Radio: Pacific War

The sight of men and planes falling in action, of ships aflame and bombs exploding (including the first atom bomb) brought back vividly to thousands of televiewers last week the shocks and memories of World War II. They were seeing Crusade in the Pacific, produced by the same MARCH OF TIME crew that put together 1949’s prizewinning Crusade in Europe. The first of 26 Pacific chapters was telecast in seven cities; half of the 60 U.S. television areas have scheduled later showings.

The new Crusade starts with Japan’s march on Manchuria in 1931, goes through the bloodiest and most dramatic scenes of the Pacific war, and ends with the Communist aggression in Korea. To piece it together, M.O.T.’s men looked over millions of feet of film shot by U.S. and allied combat cameramen, as well as captured enemy film. The finished product is a fast, exciting news drama. Still to be put together: the final chapter, depending on the outcome of the war & peace maneuvers in Korea.