CTVA
The Classic TV Archive - US Documentary
Series
Air Power
Episode Guide - September 2007
(- )
compiled by
The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by:
Rina Fox
references:
TV Guide
Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (http://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive
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AIR POWER
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CBS Public Affairs Department Production
in conjunction with the U.S. Air Force
for
CBS (Sundays)(11Nov56-5May57)
Produced by Perry Wolff and Jim Faichney
US War documentary series 1956-57 26 episodes
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Premise:
The story of aviation, from the invention of the airplane to supersonic
planes and missiles, with a glimpse of rockets and the future of aviation.
Some of the heroes of aviation are seen, as well as the leading figures of
modern history.
CBS's answer to NBC's "Victory at Sea"
Music composed by Norman Dello Joio
Conducted by Alfredo Antonini
################## Air Power #################
############## season 1956-57 ###############
##############################################
CBS (Sundays)(11Nov56-5May57)
[--] Air Power: VERTIJET
(pilot)
Revell, Inc. (copyright ODAT: 01Nov56; OREG: KK129963)
(16Sep59 WPIX-TV New York Independent network Wednesday 7:30pm)
Hosted by General George C. Kenney
Synopsis 1:
A pilot must test the revised X-2 plane in flight above the earth's
atmosphere. The pilot's brother-in-law was killed in the X-2's first
test-flight when the plane's controls failed. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
A high-altitude rocket research plane, the X-2, is photographed at
Edwards Air Force Base in California. [RF]
1.01 [--] Air Power: THE DAY NORTH AMERICA IS ATTACKED
(60 min. Debut Episode)
(copyright ODAT: 8Nov56; OREG: LP8652)
11Nov56 CBS Sun
Synopsis:
The debut episode begins at U.S. Air Force Combat Operations Center,
Colorado Springs. The Air Force goes into action against a simulated enemy
attack on North America. The work of Combat Operations Center, radar stations,
fighter interceptor planes and bombers of the Strategic Air Command are
depicted. Participating in the program, as they would in an actual tactical
situated, are Gen. Earle E. Partridge, commander in chief of Continental
Air Defense, and members of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen. Nathan
Twining, chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, is seen directing Air Force
operations. [RF]
1.03 [--] Air Power: Early days
ODAT: 15Nov56; OREG: MP8321.
possible airdate - 18Nov56 CBS Sun
1.04 [--] Air Power: THE LUFTWAFFE
(copyright - ODAT: 21Nov56; OREG: MP8322)
25Nov1956 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
The rise of the German air force is told through the use of captured German
film, made by both professional and non-professional photographers. [RF]
1.05 [--] Air Power: PEARL HARBOR
(copyright - ODAT: 29Nov56; OREG: MP8323)
02Dec1956 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis 1:
The Japanese code name for the attack on Pearl, "Lotus Blossom Over Fujiyama"
is tied in with Pearl Harbor Day. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
The story of Pearl Harbor from the Japanese point of view, using captured
Japanese film. The documentary begins with the briefing of military
leaders and concludes with the Japanese fleet and air force at their
destination, Pearl Harbor. [RF]
1.06 [--] Air Power: THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN
(copyright ODAT: 05Dec56; OREG: MP8324)
09Dec1956 CBS Sun
Narrated by Michael Redgrave
Featuring excerpts from speeches by Sir Winston Churchill.
Synopsis:
The documentary shows how Hitler was diverted from invasion of England
in August 1941, giving the English time to regain their air power and
protect their homeland.
Highlights include:
1. Hitler and his staff making preparations for the bombing of London.
2. Speeches by Hitler
3. Scenes of the German Army marching and singing.
4. Aerial combat scenes over England
5. Scenes of London during the bombings.
[RF]
1.07 [--] Air Power: COUNTERBLAST
ODAT: 13Dec56; OREG: MP8325.
16Dec1956 CBS Sun
Produced & written by Perry Wolff
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
A look at how the British, while undergoing constant German aerial
attacks, managed to prepare a counterattack against Germany on its
home ground. Depicted are RAF raids on Hamburg. [RF]
1.8 [--] Air Power: FOOLS, DAREDEVILS AND GENIUSES
ODAT: 19Dec56; OREG: MP8326.
possible airadte - 23Dec56 CBS Su
Synopsis:
Art Carney and Walter Cronkite narrate a look at aviation in the 1920s,
including stunt fliers, wing walkers and barnstorming pilots. [RF]
.
1.09 [--] Air Power: THE 1930'S
ODAT: 26Dec56; OREG: MP8327.
30Dec1956 CBS Sun
Music by Norman Dello Joio
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
Lieutenant General James Doolittle relates the story of the Depression,
the rise of Hitler and Mussolini, the development of the Army Air Corps
and the B-17 bomber, and the final abandonment of isolationism as
foreign policy, one made impossible by the era of flight. [RF]
1.10 [--] Air Power: TARGET PLOESTI
ODAT: 03Jan57; OREG: MP8328.
possible airdate - 06Jan57 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
U.S. B-17 bombers raid the German ball-bearing industry. [RF]
1.11 [--] Air Power: Schweinfurt
ODAT: 9Jan57; OREG: MP8329
possible airdate - 13Jan57 CBS Sun
1.12 [--] Air Power: CONQUEST OF THE AIR
ODAT: 16Jan57; OREG: MP8330.
possible airdate - 20Jan57 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
The story of the P-51, the long range fighter used in the February 1944
air battles that crushed the Luftwaffe and gave the Allies air superiority. [RF]
1.13 [--] Air Power: THE JAPANESE PERIMETER
(copyright - ODAT: 23Jan57; OREG: MP8331)
27Jan1957 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
The story of the decisive battle of Midway in the South Pacific
during World War 2. Highlights include:
1. Aerial Combat between Japanese and Americans.
2. The bombing of Clark Field in the Philippines.
3. The Bataan Death March.
4. Japanese Banzai attacks.
5. Bombing of Corregidor.
6. Battle of Midway.
7. Japanese Victory celebrations. [RF]
1.14 [--] Air Power: INTERDICTION AND BLOCKADE
(copyright - ODAT: 30Jan57; OREG: MP8332)
possible airdate 03Feb57 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis 1:
The story of the World War II battles with the Japanese at New Guinea and the
Bismarck Sea.
1. Japanese film showing children being trained in the science of war in the
1930's.
2. Japanese and American military operations in New Guinea.
3. Aerial battles over the Bismarck Sea.
4. Attackes on the Japanese task force headed toward New Guinea to reinforce the
garrisons. [RF]
(15Jun58 CBS Sun WKRC-TV Cincinnati, Oh 6:30pm)
(17Dec60 NBC Sat WMTV Madison, WI 6pm)
1.15 [--] Air Power: OPERATION STRANGLE
ODAT: 06Feb57; OREG: MP8333.
10Feb1957 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
The documentary report of the 1944 liberation of Rome. The battle centered
at the Abbey of Monte Cassino, center of the German Gustav line 75 miles
south of Rome. The American Air Force successfully blockaded the Italian
boot, reducing the German supplies. [RF]
1.16 [--] Air Power: PACIFIC PATTERNS
ODAT: 13Feb57; OREG: MP8334.
17Feb1957 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
Report on the introduction of American aircraft carriers into World War
II’s Pacific Theater and their use in capturing Truk, Tarawa, and the
Gilbert Islands--the first major step leading to Japan itself. [RF]
1.17 [--] Air Power: ADVANCE THE BOMBER LINE
ODAT: 20Feb57; OREG: MP8335.
24Feb1957 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
During World War 2, the American Forces needed a base close enough
to Japan to allow aerial attacks on the mainland itself. [RF]
1.18 [--] Air Power: Winning of France.
ODAT: 1Mar57; OREG: MP8336.
1.19 [--] Air Power: SUPERFORT
ODAT: 6Mar57; OREG: MP8337.
10Mar1957 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
Documents the U.S. Marine capture of Iwo Jima, and the use of the island
as an American base from which the B-29 strategic bombers could operate.
This island, half-way between the Marianas and the Japanese mainland,
was needed not only as a take-off area for bombers headed for Japan,
but alson for re-fueling and repairing. [RF]
1.20 [--] Air Power: Victory in Europe.
ODAT: 13Mar57; OREG: MP8338.
1.21 [--] Air Power: KAMIKAZE
(copyright ODAT: 24Mar57; OREG: MP9130)
possible airdate - 24Mar57 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
The Japanese advance suicidal aerial attacks against the U.S. Navy fleet. [RF]
1.22 [--] Air Power: DEFEAT OF JAPAN
ODAT: 27Mar57; OREG: MP8162.
31Mar1957 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
Walter Cronkite narrates this documentary concerning the dropping
of the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima and the defeat of the
Japanese in 1945. Elaborate preparations went into the manufacture
of the bomb and utmost secrecy surrounded the mission. We see
films of the vast destruction caused by the bomb. The surrender
ceremony aboard the USS Missouri September 2, 1945, in Tokyo
Bay is also seen. [RF]
1.23 [--] Air Power: The Cold decade-airlift.
ODAT: 3Apr57; OREG: MP8163.
1.xx [--] Air Power: THE COLD DECADE - TO THE YALU
(no copyright details)
14Apr1957 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
Recounts the beginnings of the Korean conflict in 1950, the subsequent
Soviet support of North Korea, the resulting U.N. ’police action,’
and the escalation of East-West tensions. [RF]
1.24 [--] Air Power: THE COLD DECADE - KOREAN STALEMATE
ODAT: 17Apr57; OREG: LP8666.
21Apr1957 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
In November 1950, Chinese Communist troops began fighting in the Korean War.
We see the first air battles between American and Soviet jets, the final
stalemate between the opposing ground armies, and the politically charged
armistice talks. [RF]
1.25 [--] Air Power: STARFIGHTER
ODAT: 24Apr57; OREG: LP8663.
28Apr1957 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
Walter Cronkite examines the testing of the F-104 Starfighter. [RF]
1.26 [--] Air Power: THE NEW DOCTRINE
ODAT: 2May57; OREG: LP8664.
05May1957 CBS Sun
Narrated by Walter Cronkite
Synopsis:
This program is devoted to the new concepts of warfare. We see U.S. and
Soviet Air Force planes that will carry atom and hydrogen bombs in the
event of another war, and new kinds of guided-missile warfare. [RF]
*Note: This is the final show of the series.
################## Air Power #################
################## the end #################
##############################################
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