United States Ambassador to France William C. Bullitt aboard the ocean liner SS Ile De France in New York, United States. William C. Bullitt smiles after attending a Congress committee meeting to discuss the possibility of war in Europe. Bullitt takes off his hat and smiles as he boards the ocean liner ship SS Ile De France.
A tightrope wedding in La Rochelle, Bordeaux, France. Two tightrope acrobats, Roland Schmidt and Francine Pary, cross a tight rope fixed in between two ancient towers, the Chain Tower of La Rochelle (Tour de la Chaîne, 17000 La Rochelle, France) and Tour Saint-Nicolas de la Rochelle (Rue de l'Armide, 17000 La Rochelle, France), over the La Rochelle harbour. The bride climbs the stairs of a tower. A friend holds up the bride’s wedding dress. Claude Bejac, a well-known cabaret singer and deputizing for the mayor of the free community of Montmartre, climbs a fireman’s ladder. Crowds gathered to watch the couple cross a tight rope. A man helps the groom hold carry his pole. Groom walks on tight rope. The bride carefully crosses the harbor on tight rope on the other side. The bride and the groom meet in the middle of the tight rope. Bride and groom are perched on the ropes. Claude Bejac officiates the wedding of the tight rope acrobat couple. The mayor officiates the wedding while standing on a fireman’s ladder. Bride and groom getting married over the La Rochelle harbour. Harbor front of La Rochelle covered with crowds watching the tightrope wedding over the harbor. Groom puts wedding ring on bride’s finger, the newlywed couple kiss.
Allied invasion of Normandy, France during World War II. British crewmen aboard a ship underway in the Atlantic Ocean as they head to invade Normandy, France. One of the crewman points towards the shoreline. A number of invasion crafts underway at sea including destroyers, Landing Ship Tanks, Landing Craft Tanks, Landing Craft Infantries, rocket ships. A bearded British sailor. Invasion crafts at sea with barrage balloons flying overhead. Naval gun aboard the ship. Men in the control room of the ship. Men on deck of the ship.
A montage of scenes related to British and French military readiness to face the threat of Nazi Germany at the onset of World War 2. An animated map depicts the disposition and status of belligerents on either side of the Maginot Line. Panoramic views of the Maginot Line. French troops double-time march out of the 'Caserne-Maginot' (Maginot Barracks) to take up their duty stations inside the Maginot Line forts. The soldiers are carried to their respective positions by subway cars underground. They are seen at work underground, tending one of the engines supplying electric power to the forts; stacking artillery shells; using pneumatic message devices and other communications; and preparing food. Some sing and dance Russian-stye. A slate in French reads: 'We Shall Win Because We Are The Strongest'. An animated map depicts France's and Britain's Colonial empires and their collective participation in defense of the Allies. British, French and Colonial troops parade in displays of military readiness. Some are seen parading before the Arc de Triomphe (Arch of Triumph) on the Champs Elysees in Paris, France.
Panzer II tank camouflaged with foliage emerges from woods, during the Battle of France in World War 2. A Panzer III tank also comes out of woods. German Henschel Hs 126 observation plane seen in flight. View from aircraft flying over battle front with clouds below and bombs or shells exploding on the ground. Explosions seen at ground level near a river. German tanks crossing a steel bridge over a river, and driving along a road past a knocked out tank and burning trucks. View from overflying aircraft f road filled with German armored vehicles. Henschel Hs 126 airplane maneuvering overhead and dropping a flare, which is picked up by a German soldier on the ground. Many tanks and a vehicle towing an artillery piece, moving over hilly terrain. A German Half-track Sd Kfz 250 personnel carrier. German tanks moving in a field as shells strike nearby.Geeman tanks firing at distant targets with white smoke obscuring the area. tanks breaking through stone wall to enter forests. Animated map depicts the advance of German Army Group A (under Gerd von Rundstedt) and Army Group B (under Fedor von Bock) through the Weygand Line defenses into the Chemin des Dames sector. German tanks advancing in all kinds of terrain, with some views from windows of the tanks View from a tank firing its gun at an Allied tank. A burning Renault FT light tank. Foliage camouflaged German army truck. Advancing motorized German forces raising huge dust clouds as they advance. German armor entering a village, past a dead horse on the street. German Field Marshal Fedor von Bock is seen on a street observing first hand the advance of his Army Group B. Oil storage tanks burning. Other huge fires with billowing heavy smoke. Fires burning buildings in a town and causing the collapse of some. Buildings in a city center surrounded by fires burning and heavy smoke. German soldiers clearing debris in midst of city. One has "Org.Todt" army engineer insignia on his sleeve. In closing scenes, the camera pans over the Notre-Dame cathedral in Roen, France.
The German assault on France during the Battle of France in World War II. An animated map depicts the German advance across Saar and the Rhine. They close in on Belfort, Verdun, Strassburg, Epinal and Colmar. Explosions near a defense line in the battle field. French troops load guns in the Verdun fort bunkers. French soldiers wearing berets shout out instructions inside the fortifications, load and fire artillery guns. Racks full of shells. Soldiers take aim and fire guns. Soldiers operate various machines and equipment. Explosions near railroad tracks. Numerous explosions on hills. German soldiers prepare and fire a Krupp K5 railway gun. German officers brief soldiers with the help of a map on a wall. German infantry crosses a river in motor launches. Firing on either side of the river. Soldiers in boats go across, land ashore and move into wooded area. German troops advance, reduce French strong points. Soldiers fire artillery. German officers ride by in staff cars. Officers and soldiers survey the surrounding hills and landscape. Germans guard French POWs (Prisoners of War). Troops cross a pontoon bridge and enter French forts.
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