Film opens with a slate reading: "Strip Y 46 3/24/45." This refers to Allied Advance Landing Ground, "Y-46 Aachen, Germany." The ensuing film shows numerous gun camera footage clips from U.S. Army Air Force P-47 aircraft of the 365th Fighter Group operating from Y-46 during 16 March through 13 April, 1945, near the end of World War 2. The clips show strafing attacks by the P-47s on German cities. Several of the final attacks seem to be hitting the same city located on a river.
The first American newspaper in Aachen, Germany is printed during World War II. Crowds in the streets of Allied-occupied Aachen. A U.S. General speaks as the first American newspaper to be printed in Germany is dedicated. Presses roll and the first copies are produced which are then purchased and read by German civilians.
German civilian refugees move along snow covered roads carrying their belongings in various vehicles near Aachen, Germany during World War II. An oxen drawn cart carry belongings as a Jeep drive past in the opposite direction. Other civilians flee with bicycles and prams. A German woman smiles as she pushes her bicycle. A child rides her bicycle. The woman’s bags are seen hanging on her bicycle handle.
German civilians with ox carts carrying their belongings flee the frontline near Aachen, Germany during World War II. Civilian refugees and various vehicles move along snow covered road. A dog is seen crossing the road. Men leading oxen carts carrying belongings along snowy road. Other civilians trail behind the oxcarts on foot. Some German civilians are seen pushing bicycles.
German soldiers fight in and around the ruins of Aachen in Germany during World War 2. A map shows places. Soldiers on an Sdkfz.250 Neue halftrack arrive on the war front armed with Panzerfaust recoilless antitank weapon and Assault Rifle. Wrecked buildings and houses near battle area. Soldiers walk on the field. They walk in the trench and fire a mortar (several running out of the trench before it goes off). Numerous close-up views of faces of German soldiers as they talk, move, or fire weapons at Allied forces.
Allied Military Government ( AGM ) activities in Germany after World War 2. German civilians lined up as an Allied soldier checks their identification cards. Policemen check cards of civilians. A municipal book labeled "Files" (Akten) is retrieved in the city of Aachen (Stadt Aachen) by U.S. soldiers. Telephone records being recovered. A post office is reestablished. Food bags being loaded onto a truck. A handbook of military government in Germany. Displaced German people unload from a truck. A woman distributes blankets to them. Displaced persons being looked after in a hospital.