http://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2008/nr08-26.html

Press Release

November 20, 2007

The National Archives Produces Filmed Histories on DVDs with Partner TOPICS Entertainment

Washington, DC…Culled from the National Archives’ popular selection of WWII and aviation DVD collections, two new gift packs have been released by Topics Entertainment in time for the upcoming holiday season. Containing 24 DVDs each, they are the first products of this scope produced by Topics.

Larger Version WWII: A Filmed History features "War in Europe," "War on the Homefront," "War in the Pacific," and "Why We Fight." Totaling more than 25 hours of archival footage, this collection represents an invaluable cinematic recounting of American participation in World War II in one comprehensive package. 24 DVDs

WWII: A Filmed History features "War in Europe," "War on the Homefront," "War in the Pacific," and "Why We Fight." Totaling more than 25 hours of archival footage, this collection represents an invaluable cinematic recounting of American participation in World War II in one comprehensive package. Included are selections from on-the-scene historical newsreel footage and documentary shorts and features, often filmed and narrated by top Hollywood enlistees.

Aviation: A Filmed History from the National Archives combines NARA sets "Classic Aviation" and "WWII: Air War" with three popular aviation titles from Topics’ product line—"America’s Fighting Jets," "Fighter Pilots," and "Military Air Power." Over 20 hours of footage documents aviation from the first flights to the launch into space.

Both gift packs sell for the suggested retail price of $149 each and are available exclusively at Costco and at selected NARA museum shops through January 1. After that date, they will be available at other major retailers.

Here is an author's comparison of the upcoming Olympics in China to those in Berlin in 1936. It's a relatively long article but a good read. There are way too many people that have no idea how bad these people are.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...0#StartComments

Heres another great story. Grab a Kleenex and you need Flash

http://www.grayeagles.org/video.htm

Well folks, I knew it was going to happen in the next year or so – I got orders recently for an upcoming deployment. It’s not a bad thing; the choice is 13 months in Iraq vs. 7 months in the Djibouti. You can probably imagine what I went for! It's nice to have choices - my grandfather was sent off in '42 and could return to the states only in victory, death or dismemberment! It is set to begin on June 23rd and I will be filling a Communications Officer billet but that is about all I know right now. The next several months will be spent finishing up projects at work and turning over my current duties. At home, of course, there will be lots to do. Not sure when my wife and I are going to tell the kids. I should be back right after Christmas.

I will have internet connectivity so I will be sure to keep up with my required posting (here not my school!) And I will be sure to send lots of pictures – maybe M may even bump up my attachment allowance!

I’ll give you more details as I know them. In the mean time, for those of you who don’t know where Djibouti even is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djibouti

And here is a link to the public website for the command I will be attached to:

http://www.hoa.centcom.mil/

Evocative World War II-era film following a troop train: the coordination of effort; its staging and assembly of cars, cargo and passengers; its heavily guarded journey through the American countryside; and the food, sleep, exercise, training, drilling and recreation of its soldier-passengers.

This item is part of the collection: Prelinger Archives - Public Domain

Producer: U.S. Office of War Information

Audio/Visual: Sd, B&W

http://www.archive.org/details/TroopTra1943

Found this little gem of a film while searching for possible footage on troop trains for my documentary. This was made in 1943 and even though it depicts a fictional armored division, it does show actual footage. Instead of me blabbering on (for a change), I will share the comments of others who viewed it. I plan on using some of the footage within my project, for it is public domain.

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Reviewer: Spuzz - - May 2, 2005

Subject: Where's Bjork when you need her?

Great little film about how one whole troops is transported. vehicles and all, across the country. Told with no narration, the film follows the load up of vehicles, the load up of men (love the fact they would have a marching band to send them off) and finally, the train is off! it goes through the country with some great shots here. Apparantly, noone has ever been in a train before as they havent seen a berth. The troops are allowed out for a bit of exercise and a bit of frolic in the sun and then it ends! Awww! I could've watched more of this, because this was fun! Reccomended!

Also, watch for the homoerotic points in the film (especially in the map scene)

Reviewer: Ron C - - April 19, 2004

Subject: Troop Train and the Camp Croft Connection

This was a worthwhile download. This 1943 movie attempts to show the viewer the activities associated with the troop movement (including equipment) of a fictional armor unit. There is little dialogue, mostly titles for narration, and lots of good railroad shots.

The reason I sought this film out was a connection it has with Camp Croft, a former US Army Infantry Replacement Training Center located in South Carolina. At about the mid-point of the movie, a band (Croft's 2nd IRTC Band/163d Army Band) is shown and I assume the music is theirs as well. Troops moving past the band are from the 40th Infantry Training Battalion and the camp is shown in the background. A really neat find!

Reviewer: cashel - - September 27, 2003

Subject: reality

honest telling of a vital world war 2 story..Told in 13 minutes in b/w film without any trick or animation..