Locations


IMDB only credits the Selznik Studio for filming locations but during the first portion of the film when the GI's get strafed by the enemy aircraft, it's beyond obvious that it's shot in the Mojave Desert of So Cal which looks nothing like Sicily.
We had multiple training facilities there during the war and that's what this whole portion of the film looks like - maneuvers, until the enemy aircraft shows up.

Later, you see the GI's marching through oddly shaped rock formations. This was obviously Iverson's Ranch in Chatsworth Ca. where literally hundreds of films and TV programs were filmed. Everything from The Fighting Seabees to The Lone Ranger.

Oddly enough, some of those damaged buildings look like the ones in GWTW - another Selznik film.
Also note that in some scenes in the "city" you hear a constant sound of aircraft in the BG. That's a result of the fact that the now Van Nuys Airport was an AAF training facility during WWII. Obviously there was nothing they could do about the noise so they left it in, thinking it would lend an air of authenticity to the combat ops.

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Actually, the opening sequence is supposed to be North Africa campaign...Tunisia in fact. Which is desert, although whether it looks anything like the Mojave Desert I wouldn't know as I have never been to Tunisia! I am sure they shot in the desert training grounds nearby as the army was behind this picture 100%, and reused many other sets also as a moneysaver.

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