Two civilians and two soldiers, are standing on the sidewalk in front of the train station at Montparnasse, Paris (Gare de Montparnasse) during World War 2. A remnant of former German occupation is a sign (in German) indicating it is for the German Army and contains the office of the train station guard officer. The French tricolor is displayed on the front of the building. Through the large glass window of the station, several men are seen huddled around a table inside. Camera moves inside, showing General Philippe Leclerc commander of the Free French 2nd Armored Division (2e Division Blindée,2e DB, aka La Division Leclerc). He is reviewing tactical maps with officers of his staff. After a glimpse of a train on a track behind them, the camera returns to Leclerc and his officers, and then pans upward to the train station clock reading 12:47.
The annual 10mile marathon race begins at Montmartre. Participants run through narrow streets and up steep stairs. Runners are seen crossing road. Finishing point is the top of the steep stairs leading to Sacre Coeur Cathedral. M. Hediart first reaches the finishing point. He accepts a basket full of vegetables and meat, in lieu of a trophy, from the organizers on winning the race.
An exhibition boxing match between American boxer Sugar Ray Robinson and Frenchman Jean Stock at the Sports Palace in Paris. The boxers in the boxing ring. The match underway. Sugar Ray punches Jean Stock and knocks him down three times. Spectators cheer during the match. The Frenchman's manager forfeits the match.
German supergun or super cannon artillery emplacement (without barrel) abandoned on rail tracks outside Paris during World War I. United States soldiers and French soldiers stand on and beside the abandoned German siege gun substructure. United States and French soldiers walk beside the railroad track. United States soldiers walk on the tracks. A United States soldier holds a shell casing from the World War 1 Supergun or Supercannon. (World War I; World War 1; WWI; WW1)
Crowd congregates in Paris streets to celebrate the armistice ending the First World War. People hold flag of United States. People in crowd tip their hats, smile and cheer. American soldiers pull a captured German artillery gun on wheels amidst the celebrating crowd who welcomes the end of World War 1.
German troops are seen in white winter uniforms, during World War 2, with some holding panzerfaust. Narrator mentions combat against Anglo-Canadian forces, and then speaks of preparation for the New Year's offensive. Heinrich Himmler, as commander of Army Group "Oberrhein" had ordered the launch of Operation Nordwind to recapture Strasbourg. Accordingly, On New Year's Eve, 1945,The Germans launch an offensive (Nordwind) into Alsace, attacking the Allied 6th Army Group at multiple points. On January 5, 1945, Army Group Oberrhein begins a support attack by General Otto von dem Bach's XIV SS Corps, the 553d Volksgrenadier Division, reinforced with armor and commando units. They are seen crossing the Rhine river in small boats at Gambsheim, just ten miles north of Strasbourg. Allied aircraft bomb German positions on the West bank of the Rhein (Rhine) River. The German troopers seize high ground West of the Rhein. German troops are seen firing recoilless anti-tank weapons in a field, Views of knocked out British and American tanks. Abandoned German Jagdpanzer IV faces a U.S. Tank Destroyer. German troops are seen advancing into town North of Strasbourg (Herrlisheim, Drusenheim, Offendorf ?). Scenes of destruction in town. Words: "Haus Bewohnt Civil" scrawled on homes to identify them as civilian occupied.
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