Cold War Films

**Nominated for the 1965 Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Live Action) film under the title "Fortress of Peace".** This movie was produced as part of the Swiss National Exhibition of 1964 (Expo 64) held in Lausanne. The film was produced using the then new MCS-70 Super Panorama 70 mm format and printed in Technicolor. The gorgeous visuals presented in the film give insight into Switzerland's brand of direct democracy and relatively unique system of compulsory military service. A large-scale demonstration is given of various weapons in action, including aircraft, mechanized infantry and tanks. The movie focuses on individual soldiers and small units from the Swiss Army, Air Force, and Civil Defense. NOTE: Switzerland is not a member of NATO, or any other military alliance. The country has maintained a policy of strict neutrality since at least 1815 and perhaps as long ago as 1515. While the Russia - Ukraine war has prompted interaction with the Swiss regarding NATO membership, that notion has been discarded for the present. That has not, however, prevented Switzerland from working with NATO member militaries to ensure interoperability if required. Weapon Systems Seen: Panzer 57 Main Battle Tank AMX-13 (Leichtpanzer 51) Hawker Hunter F.Mk.58 Jet Fighter-Bomber De Havilland Vampire FB.6 Jet Fighter-Bomber MG52 Machine Gun SIG Stgw-57 Battle Rifle Ski Troops Towed Field Artillery Mortars Other Titles: "Wehrhafte Schweiz" (German - Defensive Switzerland) "Fortress For Peace" (English - 1965) "Nous Pouvons Nous Défendre" (French - We Can Defend Ourselves) Produced: 01.01.1964 Copyright: VBS/DDPS Creator: Lothar Wolff Produktion für Farner Looser AG, Zürich

This documentary short film describes how the United States Marine Corps trained its recruits in 1959 at Parris Island, South Carolina, home of the larger of the two Marine Corps Recruit Depots. Recruits are shown arriving at the base, being shorn of their hair, fitted for new uniforms, and taught military discipline and bearing. Training in hand-to-hand combat, riflery, close-order drill, and first aid is provided, and physical training through exercise, obstacle courses, and swimming is emphasized. Recruits who succeed in their training graduate as United States Marines. Music: Luis Humanoide via Pixabay: "The Glorious Army - Cinematic Epic Battle Music (Warhammer Inspired)": https://pixabay.com/music/main-title-the-glorious-army-cinematic-epic-battle-music-warhammer-inspired-155892/ Creator(s): Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. Naval Photographic Center. (12/1/1959 - ca. 1998) Record Group 428: General Records of the Department of the Navy, 1941 - 2004 NAID: 74546 Local Identifier: 428-MN-9525 URL: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/74546

The Boeing B-47 Stratojet was an American long range, six-engine, turbojet-powered strategic bomber designed to fly at high subsonic speed and at high altitude to avoid enemy interceptor aircraft. The B-47's primary mission was to drop nuclear bombs on the Soviet Union. With tandem seating like a fighter; and engines carried in nacelles under swept wings--the B-47 was a leap in post-World War II combat jet design, and had a part in the development of modern jet airliners. The B-47 entered service with the United States Air Force's Strategic Air Command (SAC) in 1951. It never saw combat as a bomber, but was a mainstay of SAC during the 1950s and early 1960s. The Stratojet remained in use as a bomber until 1965. It was also adapted to a number of other missions, including photographic reconnaissance, electronic intelligence and weather reconnaissance, remaining in service as a reconnaissance aircraft until 1969; and as a testbed until 1977. Starring actor Reed Hadley, this 1952 video from the United States Air Force (USAF) is a dramatized orientation film about the B-47 Stratojet (and jet aircraft in general). Film: TF 1-4727, The B-47: Pilot's Familiarization, 1952. URL: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/64185 NARA ID: 64185 Local ID: 342-TF-1-4727 NAIL Control Number: NWDNM(m)-342-TF-1-4727

This de-classified film produced by the UK Ministry of Defence provides a general introduction to SAS recruitment, training and operations. Operations in Urban, Arctic, Desert, Mountain and Jungle environments are shown. Missions of the regiment that are depicted include: Direct action using parachute, boat, helicopter and SCUBA; and VIP/Head of State protection, counter-insurgency (hearts/minds) operations Also shown is the 1980 anti-terrorism action executed by 22 SAS to end a violent situation at the Iranian Embassy in London. The embassy had been taken over by six members of the Democratic Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Arabistan (DRFLA). Opening Montage Music: By Lesfm via Pixabay: "Crazy Energy": https://pixabay.com/music/rock-crazy-energy-115479/ Video publisher: The Imperial War Museums Producer: Services Sound and Vision Corporation (SSVC) for the UK Ministry of Defence Army Department Film C 1576 Year Produced: 1984 More info about the Imperial War Museums: https://www.iwm.org.uk/ More info about SSVC: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Services_Sound_and_Vision_Corporation More info about the SAS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Air_Service More info about the Iranian Embassy Siege: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_Embassy_siege

This documentary was produced by North American Aviation to show the early testing and development of the X-15 rocket plane including the first flight on September 17th, 1959 at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Legendary test pilot, Scott Crossfield, was at the controls for the first flight. The X-15 flew faster and higher than any craft up to that time--eventually reaching Mach 6.72 and exceeding the 100 kilometer line that demarks the edge of space. The unsung pilots of the X-15 definitely had the "right stuff", and became the country's first astronauts. Opening Montage Music: By Muzaproduction via Pixabay: "Breakdown": https://pixabay.com/music/rock-breakdown-109096/ URL - https://catalog.archives.gov/id/68141 Producer: North American Aviation for the US Air Force Year Produced: 1959 NAID Identifier: 68141 Local ID: 342-USAF-29571

This US Army documentary covers the activities of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (The Blackhorse) in Vietnam. The unit proved that armored vehicles could be used effectively in the challenging weather, mud, and overgrown jungle terrain found in Vietnam. The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment is a uniquely independent combined-arms unit of the US Army. It functioned in Vietnam as a highly mobile armored fist, re-enforcing other units in action and a wide variety of other roles including scouting, convoy protection through enemy territory and jungle clearing. Arriving in Vietnam in 1966, operating out of Xuan Loc, East of Saigon in III Corps--they were responsible for numerous firsts that you'll see used in combat. The unit developed armored vehicles for local conditions like the "ACAV" Armored Vehicle, an essential upgrade of the M113 armored personnel carrier with additional machine guns & steel shields to protect gunners. ACAVs were soon adopted throughout Vietnam. The 11ACR were also the first to operate the Army's innovative new M551 Sheridan AR/AAV light tank. You'll also see the M-48A3 Patton tank that was used for heavier operations; the regiment's Air Cavalry component, "Thunderhorse"; as well as 103mm & 155mm self-propelled howitzers in the field. An Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge--or AVLB--is also seen in action. The 11th ACR teamed up with other units in numerous firefights, including the Australian Army in "Operation Santa Fe." More info on the Blackhorse: https://www.blackhorse.org/ More info on The Big Picture: http://www.armypictorialcenter.com/the_big_picture.htm URL - https://catalog.archives.gov/id/4523995 NAID Identifier: 4523995 Local ID: 330-DVIC-30249 Agency Identifiers: 30249DA TV 770