Beginning of the German counterattack into Belgium, during winter of 1944-45 of World War 2. Opening scenes show German artillery barrages by Grille (Cricket) self-propelled artillery firing 15 cm sIG 33 infantry guns. This is the beginning of German Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt's Ardennes Counteroffensive (aka the Battle of the Bulge) in December, 1944. German soldiers riding on Jagdpanzer IV tank destroyer moving forward in Ligneuville, South of Malmedy, Belgium. German infantry walk past a knocked out tank on their way toward the front, where smoke rises ahead. They pass burning American armor and vehicles destroyed by the German Luftwaffe (Air Force). Sounds of artillery fire are heard. Closeup of one soldier carrying an MP44 7.92 x 33 mm (7.92 Kurz) caliber assault rifle. The German infantry move along a ditch parallel to a burning column of U.S. armor and vehicles on the road, where it was wiped out by German aircraft. A United States 3" anti-tank gun abandoned at the roadside. German soldiers retrieve American cigarettes from a knocked out U.S. tank, and share them. At TC:02:00 the German gunner with a belt of ammunition around his neck, is Hans Tragarsky aka Walter Armbrusch, a soldier in the Kampfgruppe Hansen battle group formed during the Battle of the Bulge from SS-Panzergrenadierdivision Regiment 2, an infantry regiment of SS Pz Rgt 2 "Das Reich". (His image is well known but his identity is subject to debate.) German troops relax as they smoke cigarettes. A group of German soldiers sharing cigarettes, atop a Stug III tank destroyer. A German army Type 82 Volkswagen Kübelwagen drives past detritus of combat, near a village church. Glimpse of damage in City of Antwerp from a German rocket.
Opening slate states "Entire World Shocked by King Albert's death in fall from mountain." (He died February 17, 1934.) Ensuing film highlights scenes from his leadership of Belgium in World War 1. He is seen reviewing troops in formation with fixed bayonets on their rifles. Then he salutes as they march in review. The next scene shows Belgian troops in formation at the railway station in Adinkerque, Belgium. They are presenting arms and saluting as President Wilson has arrived by train to visit King Albert. Next, Wilson and the king are seen walking along the train platform, as Mrs. Wilson and others follow them. (The date is June 18, 1919. President Wilson was taking a break during the Paris Peace Conference.) The Wilsons are next seen at garden party under tents, socializing with members of the Belgian Royal party. The remainder of the film shows various scenes involving King Albert and his family in public appearances, some apparently hosting foreign officials.
Belgians living under German occupation in Brussels during World War II. Women and men ride bicycles in the streets of Brussels, Belgium. People walking in a crowded street, likely near the Great Place or Bourse de Bruxelles. A woman in an elaborate hat walks past people in the street. Trams move along the city roads. Civilians and military personnel dining at a street café. A view of the ‘Maison du Roi’ or King's House and the Guildhalls at the Grand Place (Grote Markt, 1000 Brussel, Belgium), the central square of Brussels. View of the Great Place and its square. Soldiers look at birds in cages. Vendors selling various foods and vegetables. A woman vendor slicing cheese. German Luftwaffe airmen taste the cheese as civilians look on.
United States soldiers defend the city of Antwerp during World War II. A United States anti aircraft gunner soldier stacks shells in crates together. A group of artillery gunners huddle around a small bonfire during winter. A soldier rubs his hands from the cold. Cold feet shaking off dirt from muddy ground. View of damaged Antwerp, Belgium. Smoke rises out of a building hit by a V-1 rocket. A storefront on fire. Civilians watch the damage caused by V-1 and V-2 rockets in Antwerp. A Belgian woman crying. Two children peer from a window. Three boys inspect a rocket fragment from a blast site. A woman fixes a girl’s hair after a blast. An anti-aircraft gun tilted towards the sky. Man pulls out shells. German soldiers advance. Commander of the German 5th Panzer Army, General Hasso von Manteuffel, conversing with officer of the 116th Panzer Division. Other German officers confer as well. German motorized infantry mobilizes to Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. German soldiers sit on top of a moving Panzer IV tank covered with camouflage. German infantry troops walk alongside burning American vehicles. German and United States soldiers firing rifles from behind small hill. Artillery crew load more shells into howitzer. Anti-aircraft guns firing into enemy positions. Belgian civilians work to repair damaged infrastructure in Antwerp Port after German defeat. Bags of flour are unloaded at Antwerp Port. Dock workers working in Antwerp Port. United States Army trucks transport materiel from Antwerp Port to the Western Front. Military Police personnel direct traffic on a street.
An experimental helicopter with two sets of rotating blades sets record of a height of 30 feet. The helicopter with two sets of propellers takes off in front of a hangar and is airborne at a height 30 feet from ground. From a November 27, 1958 newsreel feature "25 years ago today".
Aviator Charles Lindbergh in Brussels. A large crowd awaits the arrival of Lindbergh. A band plays as his plane approaches. People watch as his plane lands. Policemen control the crowd. Lindbergh surrounded by security officials and other people.
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