Video URL


13171_7315_last_furlough

1944
B&W

Difficulty of servicemen getting home for their last furlough because of overcrowded train systems in America. Servicemen crowded and standing on a train during war time. LS of a huge crowd through the windows of a train ticket booth which is sold out. A woman selling train tickets shakes her head sadly at a soldier in uniform after getting off the phone. Footage of soldiers standing on trains, walking, and sleeping or eating in uncomfortable areas in order to reach their ‘last furlough’ (temporary unpaid leave). Shot of huge crowd as narrator describes that it is ordinary citizen travel that makes it difficult for soldiers to get home for their last furlough. Footage of civilians traveling with a hand painting a white “X” over them. Shot of train with screen reading “CLEAR THE ROAD TO VICTORY!”