Crisis in Poland around time of imposition of Martial Law by its Military Government. Large convoy of Soviet military bombers advances on countryside roads towards border of Poland. Soviet warplanes and helicopters strafe targets. A Soviet missile launched destroys its targets accurately. Tanks and Soviet amphibious vehicles cross a river. Infantry soldiers on alert at their posts along the Soviet-Polish border. Soldiers watch the border with binoculars.
Invasion of Poland by Germany during World War II. German officers on a tour inspecting areas in Warsaw. Some surrendered Polish soldiers. German cavalry units ride into a city and camp. A damaged building in the background. German Chancellor Adolf Hitler reviews a parade of German troops, armored vehicles and tanks in Warsaw as airplanes fly overhead. German soldiers goosestep during the parade. Close-up views of some of the faces of the German soldiers marching on parade.
A flight of German Me-109 fighter aircraft in loose formation over Poland. Views of pilots in cockpits of German He-111 bombers in flight. Polish antiaircraft guns fire at the bombers. Smoke from FLAK seen around the aircraft. German bombardier inside an He-111 makes ready and bombers begin to drop their bombs on the city below. Exploding bombs are seen from the bomber. The mission is completed and German bombers head home. German Me-109 fighters fly past the bombers. Aerial views of the railroads destroyed by German bombing. (World War II period).
Remains of the Jewish Ghetto in Warsaw, Poland. Workmen and equipment appear to be demolishing it. The words: "Wawer, 27 XII 39" painted on sidewalk. Passersby place flowers at the spot. At another spot on the sidewalk is painted: "Polska Zwyciezy"(Poland Wins). Cardboard caricatures of Hitler are raised on a building wall and hung from a lampost. Base of lampost, where people walk their dogs, being painted "Nur fuer Deutch" (only for Germans). Newspapers in 1944 reporting on the increased internal Polish armed resistance, or Warsaw Uprising, against the occupying German forces. Scenes of fire and destruction arising in this increasing conflict. Scenes of pre-war Warsaw Poland, including landmark buildings, city square areas, parks, and fountains during pre-war peace time.
Newspapers around the world reporting on the bombing of Warsaw by Nazi Germany as retaliation for the Warsaw Uprising during World War 2. Newspaper headlines read, "Poles Fighting Inside Warsaw," and "Warsaw Being Razed by Hitler's Order," and "Warsaw's Plight" and "Warsaw Poles Fight Tanks in Streets." Scenes of Warsaw in flames as buildings are being bombed by German forces. Montage depicting Warsaw on fire. Scenes of Warsaw before WWII, including scenes such as the Warsaw Old Town Market Square (rynek Starego Miasta, 00-279 Warszawa, Poland), the column of Sigismund III Vasa (plac Zamkowy, 00-001 Warszawa, Poland), the Royal Palace (plac Zamkowy 4, 00-277 Warszawa, Poland) and the Lazienki Park, before World War 2. Statue of King Jan III Sobieski in Lazienki Park. Men strolling near a palace. Baroque gates in park.
Animated map shows changes in borders and nations surrounding Poland up until 1937. A map with strategic importance city of Danzig in Poland. Map shows Czechoslovakia, Russia, Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Germany.