This film is a scattering montage of World War 2 scenes from 1939 through 1945. Part of an agreement between Nazi Germany and Yugoslavia is shown in English. It is dated June 1, 1939 and ostensibly signed by Adolf Hitler. Next, German Ju 87, Stuka dive bomber aircraft are shown peeling off from formation, on April 6, 1941, to attack Yugoslavia. Bombs bursting on the ground. Closeup of a Stuka airplane in a dive, making its characteristic whine, and dropping bombs. Bombs exploding just outside some concrete walls. German infantry running along railroad tracks and entering backyard of house in a village. German soldiers observing from overlooking hill; climbing over rubble; and marching along a road toward a village. Animated map showing German invasion areas early in World War II, extending through most of Europe and into Norway, by 1941. Animated map shows further invasions into France, Belgium, low countries, the Balkans, and Eastern front towards the Soviet Union. Map highlights Tokyo, Rome, and Berlin. Delegations walking in hall of Reich Chancellery in Berlin, to sign Tripartite pact, on September 27, 1940. The group is led by by Count Galeazzo Ciano (Italian Foreign Minister, and Mussolini's son-in-law); Joachim von Ribbentrop, Germany's Foreign Minister and Japan’s Ambassador Saburō Kurusu. The diplomats are seen, next, standing near a table as Adolf Hitler enters rendering Nazi salute. He shakes hands with Count Ciano and Ambassador Kurusu. Hitler is seated to watch the proceedings. Von Ribbontrop is seen signing for Germany. Next scenes show German armored units heading East in Operation Barbarossa (June of 1941). A sign identifies the town of Eydtkau (Eydtkuhnen) on the German-Lithuanian border. German armor and artillery moving eastward. German troops destroying international crossing barriers. German troops firing siege guns. Montage with glimpses of German battle scenes showing tanks, guns, rockets in action with attendant explosions, fires, and destruction. Formations of German warplanes in flight, including Junkers Ju-52s that carry troops, including paratroops. View from above of Junkers Ju-87 Stuka dive bombers in formation. Battle of Britain scenes, with view of St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England (which miraculously survived the Blitz). The Tower Bridge in London, seen through a haze following blitzkrieg. German Junkers 87 Stuka dive bombers peeling off from formation to attack. British anti-aircraft searchlights shining beams skyward. Diving bombers illuminated by the lights. Anti-aircraft guns firing. Nighttime scenes showing gunfire flashes, explosions, tracer bullets and fires in London. British fire brigades fighting fires in London buildings as some collapse from the German bombing during the so-called "Blitz." Scene shifts to Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, as a Japanese bomb explodes on a U.S. Navy warship. The USS Arizona billowing smoke and listing as it succumbs to Japanese bombing. Another view of the Arizona sinking. Smoke rising from Battleship Row, at Pearl Harbor. Glimpse of postwar Nuremberg trial.
Film opens showing Russian Bear covered by iron gate and slate reading 100 days Blockade. Camera pans over war-damaged areas of the city of Berlin, Germany. Narrator refers to the Berlin Airlift by the Allies and the Berlin residents not giving up. Views of several buildings undamaged by World War 2, including Kammergericht, the Headquarters of the Allied Control Council. Streets crowded by pedestrians going about ordinary business in Berlin. Among them is seen a German soldier, missing a leg and using a crutch. Some Berlin industry activity is seen in a factory where welders are at work. Blockade fences are seen separating the Soviet zone of east Berlin from the allied sectors of West Berlin. Trams are seen that cannot travel between the zones. A person trying to use a gas stove to cook, but has no gas pressure. The city grows dark at night due to electricity shortages, resulting in blackout conditions. Berliners trying to manage simple things at home such as exercising on a fixed bicycle. A man planting a garden in sight of the Brandenburg Gate, at the boundary of the Soviet zone. A police officer using a radio in an automobile in the free part of the city. View of the City Council meeting in West Berlin. This is contrasted with view of East Berlin where members of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) backed by the Soviet authorities are seen meeting in a separate city council of East Berlin, not long before the formal founding of East Germany in 1949. Next, Dr Ferdinand Friedensburg, Mayor of West Berlin, addresses the West Berlin City Council.
Hermann Goering questioned by Chief Prosecutor Robert H Jackson during the Nuremberg trials in Nuremberg, Germany. Prosecutor Robert H Jackson questions Goering about the German government. Goering describes the ways and means of arresting people and states: 'The government that Germany had was the only feasible type of government at that time and it succeeded in pulling Germany out of the depths.' Courtroom rises for the recess. Some of the defendants talk during the recess.
Succession of Berlin, Germany, newspapers shown, from 1918 through 1919, chronicling progress of war towards the World War 1 Armistice, and subsequent problems and conditions in postwar Germany. Newspaper of November 12, 1918 addresses concerns about the conditions and the price of the truce. Crowd stands on a road covered with snow around statue of the Kaiser, with scaffold around it. Crowd in a square in War Bond rally. One of crowd carries a Communist red flag. Newspaper refers to gunfire in Berlin from Unter den Linden to Friedrichstrasse. Newspaper announces the Kaiser's abdication, which is then illustrated by reversed footage showing the Kaiser walking backwards and being lifted into his automobile, which then drives away backwards. Returning German soldiers are happy to see the war end, and sing in their returning trucks. An officer inspects war trenches that are now empty. Newspaper announce increasing domestic problems . Newspapers raise issue of German prisoners of War held in foreign countries. Troops are seen moving in streets and at checkpoints in Germany.
The Swiss flag hangs on the railing overlooking Geneva, Switzerland. Leaders of Germany, France and United States are seen. Former United States President Herbert Hoover and Prime Minister Albert Sarraut of France are each seen stepping from their respective cars. Military parades are conducted in various European countries including France and Germany. The French flag waves on top of a building. The French national anthem “La Marseillaise” is played by a band. French soldiers marching in a parade. German marching band plays music during a parade in Berlin, Germany. Building construction is seen taking place in Berlin. Street scenes in Berlin shows a train approaching Friedrichstrasse station, the Capitol am Zoo (Budapesterstrasse 42-46,. Berlin 10623) in Charlottenburg. A man closes the cabinet door of an Autoruf or taxi stand. German novelist Thomas Mann speaks to a woman. German artist Käthe Kollwitz speaking. German notables are seen, including the boxing champion, Max Schmeling. German film director at work. Views of the LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin airship.
School children and teachers demonstrate against the Treaty of Versailles peace terms in Berlin, Germany. A group of women and children walks on path. School children walk, in-line from the Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor, Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin, Germany). People walk in sidewalks of the Unter den Linden boulevard. Some vehicles pass through the Brandenburg Gate. The Victory column (Platz der Republik 10557 Berlin, Germany), then located in its former location in the Königsplatz (now the Platz der Republik), can be seen in the background from Pariser Platz.
CRITICALPAST.COM: About Us | Contact Us | FAQs - How to Order | License Agreement | My Account | My Lightboxes | Shopping Cart | Advanced Search | Featured Collections | Website Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy ©2026 CriticalPast LLC.
License Agreement |
Terms & Conditions |
Privacy Policy
©2026 CriticalPast LLC.