Combat America

Combat America is a gripping American documentary film, primarily entrenched in the realm of wartime non-fiction. Released in 1943, the film is directed by actor Clark Gable, who was also a major in the US Army Air Forces during World War II. Gable, renowned as the "King of Hollywood," dons two hats in this film by both directing and narrating the gripping and authentic footage of the military operations.

This film does not follow a traditional narrative format, instead opting for a documentary-style approach that presents factual information and visuals about wartime experiences. The engaging documentary presents a fine blend of wartime courage and camaraderie, intertwined with the harsh realities of battle.

Combat America chronicles the actual training and combat missions of the 351st Bombardment Group of the United States Eighth Air Force. Gable, undertaking the project from an enlisted serviceman viewpoint, decided to film the operations of fellow servicemen to provide the American home front with an accurate depiction of combat life overseas.

The film's content is divided into four parts: training, flight to England, mission operations, and off-duty relaxation. In its initial segment, Combat America offers an insider view on preparation and the rigorous training that the aircrews undergo before deployment. It provides the audience with a glimpse into the strategic preparation, thorough instructions, and intense pre-combat conditioning that the 351st Bombardment Group carries out.

The second part of the film trails their journey across the Atlantic Ocean. This is where the challenges of wartime come in stark view, as the men wage against typical adversaries—weather and technological glitches. This section highlights the unpredictability and risk that the crew endure in their quest to execute their mission successfully.

Once the transatlantic flight concludes, the film captures strategizing and executing air missions, including the riveting accounts of daytime bombings in Germany. Gable ensures that the film captures the tense journey, their target acquisition, deployment of bombs, and subsequent evasion tactics, creating a vivid picture of the threat, tension, and adrenaline rush experienced during these missions.

Contrasting these thrilling wartime revelations, the final segment removes the heavy combat boots and puts on the dancing shoes, providing light-hearted relief. It captures the crew during their off-duty periods, offering an insight into how these brave military men unwind, relax, and maintain morale in a war-ridden world. They are seen as regular men on their off days, indulging in light music, reading, and playing games. This section humanizes the soldiers, transforming them from combat machines into regular humans with simple desires and ambitions.

Aside from Gable, Combat America takes real-life military personnel as cast members, including William A. Hatcher, Philip J. Hulls, and others who served in the 351st Bombardment Group. This infusion of realism deepens the impact of the narrative and enhances its authenticity. The film is imbued with the real colors of service, courage, and camaraderie, making it more than just a newsreel or propaganda film. Here, the soldiers are not playing parts; instead, they authentically depict their experiences, their life, their fears, and their entertainment.

The cinematography is striking, carrying the vividness and severity of war. The sequences are executed in a way that engages the viewers without overwhelming them with excessively graphic content. Gable, who enlisted at an age when he could have easily opted out, brought a unique maturity and sensitivity to the production, turning it into a gripping ride.

In the end, Combat America achieves its objectives dramatically well. It takes the audience on an immersive journey, exploring the vicissitudes of a serviceman's life during World War II, from training to combat to lighter moments. Clark Gable successfully delivers a compelling film that simultaneously informs, educates, and entertains, thus making this historical piece an indispensable part of America's cinematic and military heritage. With its courage-laden narrative, the film stands tall as an homage to the bravery, resilience, and camarity that servicemen manifest.