World War II war crime trials in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Fifteen Germans come out of a prison gate. They are on a trial for killing seven U.S. airmen captured on Borkum Island after their aircraft crashed there on August 4, 1944. The prisoners, including both former German Army soldiers and Borkum Island civilian resdients, aboard a truck. Two armored cars escort the truck. They arrive at Ludwigsburg Palace. Sign over door reads "Borkum Island Court Room." The prisoners enter the courtroom in the palace. They take their seats. Seven United States judges seated in the court.
World War II war crime trials in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Defendants on trial for killing seven U.S. airmen captured on Borkum Island after their aircraft crashed there on August 4, 1944. A courtroom at Ludwigsburg Palace. Proceedings take place in the court room. Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Prisoners seated in the courtroom. Witnesses and court personnel arrive and leave the palace. Trucks parked outside the palace. The trucks move.
World War II war crime trials in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Trucks arrive at Ludwigsburg Palace. Witnesses and court personnel arrive and leave the palace. Vehicles lined up in the parking outside the palace. A truck arrives at the palace and prisoners exit the truck. The defendants are appearing for trial for killing seven U.S. airmen captured on Borkum Island after their aircraft crashed there on August 4, 1944. In the courtroom prosecutor Major Joseph D. Bryan reads a testimony. Three of the seven judges Colonel Barden, Colonel Jackson and Colonel Hicks are seated. Investigation officer Major Levine points out locations on a map of Borkum Island. Chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
Three German soldiers, who were captured in American uniforms, spying behind the American lines, in the Fall of 1944, are executed by a firing squad. In a separate sequence, one of several German civilians is marched toward gallows at Bruchsal prison near Karlsruhe, Germany. They were condemned by a military tribunal for killing six United States Army Air Force aviators who were being held as prisoners of war after crash landing their airplane near the end of the war. A hangman makes preparations. The German criminals are hanged.
Opening shows animated map of Alsace front at junction of Belgium, Germany, and France, in World War 2. Allied forces are schematically shown sweeping toward Wissembourg, Haguenau, and Strasbourg. Next, several U.S. Army M4A3(75) medium tanks are seen driving toward the camera on a rural road, during a pull back by the 7th Army in the first week of January, 1944, from advanced positions at the front. Some are filled with infantry riding atop them. The last of them is seen crossing a bridge 13 miles Northeast of Haguenau. The engineers of the 79th Division place demolition charges to destroy the bridge. Closeup of them placing and then remotely igniting the charge. A huge explosion ensues that completely destroys the bridge. Scene shifts to several U.S. soldiers of an engineer combat battalion preparing 100 pound of TNT in a captured blockhouse at Lauterbach, Alsace. Closeup of engineer carrying the explosives into the blockhouse and preparing the remote detonation device. The engineers string wire in the snow and setup their remote detonation device. One depresses a plunger to ignite the charge and blow up the blockhouse, which explodes in a huge cloud of black smoke. Next, elements of the 79th Infantry Division supported by tanks, are seen moving forward to counter German gains Southeast of Haguenau. (On January 5th the German forces had established a bridgehead across the Rhein (Rhine) river near Gansheim, Germany.) Scene shifts to Drusenheim, Germany where U.S. forces are engaging a Battalion of occupying German forces. Machine gun fire is heard constantly, as American infantry battle the hidden German defenders and tanks drive them from defensive positions near a bridge at the far end of town. Infantry move from behind tanks toward the bridge and are seen crossing it. An M4A3(75) medium tank risks crossing the narrow bridge and is immediately followed by many 79th Infantry troops. The battle continues on the other side of the bridge.
Dedication ceremony of the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri. Former President of United States Harry S. Truman at the dedication ceremony of the library. Dignitaries including Chief Justice Earl Warren, Herbert Hoover, Mrs. Bess Truman, and Eleanor Roosevelt at the ceremony. Ten thousand people gather for the Masonic rites of dedication. Republican Senate leader William Fife Knowland receives a deed on behalf of the government. Interiors of the library that houses 3 ½ million documents of Truman's seven-year term. At the Truman Museum pictures of Truman with former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Another picture of Truman after winning the presidential election of 1944.
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