Seven French marines gather around a rail car of war supplies, on a small gauge track beside a heavily sandbagged bunker, in Syria, during World War 1.. Two French officers monitor their activity as they remove shells and gun powder, from the rail car, for placement in the bunker. Other marines are seen inside the supply bunker.
The German Army in conflict with Russia in World War I. A map of Soviet Russia, showing cities of Kiev and Odessa. Snow covered roads in Russia. German army vehicles move along the snow covered roads. Scene from First World War, of German General Paul von Hindenburg and his deputy, General Erich Friedrich Wilhelm Ludendorff, leading procession of officials and officers across a railroad train platform. Lieutenant General Helmuth von Pannwitz, Cossack Cavalry Commander, on horseback in a public square. Lieutenant General Anton Denikin with Cossack troops in winter weather coats and hats, talking and laughing. German troops on the march. German commanders review troops occupying a city (Odessa, 1918?) What appears to be a baroque-style cathedral in background. Occupying German troops parade through streets of city. German soldiers on guard at a large building entrance. A sign on a building reads in German 'German Commander'.
The Dardanelles Campaign during World War I. French ships join British Squadron for the Dardanelles Campaign. Smoke rises up from the smokestacks of the ships. French sailors at work aboard ships loading and firing torpedoes during battle. Loading of large naval guns. Naval guns fired. Firing at submarines and enemy German ships. German fleet and French fleet underway. Ships sink due to attack by torpedoes. Navy sailors aboard the ships. Explosions in water.
Battle of Jutland naval battle off the coast of Jutland, Denmark, during World War I. Guns firing from British ships. Flames and smoke rise from ships that have been hit, and much smoke from the smokestacks of ships. Charred remains of a burned ship still barely floating during the battle. Explosions as the ships fire torpedoes and guns. Following the battle, King George V aboard a British ship as British Navy sailors pass in review before the King. The sailors salute. A large number of British sailors stand together during the ceremony.
National Guard soldiers, called up for the Punitive Expedition into Mexico, are seen at camp in Fort Bliss. They attend to ordinary tasks, such as hanging clothes to dry on their tent ropes. A group are gathered together for mail call and receive letters and packages from home. Next, many are seen seated on the ground, writing letters, themselves. Troops gather around an outdoor mess stove where food is being prepared. Next they are seen carrying their personal mess gear as they walk past tents. They then line up for food in a chow line at an outdoor kitchen. Troops seated on the ground, eating a meal from their personal mess kits. Some of the soldiers gather where they are filmed playing with two puppies and a small goat. Much of the remaining footage shows soldiers engaged in all manner of competitive physical games such as horse and rider, and various team races. The final shots show Brigadier General John J. Pershing posing with members of his staff, and closeups of him seated in a chair and then standing outside his rustic quarters.
Referring to Russian operations against German forces in World War 1, Slate reads: "Disaster rapidly followed disaster. The German armies advanced and whole provinces had to be evacuated after 24 hours notice." The film continues with a montage of World War 1 scenes. Mounted British lancers charging across a field. A German gun crew standing by a camouflaged 7.7cm Feldkanone 16 artillery piece. Artillery shell exploding ahead and close to camera during battle. French soldiers charging out of their trench, into no-man's land. Gas shells exploding and gas drifting across a wooded area occupied by Russian soldiers and artillery, some of whom stand silhouetted without gas masks during attack. A hand grenade being thrown by a Scottish soldier. Russian civilians crossing railroad tracks and watching conflagrations from an artillery barrage on buildings in background. Closeups of buildings burning and destroyed by German shelling. Russian refugees leaving area of destroyed and burning buildings.The group includes several Russian soldiers. One, an ambulatory wounded, using an improvised cane, is assisted by a Russian officer and a woman nurse. The ground is partly snow-covered. View of smoke from fire sweeping over a railway line and station. Russian soldiers along with civilians heading away from the embattled areas.