The First Battle of the Masurian Lakes, September 1-7, 1914, in World War 1. Animated map shows maneuvering of German 8th Army forces under Paul von Hindenburg in East Prussia, against the Russian 1st Army under Paul von Rennenkampf. This is a German counter offensive following their victory against the German 2nd Army in the battle of Tannenberg, in August,. The animated map shows rapid movements of the German forces (reflecting their use of extensive rail networks in the area). Slate states that 350 thousand Russian prisoners were taken in this new quick German counterattack. Remainder of the sequence shows countless numbers of surrendered Russian First Army troops marching along a road.
Hitler and his top Military Commanders at the Wolf's Lair Headquarters in midst of forest, in Gierloz, East Prussia. Adolf Hitler throws item for trained German Shepherd dog to retrieve over an obstacle. He strolls the grounds with Heinrich Himmler. Hitler meets with the German General Staff, including, Marshal Hermann Goering, Admiral Doenitz, General Keitel, and General Jodl.
German General Friedrich Paulus arrives by car at Hitler's Wolf's Lair (Wolfsschanze) Eastern headquarters near the East Prussian town of Rastenburg, during World War 2. Paulus is greeted by a German Colonel, who escorts him to the entrance of a building where he is more formally greeted by Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel. Scene shifts to General Franz Halder, Chief of the German General staff, personally greeting him, as well. Next, Paulus gives Nazi salute as Adolf Hitler walks toward him to welcome him to the Wolf's lair. They exchange handshakes. He is seen to say: "Mein Fuhrer" as he steps back. Others greet Hitler and exchange salutes with Hitler. Then Hitler walks away. Complete change of scene, to a different occasion, shows a sedan arriving carrying Dobri Bozhilov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria. Next view is inside the building, where Hitler strolls in and greets Bozhilov, who bows deeply as he shakes hands with him.
Animated map shows the course taken by Douglas World Cruiser aircraft of the U.S. Army Air Service in their round-the-world flight in 1924. It also highlights mishaps, such as the location of Major Fredrick F Martin's crash in mountains off Alaska and where Lt. Wade was forced down and wrecked near Iceland. Animation shows route from England to Newfoundland to Greenland to Labrador to east coat of United states and aerial route across states. The expedition was completed by 2 of the 5 original Douglas World Cruiser aircraft, namely: the "Chicago," crewed by Lt. Lowell Smith and Lt. Leslie Arnold; and the "New Orleans," crewed by Lt. Erik Nelson and Lt. Jack Harding. They are seen being congratulated by their Expedition Commander, Major Frederick F. Martin at the completion of the mission, on September 28, 1924, in Seattle, Washington.
Adolf Hitler visits German military officers, at a military hispital in Rastenburg, during World War 2. They were injured in the July 20th assassination attempt against Hitler. He visitis and speaks with: Major General Walter Scherff; Navy Captain Heinz Assmann; Rear Admiral Karl-Jesco von Puttkamer; and General Walther Buhle. As he leaves the building, women nurses outside, give Nazi salutes, and cheer him. Change of scene shows Hitler, at the Wolf's Lair compound, near Rastenburg, East Prussia (now Poland). Among those he greets are: Walther Funk, Reich Minister for Economic Affairs; Reich Minister Albert Speer; and Reich Minister Hans Heinrich Lammers, President of the Reich Cabinet. Next scene shows Heinrich Himmler, chief of the Nazi Gestapo, speaking with General (Generaloberst) Ferdinand Schörner. Hitler strolls with Hermann Goering, and is then seen, from behind, as he greets Reich Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels and General (Generaloberst) Heinz Wilhelm Guderian, Chief of Staff of the Army. The Nazi top leaders stand and converse. Goebbels speaks with Martin Bormann and General Alfred Jodl,who was also injured during the July 20, 1944 bomb plot against Hitler. (Jodl's head is bandaged.)
Death of German President Paul von Hindenburg. Remains of Paul von Hindenburg on bed. Soldiers and German officials stand in formation at the Tannenberg Memorial, in Hohenstein, East Prussia (11-015 Olsztynek, Poland). Troops and officials give tribute to the President during his State funeral.