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.
German coastal defenses in Europe during World War 2. A map of Finland and Sweden. A map southward toward France and depiction of Atlantic Wall running Dutch, Belgium, and French coast facing the English Channel. Artillery and gun emplacements and fortifications along Atlantic Wall in Europe. A German soldier standing atop a fortification bunker looks through binoculars out across the English Channel. Forced laborers (slave labor) construct German coastal defenses at a beach. Concrete being mixed and poured and slave workers build the coastal defense reinforced concrete pillboxes. Massive guns and artillery being raised at the Atlantic Wall coastal defenses. The barrel of a large gun.
The German attack on Poland, at Danzig (Gdansk) triggering World War 2. Views of German artillery firing at fort and buildings across a stretch of water. German artilleryman looking through periscopic binoculars. Smoke rising from the shelling. German troops firing machine guns. German battleship Schleswig-Holstein is seen bombarding Polish army defenses at Westerplatte. (The battleship had entered the harbor and anchored off Westerplatte, in August, under the false pretense of a friendly visit.) Columns of smoke rising from fires started by the shelling. German troops advancing toward Gdynia in armored cars and trucks. A German officer on horseback. A German soldier on a motorcycle. Two German Panzer II tanks moving down a muddy slope as invasion begins. Army vehicles on wet roads and infantry making their way across a shallow streams. Infantry marching along a road. Closeups of the German soldiers as they pass the camera. Officers in a staff car. View from a height of smoke rising from fires on the ground in distance, mixing with cumulus clouds above. (Note: some English narrative begins late in the film, around TC: 00:58)
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