German military and civilians collaborate to build defenses against Soviet forces in East Prussia, during World War 2. They dig foundations and prepare pill boxes, among other fortifications. German Generals and other officers participate in the manual labor, laying their uniform blouses aside and digging in with the rest of the workers. They are seen preparing wide and deep antitank ditches to trap Soviet armor.
Adolf Hitler visits German military officers, at a military hispital in Rastenburg, during World War 2. They were injured in the July 20th assassination attempt against Hitler. He visitis and speaks with: Major General Walter Scherff; Navy Captain Heinz Assmann; Rear Admiral Karl-Jesco von Puttkamer; and General Walther Buhle. As he leaves the building, women nurses outside, give Nazi salutes, and cheer him. Change of scene shows Hitler, at the Wolf's Lair compound, near Rastenburg, East Prussia (now Poland). Among those he greets are: Walther Funk, Reich Minister for Economic Affairs; Reich Minister Albert Speer; and Reich Minister Hans Heinrich Lammers, President of the Reich Cabinet. Next scene shows Heinrich Himmler, chief of the Nazi Gestapo, speaking with General (Generaloberst) Ferdinand Schörner. Hitler strolls with Hermann Goering, and is then seen, from behind, as he greets Reich Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels and General (Generaloberst) Heinz Wilhelm Guderian, Chief of Staff of the Army. The Nazi top leaders stand and converse. Goebbels speaks with Martin Bormann and General Alfred Jodl,who was also injured during the July 20, 1944 bomb plot against Hitler. (Jodl's head is bandaged.)
Captured German propaganda film designed to encourage the German population near the end of World War 2. The closed Theater des Volkes (Theater of the people) in Berlin is seen at it's start. Steel gates are being pulled across the entrance of the Deutsches Opernhaus (German Opera House). Steel gates are drawn across the entrance to the Schiller Theater on Bismarckstrasse in Berlin. A sign announcing the open hours at a play house, is covered by a cardboard. Likewise a sign at an opera theater is covered. (Narrator states that Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Reich Minister of Propaganda, has been given the title: "Reich Plenipotentiary for Total War.") City trams are diverted to carry war supplies. View of men loading boxes into one. A tram pulling rail cars loaded with freight. An automobile being towed by a tram. Morale boosting slogans posted in various places. (one reads "Relentlessly determined to win victory." Another reads "With the Leader (Fuhrer) to Victory." Joseph Goebbels, addressing a rally of armaments workers in the Rhineland District, tells them (according to the Narrator) "Before we admit the enemy to German soil, and submit ourselves to his will, we will first work our hands bloody and work to our last breath." The assembled workers applaud enthusiastically. Men and women over 65 years of age are mobilized to help with the war effort and seen engaged in light manufacturing. German miners coming off shift volunteer to dig trenches and prepare earthworks. The receive tools and march to a work site. Views of men digging defenses in East Prussia where it became urgent as the Soviet army drew near in October, 1944. In another similar scene, many women are seen working alongside men building defenses. A group of Nazi officers pose for pictures ostensibly working to also dig fortifications. A huge civilian work force is seen digging deep and wide ditches to stop or delay invaders.
Conferences after Hitler's Escape from Bombing Plot on 20 July 1944. Prime Minister of Italy Benito Mussolini arrives by train at Fuhrer Headquarters (FHQ). German Fuhrer Adolf Hitler greets him with a left-handed handshake. Nazi Party member Hermann Goering also present. At Hitler's Wolf's Lair compound near Rastenburg, East Prussia, Nazi leaders greet the Fuhrer to congratulate him on surviving the attack, including Foreign Minister of Germany Joachim von Ribbentrop, head of the Party Chancellery Martin Bormann, German Reich Minister of the Interior Heinrich Himmler, SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Hermann Fegelein, Member of the Nazi party Hermann Goering. Lined up to greet Hitler and show loyalty are Saukel, German Minister of Armaments and War Production Albert Speer, Dr. Sauer, Head of the Reich Chancellery Hans Lammers, Himmler, Goering, Joseph Goebbels.
Adolf Hitler visits German Army officers, who were injured, in the July 20th assassination attempt against him. They are being treated at a military hospital, in Rastenburg, during World War 2. Among the victims he visits are: Major General Walter Scherff; Navy Captain Heinz Assmann; Rear Admiral Karl-Jesco von Puttkamer; and General Walther Buhle. Hitler is seen with a small bandage in his right ear due to a ruptured ear drum from the explosion. He takes time and speaks with each of the wounded officers. As he leaves, women nurses, assembled outside, render Nazi salutes, and cheer him. Change of scene shows Hitler, at the Wolf's Lair compound, near Rastenburg, East Prussia (now Poland). He greets Walther Funk, Reich Minister for Economic Affairs; a local Gauleiter; Reich Minister Albert Speer; a Dr. Sauer; and Reich Minister Hans Heinrich Lammers, President of the Reich Cabinet. Next scene shows Heinrich Himmler, chief of the Nazi Gestapo, speaking with General (Generaloberst) Ferdinand Schörner. Hitler strolls with Hermann Goering, and is then seen, from behind, as he greets Reich Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels and General (Generaloberst) Heinz Wilhelm Guderian, Chief of Staff of the Army. Beside him is Hermann Fegelein. The Nazi top leaders stand and converse. Goebbels speaks with Martin Bormann and General Alfred Jodl, whose head is bandaged. (He was injured during the July 20, 1944 assassination plot against Hitler.)
Citizen National Guard, known as Volkssturm, being registered, armed, and seen marching in Germany late in World War 2. Registration for young and old in National Guard and Hitler Youth participants. Eager young boys shown in recruitment, and elderly Germany men are seen signing up. New National Guards sign some papers and shake hands with Nazi officials. Hitler Youth registration. Heinrich Himmler gives speech from a platform in a hall in Insterburg, East Prussia. German swastika flags covers war memorials. Large outdoor rally in Annaberg Germany with Nazi leaders, National Guard members, Hitler Youth, and citizens listening to the speech. Large banner hung from buildings in Annaberg. Nazi soldiers and National Guardsmen with guns and weapons including panzerfaust on shoulders march in the streets. Civilians salute as the Soldiers, Volkssturm and Hitler Youth march with German swastika flags.