Film opens showing Adolf Hitler, in uniform, on the balcony of his new Reichs Chancellery on Wilhelmplatz (completed in 1939). He is accompanied by Deputy Fuhrer, Rudolf Hess and Schutzstaffel Leader, Julius Schrek. Supporters crowd the square and cheer them. Scene shifts to a nighttime rally, and then to Closeup of Hermann Goering on a balcony with others (unidentified). Glimpse of a Schutzstaffel brass band marching in torchlight parade and Hitler saluting from a balcony. Schutzstaffel assembled in Wilhelmplatz (77 Wilhelmstraße, 10117 Berlin, Germany). Some spectators climb a tree to get better view of events. Crowd returning Nazi salute to Hitler standing alone on Reichs Chancellery balcony. Inserted slate reads: "Memorial Day, 1936."
A crowd of Gernan civilians is seen gathered in front of the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin, Germany. Glimpses of Leaders, of the German Communist Spartacus League, including Rosa Luxemburg. Scenes of unrest during the Spartacist uprising (Spartakusaufstand) in January, 1919. Scenes of post-World War poverty, hardship and deprivation for German citizens during time of hyperinflation, with German people shown living in improvised housing, cooking outdoors, scavenging for coal. A sign is displayed for the Winterhilfswerk (WHW) Winter Relief program run in the 1930s by the Nationalsozialistische Volkswohlfahrt (National Socialist People's Welfare). It states its aim against Hunger and Cold (Gegen Hunger u Kalte). Uniformed persons with swastika arm bands, including Joseph Goebbels, and Hermann Goering, of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party), are seen surrounded by enthusiastic German citizens. Closeup of hot meal being dispensed and people eating. A sign in the background refers to the People's Welfare Program. People gathered in an outdoor food dispensing station, under a banner reading: "Berlin isst heute sein eintopfgericht" (Berlin is eating its stew today). Another glimpse of hot food being ladled into a dish. Adolf Hitler stands and gives a haranguing speech from a table where Nazi party members are seated. A banner on the front of a steam locomotive announces Winter Aid donation related to East Hannover (Winterhilfe Spende gau Ost-Hannover). Another sign refers to the 1936-1937 Winter Relief program (WHW) donation related to East Hannover (Gau Ost-Hannover Gifhorn W.H.W. Spende). Railroad train box cars are seen transporting contributions, from various places in Germany, to the program.
Allied operations in Germany during World War II. A map of Germany. A headline in a newspaper reads 'Russians strike Berlin'. People stand on a bridge in Cologne. View of Cologne cathedral. Past events show Nazi troops during a parade in March, 1936, crossing the River Rhine during rearmament of Germany. U.S. soldiers in advance in Germany in 1945, in combat from house to house in a German town. The German soldiers being taken as prisoners of war. Scenes with Nazi German soldiers with their hands up in the air. A large group of German Prisoners of War being marched on a road under guard by American soldiers. Allied aircraft bombard German towns. P-38 aircraft taking off and gun camera footage while strafing a target. P-38 landing on a snow covered airfield. An American single-propeller fighter aircraft crash lands with difficulty and slides into another parked aircraft on the snow. Aerial views of B-24 and B-17 aircraft in formation flight. Bombs being dropped in night bombing raids and day bombing raids over Berlin, Germany. Smoke rises. Aircraft in flight as they leave behind vapor trails. United States soldiers on the ground in combat with enemy Germans in a German town. Infantrymen fire rifles and advance house to house. Wounded Americans being carried on litters for medical care. Germans fire at the wounded Americans.Sergeant Peter Di Guiseppi, from Pennsylvania, of 1st Armored Division, being interviewed. Private Pat Brady of Hollywood California narrates an incident where a gunner aboard a tank fired fiercely at the enemy. He talks about tanks getting caught in a fire and the following rescue efforts.
German Chancellor Adolf Hitler addresses Hitler youth at the Poststadion (Lehrter Str. 59, 10557 Berlin, Germany) in Berlin, Germany. Hitler is introduced by Nazi Party national youth leader Baldur von Schirach. Hitler makes an impassioned speech at a podium. Stadium is filled with German boys standing in formations. Hitler speaks to the youth.
A wreath laying ceremony commemorating fallen soldiers from World War I in Berlin, Germany. German officials and dignitaries proceed along Unter den Linden, in Berlin, followed by military parade. Representatives and flags of other countries are seen, including United States, Great Britain, France, and the Nazi flag of Germany. Troops lined up in front of the Neue Wache (Unter den Linden 4, 10117 Berlin, Germany) war memorial building that commemorates those who died in World War I. Several officials lay a wreath on the World War I memorial, followed by a line of international representatives carrying their respective national flag. A band plays.
Women athletes perform calisthenics at the opening ceremony of Berlin Olympics in Germany. Excerpted from film about the 1936 olympic games.