Feuertaufe Invasion

I agree with comments from DILO-1. DILO-1 should contact me by email so that we can arrange a copy of this film "Thunderbirds (1952) for the 45th Infantry Division museum. I saw this movie when it was originally released, and it motivated me to join the Oklahoma National Guard and the 45th Infantry Division which returned from the Korean War at that time. There are periodic reunions for veterans of this Division, and I am sure that all of the members would like to see the film. The 45th (brigade sized, now) is currently on active duty in Afganistan. It is a shame that the History channel could not be more proactive in obtaining historical films of this type. lovingtheclassics.com is a source for DVD.

I have seen this movie on 16mm film, because I own a copy I have NEVER seen this title on TV, Cable or on VHS/DVD. Can somebody PLEASE tell me why? Even in Review books on movies the story, is wrong. Most movie books tell about aviators before World War Two and it is actually about an Oklahoma National guard unit called up for active at the start of the war. I have made several inquiries to Turner Classic movies and have received nothing back when I asked about this movie. I have also tried to Contact Republic Pictures Corporation but it seems they are out of business. This film is produced by Herbert Yates, the same producer who did The Sands of Iwo Jima. Please, I would like to save this film for future Generations to enjoy.

I comment this film only because it is from John H Auer. I will continue with this film maker for a couple of movies. He deserves to be discovered again. This one is not his best, unlike THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS, which is his masterpiece for me. This war film is not worst than most of this period, but it is easily forgettable, let's be honest. The characters symphony is not bad but over used, with no major surprises, and if you are a John Derek's fan, you will enjoy this film. Good action war film. I am not sure it was releaed in France, my homeland, but surely in Belgium, where American movies were distributed galore, many many more than in France.

Even though the "Code Talkers" were Navajo and Marines and in the South Pacific and this film was made in 1952 and even though the Navajo Code Talkers' secrecy was not declassified until 1968, someone knew about it and put a different spin on the facts. I was surprised when it was disclosed only a few years ago about the real code talkers. The Thunderbirds was a nickname for the 45th Infantry Division of Oklahoma. They fought in the European Theatre in World War II. As far as I remember (50 years ago) from the movie there were no Navajos from Oklahoma. Still a good movie for the old Saturday afternoon matinees where we had 5 cartoons, a newsreel and a double feature.

Thunderbirds is a tribute to the war service of the Oklahoma National Guard which was activated in 1940 before America's entry into World War II and the action they saw.

The film which nicely blends in actual battle footage with the ensemble cast focuses on two members of the Guard who were members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma John Derek and John Drew Barrymore. When they are activated and the guard mixed in with other troops the whole film starts to look like an updated version of The Fighting 69th.

The top sergeant of the regiment is Ward Bond. He's carrying a deep dark secret from the first World War and no pun intended a bond with Barrymore that John Drew knows nothing of. It's the main plot line of the film.

Some good and believable characters blended in with clichéd military types you find in most war films of the era.

By the way, Thunderbird is the insignia of the Oklahoma National Guard. It's a decent war film from Republic Pictures.