U.S. Army Air Forces flyers who escaped internment in Switzerland, are seen at Annecy airfield, France, during World War II. Escapees pose on a field. Swiss banner and sticker on a suitcase. French civilians stand around. U.S. Colonel shakes hands with departing escaped USAAF flyers, who board USAAF C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft parked in the background. U.S. Colonel and French civilians stand in wind caused by propwash from the aircraft. The C-47 taxis along the grassy Annecy airfield. French civilians watch the C-47 as it taxis and takes off. Cattle on field. German prisoners of war look toward sky. Prisoners march along a field.
Repatriated U.S. Army Air Forces flyers, are gathered, waiting to depart the airfield, at Annecy, France, during World War 2. A C-47 airplane is parked behind them, They mingle with several French armed soldiers (who are guarding German POWs at work on the airfield). One officer examines a French guard's rifle. Some Frenchmen in black uniforms are also seen conversing in the group, as they all stand beside the open door of a C-47. An officer in the C-47 signals that it is time to go. The Americans and French say their goodbyes as the Americans climb aboard the aircraft. The door of the plane is closed.
German prisoners of war take a break from their work on the airfield at Annecy, France, during world War 2. A tethered sheep feeds on the grass. One of the prisoners talks amicably with a French guard. Some prisoners eat a snack, as they stand about being photographed by the cameraman. Scene changes to repatriated American flyers (who had been interned in Switzerland) sitting on the ground beside a parked C-47 transport airplane. The C-47 has tail number: 41-7845. Several French civilians, including some children, mingle with the Americans.
Aerial view from another airplane of a U.S. Stinson L-5 Sentinel aircraft serial number 42-99174 in flight over hills in France. (Some appear to have traces of snow on them.) At one point, the L-5 swoops extremely close to the photographer's airplane. Aerial view of river, town, Lake Annecy, and airfield with C-47 parked on it. Group of American fliers, repatriated from internment in Switzerland, conversing on the airfield, as they await a C-47 to fly them out. . L-5 airplane taxis out for takeoff. American airmen struggle to load a jeep into a C-47 transport airplane. The C-47 displays open triangle tail code on its rudder and the letter "O" on rear fuselage.
American soldiers in jeeps are part of a traffic jam in Lyon, France, following its liberation by French forces in September, 1944. An air of celebration permeates the scene, Several French women ride with U.S. soldiers in American jeeps. A Blue vehicle displaying "FFI Police" (Free French of the Interior) and the Cross of Lorraine, is caught in the jam. A small black sedan displays "FFI" in white letters.Local civilians crowd the streets and ride on every possible spot on the various vehicles. Crowds of pedestrian spectators are restrained behind rough wooden fences. Camera views from vehicle crossing the Rhone River, show the destroyed Wilson bridge, and parts of city in background. Complete change of sequence to Rome, Italy. The Flag of Italy flying on an official building. Italian women surround American soldiers, Sergeant Lester Koenig and another NCO as they sit in a jeep. They all laugh and talk. Several Italian soldiers (one a medic) and women pose for the camera.
Three hundred and fifty men and women swim in the Seine River in Paris, France during a swimming contest. The swimmers swim past boats. Spectators watch the race. The swimmers swim under a bridge. Notre Dame cathedral overlooks swimmers. French champion Jean Taris swims and wins the race.
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