Count Felix Von Luckner visits Los Angeles, California, while on a "Peace tour," in July, 1927. He is famous for his exploits while in command of SMS Seeadler (Sea Eagle) in 1916-1917, during World War 1. He sits, posing while and artist sketches his likeness. Next, he is seen on the deck of the sailing ship, Vaterland, with his Swedish wife, Countess Ingeborg. They hold two dachshund dogs. The Count, in mufti, accompanied by Captain, Julius Lauterbach, strolls the deck of the Vaterland "inspecting" the crew. Camera shifts to closeup of the masts and rigging of the Vaterland, and then down to her hull. Von Luckner on the bridge commanding the Vaterland, which begins to move slowly. Starboard view of the Vaterland, with 4 main masts bare and only flying jib, inner jib, and Fore Topmast Staysail set. View on deck of the Vaterland, where Von Luckner, his wife, and Lauterbach watch U.S. Navy ships of the American Battle fleet, as they pass them. They pass a U.S. Dreadnought battleship. View from land as the Vaterland passes Los Angeles Harbor Light, aka Angels Gate Light, at San Pedro Breakwater in Los Angeles Harbor.
This material, although spectacular does not show actual combat. It is reconstructed, as part of the 1927 movie "Wings" Flight of four aircraft in flight over clouds are attacked by enemy airplane unseen until right after it fires on and hits one of the four. The stricken aircraft emits smoke while flying through the clouds and then spirals down burning. At TC:00:54 film runs in reverse and burning aircraft goes backwards through TC: 01:01. A similar event is seen in TC:01:04 through TC:01:06. Closeup of Spad biplane with machine guns mounted and pilot wearing goggles visible clearly in cockpit. It is headed directly at the camera and firing all the time. Airplane trailing smoke after being hit by gunfire from another one behind it. View from rear seat of two-seater airplane, as pilot fires at burning airplane ahead of him. Pursuing aircraft continues to fire on burning craft as it spirals down through the clouds. German airplane struck by gunfire burns as it falls. German airplane burning in level flight and then begins to spiral down through clouds. Two aircraft in dogfight. One is hit and burns, falling in a tight spiral. Backseat view from airplane shooting at burning airplane in front of it.
Opening slate quotes a news story of dateline 22 August, 1927 about the Nazi party holding a consecration rally in a park in Nuremberg named "Luitpoldhain" (named after Luitpold, Prince Regent of Bavaria). A huge gathering of the Nazi party is seen in an open field. Closeup of Adolf Hitler standing with Franz Pfeffer von Salomon, Commander of the Sturmabteilung (Storm troopers). Rudolf Hess, and Ulrich Graf, Camera pans across the massed gathering and shows a formation of drummers marching and massed flags. Closeup of Adolf Hitler, now dressed in black uniform, giving an impassioned speech to the assembly about restoring Germany's freedom and strength. Attendees all raise the Nazi salute. Change of view to different setting in a motorcade, where Hitler and Franz Pfeffer von Salomon, both give Nazi salute to cheering crowd surrounding their open car. Next, Storm troopers are seen marching in the street, as spectators cheer. Another view of Hitler saluting in the town.
Conditions in shanghai, China in 1927-1928, as the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) under Chiang Kai-Shek, seeks political unification of China. A group of Chinese military officers leads a number of officials through an open air market in Shanghai, China. They climb steps next to the camera site. Next, large flags and banners including flags of the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) are carried by a crowd of people, gathered in front of a person speaking to them. View from behind the speaker, as he gestures, while forcefully addressing the crowd. Chinese people waving their straw hats enthusiastically in response to the speaker. View, from several yards away, shows a platform with several officials on it, surrounded by the crowd, waving their hats. Demonstrators, carrying banners march through crowded streets
Opening slate reads:"Yokohama, Japan- 1927. The Empire's entire Naval forces are assembled for review. Emperor Hiro Hito [in uniform saluting he walks] attends." (Note: this is not entirely correct. The Emperor does not salute. He is saluted, by Navy personnel, as he walks to a gangplank. The Next slate reads:"Guns roar out as the Emperor boards the battleship 'Matsu'."(Note this is the battleship "Mutsu.) View of her twin 41 cm (16.1 inch) guns firing a salute from the ship. View of a Fubuki-class destroyer firing guns in salute. Smoke from gunfire partially obscuring her. Smaller guns firing from another ship. Japanese statesmen in formal attire with high hats, stand on the deck of the battleship Mutsu. The ship's funnel is at their right, and life boats on davits to their left. Camera backs away showing other participants in the events. Bow view of the battleship Matsu, heading toward the camera. She turns and provides a stern view. Slate reads: "New types of warship construction, the angled stack and pagoda-like foremast are unique developments by the Japanese." The battleship, Nagato, is then seen with her unique "s" shaped funnel. Aerial views of the Japanese fleet at sea.
Circa 1927 views of aviation celebrities. Charles A. Lindbergh, standing by his airplane, the Spirit of St. Louis. One-eyed aviator Wiley Post standing with humorist Will Rogers. Amelia Earhart. .An overloaded airplane takes off and failing to climb scrapes a wing on runway and crashes.