German troops are seen in white winter uniforms, during World War 2, with some holding panzerfaust. Narrator mentions combat against Anglo-Canadian forces, and then speaks of preparation for the New Year's offensive. Heinrich Himmler, as commander of Army Group "Oberrhein" had ordered the launch of Operation Nordwind to recapture Strasbourg. Accordingly, On New Year's Eve, 1945,The Germans launch an offensive (Nordwind) into Alsace, attacking the Allied 6th Army Group at multiple points. On January 5, 1945, Army Group Oberrhein begins a support attack by General Otto von dem Bach's XIV SS Corps, the 553d Volksgrenadier Division, reinforced with armor and commando units. They are seen crossing the Rhine river in small boats at Gambsheim, just ten miles north of Strasbourg. Allied aircraft bomb German positions on the West bank of the Rhein (Rhine) River. The German troopers seize high ground West of the Rhein. German troops are seen firing recoilless anti-tank weapons in a field, Views of knocked out British and American tanks. Abandoned German Jagdpanzer IV faces a U.S. Tank Destroyer. German troops are seen advancing into town North of Strasbourg (Herrlisheim, Drusenheim, Offendorf ?). Scenes of destruction in town. Words: "Haus Bewohnt Civil" scrawled on homes to identify them as civilian occupied.
Allied naval guns firing at the French coast during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, during World War 2. Troops clamber down rope net, from their transport ship, into landing craft, headed toward Omaha beach. Rockets being fired from landing craft, LCT(R)s,above other landing craft. U.S. Army Air Forces B-26 and B-24 bombers dropping bombs on enemy targets. Allied warships firing heavy guns on inland targets. U.S. troops landing on Omaha beach, making their way through shore obstacles and suffering under heavy German gunfire that rakes the beach. Several American soldiers seen falling to German gunfire. Allied boats and rafts adrift and men being rescued by comrades. Medics assisting wounded.
Excerpts from British movie about World War One Battle of the Somme. Map shows area of the Battle of the Somme and points to the region of Montaubon siezed by the British 30th Division on July 1, 1916. British World War I forces are seen entering former German trenches and resting. They clean debris from the trenches under German artillery fire. German troops counterattack out of trenches and cross the battlefield to engage entrenched British infantry. British fire at them with Lewis machine guns. Both sides sustain casualties.
A Landing Craft Infantry LCI(L) seen beached, sideways, on the shore at near the E-1 Draw of Omaha Beach, during resupply operations following the Normandy invasion in World War 2. A bluff rises close to shore in the background, leaving a narrow shoreline and narrow path (draw) through the bluffs. Camera shows Landing Ship Tank (LST), number 281, near the shore with troops on her deck. U.S. troops are seen walking along the shoreline past wreckage of landing craft and their cargoes. Two Amphibious vehicles (DukWs) move from the shore into the water, past the beached hulk of LCI number 434. They appear to be headed toward LST 281, which is shown again.
Film opens showing animated images of elephants created by fireworks. View of the Pont Alexandre III bridge illuminated at night with fireworks in the sky above and sparks spouting from containers on the bridge. View of the Nymphes de la Seine statue group by sculptor Georges Recipon, is seen on the near (western side) of the bridge. The fireworks fountains on the bridge increase their discharges. Next, showers of sparks and heavy smoke appear, as people walk across the bridge. (These fireworks are generated East of the bridge.) Spectators viewed from behind are silhouetted against the white smoke and fireworks, as they watch the show from the nearby Pont de la Concorde Bridge. A group of swirling fireworks in the sky. Animated images of dancers wrought in fireworks. One of them collapses. An animated fireworks image of an urn spewing fire, topped by two fish moving atop it. Firework portrait of man with name "Chamberlain" beneath it. Firework bust of Admiral Byrd, with "Byrd" beneath it. Animated firework picture of the Spirit of St. Louis (Lindbergh's airplane) approaching the Eiffel Tower, followed by firework portrait of Lindbergh, with name "Lindy" above, and sequence of word: "The" followed by image of a lone eagle, and words: "of the U.S.A. Film concludes with more fireworks displays.
Repatriated French soldiers are welcomed at a reception center in Paris.The move in an informal line and are given refreshments by a young woman. The reception center is decorated with bunting. A portrait of Charles de Gaulle is displayed on the wall.
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