Liberation of Rome from German control during World War II. U.S. 5th Army advances in Rome, Italy. Trucks loaded with soldiers move on streets. Battle equipment and tanks advance. German prisoners move through the streets towards an Allied Defense Camp. Civilians greet the troops advancing through the city. United States troops at war against German troops. Explosions occur. United States Army Generals drive through the streets. A large crowd of civilians gathered during a reception to greet the Generals.
German troops in Rome, Italy during World War II. Allied prisoners, mostly U.S. Army soldiers, leave trucks in front of the Colosseum (Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy) in Rome. The prisoners of war (POW) jump out from the back of trucks. German guards force Allied prisoners of war to march on the Via dei Fori Imperiali road in front of the Colosseum.
Allied forces enter Rome, Italy during World War II. Point of view (POV) from moving vehicle shows Italian civilians gathered along a road and some of them walk down a street. American tanks and trucks move on the streets of Rome. Three Allied soldiers in a horse drawn carriage. A military jeep with children around it and the Monument of Victor Emmanuel II (Altare della Paria Piazza Venezia, 00186 Roma RM, Italy) in Rome. American soldiers talk to Italian civilians in front of the Palazzo Venezia (Piazza di S. Marco, 49, 00186 Roma RM, Italy), the former office of Benito Mussolini. American M4 Sherman tanks and trucks move past an Italian policeman and the Monument of Victor Emmanuel II in the background. American enlisted men talk to Italian civilians. A sign on a truck reads 'Rome Beer Express, to 5th Army, compliments PBS'. Civilians and soldiers on the streets of Rome after the liberation from Nazi German rule. An Allied soldier rides a carriage with Italian girls seated in it. Soldiers in a jeep take pictures on Via del Corso. A sign on a building read 'A morte Mussolini'.
U.S. 5th Army enter Rome, Italy. Infantry, M-10 Tank Destroyers, Sherman tanks, trucks, Jeeps and myriad other equipment and personnel of the 5th Army are seen along the road entering Rome proper. Electric towers along the sides of the road. Buildings in the background. Soldiers seated in a military jeep at a guard post. Italian civilians hold a sign reading, "American Soldiers We Welcome as our Liberators." Italian civilians gather on the streets and cheer, but disperse quickly when gunfire erupts. Two U.S. soldiers take cover behind their jeep and point rifles in the direction of the gunfire. Smoke rising from parts of the city. American Sherman tanks parked in a farm field.
Pope Pius XII meets Allied troops at Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy during World War 2. Members of the British 8th Army at side of open aisle in St Peter's Basilica (Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City). A procession led by Swiss Guards. Papal entourage walks down the aisle followed by Pope Pius XII on a gestatorial chair (sedia gestatoria). He blesses the troops as he goes. Pope descends the chair and walks to the throne. He seats himself and addresses the troops. The troops listen to the Pope. Pope Pius XII rises from the chair and bestows blessings on the soldiers.
Pope Pius XII talks to Allied soldiers at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy. United States troops and British Troops at side of open aisle in St Peter's Basilica (Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City). Pope Pius XII rises from the throne and blesses the soldiers. Soldiers listen to the pope as he talks informally to them. The soldiers surround him. Pope Pius XII walks to the throne and sits. (World War II period).