Opening scene shows French Nieuport biplanes in aerial combat with German airplanes in World War 1. Many are engaged in a massive dogfight. One aircraft is seen hit and falling toward the ground. Next, two French aircraft are seen returning to their base. They fly over a hangar where a crashed airplane sits with tail in the air. Near the hanger are several airplanes in various stages of maintenance. Mechanics are moving one. An airplane taxis in front of the hangar. Scene shifts to closeup of a Lafayette Escadrille Indian logo painted on a metal structure. Scene shifts to a formal award ceremony for some pilots and crews. Their squadron members are lined up behind them in front of a line of aircraft. The view is from behind a formation of French soldiers with rifles, rendering salutes. Next, French soldiers parade on the airdrome, led by a military band. At this point the scene phases out as a fireball is superimposed on a map of Europe, signifying World War 2. Adolf Hitler is seen in closeup near the Eiffel Tower, when he visits Paris, France following its occupation by German forces in 1940. Several views of German troops marching along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and through the Arc de Triomphe. Closeups of some German soldiers in the ranks. Scene shifts to North Africa, in 1942, as American troops make an unopposed amphibious landing on the coast, in Operation Torch. Several landing craft are seen and troops ashore. A Dodge 3/4 ton WC-51 army truck, with half of its hood open, makes its way through the surf as it leaves a landing craft.
German soldiers taken by the U.S. Army as prisoners of war in Pilsen,Czechoslovakia, during World War 2. German soldiers, who have surrendered, assembled in a group on hillside near a road. An American M4 Sherman tank passes on the road. The prisoners turn to watch it. More Shermans plus a small bulldozer and a jeep are seen on the road. The prisoners begin moving under direction of an American soldier, as citizens watch from the opposite side of the road. View of oncoming German prisoners walking toward the camera. They march around the camera as they proceed. Several persons in civilian clothes are among the prisoners. Sherman tanks continue passing on the road. Some German POWs are ambulatory wounded and many are young boy soldiers.
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.
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