Professional cyclists compete in 1942 Circuit de France, organized by the Vichy influenced La France Socialiste newspaper, in Paris. This was a Nazi German effort to continue the Tour de France during World War II. Large crowds gathered to watch the cycling event on the streets of Paris. Cyclists moving under a banner “La France Socialiste”. Men sitting on top of stone columns. Cyclists carry their bicycles while climbing up stone steps in Montmartre. Cyclists continue their journey after reaching the top of a hill. A spectator whistles. Cyclists hold their bicycles and hurriedly climb down stone stairs. Cyclists carry their bicycles and climb up the stairs leading to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica (35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France), the summit of Montmartre and the highest point in Paris. Spectators witness the cycling competition in Montmartre. Two competitors riding bicycles on cobblestone street. Cyclist crosses the finish line. Children from the crowd cheering. The winner of the race is François Neuville.
Scenes shot in 1942 and 1943 from inside German occupied Paris, France during World War II. German officers and civilians at the Longchamps racetrack in Paris, France. Horses run on a dirt track. German troops at the Eternal Light for the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at the Arc de Triomphe. A German Panther tank captured by the FFI (French Forces of the Interior) in 1944. French collaborator Ferdinand De Brinon speaks into a microphone. German officers listen carefully. Collaborators Marcel Deat, and Laval's son in law, Comte Rene de Chambrun also seen. French Regimental flag held by French collaborator militia. A crowd outside Notre Dame Cathedral. French Marshal Philippe Petain arrives in a car. French collaborationist troops stand at attention. Ceremony for the Legion against the Soviet Russia shows assemblage and German Swastikas on a wall.
Opening scene shows French Nieuport biplanes in aerial combat with German airplanes in World War 1. Many are engaged in a massive dogfight. One aircraft is seen hit and falling toward the ground. Next, two French aircraft are seen returning to their base. They fly over a hangar where a crashed airplane sits with tail in the air. Near the hanger are several airplanes in various stages of maintenance. Mechanics are moving one. An airplane taxis in front of the hangar. Scene shifts to closeup of a Lafayette Escadrille Indian logo painted on a metal structure. Scene shifts to a formal award ceremony for some pilots and crews. Their squadron members are lined up behind them in front of a line of aircraft. The view is from behind a formation of French soldiers with rifles, rendering salutes. Next, French soldiers parade on the airdrome, led by a military band. At this point the scene phases out as a fireball is superimposed on a map of Europe, signifying World War 2. Adolf Hitler is seen in closeup near the Eiffel Tower, when he visits Paris, France following its occupation by German forces in 1940. Several views of German troops marching along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and through the Arc de Triomphe. Closeups of some German soldiers in the ranks. Scene shifts to North Africa, in 1942, as American troops make an unopposed amphibious landing on the coast, in Operation Torch. Several landing craft are seen and troops ashore. A Dodge 3/4 ton WC-51 army truck, with half of its hood open, makes its way through the surf as it leaves a landing craft.
A horse race at the Auteuil Racecourse in Paris, France. A large crowd of spectators gathered for the event at the Racecourse. The race begins. Jockeys race their horses on the track. Spectators watch and cheer. The winner crosses the finish line.
The city of Paris, France under German occupation during World War 2. View from above of Place de l'Opera and l'Academie Nationale de Musique - Theatre de l'Opera, with citizens going in and out of the metro subway station. Many new German signs seen. Point of view from moving vehicle of pedestrians, shops, and busy streets of Paris. POV from moving vehicle of French civilians on bicycles and German soldiers on foot. German vehicles drive along the streets.The Hotel Crillon with Swastika flags in front. A large sign in German reads Deutsches Soldatenkino (for a German Soldier's cinema or movie theatre). Sign for "Soldatenheim der Kommandantur gross Paris" (German Military Commander's headquarters in Paris.) People ride bicycles. German trucks drive along the street. French civilians in a line in front of a store, queuing for rations or supplies.
The city of Paris, France under German occupation during World War II. Interiors of the Paris Opera House during a German meeting. German officials exit from the gate of a public building accompanied by French politician Pierre Laval. The German officials shake hands with Laval who enters a car. View of the Longchamps race track. German and French officials with civilian officials during an outdoor ceremony. A French official pins medals on German soldiers. German, French officials and people outside a cathedral. A ceremony at the eternal light at the Arc de Triomphe. A scuffle in the crowd on the sidewalk.