Map of Germany and Poland, with major cities marked. A German SdKfz 251 half-track armored personnel carrier (APC) enters a town in Germany, during World War 2. It is carrying about a dozen war-weary German soldiers that the narrator says just came from Budapest. They step down from the APC in front of a building displaying a sign identifying it as a refreshment hall for fighters back from Budapest, complements of the Waffen-SS. They receive hot cups of coffee (or some suitable refreshment). One soldier sits on a rock, eating a hot meal, in front of a sign telling vehicles to halt and report here. The weary fighters are mostly unshaven and a number have minor wounds covered by bandages. One has an eye patch. They converse and appear glad to get a rest. They board a bus. Others ride away in the back of an open truck. The road appears wet and icy. A large body of water is seen in the background.
Germany defending against Soviet offensives along the Oder River in in Silesia, during World War 2. German infantry slogging through mud, past sign pointing back 6 Km to Ratibor,Germany, (present-day Racibórz, Poland) during World War 2. They are proceeding to reinforce defenses at Breslau. They carry many panzerfaust antitank weapons. Scene shifts to German officers conversing with General Hermann Niehoff, Commander of Breslau defenses. German gunners firing a Heavy 21 cm Mörser 18 gun at near-zero elevation. (General Niehoff holds his ears as it fires.) Shell explodes with large fireball in distance. Niehoff speaks with a smiling German officer and pats him on the shoulder, at an informal award ceremony on a street in outlying area of Breslau. German soldiers riding atop an Auto Union Kätzchen (armored personnel carrier) .It is towing a conveyance in which two soldiers ride.
Views of destroyed German town. German soldiers view destruction and bodies of civilian casualties and interior of home looted by Soviet troops during World War II. German officers interview survivors about event. An official announcement about woman named Erna Hitseforn winning the Iron Cross. She poses with several German officers who hold the announcement. Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels arrives from Berlin to visit troops in defensive positions on the Oder River. He is briefed by German Infantry General and observes troops firing machine guns and artillery. A German supply train carrying troops and war materiel is seen. On board are German StuG III Assault Guns and armored half tracks of the Waffen-SS. German infantry get down from trucks in a town and take up defensive positions. Soviet tanks are seen approaching and German tanks and grenadiers respond quickly. Destroyed Russian tanks and artillery in the field. German StuG III's and Panther tanks firing. Smoke arises from the burning Russian tanks.
Filmed from the Destroyer USS Nelson, DD-623, in convoy of warships headed for the invasion of Sicily in World War 2 ( Operation Husky- Convoy UGF.9). Officers on the bridge of the destroyer, USS Nelson with convoy in background. USS Nelson, Signalmen on starboard side signal light reading signals. Starboard side of the repair ship USS Vulcan, AR-5. Aft view of the USS Nelson with USS Vulcan in background. Aft starboard quarter of the light crusier USS Philidelphia, CL-41 with SOC-3 observation scout bi-plane on port catapult. USS Nelson's crew handling lines for ship to ship transfer of material. Inside the USS Nelson's bridge. Officer taking bearing measurements with a pelorus stand. Forward view from the USS Nelson's of number 2 turret with fleet in background. Refueling operations, stern view of the fleet oiler USS Chemung, AO-30, fueling the light cruiser USS Boise, CL-47 on the USS Chemung's port side. Starboard side of the USS Chemung. Lines are secured between the USS Nelson and USS Chemung. Fuel lines connected between the USS Nelson and USS Chemung. Starboard aft quarter of the amphibious force flag ship USS Ancon, AGC-4, and crewmen of the USS Nelson securing ship to ship written communications and or mail via highline between the two ships.
Filmed from the Destroyer USS Nelson, DD-623, during the convoy for the Allied invasion of Sicily, in World War 2. A Baltimore class cruiser is seen on the horizon. The USS Nelson's bow at speed cutting through heavy seas. Officers viewing ahead with binoculars. Signalmen manning a light. A Baltimore class light cruiser in front of the sun on the horizon. Closeup of the stern of the light cruiser USS Philadelphia, CL-41, with crew performing calisthenics. Closeup of the starboard aft quarter of the attack transport USS Leonard Wood, APA-12.
View forward of Destroyer USS Nelson, DD-623, as her bow plunges into swells with water coming over the entire deck.Glimpse of mattress in sailors berth. A convoy of ships including troop ships and warships underway in the Atlantic, during World War 2. Officers and sailor, in foul weather gear, on deck of the destroyer, USS Nelson. Sunlight breaking through the clouds over the Atlantic ocean. Some specific images include: Time 01:34 to 02:05 fleet oiler USS Chemung fueling a destroyer; and Time 03:07 to 03:20 attack transport USS James O'Hara, APA-90.
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