Closeup views of an officer addressing others regarding a B-17 bombing mission. Officer in front of chalk board gestures with a pointer. The locations of "Norden" and "Leer" in Germany are noted on the board.
Views of a church adjacent to an airfield that serves as base for B-17 bombers. Bombers in formation in sky behind church.
Nazi German administration organized an ice show for the war weary populace in the Berlin Sports Palace or Sportpalast (Ehemaliger Standort Sportpalast Berlin, Potsdamer Str. 172B, 10783 Berlin, Germany) in World War II. A woman ice skater is seen figure skating on the large ice rink of the Berliner Sportpalast. The stadium is roofless from bomb Allied bombing since January 1944. The narrator calls it "burned out." The steel skeleton of the roof supports is visible. The stadium seating is filled with spectators dressed in warm clothing. Some also use blankets. The audience includes many German soldiers in uniform, on whom the camera focuses during the film. German figure skater Lydia Veicht performs some spins to complete her performance, as the audience applauds enthusiastically. The audience clapping their hands. A man and woman perform next, dancing together on the ice. Finally, a troupe of women skaters perform on ice.
Opening scene shows large numbers of U.S. Army soldiers taken prisoners in the final German counter offensive of World War 2, known as the Battle of the Ardennes or Battle of the Bulge. German photographer concentrates on African American soldiers in the group, with closeups of many, juxtaposing them with closeups of German soldiers. A German Panzer IV tank passes a hillside where many American prisoners are seated on the ground. A horse-drawn wagon and a Panzer III tank pass the hillside, and then the American prisoners are herded, under guard toward the road below. Scene shifts to German soldiers sharing captured American foods and cigarettes. Several German soldiers in camouflage uniforms. One carries an M34 machine gun with a circular magazine. A dozen German soldiers are seen crowded atop a tank. A tiger II tank (Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B) drives through a village. Closeup of crewmen on a tank. One rides astride the gun barrel. Another mans a machine gun. Closeup of another machine gunner atop a tank. Several more Tiger II tanks moving through the village.
Film opens with map of western coast and towns in France. Camouflaged trucks filled with German infantry drive along rural French road in World War 2. Closeup of smiling soldiers in one truck. A makeshift sign reads (in German) "One-way street to the front." A soldier passes out newspapers to other soldiers riding bicycles. Closeup of a soldier reading the newspaper. Closeup of the paper has headline reading (in German) "Eisenhower has not surprised us." Troops on bicycles ride through a village. Large wooden sign warns (in German) that the enemy understands things you might say about military activities. Camouflaged vehicles drive along a road, passing overturned civilian vehicles at the sides of the road. View from rear of German soldier on motorcycle, with foliage on his helmet, looking skyward for aircraft. Formations of Allied aircraft are seen overhead, and German troops seek protection in ditches at side of the road. Scene shifts to German troops firing anti-aircraft guns at the planes. Black flak clouds are seen near the Allied airplanes. A lone B-17 bomber is seen overhead. Next, burning wreckage of an aircraft is seen strewn across a field. No markings are visible on the wreckage. A sign identifies the town of Avranches in Southern France. German infantry enter the war-torn town on civilian cars and other vehicles of opportunity and motorcycles. A German half track personnel carrier tows an artillery field piece.
Slate is displayed (Title “HIRAN SITES”). A US Air Force RB-50 Superfortress (a reconnaissance version of the B-50 Superfortress) is parked at Naval Air Station Keflavikduring. A mechanic works on one of the aircraft’s engines. Mechanic tightening a bolt with a wrench. Two men working on the engine. An RB-50 Superfortress parked, one of its propellers slightly moving. Mechanics check the engine. Point of view POV of plane starting take off from runway. An RB-50 Superfortress reconnaissance plane takes off from the runway.
CRITICALPAST.COM: About Us | Contact Us | FAQs - How to Order | License Agreement | My Account | My Lightboxes | Shopping Cart | Advanced Search | Featured Collections | Website Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy ©2026 CriticalPast LLC.
License Agreement |
Terms & Conditions |
Privacy Policy
©2026 CriticalPast LLC.