Captured German propaganda film designed to encourage the German population near the end of World War 2. The closed Theater des Volkes (Theater of the people) in Berlin is seen at it's start. Steel gates are being pulled across the entrance of the Deutsches Opernhaus (German Opera House). Steel gates are drawn across the entrance to the Schiller Theater on Bismarckstrasse in Berlin. A sign announcing the open hours at a play house, is covered by a cardboard. Likewise a sign at an opera theater is covered. (Narrator states that Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Reich Minister of Propaganda, has been given the title: "Reich Plenipotentiary for Total War.") City trams are diverted to carry war supplies. View of men loading boxes into one. A tram pulling rail cars loaded with freight. An automobile being towed by a tram. Morale boosting slogans posted in various places. (one reads "Relentlessly determined to win victory." Another reads "With the Leader (Fuhrer) to Victory." Joseph Goebbels, addressing a rally of armaments workers in the Rhineland District, tells them (according to the Narrator) "Before we admit the enemy to German soil, and submit ourselves to his will, we will first work our hands bloody and work to our last breath." The assembled workers applaud enthusiastically. Men and women over 65 years of age are mobilized to help with the war effort and seen engaged in light manufacturing. German miners coming off shift volunteer to dig trenches and prepare earthworks. The receive tools and march to a work site. Views of men digging defenses in East Prussia where it became urgent as the Soviet army drew near in October, 1944. In another similar scene, many women are seen working alongside men building defenses. A group of Nazi officers pose for pictures ostensibly working to also dig fortifications. A huge civilian work force is seen digging deep and wide ditches to stop or delay invaders.
Beginning of the German counterattack into Belgium, during winter of 1944-45 of World War 2. Opening scenes show German artillery barrages by Grille (Cricket) self-propelled artillery firing 15 cm sIG 33 infantry guns. This is the beginning of German Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt's Ardennes Counteroffensive (aka the Battle of the Bulge) in December, 1944. German soldiers riding on Jagdpanzer IV tank destroyer moving forward in Ligneuville, South of Malmedy, Belgium. German infantry walk past a knocked out tank on their way toward the front, where smoke rises ahead. They pass burning American armor and vehicles destroyed by the German Luftwaffe (Air Force). Sounds of artillery fire are heard. Closeup of one soldier carrying an MP44 7.92 x 33 mm (7.92 Kurz) caliber assault rifle. The German infantry move along a ditch parallel to a burning column of U.S. armor and vehicles on the road, where it was wiped out by German aircraft. A United States 3" anti-tank gun abandoned at the roadside. German soldiers retrieve American cigarettes from a knocked out U.S. tank, and share them. At TC:02:00 the German gunner with a belt of ammunition around his neck, is Hans Tragarsky aka Walter Armbrusch, a soldier in the Kampfgruppe Hansen battle group formed during the Battle of the Bulge from SS-Panzergrenadierdivision Regiment 2, an infantry regiment of SS Pz Rgt 2 "Das Reich". (His image is well known but his identity is subject to debate.) German troops relax as they smoke cigarettes. A group of German soldiers sharing cigarettes, atop a Stug III tank destroyer. A German army Type 82 Volkswagen Kübelwagen drives past detritus of combat, near a village church. Glimpse of damage in City of Antwerp from a German rocket.
United States army engineers help French civilians in repairing railroads, France during World War II. French train runs again rebuild by Allied engineers. Views of wreckage and destroyed railway tracks, trains, twisted steel structure and broken stones of monuments after bombarding. Destroyed bridges. French civilians remove debris and repair bridge over river. Under the supervision of Army engineers, trained American salvage group rebuild a railway and work at dynamite bridge. French use partially destroyed equipment and attach nuts and bolts to locomotives. They repair locomotives. Tank locomotive is ready to run. Locomotives are replaced by crane. Supplies train cross through the bridge and provide aid to army. French civilians and engineers restore ruin railway and work on it. Railway sections are completed, and train passes away. Hospital train carrying wounded people cross away.
Generals confer in Germany. Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower, General in the United States Army; Omar Nelson Bradley, U.S. Army commander; and Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein seated with other dignitaries confer. Map in the background. Photographers take photos. Generals Eisenhower and Montgomery come out from building and stand in pose.
United States Army Boeing B-29 Superfortress air raid over Japan during World War II. A map shows target area in Japan. View of destroyed buildings and harbor in Japan. Japanese crowds in streets of Yawata, Japan. B-29 is displayed. Diagram of new B-29 bomber shows its dimensions and scenes of B-29 in flight.
Many summer guests are seated on chairs, outdoors at Grossinger's Catskill Resort Hotel (Grossinger Golf Course Liberty, New York, 12754 United States). Lou Goldstein, the resort Social Director, begins to lead a group activity involving a series of motions, such as raising their hands, stretching, and similar as they warm up for an activity. The action is repeated in another take and then continues. Closeups of the guests stretching in response to Goldstein's prodding. Next the guests form a large circle where some pass a medicine ball to each other. Closeup of Goldstein leading the group in clapping. He then directs a man holding the medicine ball to begin passing it to the person on his right. Closeup of others continuing to pass the ball around the circle. Goldstein participates in the circle and prods the others to keep passing the ball. Next, someone tosses the ball to Goldstein, who tosses it to another person, to conclude that activity. The group then reassembles in a casual way as Goldstein, standing above them, attempts to lead them in a game of "Simon Says."
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