# THE AIR FORCE STORY CHAPTER VI PRELUDE TO WAR 1937-1939 24364

The U.S. Air Force presents The Air Force Story: Chapter VI: Prelude to War, 1937-1939 (SFP 263-6). This short film looks at the development of U.S. Air Force during the final two years of the 1930s, focusing on the U.S. response to the rise of Nazi Germany. The film begins with the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Goodwill flight ( 01:18 ) on 17 February 1938 to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The squadron of B-17s, led by General Robert Olds ( 01:35 ) leaves the U.S. for South America. Other notable members of the mission include Caleb B Hayes, Harold L. George, and Major General Cutis E. LeMay ( 02:25 ). Upon their return, completing the successful mission, the group earns the MacKay Trophy, which is presented to them by Secretary of War Harry Woodring ( 02:32 ). Despite American aviation advances, it is no match for the rapid air expansion of Germany under Adolf Hitler ( 03:00 ) and Air Minister Marshall Hermann Goering ( 03:23 ); the latter oversees construction of Germany’s new air force. Hitler and his advisors review plans ( 03:47 ) prior to invading Austria on 12 March 1938. This puts the Americans on guard, and Major General Frank Andrews ( 04:12 ) gives the order to put GHQ Air Force on defense maneuvers. The mock air defense of New England is a massive undertaking. The “attack” on Farmingdale, New York involves black outs, night raids, a small force of Douglas B-18s ( 05:12 ), and a squad of P-26 Fighters, which are filmed flying over the New York City skyline ( 05:21 ).…

- Kind: Film
- Genres: War, Industrial and advertising
- Archive: [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/24364AirForceStoryChapter6)
- Licence or status: none stated by the archive
- Who can watch: Teens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/ia/24364AirForceStoryChapter6?play=1)