Summary: Training film on relations between land and air forces.
Description: Enemy army has always had to be defeated before its centres of power could be destroyed. Air power can now strike at those power centres to weaken an army in the field. Dramatic episode shows how Allied air attacks on war production and shipping spoil a proposed German offensive. Planning behind exercise of air power. Importance of air superiority and use of fighter planes. Role of Strategic Air Force to paralyse enemy nation by attacks on industry. Criteria for selection of targets - this is no "haphazard destruction". Functions of Tactical Air Force: (1) Obtain local air superiority; (2) Interdict supplies and isolate the battlefield; (3) Ground support in battle. Organisation of ground and air forces described. Film to illustrate TAF's three functions. Last reels describe the application of these principles at El Alamein "... the laboratory and proving ground" for the new doctrine of air power. Formula for victory in other theatres. Film contains animated sequences and good pictures of strafing and attacks on shipping. Filmed aircraft include B-25 Mitchells, A-26 Invaders, P-38 Lightnings, P-47 Thunderbolts. Tanks include Italian M13/40 and Crusaders. Reel Two includes a good photomontage of German supply movements including the shipment of Panzer Mk IV tanks by train.