Crowd fills the Plaza Venezia in Rome where Benito Mussolini appears on the balcony of the Piazza Venezia (formerly known as the Palace of St Mark) in Italy, on June 10, 1940. He announces that Italy has entered World War 2 on the side of the Axis powers. Views of the jubilant crowd waving Italian and some Swastika flags. Next, a road sign points to Paris and to Poissons, in France followed by view of German troops triumphantly entering Paris, through the Arc de Triomphe during occupation of France. View of the Eiffel Tower, and of a German flag flying atop it. More views of German troops marching through Paris. A German railway gun firing. (Narrator implies that the target is the Maginot Line, which is not correct. It was bypassed by the Germans, negating need to attack it directly.) Other German railway guns and siege mortars firing and many huge explosions and fires are seen, including some from flame throwers. Next, German troops are seen marching around a circle where a railroad car is parked near Compiègne, France. This rail car is the scene of Germany's surrender to France in World War I. Statue of French Marshal Foch, who had then, received the delegates of vanquished Germany here. Adolf Hitler walking past a German Honor Guard, salutes. He is accompanied by Marshal Hermann Goering and other high ranking military persons. The nearby 1918 "Alsace-Lorraine monument" is covered by a German flag. The German delegation headed by Hitler and Goering, enter the rail car and take their places. Outside, the French delegation, headed by General Charles Huntziger, is escorted by German officers. They enter the car and he German delegation stands. Both delegations exchange salutes. Next, Hitler is seen stepping from the rail car, followed by Goering. The German delegation walks past the honor guard, and Hitler salutes them. German and French officials still in the rail car exchange salutes. Hitler expresses jubilation.
Vichy France leaders in France during World War II. Chief of State of Vichy France Henri Philippe Benoni Omer Joseph Petain and President of the Council Pierre Laval in an office. Henri Petain sits in a chair and talks to Pierre Laval. Inside view of the office of Vichy France. Marshal Petain and Pierre Laval on a bench discuss a document.
The American Memorial dedicated by U.S. Army General John J. Pershing for the American troops participating in the Meuse-Argonne offensive in Montfaucon, France. People crowd during the dedication ceremony. U.S. soldiers parade holding guns. The American Memorial and the flag of France in the background. President of France Albert Lebrun and U.S. Ambassador to France William Christian Bullitt, Jr. attend the ceremony. Pershing standing with French Generals. The American Memorial in the center and the flag of the U.S. and France on either side of the memorial. People crowd around the memorial.
Professional cyclists compete in 1942 Circuit de France, organized by the Vichy influenced La France Socialiste newspaper, in Paris. This was a Nazi German effort to continue the Tour de France during World War II. Large crowds gathered to watch the cycling event on the streets of Paris. Cyclists moving under a banner “La France Socialiste”. Men sitting on top of stone columns. Cyclists carry their bicycles while climbing up stone steps in Montmartre. Cyclists continue their journey after reaching the top of a hill. A spectator whistles. Cyclists hold their bicycles and hurriedly climb down stone stairs. Cyclists carry their bicycles and climb up the stairs leading to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica (35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 75018 Paris, France), the summit of Montmartre and the highest point in Paris. Spectators witness the cycling competition in Montmartre. Two competitors riding bicycles on cobblestone street. Cyclist crosses the finish line. Children from the crowd cheering. The winner of the race is François Neuville.
American veterans of World War 1 return to Paris not long after the war's end. They fill two open buses, each containing a cinematographer with camera, recording the events. A few women are included in the groups. They drive down the Boulevard Champs Elysees. Arc de Triomphe seen behind them.
German invasion of France during the Battle of France in World War II. An animated map depicts the German attack on Rouen and Le Havre in northern France. War ruins in Amiens and its vicinity. Bomb damaged buildings and structures. The Amiens Cathedral (30 Place Notre Dame, 80000 Amiens, France) amidst the ruined city. Military vehicles leave the building. German convoy including soldiers and artillery advances. Close up views of German soldiers as they walk through streets of bombed town and past actively burning buildings. German soldiers in military vehicles. Soldiers march along the ruins and through the rubble, cross railway tracks. Burning structures. Liquid pours through holes shot in water or oil drums, discharging contents onto the ground. Cattle being herded in a town. German Soldiers milk cows. A calf feeds on the mother's milk. German soldiers feed a calf.
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