Twenty one former Nazi German SS men go on trial before military tribunal for the massacre of 1944, of 642 men, women and children at a village in Oradour-sur-Glane, France during World War II. While in the village, seven survivors survey the charred buildings of the hamlet which was put to torch. Abandoned bicycle with flowers. Mourners at graves.
United States Army Field Artillery Battalion of 92nd Infantry Division (Colored), "Buffalo Soldiers," equipped with tractor-drawn 8-inch Howitzers, in Mantes de Gassicourt, France during World War 2. Opening scene shows an 8-inch howitzer shell on a stand. It has the words: "Harlem to Hitler" written on it in chalk. A gunner screws a fuse into its nose. Closeup of the shell and chalk message. Four soldiers then pick up the shell and walk it towards the breech of their 8-inch howitzer. Cloeup of the gun breech as gunner locks breech and then unlocks and opens it for the camera. Scene shifts to gun crew member communicating on field telephone. Camouflage netting is visible behind him. Next, a gun crew member is seen holding his ears as if to protect against the noise of a gun firing. Change of scene shows members of gun crew relaxing near their 8-inch howitzer, near a grove of trees. New scene shows brief glimpse of a shell exploding in hill above Mantes. (The tower of the Mantes Notre Dame cathedral is seen in lower left of the shot.) (Note: These scenes probably show members of the 795th or the 999th Field Artillery Battalion)
United States soldiers enter the village of Saint-Marcouf, in the Manche department in Normandy, France during World War 2. Soldiers pass by sign “Saint-Marcouf”. United States troops carry rifles. French villagers walking. Soldiers talk to an old French man and woman. Soldiers sitting on the street side of what is now known as the “Route du 5 Juin 1944”. Soldier smoking a cigarette during a break. Groups of soldiers crowd outside a damaged house. Soldiers talking to a French man. A soldier talks to children. A little girl points upwards. A statue of the Virgin Mary stands among the rubble. A statue of Jesus Christ on the Cross leaning sideways inside a church wrecked. Words by George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff of the United States Army says “No compromise is possible and the victory of the democracies can only be complete with the utter defeat of the war machines of Germany and Japan”. A “V” is superimposed over marching soldiers and a ringing Liberty Bell.
United States General Dwight D. Eisenhower and General Maxwell D. Taylor inspect the 101st Airborne troops in Mourmelon-le-Grand, France during World War II. Generals Eisenhower and Taylor ride a Jeep while inspecting the troops. The troops stand at attention, some are holding United States flags. Officers stand on review stand. Actress Marlene Dietrich attends the event. Marlene Dietrich is wearing a helmet and a military-style uniform. She watches General Eisenhower make a speech. Eisenhower speaks to the troops from the review stand. The insignia of the 101st Airborne on display in the review stand.
A tractor after landing on the beach in Normandy, France during D-Day landings in World War II. The tractor carries soldiers and Jerry cans as Jeeps trail behind it. African American soldiers talking and eating in the foxholes on the beach. Barrage balloons flying over the beach. A sign in German reads “Minen” (“Mine”). General Omar Bradley, wearing his helmet and field jacket, stands next to another officer.
Events during the Paris Peace Conference. Dignitaries seen waiting outside Trianon Palace Hotel (1 Bd de la Reine, 78000 Versailles, France). United States President Woodrow Wilson arrives in a motor car. He is greeted by the American Advisor of the Supreme War Council General Tasker Bliss and United States Diplomat Henry White. People standing outside Trianon Place Hotel. German diplomats arrive at the Hotel. French guards and motor cars seen.
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