Earliest motion pictures captured at the turn of the 20th century in Europe. Berlin 1895: Otto Von Bismarck, Chancellor of Germany, addresses Germans about the need for 'blood and iron'. Large crowd gathered at a Berlin square to hear him. Next scene is in England, United Kingdom, in 1903: The young boy future Prince of Wales and future King Edward VIII plays with his brother Albert (the future King George VI) and his sister, Mary (Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood) on the grounds of Windsor Castle. The two boys hold toy guns and march. Next images are in Moscow, Russia, in 1907: Nicholas II, Tsar of Russia, at a gathering with military officials and other dignitaries. A large crowd outside the palace. Germany, 1910: Kaiser Wilhelm II along with other military officials at an orphanage. Children put up a show for the German Emperor. Orphan children posing with the Kaiser.
A bomb damaged city or town in Germany during World War II (possibly part of Berlin). Pedestrians walk on road with bridge overpass. Part of sign remains on bridge with last word "Tageblatt" (possibly referring to the Berliner Tageblatt newspaper?) A U.S. Army ambulance jeep approaches on the road. An old man walks holding a stick in hand. German civilians on a street with walking bicycles past area with rubble of bombed out buildings. United States military truck on a road. German boy walking past the truck. A man and a woman go by in a horse driven carriage. Three young boys stand in front of barbed wire and watch the cameraman closely, making no expressions.
Mix of actual period film footage and actors in dramatized scenes. Actors in a play converse against painted backdrop depicting the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany. German soldiers advancing (not under fire) through field and trees in World War 1. They pass a cross marking a grave. Actors playing rolls of mother, father, and their boy, greet a German soldier who enters their home. He is in uniform including Pickelhaube (spiked helmet). He presents some papers to the father, who directs him to someone else (unseen) in the household. Next, the soldier bids the family goodbye. He is now carrying two large packages and a bottle of him two packages and a bottle of wine. A contingent of German soldiers are seen marching, loosely, as they are led by an army band playing their instruments. Spectators, including a number of children, walk alongside the soldiers. Next, spectators crowd around what appears to be an imperial coach, pulled by a team of four white horses. (The occupant of the carriage is not visible.) More marching soldiers are seen passing close to spectators. A troop of German Hussar lancers parades on horseback in full military uniforms. Soldiers march across a crowded square. German troops marshalling beside a rail road train at an outdoor stop. Some soldiers move along a road in horse-drawn wagons. Officers are seen riding in an automobile followed by troops in motorized trucks. Troops with horses, wagons, artillery and other equipment organize for movement to the battle front. A series of newspapers is seen, with dates commencing.August 8, 1914.They report on German military actions. One dated August 21st reports German troops in Brussels. Another, dated September 3, 1914 reports the advance on Paris. One dated August 25th reports war in the East. A September 1st paper reports a great advance in France. German troops are seen trudging along in formation. a line of German military covered wagons entering a French town as other German soldiers busy themselves occupying it. Large numbers of French townspeople evacuate with belongings. some walk and carry goods in wheel barrows. Others leave in horse-drawn wagons. And some depart in automobiles. Occupying German troops are seen in cold weather clothing, at an outdoor mess. Their arms are stacked and they eat from personal mess gear. German soldiers airing out their bedding and settling into a park in a French town. Scene shifts to patrons at a crowded outdoor cafe in Berlin. A tram passes in the background.
Shortly before World War 2: Animation showing an aircraft emitting radio waves towards German cities of Berlin and Leipzig. A man sits behind a radio directional finding network. A radio antenna receives signals. Animation showing radio directional finding networks in Berlin and Leipzig detects aircraft in Germany. A man’s hand plotting a map with a long ruler. Animation depicts German radio directional finding network detecting aircraft location. A Junkers Ju 52 transport aircraft in hangar. A second Ju 52 on ramp with tail being elevated in flight position on snow-covered airfield. Nose and engine of the Ju 52. Pilot using directional finding equipment onboard the Ju 52.
Documentary titled 'Travel In Germany'. Views of Germany. Men, women and children inside a German luxury-train. Several facilities for passengers inside the train. Food served to the passengers. Telephone service for passengers between Hamburg and Berlin. Bed prepared inside a luxury compartment. Woman passenger goes to bed.
Unrest in Germany in decade following World War I. Rally and demonstration in Munich in Marienplatz area, between Communist KPD members, police, and NSDAP brownshirts. This was known as the Beer Hall Putsch or Munich Putsch in November 1923. Crowds opposing the Treaty of Versailles. Trucks and jeeps loaded with policemen at the riot place. Buildings in the background. Scene shifts to a Nazi rally at the Lustgarten in Berlin on May Day (May 1, 1938). A tall May Pole is seen decorated with Nazi flags and streamers. Adolf Hitler addresses a large crowd from a dais on the steps of the Altes Museum. Swastika sign on panels on either side. German biplane aircraft fly in formation overhead, demonstrating German military buildup, re-militarization, and rearmament of Germany leading up to World War 2.
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