 off the boot of Italy, becomes stepping stones for allied invasion forces. First to fall is Pantelleria. Called an Italian Gibraltar, the island's stronghold surrenders after 20 days of aerial bombardment. Of transports and landing boats moves in, in the wake of the bombers. Caused by bombs, still rage, even as the armada reaches shore. The combined air, sea and land attack is carried out with split-second precision. A house nor a building of the island fortress is left unscathed. Allied air power smashed all resistance. Italian garrison of 10,000 surrenders. Million prisoners are quick to learn the allies' V for victory sign. Somewhere in England, the crew of a battle-scarred American flying fortress, the Memphis Bell, departs for home. Bombs painted on the side indicate 25 raids over Nazi Germany. The swastikas, eight enemy planes to their credit, burned their furlough home, and they're like typical American boys out of school for a holiday. Their mascot, the gallant crew of the Memphis Bell, has flown in combat more than 20,000 miles. From comrades who stay behind to carry on the job. Now, after eight months over Nazi skies, they wing westward, homeward bound, and a patched up tail, the Memphis Bell arrives in Washington right on schedule. Congratulations from high-ranking officers of the Army Air Force, as the crew of 10 begins a well-earned furlough. Sweden's greatest distance runner is off for his first race in the United States. The event staged for the Army Air Force Relief Fund, and 18,000 sports enthusiasts brave a broiling son to see the Swedish athlete in action. Greiss, who was undefeated in 65 starts and hailed champion distance runner of America, Gunder Haig races with little apparent effort. Oh, Haig's way out in front. Rice is barely in the picture. Haig glances over his shoulder to catch a fleeting glimpse of his out-distance rival. He ends the 5,000-meter event in 14 minutes, 48, and 5, 10 seconds. General Arnold of the Air Force salutes Sweden's Gunder Haig, greatest distance runner of our time. The United States Army calls its newest mobile weapon, the Duck. Amphibious two-and-one-half-ton trucks, they operate on land or in water. Gaining rough seas like Navy barges, the Ducks are the last word in mechanized equipment. Full of performing a dozen different operations, the Duck has proven itself an efficient weapon against the Axis, in Africa and in the South Pacific. Here shown in actual battle zone operations, the Ducks are swung from ships, ferrying supplies and equipment from transports to troops on shore. These two-way trucks are capable of carrying invasion forces from shipside right into battle. Ducks and nurses are answering the nation's call to serve the men with the armed forces. Graduation day in hospitals all over the land sees thousands of capable, efficient young women being capped, their official badge of service. Modern, up-to-date hospital trains are staffed and equipped to care for the wounded. America is training an additional 65,000 young women as nurses to serve at home and abroad. Chinese troops facing Japanese lines across the Salween River survey the scene of battle. Here on the left bank of this rugged, picturesque valley, the courageous armies of Chiang Kai-shek prepare for the drive that will win back control of the Burma Road. Their winding in the background is the road, once called the Life Line of China. Now it serves to block the Japanese from making further inroads into China. Chinese soldiers who once battled so gallantly to keep the road open now dynamite the highway to keep the enemy from using it. Chinese casualties, mostly victims of malaria, are brought into medical stations to be cared for by Chinese doctors and nurses trained by the American Red Cross. For eight long years, China has fought against great odds. Now with arms, men and supplies from her allies, the United Nations, China girds anew to expel the invader. Guist fighter plane, the P-47 Thunderbolt, has left the drafting boards and is now in mass production. A four-blade propeller absorbs the terrific power of its motor. Crowns of ammunition are stored in its wings. Guns are tested on the ground, fits his oxygen mask, and he's ready for a flight. Most before they leave the runway, speak across the sky. Thunderbolts in name, they pack Thunderbolts of firepower.