Film opens with animated map showing plan to attack to the west against France, employing Heeresgruppe A, commanded by Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt. View of Marshal von Rundstedt in a planning session with staff officers. The animated map shows other German forces in the Westward offensive, including armies under Field Marshals Günther von Kluge; Wilhelm List; and Ernst Busch. It depicts the French defensive Maginot line and the concentration of German forces, under Marshals Von Kluge and List, to pass through it and drive to the coast of the English Channel, cutting off attacking English and French attacking armies. Views of German troops advancing westward. They follow a tank firing rounds. Others are seen carrying large boats to cross rivers and some unloading timbers and other items to repair bridges as they proceed under fire with shells bursting all around. A Panzer I (Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. A) advances and German infantry gather explosives from rubber boats. Infantry follow a Panzer I tank firing its guns as it moves across a field. German infantry paddle across a river in rubber boats. They uncoil and lay long wires along the ground. Other use prefabricated timbers to cover a pontoon bridge, or barge. . German utility vehicles drive along a shallow river bed. Large numbers of German soldiers along with horses, cross a river in boats and barges. A Panzer I tank drives onto a pontoon barge. German soldiers and a civilian ride atop a Panzer I tank. Scene shifts to Field Marshal Günther von Kluge strolling victoriously to a German headquarters in France, where he exchanges greetings with other officers. Remaining scenes focus on the ordinary German soldiers.They are seen preparing meals; napping; tending to horses; dealing with their equipment and armor, including a Half Track Personnel Carrier (Hanomag Sdkfz 251/1). Brief glimpse of German officers in planning session outdoors.
Bersaglieri troops of the Italian Army use ropes to rappel down a jagged cliff face. They then take up prone positions in a line, where their unique black capercaillie feathers can be seen on their helmets. They fire their rifles. Afterwards, they crawl forward in formation and slash through a barbed wire obstacle. (WWI; WW1)
Contingent of French infantry, as seen through a corn field, marching with shouldered rifles and fixed bayonets. Scene shifts to a huge French military parade across an open field. Closeup of one cadre of soldiers pushing bicycles. Units of French cavalry, on horseback, canter in formation, raising dust as they pass. French artillery units pass with their field pieces and caissons pulled by teams of horses. (WWI. WW1)
German Colonel and staff seen on horseback amongst troops under his command captured at Beaumont Hamel. The German prisoners move from hillside into ravine road and proceed to a prison camp at the rear. An ambulance drives beside the prisoners. British troops line the bluffs overlooking the road and German prisoners.
Ruined villages of Martinpuich and Beaumont Hamel show utter devastation with nothing left standing above ground level. A lonely soldier walks through the silent wreckage. Scene shifts to Scottish troops resting at side of road near Beaumont Hamel. British soldier walks along what was the main street of Beaumont Hamel, where nothing is left standing but a few stubs and twigs of trees. British soldiers, digging in a hill of debris, unearth a German machine gun.
Opening scene shows nose gunner compartment of a parked Fremch Farman biplane bomber as viewed upward from the ground below. It is embellished with a painting of Charlie Chaplain as the iconic "Little tramp." Above, the nose art, a French gunner displays the maneuverability of his machine gun mounted in the open nose position of the aircraft.
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