The Battle of San Pietro

John Huston's first directorial effort for the U.S. War Department, The Battle Of San Pietro, is a gripping account of brutal modern war, viewed up close, filmed on the battlefield as it happened. The ancient village of San Pietro stood at crossroads vital to the Allied advance on Rome and the American 5th Army determined to dislodge the German defenders at any cost. In October of 1943 the assault began with massive aerial bombardments that reduced San Pietro to a mass of rubble. Nevertheless, the German artillery survived and when waves of American infantry attacked, they were blown to bits by the big guns which occupied the high ground. Wave after wave of attackers were thrown back with heavy losses. An entire column of tanks was reduced to ashes as the German guns zeroed in on them. Heartrending footage of dazed children, an Italian woman balancing her husband's coffin on her shoulders, and grim shots of G.I.s "relaxing" between attacks are haunting reminders of the real cost of war. The Americans would triumph in the end, but not before sacrificing the lives of over 1,100 brave soldiers.

Bonus:

• New Thrills Of 1943
• Italy Surrenders - 1944
• News Parade Of 1938