The Fighting Devil Dogs Part1 The Lightning Strikes

While stationed in Shanghai during the 2nd Sino-Japanese War, the United States Marines find evidence of a bizarre new form of mass murder. When the entire detachment is suddenly killed by a glowing electrical fireball from the sky, Lieutenants Tom Grayson (Lee Powell) and Frank Corby (Herman Brix) dedicate their every waking moment to tracking down the deadly terrorist known only as 'The Lightning.' But can even US Marines stop a menace that makes all of their training and weapons useless? How can anyone or anything stop the destructive power of the Lightning? (1938 - Republic Pictures)

Directed by serial greats William Witney and John English, THE FIGHTING DEVIL DOGS cost $92,569 to produce, making it the second cheapest Republic serial after THE VIGILANTES ARE COMING, which cost $87,655 to produce.

Lead actor Lee Powell actually enlisted in the Marine Corps on 17 August 1942, serving in the 2nd Pioneer Battalion, 18th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division. Sergeant Powell fought in the Battle of Tarawa and Battle of Saipan before dying of alcohol poisoning on the island of Tinian in the Pacific.