United States Army Infantry engage in attack against German snipers in Beffe, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge (World War II). A platoon of the 200th Infantry, 4th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron advances along snow covered field in attempt to wipe out German snipers during winter. Soldiers with M-1 rifles assume prone position in the snow. A soldier shoots with a M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Soldiers shoot with their M-1 rifles before crouching. A soldier aims and shoots with his rifle. View of soldiers shooting with their rifles (one of them is holding a .45 caliber Thompson submachine gun) from a distance. Some crouch shortly to reload their rifles. Some soldiers carefully sneak up in the snow while holding shells and rocket launcher. Soldiers advance in the snow against enemy fire. A soldier firing with rifle from behind barbed wire fences. A wounded soldier crawls back to safety. The mustached soldier smiles upon his return. Two soldiers fire bazooka (2.46 rocket launcher) near barbed fence. Two soldiers crawl in the snow, attempting to rescue another wounded soldier. The soldiers are forced to withdraw because of German sniper action.
Map showing Germany and nearby regions after conclusion of World War I. Writing indicates areas on map including Battle Line at End of Hostilities, Line to Which Germans Must Retreat, and Neutral Zone (between the two areas). Slate indicates that German Kaiser Wilhelm II had just abdicated (28 November, 1918) and shows footage of Kaiser Wilhelm II on horseback at a formal event. Next scene shows a massive human formation of soldiers in the shape of the Liberty Bell known as "The Human Liberty Bell", formed by 25,000 officers and men at Camp Dix, New Jersey to celebrate the armistice in World War 1 and the abdication of German Kaiser Wilhelm II. Camera pans upward to show the human bell from base to top. Next scenes show key Allied military leaders in World War I: British General Haig reviewing troops; France General Philippe Petain emerging from a building; Group of French soldiers marching; Italian General Diaz together with French officers reviewing troops; and King Albert of Belgium exiting a building outside Paris during World War 1 and entering a waiting horse-drawn carriage. View of United States President Woodrow Wilson reading newspaper and seated in a chair. (World War I; World War 1; WWI; WW1)
Canadian troops in West Flanders, Belgium near Ypres and Albert during World War 1. An animated map shows the region and the Somme River. Canadian troops hunkered down in grass and shrubs on a hill overlooking flat terrain. Shells exploding on horizon in background. A large contingent of Canadian troops marching downhill with left-shouldered arms. Senior officers walk out of a courtyard gate. Next, General Sir Sam Hughes, Canadian Minister of Militia and Defence, is seen shaking hands with several officers. Scene shifts, after he greets only two, and shows Canadian troops marching in platoons along a dusty road. Next, Canadian soldiers are seen moving supplies by horse-drawn wagons along a tree-lined road leading into a town. Final scenes show the war-damaged Albert Basilica. The camera pans upward, along its tower, to the Golden Virgin statue at its top, which is leaning precariously to one side, almost falling off its base. (The statue became the subject of British superstition that the war would end when the statue fell. But British artillery, itself, knocked it down while targeting the tower to prevent its use by the Germans as an observation post, during the 1918 Spring offensive)
Funeral procession in a city square in Belgium during World War 1, circa 1918. Several horse drawn carriages with caskets pass by. Each coffin is separately escorted by Belgian soldiers in World War I uniforms and civilian men and women carrying flowers and wreaths. Belgian people gather to see parade on both sides of street.
Troops of the 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion, U.S. 2nd Armored Division, pass in review before their Commanding General, Brigadier General Isaac White, who stands on a stage with Belgian officials, in the town of Hasselt, Belgium during World War 2. The troops are led by the 66th Armored Regiment military band. A contingent of the marchers carries numerous American flags. Civilian spectators line the sidewalks, and Belgian officials in formal dress with medals, watch the parade which ends at a World War I memorial monument in the square. General White carries wreath of flowers and places them at the foot of the memorial, which is inscribed: "1914 - 1918." The U.S. troops parade from the scene. Group of children applaud. Camera focuses on young woman, in crowd, smiling and applauding. View of flag bearing inscription: "Hasselt Liberators."
A ceremony in Liege, Belgium (possibly related to the end of hostilities in World War I). Field artillery and caissons are displayed in neat formation in the courtyard of the Archbishop's Palace, Liege, Belgium. The surrounding structure is notable for its unusual columns, among other things. Belgian Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Armand de Ceuninck, delivers a speech to assembled military and officials. He wears an Army Great Coat, and a star-shaped medal at his throat. Afterwards, The Bishop and Roman Catholic priests sprinkle holy water and bless the assembly. The speech and ceremony are captured on film by photographers.