The first phase of German assault on France and the Low Countries during World War II. An animated map depicts the German campaign to capture Liege (Luttich) and Fort Eben-Emael in Belgium. German troops invade Holland. Soldiers in trucks. Germans cross the Meuse (Maas) in boats. A collapsed bridge over the river. Armed German soldiers on bicycles cycle through a village. Soldiers drag a boat on the road. The Germans capture Fort Eben-Emael using flamethrowers. Soldiers fire guns during street fights. A soldier wades through shallow water while others cross a field amidst explosions. Bomb explosions and bomb damaged buildings. Soldiers take cover in a field. German troops cross the Albert Canal in Belgium. Troops in boats make their way across. They advance with tanks. Soldiers dig fox holes and eat. Soldiers man tanks and fire artillery. German aircraft bomb Allied positions. Massive explosion at Werk 4 fortification bunker of Fort Eben-Emael. Bomb damaged buildings and ruins. Black smoke arises due to explosions. German soldiers march Belgian and Dutch prisoners of war on a street.
American former war correspondents in the Netherlands and Belgium to mark the 25th anniversary of Allied invasion of Europe during World War 2. A sign on a building reads 'Esso Motor Hotel.' American correspondents leave the hotel. Road sign for "Maastricht". Airport hangar with lettering "Airport Luchthaven Zuid Limburg." A bus driven past a civilian band parading down a street. The correspondents seated in the bus. The bus driven past fields in the countryside. A road sign for "Centrum / Belgie". The correspondents get off the bus and enter a government building likely in Antwerp Belgium. Views from inside a bus as the correspondents arrive at NATO headquarters in Brussels. They get off the bus. The correspondents seated around a table during a meeting.
Opening scene shows flags of Japan and Belgium flying above the terminal building at the Haneda airport in Tokyo, Japan. Emperor Hirohito stands on the airport ramp with officials. Next, King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola of Belgium descend steps from a Sabena 707 airliner (on an 11-day State visit, on the first stop on their around-the-world tour, according to the narrator). The King is seen from behind, being greeted by Crown Prince, Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko. The Royal party walks across the ramp. An honor guard of Japanese soldiers renders a lowered flag salute. A Rolls Royce sedan is seen approaching the Japanese Royal Palace, followed by several other cars, all accompanied by a motor cycle escort.
Bow view of Allied destroyer plunging through seas during World War 2. A supply ship sinking in the Atlantic. A lifeboat filled with survivors from a sunken ship. A freighter with stern in the air as she sinks. Survivors in the water and on a lifeboat. French troops deploying into the Maginot Line. They ride narrow gauge subway cars inside the fortress complex. View of Copenhagen, Denmark. German troops marching into Denmark. Smoke rising from bombed areas of Norway. Norwegians watch from sidewalk as German troops march into their city. Fires burning at night in Norway. German self-propelled heavy guns and Krupp K5 railway guns during invasion of Holland and Belgium, on May 9, 1940. They are followed by numerous Panzer II tanks and a closeup of a German Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) (originally the Czech LT vz. 38 tank) climbing a steep incline with front completely in mid air before coming down on the other side. German trucks and motorized weapons moving through the low countries and from behind, past dragon's teeth antitank barriers, of the Maginot Line. German soldiers with machine guns aboard a train headed toward France. German troops destroying border barriers as they proceed through Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. They pass a large windmill. German motorcycle troops. A formation of German single-engine twin-tailed aircraft in flight overhead. (possibly early versions of Ju-87?)
Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's statement to maintain neutrality of Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg is presented on a slate. Then images of World War II German invasion of Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg are shown. German Luftwaffe planes drop bombs over cities in these countries. Aerial views of German planes over burning European cities. Ground level views of various buildings burning following Nazi bombings.
French generals converse over plans during World War I. French soldiers march during a parade. WWI propaganda shows a forlorn woman holding a sign saying “France”. In front of flames, a caricatured, fat German general sneers at Marianne, the personification of France. Marianne showing her wrists with chained handcuffs. French soldiers marching triumphantly upon their departure to defend Belgium upon German invasion. French infantry marching, ride in horse carts to the battlefields. French soldiers, animals, supplies, and artillery cross a floating pontoon bridge. Teams of white oxen pull French artillery into Belgium. French soldiers fire artillery cannon. Explosion from artillery fire in the field, with cavalry charging.
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