A motion picture film explores the background of World War II. In the United States a view of a large hyrdoelectric dam with water gushing through its gates. Electrical towers of a power plant and a man throwing large switches to activate power. Newspaper headlines: 'Senator oppose the league of nation' and 'Senate passes tariff bill by 44 to 42 vote'. A crowd holds posters of Dewey, German Chancellor Adolf Hitler and other leaders. Books of competing ideologies for sales in the United States, including those of democracy, socialism, fascism including Mein Kampf and books about Stalin. Voting time in Germany with Hitler as the only candidate and signs promoting Hitler. Germans casting voting ballots for Hitler. People burning books in Nazi Germany. A church in America or Britiain with close up views of a boys choir singing hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers." Children in America playing at a playground on a jungle gym and slide. A girl makes a drawing of natural scenes. American children smiling, playing, and running.
SS Gripsholm (Ship) arrives in New York, United States in World War II. Cameramen take photos as SS Gripsholm as it arrives at New York harbor. The rails are crowded with Americans. She docks at Pier F in Jersey City and ambulances roll away with wounded soldiers. Six hundred and sixty-two repatriates from German internment camps come ashore. S. Pinckney Tuck, excharge d'affairs in Vichy seen. Douglas MacArthur (General Douglas MacArthur's nephew), approaches with his dog. Passengers are happy to come in home. Ralph Heinzen of the United Press gives an intelligent analysis of internal conditions in Germany today. Stalingrad was the turning point, he states. Germany began losing the war with that defeat and Hitler started losing prestige.
The Armistice at Compiegne, France on 22nd June, 1940 between France and Germany during World War II. German officers including General William Keitel, accompany Chancellor Adolf Hitler as they walk past a German honor guard lined up, while a band plays the German National Anthem. French General Charles Huntziger and another officer arrive and enter a railway carriage (the same one in which Germany signed the 1918 armistice). Interiors of carriage showing French General Huntziger signing the documents. Adolf Hitler has left and is chatting with German officers outside. General Keitel presents the document to Hitler for countersigning. Hitler asks for a pen, and they drop it as Keitel hands it to Hitler. Keitel quickly retrieves it and Hitler signs. French General Huntziger steps down from the rail car and is escorted away with others of his party. Hitler expresses pure delight in chatting with members of his staff.
Map of Europe and label "Invasion." Westbrook Van Voorhis leading a panel discussion about the problems arising from the Allied invasion of Europe in World War 2. He introduces panelists: Hanson Baldwin (military editor of the New York Times) Dewitt MacKenzie (Associated Press military analyst), and Paul Schubert (of Mutual Radio Network). He asks Mr. Baldwin about the importance of aerial bombing campaigns. Baldwin also stresses importance of a land invasion of Europe. Relief map of Europe highlighting major German cities. Asked about the merit of invading Italy on the way to Germany, Mr. Schubert cites the problem of the Alps and suggests other more effective invasion routes. Van Voorhis asks Mr. MacKenzie about best route into fortress Germany. He considers the criterion of ease of supply as most important, and suggests the Atlantic coast, near a good port and not far from England. Animated map shows this idea. When asked about this, Mr. Baldwin agrees completely, calling the conflict "a quartermaster's war." He adds, "The problem of victory is the problem of supply."
Officer pointing to various mission items on a chalk board map of Germany. The cities of Emden and Wilhelmshaven are prominently displayed on the bombing mission map. The note "HIT the Target" is seen on the board. A senior officer reads from a paper. A side view depicting planes with targets below is pointed to. A map of the UK and Germany with flight routes over the English Channel is displayed.
Adolf Hitler enter Vienna after annexation of Austria by Germany (also known as the Anschluss). Tremendous crowds of Austrians assemble at Heldenplatz, in front of the Hofburg Palace, in Vienna (Heldenplatz - 1010 Vienna). Adolf Hitler’s motorcade enters Heldenplatz. Adolf Hitler gives the Nazi Salute, then does a fist pump, to crowd as he rides into Vienna. Austrians crowd in Heldenplatz, some find space in tree branches and in monument equestrian statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy-Carignano located in the middle of the square. From the balcony of the Hofburg Palace, Adolf Hitler makes a ceremonial announcement of the annexation of Austria (Anschluss) into Nazi Germany. Austrians holding Nazi banners watch the ceremonial announcement in Heldenplatz. Adolf Hitler, Austrian officials and the crowd give the Nazi salute after the official Anschluss announcement.
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