Product Details

• Format: Black & White, Silent
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Run Time: 47 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B000JXCCOK
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #378,265 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

The 2nd Infantry Division, also known as "Indianhead', was one of the immediate follow-up American Infantry Divisions used in the invasion of France in early June. The division would land in the Omaha Beach sector, the bloodiest beach of the invasion, and quickly move to support the center of the V Corps bridgehead. The contents of this video show the action as was recorded by the 165th and 166th Signal Photo Companies, during this historic operation. The footage in this video is intended to be strictly that of the 2nd Infantry Division and only shows other unit footage when two or more units are intertwined. This video contains footage covering the time from June 6, 1944, when the division was still aboard transports prior to landing, to August 8,1944 when the 2nd Division captures and moves through Vire, France. Images included on this research video are soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division as they relax aboard ships before the invasion. Men load equipment and vehicles on to landing craft, and men of the division come ashore at Omaha Beach. GIs of the 2nd liberate small towns and celebrate with the French civilians. General Eisenhower visits the General Robertson of the 2nd Div. and presents decorations to the men. German POWs are searched and processed by men of the 2nd as medics take care of the wounded. Finally the battle of Hill 192, when the 2nd Div. moves on St. Lo and helps force a breakout. Enjoy these close up shots of equipment, vehicles, weapons, uniforms, helmet markings, and of the faces of the men themselves on these candid reels of history.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A different kind of WWII video, January 29, 2008

By 

G. Powers (Midwest, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 2nd Infantry Division (DVD)

First, let me tell you what NOT to expect in this video. This is not a documentary...nor is it a polished War Department film. This is not a typical WWII compilation with the patriotic music constantly blaring in the background with the overly-dramatic narration.

This is RAW reels of 2nd Infantry Division footage that have been spliced together. This is SILENT video. There's no music, narration, sound effects, etc. It's ONLY video.

This DVD is a compliation of several 3-5 minute film reels of the 2nd Infantry as filmed by military cameramen. Before each segment begins, there is a brief text description shown on the screen listing the date, location, and content of the upcoming segment. The video quality of some of the segments isn't that great, but most of it is good considering its age.

This DVD covers a specific time period ending with the last reel filmed on August 8, 1944. My great-uncle was in the 2nd ID and was killed in action on the following day (Aug 9th). I knew nothing about his military service and was looking for specific footage of the 2nd ID. This video delivered and gave me a first-hand perspective of what his short life in the 2nd must have been like.

Bottom Line: If you're looking for a well-produced documentary of the 2nd ID, this isn't it. If you are looking for an interesting perspective of a specific military unit like the 2nd Infantry, "Combat Reels" delivers.