Combat America follows the life and times of the Flying Fortress
crews of the 351st Bombardment Group from their days of training
in Colorado to actual aerial combat over Germany. The film tells
the story of these brave crewmen and gunners, shows how they lived,
worked, trained and fought during their grueling period of training
and deadly missions. The footage of aerial battles over many locations
in Germany and the huge hours and stress these men were put under
to complete their missions are very graphically detailed.
In addition the the B-17's, you will see a large variety of
allied and Nazi planes battling in the skies as well as the damage
sustained as the result of various combat missions. (It is amazing
to see how much damage one of these planes could absorb and still
make it back to base.) The film was produced at the command of
General Henry H. Arnold, Commanding General of the Army Air Forces,
as an orientation film for gunners training to serve in the European
theater of operations so they had realistic expectations of their
day to day activities during actual combat situations.
Cast of Combat America
Clark Gable ... Himself/Narrator
William A. Hatcher ... Himself/Commanding General
Philip J. Hulls ... Himself/Top Turret Gunner
Kenneth L. Hulls ... Himself/Ball Turret Gunner
Theodore R. Geropolis ... Himself/Pilot
Daniel F. Stevens ... Himself/Bombardier
Paul J. Posti ... Himself/Ball Turret Gunner
Tim Tuchet ... Himself/Tailgunner
Henry H. Arnold ... Himself/Commander, U.S. Army Air Forces (as
H.H. Arnold)
Ace Akins ... Himself
Pete Provenzale ... Himself
Bob Hope ... Himself
Jack Pepper ... Himself
Frances Langford ... Herself
Tony Romano ... Himself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert Wallace ... Himself/Pilot
