North facade of the Palais Bourbon (126 Rue de l'Université, 75007 Paris, France) in Paris, France. Vehicles pass on the street in front of the building. Cameramen stand on the street outside the building. Dignitaries come out of the Élysée Palace in Paris. French Prime Minister Maurice Bourges Maunoury, French President Rene Coty and the Members of the Government pose after their meeting to discuss the Algerian War at the Élysée Palace.
Film begins showing nighttime scene of fires burning from German bombing of Paris in the World War 2 German invasion and Battle of France. In daylight, firemen are seen directing streams of water on smoking remains of buildings. Camera pans across numerous destroyed buildings and debris. One notable undamaged structure is the the Sacre Coeur Cathedral and its tall bell tower, on lÎle-de-France. Citizens are gather discussing the situation. One mostly destroyed building has "Les Soeurs de St. Vincent Paul," written on its side. It is headquarters of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul (Catholic order) on 140 rue du Bac. A woman of the order, wearing their signature cornette, is seen conversing with a police officer. A Nun of the order works with several women (not in habit) to save some tables. More views of the destruction including one showing water gushing from a burst underground water main. Camera pans over more scenes of destruction. Inside of a badly damaged church. Women distributing snacks to children. A sign reading: "Milice Francaise," (a local Militia) where food and drinks are being given to many people.
German Chancellor Adolf Hitler and French Marshal Henri Petain meet in Montoire France during World War II, during a tour by Hitler of occupied France. Henri Petain arrives (historical records indicate meeting also included Laval). Building in the background. Marshal Petain inspects troops. Soldiers stand at attention. He meets Adolf Hitler. Interpreter Paul Schmidt and Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop also present.
Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe General Dwight D. Eisenhower in Cherbourg, France during World War II. General Eisenhower walks with Major General Henry Aurand, across railroad tracks in port area of Cherbourg, France. Steam locomotives and railroad trains in the background. Eisenhower walks along the docks, past a ship being offloaded to a railroad box car. General Eisenhower and Major General Henry Aurand, step from staff car upon arrival at 165th General Hospital. They are escorted along established paths lined with post and rope fencing. The large hospital tents display red crosses. General Eisenhower gives some soldiers his autograph. He and his party stand by a large pressure tank, as a soldier uses a wrench to adjust a control. Eisenhower chats pleasantly with U.S. Navy personnel at the camp. General Aurand stands by Eisenhower as he talks with an Army Colonel. His staff car and driver are in the background. Eisenhower warmly greets Naval and Marine officers on board a ship in port, where supplies are being offloaded. He looks down into the ship's hold from the deck above.
A French airfield, in World War 1. Escadrille of French Officers, pilots, and American observers (some from the A.E.F. 42nd Infantry, Rainbow Division) pose in front of a Spad biplane on May 25, 1918, in Viefvillers, France. An American flag has been affixed to one of the wing struts of the plane. Front View of a large French Letord twin engine biplane used for armed reconnaissance and photography, parked on a grass field in France. A soldier turns one of its curved propellers.Fliers occupy pilot and gunner positions. Tents seen in background.
German newsreel shows activities of French workers in Paris, France following capture and occupation of the city by Nazi German forces in World War II. French workers and soldiers lined up on a ladder and removing sandbag defensive protections from the Luxor Obelisk (Pl. de la Concorde, 75008 Paris, France) at the Place de la Concorde. Buildings in the background. Workers pull nails from boards as they disassemble defensive positions and gun emplacements. Long line of saddened workers and French soldiers pass buckets slowly in a bucket brigade. Eiffel Tower in the background.
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