (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Halsey, William F (person)
MacArthur, Douglas (person)
Mountbatten, Louis (Earl)
Mountbatten, Louis (Earl) (person)
Nimitz, Chester William (person)
Wingate, Orde Charles (person)
United States Army Air Forces (regiment/service)
United States Navy (regiment/service)
Keywords: combat, United States naval (object name)
operations, Allied military - 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: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1350 ft; Running time: 15 mins
