German pilots prepare to fly a mission in a Rumpler C.IV two-place biplane during World War I. German armorers stow small bombs in the rear cockpit, and mount a large one underneath the airplane. Scene shifts to pilot in cockpit as he taxis along an airfield. Skull and cross bones is painted on side of the airplane fuselage. A parabellum machine guns sits in the empty rear cockpit. Sequence shifts to aerial views of a city from a reconnaissance airplane, at 1000 meters altitude. Among things seen are a river and an impressive building (possibly a cathedral). Views of photographer taking pictures from the rear cockpit, while the airplane is in flight. Aerial views of the city of Verdun and of battles taking place in no-man's land. (indicated by smoke rising). At this point, a sequence shot by an intrepid German combat photographer, from the battle of the Somme,is inserted. It shows trenches subject to an intense British artillery barrage. The German troops are seen fleeing from their trenches and running to escape the bombardment. Some extremely heavy explosions occur on the German positions. (Note: a slate erroneously characterizes the running German soldiers as advancing.)
Bombardier in rear cockpit of a German Rumpler C.IV two place biplane, holds a bomb and drops it over the side, during World War 1. Slate announces a "miss." Ground view of near miss explosion near what is ostensibly a British General's headquarters. View of flyers in the airplane, as it banks for another bombing attempt. Ground view of the same building as it is destroyed in a huge explosion. Slate announces an Allied airplane attacking. German rear gunner firing at Allied plane (unseen). Two airplanes seen in the air. Suddenly an attacking airplane is seen approaching rapidly from below left. (It's wings show only white where roundels would normally be seen.) Ground view of burning airplane framework. The Rumpler C.IV taxiing in after landing. It displays triangle and numeral "6" atop it's fuselage. Aircrew step from the plane and ground crew attend to it. One points to several bullet holes in the empennage. A partially covered airframe being towed to repair shop. (World War i; World War 1; WWI; WW1)
Opening scene shows a British Siege battery of several 9.2 inch howitzers. View from a protected position, of a huge shell exploding. A formation of French Spad airplanes in flight. A French Renault F-17 light tank traversing rough terrain near a forest. Bombs being dropped by hand from an open cockpit airplane. Three bombs exploding on the ground. German troops running past the camera. Glimpse of others in a trench in the background, who appear to be wearing Pickelhauben. Explosions with dense white smoke. A fallen soldier on a litter, on the ground. Nighttime view of artillery flashes. Troops silhouetted against fires burning in the background as they move at night. Smoke blowing across the scene, as artillery fires. A railroad gun firing. A battery of two French 320 mm railway guns. A shell exploding in a field. French 320mm gun firing. Two French 370mm railway guns. One is firing. A soldier sheltering in a deep shell hole and smoke rising all over No-Man's Land. Wounded soldiers recuperating in a hospital. Patients and medical staff posing for photographs in a ward. Signing of the Kellogg-Briand (Pact of Paris) outlawing war, on Aug. 27, 1928, at the Palais D'Orsay, in Paris, France.
Russian soldiers in the European Theater during World War I. The soldiers carrying rifles march forward. A boy who is their mascot marches with them. More soldiers follow behind men on horseback.
Aircraft in the European Theater during World War I. Aerial views as seen from a French aircraft in flight over German trenches. The aircraft in flight above the clouds at a height of 10,000 feet above the ground. A German aircraft in flight. The French aircraft attacks the German aircraft and signals for aid. An anti aircraft gun is fired. The German aircraft is downed. Wreckage of the German aircraft.
The first safety parachute is tested in France during World War I. People hold strings of an observation balloon. The balloon is raised. A man is helped into a parachute and safety gear. He climbs into the gondola of the balloon. People near the gondola. The balloon ascends. The man jumps from a height of 9,000 feet. His parachute opens and he descends towards the ground. He lands safely. People gather near him. The man poses. Men fold the parachute.