A-4 surface to surface missile of Germany ready for a launch in Peenemunde in North east Germany. As a cable attached to the missile is loosened, it takes off and moves upwards emitting a fiery flare.
A-4 missile of Germany ready for launch as a technician stands on a ladder to attach a cable to the missile in Peenemunde,Germany. Missile emits smoke and fire before launch. The cable detaches from the missile as it takes off.
United States Army four-star General Courtney H. Hodges meets Russian General Jardov at Russian headquarters in Torgau, Germany, soon after the meeting of the two allied forces of the Soviets and Americans during their advance into Germany in World War 2. The two generals talk through an interpreter. After the meeting, the Generals come out and salute. Photographers stand on the hood of a jeep to take pictures.
Communist guards armed at the border of West and East Berlin. Early construction scenes of the Berlin Wall, being erected by communist East Germany to restrict entry and exit. Gardens being cleared to create death strip. Photographers taking pictures of the wall building operations are sprayed by the military with high power water hoses from armored vehicles. American tanks roll out on streets as a security measure. Aerial views of additional newly constructed barbed wire runs encircling all East Berlin. People bid sad goodbye across the wall, shaking hands and exchanging words under watchful eyes of East German guards. Woman cries as she bids farewell to another woman from across barbed wire. Communist soldiers use reflective mirrors and tear gas smoke to block wall construction and eviction of persons at border. People living near the wall on Bernauer Strasse evacuate their apartments and some jump successfully out of windows into the West Berlin side. A couple is seen jumping from their low window into West Germany. A 76-year-old woman, Frieda Schulz, is seen escaping. She is being held at the same time by east German authorities who have her arms, while a West German crowd below tugs and frees her and she falls into a waiting rescue net on the West Berlin side. Still image seen of body of Günter Litfin as it is hauled from the Spree River following a failed escape attempt. Two women shake hands over the barbed wire and say goodbye. One of the women holds a handkerchief and cries as the other woman departs. Crowd at gate of a border cemetery encourages a 21-year-old East German soldier guard to escape. The soldier defects from East Berlin and is seen climbing the cemetery fence and he jumps to safety. A newlywed couple on their wedding day in West German is seen waving tearfully to an elderly couple in a high-rise apartment building on the East Berlin side. The couple is the parents of the bride and cannot be present for her wedding.
Troops of the U.S. 29th Infantry Division cross a floating footbridge erected by U.S. Army engineers across the Ruhr river at Linnich, Germany, during World War 2. Their mission is to capture the fortress town of Jülich. They hurry across the bridge under enemy fire. Major General Charles Gerhardt, Commander of the 29th Infantry, crosses the footbridge along with his troops. Troops enter the city, which has been destroyed by prior Allied bombing, and flush out remaining German snipers from basements of ruined buildings. Soldier seen firing into a basement. Remains of footbridge across the Ruhr river, destroyed by Germans during the night. Combat engineers work building a new heavy pontoon bridge across the river. A German soldier (narrator states: in an American uniform) carrying a white flag, walks towards U.S. soldiers on the opposite bank of the river, and is shot by one of them. U.S. troops cross the new heavier bridge across the river. A U.S. tank that had crossed the river, is seen. A banner is seen, fastened above a stone arch, reading: "This is Julich Germany. Sorry it is so messed up. But we were in a hurry! 29th (Blue & Grey) Div." The Division insignia appears on the banner.
Artillery batteries of British and Canadian forces, under command of Field Marshal Montgomery, bombard German positions on the German-Dutch border.British artillery firing BL 4.5 inch Medium Guns and 155mm heavy guns, in an 11 hour bombardment of German positions east of Nijmegen, Netherlands. Snow covers the ground. A British Land Mattress rocket launcher firing a salvo of 3-inch rockets. I Infantry of 1st Canadian Army, under command of General H.T.G Crerar, march toward an area between the Mars and Rhine rivers. They move through forest of the Reichswald, where they encounter Siegfried Line obstacles. British and Canadian tanks using heavy chain mine flails are seen beating their way through mine fields. Infantry in single file silhouetted against a light sky. Canadian Sherman tanks advancing with infantry. One is labeled "Spitfire II." Churchill tanks and heavy vehicles advance, including Churchill AVRE fascine mat-laying vehicles and Churchill ARKs (Armoured Ramp Carriers). Sherman tanks pass, including one named "Diana." British Armor pushing through rain-soaked and partly flooded towns towing BL 4.5 guns. They reach Kleve (formerly spelled Cleve) on February 11, 1945. Roadside sign reads: "Reichs-Grenze"(Border of Germany). Sherman tank of the 6th Guards Tank Brigade firing point blank on city street in Kleve. British troops taking cover behind tank destroyer moving slowly along street. Large number of German prisoners of war being marched to an assembly area. British infantry continuing their advance toward Goch, Germany.
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