A speed car arrives to try for a new world record in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Bluebird , the fastest motor car, is unloaded after a long trip from England. Natives view the queer stream lined vehicle (speed car). The speed car is towed on a road. His chief aide guides the machine through the streets from a rail road station to a service station. Mechanics under Leo Villa check the automobile.
Opening scene shows local citizens as they stand in the main square (Hauptplatz) of Linz, Austria, watching surrendered German troops depart at the end of world War 2. The troops climb over barriers at the base of the Trinity Column (Dreifaltigkeitssäule) and march in loose formation out of the city. A group of American troops watch from atop an M10 tank destroyer. View through a building archway as the German soldiers march past. The long column continues along a road looking down on the Danube River. Another view shows two U.S. soldiers with slinged rifles strolling at the head of the column. The departing German soldiers are all disarmed and carry their personal kit and gear. A group of German officers pass the camera, and one takes particular notice of the filming. A Sherman tank passes going in the opposite direction. A civilian man, carrying a brief case walks past the departing troops. (Note: Today, the Trinity Column looks different than in this film. In 1943 all removable statues and parts were taken from the column and safely stored in central cellars on Kapuzinerstrasse. They were recovered in 1945 and restored to the column, along with other changes, that were completed in December, 1947.)
A U.S. Air Force trooper carrier Douglas C-124 Globemaster aircraft is seen parked at the Orly Airfield, in France, with some men standing beneath it. Close-up of two U.S. Air Force officers conversing with a French Paratroop officer (in civilian clothes, but wearing a foulard) and a French military officer, in trench coat and overseas cap. View shifts to French paratroopers, carrying their gear and entering the C-124 aircraft by way of its ramps lowered from the open clamshell door. Glimpse from inside the aircraft cabin of the troopers approaching in a long line. View, from below and behind the open doors, of troopers walking up the ramps. Close-up of troopers with duffle bags passing the camera. Interior of the C-124 seen from the ramp entrance, as aircraft crew members walk to the ladder leading to the upper crew compartment. More views of French troopers, with gear, boarding the aircraft. View of cabin where troopers are seated, and the Air Force crew's loadmaster is securing some of the cargo with tie down straps. The American aircraft commander, dressed in flight suit, shakes hands with French officers, and signs something, before departing. People standing nearby as the aircraft clamshell door is closed. View of engines being started and the C-124 taxiing out. "Troop Carrier, United States Air Force," written on the aircraft fuselage. The aircraft number shown on nosewheel door is "094." Another C-124 (Number "263") is seen taxiing. Slight out-of -sequence scene shows a fireguard standing with fire bottle beside aircraft "263,"as it starts engine number three, and then walks to engine four, for its start. Next shot is of aircraft "094," with engines running and some last minute item being loaded through the front hatch. French military waving goodbye. One of the C-124s taking off and breaking ground. followed later, by the second. The two U.S. Air Force officers with French Paratroop officer in civilian clothes and a uniformed officer in overseas cap (seen at beginning of film) watch the departing aircraft.
Arrival of Lord Mountbatten at Naval Air Station (NAS) at Anacostia, Washington D.C. A color bearer; Navy honor guard and color guard in the background prior to arrival of the Admiral of the Fleet The Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, The First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff of Great Britain. Lord Mountbatten walks down the ramp and passes through the side boys. He is followed by Royal Navy Naval Assistant Captain L. D. Empson. U.S. Navy Admiral Arleigh A. Burke greets Lord Mountbatten. Lord Mountbatten stands next to an aircraft. He salutes during a 17 gun salute. Admiral Burke; Admiral Sir Michael Denny, United Kingdom Representative to NATO, Military Committee in Permanent Session, Member NATO Standing Group; Vice Admiral Jeffrey Thistleton Smith, RN, Admiral British Joint Services Mission; and Commodore D. G. Goodwin, RN Naval Attache, stand in ranks at attention. Lord Mountbatten inspects Marine honor guard. He and Rear Admiral H. D. Baker, USN, Commandant, PRNC, walk back to receiving line. Admiral Burke and Lord Mountbatten converse. Long line of flag bearers stand behind Marine honor guard. Color guard marches past aircraft.
Arrival of Lord Mountbatten at Naval Air Station (NAS) at Anacostia, Washington D.C. Navy band on the field prior to the arrival of the Earl. Color guard (Marine) at attention. Naval honor guard at attention. British sedan parked on the edge of field. British MP stands. Plane director motions the plane to parking area. R4Y taxis to parking area. U.S. Navy Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, Rear Admiral Baker, stand by waiting for disembarkation of Admiral of the Fleet The Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, The First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff of Great Britain, Lord Mountbatten and party. Ramp of plane being lowered. Lord Mountbatten leaves the ramp, stops momentarily by the side boys. He is greeted by Adm. Burke. He goes through the receiving line. Admiral Burke and two British Officers stand at attention during rendering of honors. Marine honor guard in front of operations at NAS. Naval honor guards. Lord Mountbatten speaks to Admiral Burke. He gets into the sedan. Admiral Burke and Rear Admiral Baker walk. Admiral Burke gets into a sedan. Personnel on top of operations platform looking on. Four star Admiral's flag. Long line of Naval personnel holding state flags.
Joint Axis operations on the Eastern Front during World War Two. (A brief glimpse of Nazi rally, not related to the rest of clip.) A map of Eastern front in areas of Belorussia and Ukraine. German and Hungarian troops in Stanislau, preparing for offensive. Troops are relaxing. They pose for camera, "sleeping." German and Hungarian officers meet and confer. A soldier getting a haircut and shave, as many look on. Soldiers eating from their mess kits. Long supply trains seen in background on railroad. Hungarian and German Generals meet and salute each other, with traditional military hand salutes (not Nazi arm salute). The Hungarian General departs in a German tank. Mixture of Hungarian and other Axis infantry on the move. An extremely tall radio tower and associated Hungarian field communications center in operation. Radio operator tapping out Morse code. Axis tanks and artillery firing at the front. A German Stug III Assault gun seen and several tanks. Axis infantry crossing a field under fire and slogging through mud. Axis troops advancing in horse-drawn wagons, past burning vehicle and destroyed field artillery pieces. German and Hungarian soldiers form an honor guard as German Regimental commander decorates two Hungarian soldiers with Iron Crosses.
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