A Nazi concentration camp near Landsberg, Germany 10 days before the end of World War 2 in Europe. U.S. soldiers at the camp. Emaciated corpses of camp victims lying on the ground. Barbed wire fences and prison barracks at the camp. A U.S. soldier talks with liberated prisoners. (Note: A surviving prisoner of this camp, who was liberated at this time, adds that the front gate was on fire early in the morning as the U.S. Army entered the camp site.)
U.S. Army Air Force bomber crew at an airfield in Germany during last days of World War 2, in Europe. Crew of a B-26 Marauder bomber arrives at their aircraft. They pile their gear under nose of aircraft. Crew Chief (Sergeant) and airman light cigarettes. The aircraft commander (Lieutenant) signs release on Form 1, without any preflight or other inspection. He then opens a duffel bag and distributes candy bars and snacks to the crew members. The crew members pet a dog, while smoking and snacking under the nose of the aircraft. The aircraft commander stubs out his cigarette and drops it on the pierced steel matting of the parking place, where it falls into one of the holes. View of hole show cigarette butt surrounded by grass and tinder. (This appears to be an enactment of how an aircrew should NOT behave.) Pilot talks to crew chief through open window of aircraft. Between 50 and 100 bombs are painted on the fuselage, indicating how many missions have been flown in this B-26. Pilot and copilot climbing into cockpit, where a pair of baby shoes hangs in cockpit windshield.
U.S. Army Air Force bomber crew at an airfield in Germany near the end of World War 2, in Europe. Ground crew load bombs on B-26 Marauder bombers parked on the airfield. One gives the signal to close bomb bay doors. Chocks are pulled from main gear wheels. Crew members board a B-26. One of the ground crew writes a message with chalk on a bomb : 'Happy Boithday HOIMANN ! FROM Duffy's Tavern'. Pilot and copilot enter the cockpit of a B-26 bomber. The Pilot hangs a pair of baby's shoes from a cable crossing the windshield. He pats the shoes with his hand.
U.S. Army Air Force aircraft at an airfield in Germany in final days of World War II, in Europe. Airmen refuel a B-26 Marauder bomber parked on the airfield, from a tanker truck, using hoses over the wings. .Nine B-26s take off, in succession, from the airstrip. P-38 Lightning fighter aircraft in flight. A formation of aircraft. Fire guard stands by, with small extinguisher, as a B-26 cranks and starts engine number 1. He then runs to the other side of the aircraft for the start of engine number 2.
Ceremony in Berlin, Germany, marking official transfer of American Sector of Berlin to U.S. Authorities, following end of World War 2, in Europe. Troops of the U.S. 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Division, stand in formation as a U.S Army band plays the American National Anthem (Star Spangled Banner) on the esplanade of the Adolf Hitler Barracks, in Berlin. This is followed by a 48-gun salute fired by "RC" battery of the U.S. 78th Field Artillery Battalion, as all troops assembled render hand salute. Scene shifts to U.S. General Omar Bradley, Commanding General, Twelfth United States Army Group, standing at a microphone. He states that "this ceremony marks the meeting of the United Nations, here, in Berlin and a complete defeat of Germany." He continues with other remarks. Among allied senior officers seen with him are: U.S. Major General Floyd Parks, Commander of the U.S. Sector in Berlin; French Major General Duschesne, Commanding General of French troops in Berlin; and Soviet Major General Nicholei Nicholeiovitch Barinov, Deputy Commander of the Soviet troops in Berlin. Following Bradley's remarks, he, Parks, Duschesne, and Barinov, walk side-by-side across the esplanade, followed by the other military leaders as the Army band plays. Scene shifts to a formation of soldiers from the Soviet 5th Army. Following commands heard, The formation executes a right face,left shoulder arms, and marches off as the band plays.s.
Victory in Europe Day being celebrated in London, England with the end of World War II. War Office Building at Whitehall (now Old War Office) as seen from Parliament Square. Crowd at Parliament Square. Three men sit atop pedestal beneath statue of Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby. Traffic passes by crowd. Crowd waiting and watching and celebrating. Ambient sound of bells pealing from Westminster Cathedral and joyful crowd. Police attempting vainly to mange jubilant and happy crowd. Whitehall, with house of Commons railings on right side. A band procession passes through crowd in Parliament Square. Jeep with American soldiers passes through crowd.