Scenes from the Huejotzingo Carnival, in Puebla, held since 1868. It involves about 15 thousand people who dress up with masks, robes , gaznes , feather headdresses , shields and rifles to transform the town's streets in a huge stage for their play. They portray three episodes that have marked the history of Huejotzingo, as a play in three acts. Only the first of these episodes is seen in this film, namely, the 1862 Battle of Puebla , where the Mexican army defeated the French. This is represented by various battalions comprising both armies. The invading army is composed of Zouaves , Turks and sappers, while the victorious Mexican Army is formed by the highland Indians , Zacapoaxtlas and Apaches. Reenactors on both sides fire cannons as well as muskets loaded with black powder.
British Royal Air Force Lancaster bomber aircraft drop bombs over German targets during World War II. Bombs impact causing a pillar of smoke to rise up. United States Army Air Force 8th and 15th Air Force using B-17 bombers attack the industrial town of Pforzeheim at night. British Lancaster bomber aircraft also assist the American forces, destroying the city completely.
A newsreel titled 'Nazi war criminal executed' shows General Anton Dostler, a Nazi German war criminal arriving at the execution site in Aversa, Italy. General Dostler, guilty of ordering the shooting of 15 American soldiers during World War II, stands against a pole with his hands tied at the back. A priest recites a prayer as troops remain lined up. General's face is covered and he is executed by firing squad.
During the D-Day Invasion of Normandy. British troops disembark from landing crafts at Sword Beach and move in lines towards the beachhead. Military trucks and tanks are seen on the shore as smoke emerges from a hill on the beach. Various wrecked building on shore. British troops carrying equipment and a bicycle ashore. In last 15 seconds scene shifts to landing of U.S. 1st Infantry troops at Omaha beach. View of waters edge from higher up beach. Gear and bodies floating in water. U.S. Army soldiers coming ashore as several are struck by German machine gun fire and drop to the ground. (World War II period).
Inaugural person to person voice communication between Inspector General of Uruguayan Air Force and an official at United States Air force headquarters. Inspector General speaks over a phone to the official using SITFA ,( System Interamericano de Telecommunicaciones de Furezas Aereas) a single sideband voice communication system that enables 15 Latin American countries to converse among themselves. Uruguayan flag is seen in the Inspector General's office.
A USAF Colonel speaks about the Air Force Security Service. A group of Security Service communications specialists planning a communications security survey. The survey leader is seen discussing results with the a Colonel, the Commander of the unite that was surveyed. Security Service personnel conducting a simulated enemy intelligence gathering effort in a Communications Security Surveillance unit. They employ sophisticated eavesdropping equipment to ferret out potential problems. A mobile van that can be airlifted to anyplace needed. Technicians inside the van, using monitoring equipment to intercept telephone and radio communications. Closeup of Airman wearing headset. Tape decks recording the monitored communications.The Colonel, narrator, describes a monitored communication that revealed details of a planned air strike. He shows and mentions reports of other communications leaks. View of an SR-71 aircraft taking off. Aerial views of it in flight, from various angles. A USAF F-111 aircraft in flight, viewed from various angles. A model of the F-15 fighter plane, and an illustration of the B-1 bomber.