Opening scene shows international diplomats gathered at the 1919 Peace Conference in the Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors) at the Palace of Versailles, France. Next is an exterior view of the U.S. Capitol Building and then of the Congress in session inside. U.S. Army troops, with full field packs including bedrolls, are seen embarking on a troop ship bound for France. Others with full field gear are seen boarding a troop railroad train. A train filled with soldiers who wave to friends and family as they depart a railroad station. U.S. troops march along dirt road after arriving in France. French soldiers stand amidst piles of coal being shoveled into rail cars. French troops seen from the rear, advancing along a road, in large numbers. Next, they are seen from the fromt and them from the side. French artillerymen riding in horse-drawn wagons, pulling 75mm field pieces ("French 75s"). German Field Marshal August von Mackensen and aides walk casually past a relaxing group of German soldiers sitting on the ground during World War 1. Suddenly, a motorized column of German World War II armor is seen moving along a dirt road. Closeup of a German Panzer II tank (German Pz.Kpfw.II Ausf.F) is seen, passing the camera. A momentary glimpse of several German Messerschmitt Bf 109s in formation.
Montage of scenes related to European mobilization and preparations for World War I, from 1914 through 1919, plus brief views of Mark VIII tank maneuvers, circa 1924. Patriotic French citizens fill a street as France mobilizes for World War 1. Italian soldiers marching to war through a town. British King George V seen with Prime Minister David Lloyd George and other British officials. British First Lord of Admiralty, Winston Churchill poses and "mugs" for camera. British troops being transported along a country road on double-decker buses and slogging through the mud in France. Two French soldiers join the line of "tommies" to be photographed, and then step out of line to watch. King George V with Field Marshal Douglas Haig, and other officers, next to their automobiles in field, during the King's visit to his troops in 1916. The King and British officers observe tests of Mark IV tank, circa 1917. Scene shifts to August 10, 1916 showing the Prince of Wales and King George V, accompanied by Field Marshal Douglas Haig, and other officers, observing the Battle of Pozières (in Battle of the Somme) from a safe distance, using a telescope. U.S. Army Mark VIII International Tanks in daytime and nighttime maneuvers (likely at Fort Meade, Maryland) circa 1924.
German Führer Adolf Hitler convenes with Nazi military officials including Günther von Kluge in World War II. Adolf Hitler points to a map. Commanders giving Hitler advice during the meeting. Adolf Hitler walks out of the porch area of a building, possibly at the Wolf's Lair and shakes hands with Hermann Göring. Artillery firing in Normandy, France. A Howitzer fires underneath a camouflage net. Smoke cloud forms from enemy position far beyond field. United States troops put shells into a Howitzer. United States soldiers running. A soldier unrolls a spool of wire. Soldiers crouch while advancing. Bomb explosion in the middle of a road. Soldiers watch an armored vehicle on fire. Troops launching artillery. Artillery barrel “COMBAT CHARLIE” fires shell. A gigantic explosion after building is strafed. United States soldiers cover their ears and look away while firing mortar. Aerial view of marshlands and hedgerows in Normandy. Soldier fires with machine guns on top of an M3 half-track. Rear view of tank. Close up of United States soldier smoking cigarette. A soldier firing a bazooka. United States soldiers firing with an M1919 Browning machine gun. Soldier aiming and firing with a rifle. Soldier creep up behind a tank. M4 Sherman tanks charge up and through hedgerows. Soldier climbs through a hedgerow. Bodies of soldiers lay dead near a tank on fire. Soldier shoots upwards with an M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher. Soldiers firing with rifles. A soldier running in the middle of a field near a tank. Soldiers moving through hedgerows. Gigantic explosion with thick black smoke. Soldiers running. View of an artillery barrel hole showing rifling. A soldier shouts (mounting Fire!) from a field telephone under a camouflage net before an artillery fire. More artillery firing at German positions. Smoke forms in the sky.
Slate refers to Leinweber brothers helicopter in Chicago. View of their helicopter being moved out of a hangar in 1922. Closeup of helicopter controls being demonstrated. Next, a helicopter of M. Douheret, of France, is shown in 1919. Men stand nearby and watch its rotors turn in the breeze. Engine cylinders are clearly visible. Pilot sits in the machine and adjusts controls. Next he stands and starts engine. Suddenly, the running helicopter tips over and he runs for safety but returns to shut the engine down. In a second attempt, the pilot is again seen standing next to the machine, with its engine running. And, again, he must run to safety, as it tips over. This time it stops running by itself, and other men help him tip it back upright.
Activities of the United States Army in the United States during World War II. A U.S. Army band from the 407th Engineer Battalion playing musical instruments and marching. U.S. Army soldiers board railroad trains at a railroad station for transportation toward the war front. A railway steam locomotive pulling train cars. M4 Sherman tanks are seen on them as well as M2A4 (Mae West) tanks sitting partially turned with their guns out of sight away from the direction of travel.Browning M1919 .30 caliber machine guns are seen in their extra turrets. Army trucks and other military vehicles are also aboard the supply trains. The supply train moves through American countryside. Two women seated under hair dryers converse about the war in a beauty shop or beauty parlor. U.S. troops on troop transport railroad trains at night. Interior of a train car. American soldiers read books, sleep, and some play dice. An African American porter watches the game. A chaplain speaks to the soldiers. Civilians buy newspapers at a news stand. Headline on newspaper reads "London Expects Invasion of Europe at Any Hour" (before the upcoming Normandy Invasion of France in June 1944.)
Events during the Paris Peace Conference. Secretary of United States Navy, Josephus Daniels and Chief of the U.S. Naval Staff,Admiral William S. Benson arriving at Quai d' Orsay. Other delegates including Prime Minister of Greece Eleftherios Venizelos, President of The Republic of China,Dr. Vi Kyuin Wellington Koo can also be seen arriving.