Attack! The Battle for New Britain

Plot

This compelling World War II documentary presents actual combat footage from the United States Signal Corps documenting the Allied landing and assault on Arawe Beach at Cape Gloucester, New Britain island in December 1943. The film vividly captures the harrowing experiences of American troops as they navigate not only fierce Japanese resistance from snipers and fortified pillbox emplacements, but also the treacherous natural obstacles of the dense, unforgiving jungle environment. Through authentic battlefield photography and strategic narration, the documentary chronicles the tactical planning, amphibious landing, and subsequent jungle warfare that characterized this crucial South Pacific campaign. The footage reveals the brutal reality of tropical warfare, including the challenges of disease, extreme weather, and terrain that proved as deadly as enemy fire. The film serves as both a historical record and a testament to the courage and resilience of the soldiers who fought to secure this strategic island in the Pacific theater.

Historical Background

This film was produced during the height of World War II, when the United States was engaged in a massive island-hopping campaign across the Pacific. The Battle of Cape Gloucester was part of Operation Cartwheel, Douglas MacArthur's strategic plan to isolate and neutralize the major Japanese base at Rabaul. By late 1943, American forces were pushing deeper into Japanese-held territory, and New Britain was a critical objective due to its airfields and strategic location. The film was created at a time when the American public needed reassurance about the progress of the war and understanding of the sacrifices being made by troops fighting in difficult conditions far from home. The jungle warfare depicted was particularly brutal, with soldiers facing not only enemy fire but also tropical diseases, extreme weather, and some of the most challenging terrain on Earth. This documentary served to inform Americans about this relatively unknown theater of war and build support for the continued Pacific campaign.

Making Of

The production of this documentary was a remarkable achievement in wartime filmmaking. Frank Capra, already an acclaimed Hollywood director, was commissioned as a major in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and put in charge of the motion picture unit. He assembled a team of talented filmmakers from Hollywood and trained them as soldiers. The combat footage was captured by Signal Corps photographers who landed with the first wave of troops at Arawe Beach. These cameramen carried both weapons and cameras, often having to choose between filming and fighting for their lives. The footage was processed under difficult conditions in field laboratories, sometimes just miles from the front lines. The editing process took place in California, where Capra and his team worked to assemble the raw combat footage into a coherent narrative that would serve both informational and propaganda purposes. The narration was carefully crafted to explain military strategy while maintaining morale and emphasizing the importance of the Pacific campaign.

Visual Style

The cinematography in this documentary is remarkable for its authenticity and technical achievement under combat conditions. The Signal Corps cameramen used handheld 35mm cameras, often under fire, to capture footage that puts viewers directly in the midst of the action. The film includes stunning amphibious landing sequences shot from multiple angles, including from landing craft and the beach itself. The jungle footage effectively conveys the claustrophobic, disorienting nature of fighting in dense tropical foliage. The cinematographers managed to capture both wide tactical views and intimate moments of individual soldiers in combat. The use of natural lighting and available light techniques creates a gritty, realistic feel that no studio production could replicate. The camera work during combat sequences shows remarkable stability and composition considering the dangerous conditions under which it was filmed.

Innovations

This film represented several technical achievements in wartime documentary production. The use of portable 35mm cameras in combat conditions was groundbreaking, allowing for footage of unprecedented quality and immediacy. The Signal Corps developed special waterproof housing for cameras used during the amphibious landing sequences. The film's editing techniques, particularly the integration of multiple camera angles to create coherent battle sequences, were innovative for documentary filmmaking of the era. The preservation and processing of film under tropical conditions presented significant technical challenges that were overcome through field-developed techniques. The synchronization of narration with authentic combat audio was another technical achievement that enhanced the film's impact. These innovations would influence documentary filmmaking techniques for decades to come.

Music

The film's musical score was composed to enhance the dramatic impact of the combat footage while maintaining the documentary's serious tone. The music incorporates military themes and patriotic motifs typical of wartime productions, but also includes more subtle passages that underscore the human drama of the battle. The sound design is particularly notable for its use of actual combat audio, including weapons fire, explosions, and troop movements recorded on location. The narration, delivered in a clear, authoritative voice typical of wartime documentaries, provides strategic context and explains the significance of the events shown. The combination of authentic battlefield sounds with composed musical elements creates a powerful audio experience that complements the visual footage without overwhelming it.

Memorable Scenes

• The dramatic amphibious landing sequence showing landing craft approaching Arawe Beach under fire, with troops wading through chest-deep water while enemy shells explode around them.
• The intense jungle combat footage showing Marines advancing through dense foliage while engaging hidden Japanese positions and dealing with the natural obstacles of the terrain.
• The scenes of flamethrower teams clearing enemy bunkers, demonstrating the brutal reality of close-quarters combat in the Pacific.
• The aerial reconnaissance footage showing the strategic layout of Cape Gloucester and the importance of its airfields to the overall Pacific campaign.
• The evacuation of wounded soldiers through the jungle, highlighting both the medical challenges and the compassion of fellow soldiers under fire.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised the film for its authenticity and powerful presentation of combat footage. The New York Times noted that 'the realism of the footage is overwhelming and serves as both a document and a tribute to the courage of our fighting men.' Film critics of the era appreciated how Capra brought his cinematic expertise to the documentary form, creating a work that was both informative and emotionally compelling. Modern film historians view the documentary as an important example of wartime propaganda that managed to maintain remarkable authenticity despite its persuasive purpose. The Academy Award nomination it received reflected the critical recognition of its significance both as a documentary and as a historical record. Critics have noted that while the film serves its propaganda purpose, it doesn't shy away from showing the brutal reality and high cost of the campaign.

What Audiences Thought

When shown in military theaters and selected civilian venues, the film was received with great interest and respect. Military personnel particularly valued the authentic depiction of conditions they were facing or would soon encounter. Civilian audiences, though sometimes shocked by the graphic nature of the combat footage, appreciated the insight into the Pacific theater of operations. The film helped bridge the gap between the American home front and the distant, often misunderstood war in the jungles of the South Pacific. Veterans of the Pacific campaign later remarked on the accuracy of the film's portrayal of jungle warfare conditions. Family members of servicemen found the film both informative and emotionally challenging, as it gave them a realistic understanding of what their loved ones were experiencing overseas.

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