Battlezone: The Korean War

This program includes a tribute to the men of the Infantry from an officer who served with them as a platoon leader, Lieutenant Robert Fallon of Washington, D.C. Lieutenant Fallon points out the difficult but important job of the man carrying the rifle in combat. Captain Zimmerman interviews Master Sergeant Heidenreith, also of Washington, D.C. Sergeant Heidenreith was a combat engineer in Korea.

"For this issue of The Big Picture our camera crews have journeyed into the mountains of North Georgia and the swamps of Florida in order to bring the story of the U.S. Army Rangers to the television screens of America. The Rangers are a proud corps of elite combat-ready troops who undergo the most rugged training in the Army.

This film describes events in Korea from August 10 to September 20, 1950. We see how American troops fought to hold on to the Pusan perimeter, the air support they received from carriers, and the march on Seoul. It also includes a report from Lieutenant Tom Dreisenstock, Platoon Leader of the 24th Infantry Division.

In this issue Big Picture viewers will receive a firsthand account of how American artillery is employed in Korea. The film shows how American artillerymen fire ten shells for every one the Communists launch at our troops. Included in the film is a study of the Army's new atomic cannon...the 280mm gun.

Through the Korean Military Advisory Group, the South Korean Army has been able to build itself up to the fourth strongest Army in the world. "The Big Picture" shows the activities of the South Korean Army and its preparations for the future.

We follow the supplies from the factory to the depot in the U.S., to the port to the front line unit in Korea. We show the Port of Embarkation, small boats, the ducks, the rail lines, the trucks. And we show a new development of the TC... the helicopter transportation company in training.

Destruction of the Port of Hungnam...The withdrawal across the Han...U.N. defenses at Suwon...and air attacks on the Chinese border. Captain Zimmerman interviews two soldiers, Corporal Tom Miller who was a rifleman with the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea and Corporal James Jankowski of McDonald, Pennsylvania, who served with Company L in the Army's 2nd Division.

Our allied units throw a powerful counterattack against the Reds, Infantry tanks, artillery, and air all combine to throw the Reds back to the North, The Navy blasts the enemy with rockets. Captain Zimmerman interviews Chaplain Joseph Murphy of Boston, Massachusetts, and Captain John Rock, former company commander with the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea.

Our patrols in probing actions... The attack on Hill 1179... The return of Seoul refugees... and more of the ceasefire negotiations. Two combat cameramen of the Army Signal Corps are interviewed, Corporal John Romanowski of Chicago, Illinois, and Sergeant Lee Marks of Providence, Rhode Island. They tell a dramatic story of filming our troops for the newsreels and for "The Big Picture."

This film includes the Army's 7th Division at the Manchurian border...Men of the 7th enjoy a hot Thanksgiving Day dinner on the banks of the Yalu River...The evacuation of the Hungnam beachhead. Captain Zimmerman interviews Sergeant Charles W. Dumas of Providence, Rhode Island. Sergeant Dumas was a combat correspondent with the 7th Division and was with the 7th Division at the Yalu River.

Recapture of Suwon... The 25th Infantry Division's advance of Seoul... Attack on Hill 584. Captain Zimmerman interviews Lieutenant William Travis from New Jersey. Lieutenant Travis was with the Army's 1st Cavalry Division and for a time served with the Air Force as a Liaison Officer, spotting targets for the Air Force.

We approach this from the beginning in Korea when we had to control the civilian population...rehabilitation for tactical reasons. This is a very human, moving story and again points out our respect and concern for the individual.

We review the heroic and inspiring work of the Army Chaplain, especially the Chaplains who have served so gallantly with our fighting troops. The soldier looks to this clergyman in uniform as a friend and counselor, as well as a spiritual leader.

Comparison of the life of the individual in the states to the soldier on the front lines of Korea. Despite the truce talks fighting is still going on and we still have a serious need for men and machines. The contrast between their life and the life of the soldier should bring the picture closer.

This issue of The Big Picture depicts the many aspects of our soldiers' daily living in the Korean war zone during the winter period 1952-53. Our Signal Corps combat cameramen give Big Picture viewers a vivid and comprehensive account of activities during this period of operations. This issue shows the people of America what the soldier has gone through during this particular winter period.