An explanation (relying heavily on maps) of the importance of the war against Japan, and the current strategic outlook.

An opening recalls that this is "the real war" to China and to many Americans and Australians, and recapitulates Britain's "fighting retreats and gallant but losing battles"; Japan's failure to drive to join Germany and Japan in the Middle East is attributed primarily to her disbelief in their boasts. Main part of film concentrates on war in the south-west Pacific: recapture of Guadalcanal, naval battles, and, in most detail, the New Guinea campaigns in which the Australians finally "out-jungled the Japs." Emphasis on special problems and new techniques of war in this theatre, especially supplies and mobility. The remaining task is urgent: "nibbling forward" in the Pacific islands is only a first step, the need is to strike against Japan itself...."and it must be soon - time is on their side."

Notes

Remarks: film remains conspicuously vague on just how the blow against "Japan itself" is to be struck. This, with some other hesitations, rather undermines the film's efforts to destroy the "invincible jap" image, and gives the film a rather troubled look.

Documentation/associated material: COI file - shotlist, commentary