Captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2008 third, increase our production rate of antiaircraft guns so rapidly that in this year, 1942, we shall produce 20,000 of them, and to continue that increase so that next year, 1943, we shall produce 35,000 antiaircraft guns. And fourth, to increase our production rate of merchant ships, so rapidly that in this year, 1942, we shall build 8 million deadweight tons, as compared with a 1941 completed production of 1,100,000. [ applause ] immense forces were mobilizing. Millions of americans were in training. The infantry. Airborne infantry. Field artillery. Antiaircraft artillery. Armored cavalry. Army air corps pilots by the thousands. Women power as well as man power. The vitality of all america was surging up to full time. American labor and management performed miracles. Planes, tanks. Guns, ammunition. Tens of thousands of items rolled off the lines to supply not only ourselves but our fighting allies. On the home front, 1942 was a momentous year. Great plans and stratagems were being laid and coordinated. Supplies by the millions of tons poured overseas. Nazi submarines took a heavy toll. But enough ships got through to help sustain our beleaguered allies. In the air, the tables were starting to turn. 1,000 Royal Air Force planes in a single, massive saturation raid smashed cologne, germany. In the pacific, our naval aircraft inflicted the first decisive defeat on a large japanese fleet, winning the battle of midway. It was an hour of triumph. There would be others, but they would be slow in coming. Our top military leaders were now taking the high places reserved for them by destiny. General douglas macarthur, commander in the southwest pacific, and admiral chester nimitz. General dwight d. Eisenhower was coordinating momentous plans with the allied combined staff in the european theater of operations. General lesley mcnair, commanding general of all american ground forces. General omar bradley, commandant of the infantry school, soon to be given a top field command. General henry hap arnold, Commanding Army air forces. General brian summervale, moved up to chief of the services of supply with the stupendous task of Logistical Support for what would finally be an army of many millions deployed throughout the world. The first of our troops began arriving at overseas staging areas. In north ireland, england, australia, on bloody guatal canal, army troops relieved battlescarred and weary marines who continued the fight for the solomon islands. The United States was demonstrating not only a will to fight, but the capability of fighting a twofront war against great odds on farflung battlefronts half a world apart. On the 8th of november 1942, American Amphibious forces struck the shores of north africa. We were, to use an appropriate american phrase, in business. The business of an allout fight against powerful aggressors who had reached out to conquer the world. We had come thousands of miles but not for conquest. In 1942, the commander of our ground forces, general lesley mcnair, said it best. The United States is stretching out its arms to encircle the globe, not in conquest, but in protection. Even with our powerful allies, the task is vast and calls for our utmost, allout effort. Our armed forces were our armed forces were encircling the earth in a mighty crusade for freedom. Nothing like it has happened in all the history of man. It was the dynamic outpouring of a great nations energy, blood, and resources to protect not only itself but to liberate freedomloving people everywhere. We had come a long way, but the end of the road was far from within sight. We had only just begun to fight. Youre watching American History tv. Every weekend on cspan 3 explore our nations past. Cspan 3, created by americas Cable Television companies as a Public Service and brought to you today by your television provider. Week nights this month were featuring American History tv programs as a preview of whats available every weekend on cspan 3. Tonight a look at our series on the presidency, first, Herbert Hoover and fdr, the political relationships between the roosevelt and kennedy families the portrayal of Abraham Lincoln and jfks response to the Nuclear Arms Race and civil rights. Watch tonight beginning at 8 00 eastern. Enjoy American History tv this week and every weekend on cspan 3. The president s, available in paperback, hard cover and ebook from public affairs, presents biographies of every president , inspired by conversations with noted historians about the leadership skills that make for a successful presidency. In this president ial Election Year as americans decide who should lead our country this collection offers perspectives into the lives and events that forged each president s leadership style. To learn more about all our president s and the books featured historians visit cspan. Org the president s available in paperback, hard cover and ebook, wherever books are sold. By winter, 1942, one year after pearl harbor, our Army Fighting forces were building up fast and being deployed around the wld