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.
Opening scene shows Adolf Hitler with entourage of Nazi officers at a reviewing stand in Vienna, Austria following the Anschluss (German annexation of Austria in 1938). A local Nazi official introduces Hitler as their benefactor. Views of large enthusiastic crowd cheering and rendering Nazi salutes. Closeup of well-dressed spectators. The official shakes hands with Hitler. Closeups of the cheering crowds and Hitler making his way among them. Children presenting him with bouquets of flowers. Narrator refers to Hitler representing hope of Liberty, Peace, and work. Austrians in the streets chanting One People; One Nation; One Leader (Ein Volk; Ein Reich; Ein Fuhrer) and giving Nazi salutes as Hitler passes in a motorcade. Views from a leading car in the motorcade as People run to keep up with it and others line the way cheering and saluting. Closeups of enthusiastic men, women, and children. Hitler being inundated with flowers. A German military band (unseen) can be heard playing the German National Anthem in the background.
Views of Luxembourg. Automobile carrying French negotiators, Christian Pineau, Francois-Poncet, and Rene Mayer, arrives at meeting place in Luxembourg. Small group of onlookers on sidewalk, and some looking out apartment windows. Photographers take photographs. Car arrives carrying German President Konrad Adenauer, who enters the building. Inside meeting hall, French delegation, headed by Prime Minister, Guy Mollet, is seated at the table. Konrad Adenauer at the table, consulting with member of his German delegation. Members of the French delegation converse together.
Map highlighting France, Belgium, and low countries, and German border city of Aachen during World War II. Soldiers riding on German Panther tanks camouflaged with foliage. They pass infantry walking along the side of the road. A Panzer IV with side track protectors. Commander of the German 5th Panzer Army, General Hasso von Manteuffel, conversing with officers of the 116th Panzer Division, September 1944. German tanks and infantry moving across a field. German soldier firing from prone position in a field. Knocked out American M3 halftracks. Captured American jeep and M3 halftrack. A very young German boy soldier escorting two ambulatory wounded American soldier prisoners of war. A small group of American prisoners of war. German field artillery firing and smoke rising from their shells exploding in distance. German troops entering town of Moncel-Les-Luneville, in Northeast France. Fire burning in the town. The Moncel-les-Luneville building after bombing in Luneville, France, at 15 Rue des Tuiliers, 54300 Moncel-lès-Lunéville, France. A Panzer tank enters Luneville. A huge smoke column rising in background.
Opening slate cites location as A-83 (Denain-Prouvy Airdrome, France). Aircrew members step from back of an open crew transport truck and walk to their parked Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft, of the U.S. Army Air Forces 323rd Bombardment Group. The entire side fuselage of the aircraft is covered with painted bombs indicating the many missions it had completed, thus far, during World War 2. Crew members place their gear on the ground in front of the aircraft as a Staff Sergeant (Maintenance Chief) brings the plane's Form 1 (Flight Report and Maintenance Record) for the pilot to review and sign. (This segment is repeated twice for the camera.) Closeup of the pilot discussing the aircraft status with an enlisted man. Meanwhile other crew members stand around. One crew member lights the Tech Sergeant's cigarette. Closeup of an officer crew member, with Marsden Matting on ground in background. Closeup of pilot annotating and signing the aircraft Form 1. Next, the pilot distributes mail to members of the crew. An airman brings a pet dog to one of the crew who plays with it. Pilot takes a final drag on a cigarette and rubs it out on a bomb sitting nearby. (Sequence is repeated twice.) Glimpse of trash caught in pierced steel planking (Marsden matting) on the ground. Next scene shows pilot speaking from cockpit window to Sergeant on the ground. View of pilot and copilot settling into their seats in the cockpit. They don their radio headsets.
Slate identifies location as A-83 (Denain-Prouvy Airdrome, France) and date as 29 April (1945). Ground crew armorers are connecting wires to bombs and loading them into the bomb bay of a a U.S. Army Air Forces Martin B-26 Marauder aircraft of the 323rd Bombardment Group. View from under the aircraft as a crewman gives signal to close bomb bay doors and they slowly close and lock. Ground crewman removes a metal chock from the aircraft wheel. Flight crew members climb aboard the aircraft. A crew member writes in chalk on a bomb sitting on the ground. The message is: "Happy Boithday Hoimann from Duffy's Tavern," (conveying the New York accent associated with characters in "Duffys Tavern" radio show). World War 2; WWII; WW2.
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