One by one, 29 B-17 aircraft of the 91st Bomb Group (out of 36 launched) return from their bombing mission over Wilhelmshaven, Germany during World War 2. Many suffered battle damage and have wounded crew aboard. The B-17, "Dame Satan," is seen with large holes in it. The B-17, "Old Bill," is shot to pieces, with its nose missing. Lieutenant Colonel Stanley T. Wray waits in control tower as three more aircraft arrive, including the "Memphis Belle." Her crew members relax and smile as she lets down to land. Her pilot, Captain Morgan buzzes the airfield before landing to complete their 25th bombing mission. They are congratulated by well wishers on the ground. Their crew chief paints the 25th bomb on the "Memphis Belle" fuselage. Change of scene: Brigadier General Haywood S. Hansell, Jr. awards a Distinguished Flying Cross to each crew member. Change of scene: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, of England, visit the flight crew and ground crew of "Memphis Belle" and converse with them. Change of scene: Lieutenant General Jacob L. Devers, Commander of U.S. Army Forces in Europe, and Major General Ira Eaker, Commander of the 8th Air Force, visit and greet the crew. General Devers reads their orders to return to the United States and encourage Americans on the home front.
Germany's main broadcasting station for Ukraine, during World War 2. Houses and trees in the background. A car passes on a street. Exterior view of the building. The car arrives near the building. A man comes out of the car and enters the building. A sign board outside the building reads: 'Imperial Broadcasting Company'. Newspaper montage of German, Ukrainian and Hungarian films and theater notices in Kiev.
Civilians crossing steel Bridge across the Rein (Rhine) River between Ruhrort and Homberg, Germany, under observation by armed French troops in 1921. The bridge is partially obstructed by barbed wire obstacles deliberately placed. The roadbed is paved with stone blocks and has a rail line in it's center. The civilians appear to be heading to work. As they leave the bridge, heavy industrial facilities, including smoke stacks can be seen in the distance. View of waterway from bridge, showing several commercial side-wheeler steam vessels. French troops man a machine gun emplacement.
Scenes before and during German invasion of Poland in 1939 at start of World War 2. Adolf Hitler addresses the Reichstag in Kroll Opera House, Berlin, Germany. Italian soldiers marching. View of dragons teeth and soldiers marching into fortifications including a large bunker or fort with sign text "Scharnhorst werk 1238" partially visible. Large columns of German soldiers marching in goosestep. Airplanes flying in formation over a city. Scenery and landmarks of Polish city of Gdansk Poland (Danzig) before the invasion. People walking on the streets. Various church and other buildings. German sailors on destroyers underway at sea. German sailors manning 20mm antiaircraft deck gun mounted on submarine. Polish infantry and cavalry rally to the defense of their homeland. Polish soldiers driving tankettes (TK or TKS or TK-3) in shallow water and on land. German troops using flame throwers. Smoke arises due to bombardment. German troops firing 77mm field artillery at a bridge. Dragons Teeth seen on the Siegfried Line. Shot of Mussolini giving speech . (Note: Almost no sound .)
Britain declares war on Germany. Artillery poised on streets of London with Big Ben clock tower in the background on the grounds of the Palace of Westminster. People gathered outside and near fountain of Trafalgar Square. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declares a state of war in London. Troops mobilize and air raid defenses are manned to prevent bombing attacks. Soldiers firing artillery, building barricades. Battleships underway at sea. Soldiers continue firing at night. Destroyed buildings and wrecked equipment. Thousands of children are evacuated to the countryside.
U.S. 1st infantry Division cross river during exercise Return of forces to Germany III (REFORGER), in Europe. U.S. M-60 tanks and M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APCs) cross Armored Vehicle Launch Bridge (AVLB). Chaparral missiles mounted on carrier drives past spectators in the foreground. U.S. Army General Michael Shannon Davison, Commander in Chief, U.S. Army Europe, holds a press conference.
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