Opening scene shows the German submarine U-967 returning to Port after a patrol in the Western Mediterranean, in May, 1944, during World War 2. The boat's Captain, Kapitanleutnant Albrecht Brandi is seen in the conning tower, wearing a white cap. Glimpse of the U-boats emblem, a four-leaf Clover superimposed over the numeral 7, is seen on the side of the boat. Closeup of Captain Brandi wearing his Knights Cross with Oak Leaves and swords (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern) awarded during this latest Patrol (in which they torpedoed the U.S. Destroyer, USS Fechteler, on May 5, 1944). Extreme closeup of Brandi. Closeups of several of his officer crewmen. Scene shifts to a pier at the German occupied Naval Base in Toulon, France, Where Kapitanleutnant Brandi receives a large bouquet of flowers and a congratulatory hug and kiss from a young woman. Closeup of Brandi holding the bouquet and smiling.
View from a 4-engine airplane in flight over altocumulus clouds. Setting sun creates pink colors. Scene changes abruptly to views, inland from Omaha Beach, at Colleville-sur-Mer, France, of the temporary military battlefield cemetery established by the U.S. First Army, on June 8, 1944, right after the Allied invasion of Normandy, in World War 2. Simple wooden crosses mark the graves of the fallen Americans, each identified by one of their dog tags fastened to the marker.
View of Canadian troops on D-Day huddled in a landing craft approaching Juno beach in Normandy, France, during Operation Overlord, June 6, 1944, in World War 2. The landing craft reaches the beach and all the Canadian infantry leave the boat, two or three at a time, and wade ashore during the invasion of Europe by Allied forces. Steel obstacles placed by the German forces can be seen on the beach. Several houses, stand along the beach. Two other landing craft with Canadian soldiers arrive near beach and soldiers wade ashore. The troops advance on the beach.
German forces smash into the U.S. First Army positions along a 45-mile front and advance deep into Luxemburg and Belgium, in Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Animated maps show Germany, France, and Belgium. German Panzer V "Panther" tank with several German soldiers riding on it approaches on road behind a large tree. German tanks, tank destroyers, troops, and artillery in transport on roads and then seen in action against American Army positions. Vehicles of a United States convoy wrecked and burning along road, as German troops advance past the burning vehicles. Fire and smoke rise from U.S. tanks, Jeeps, and trucks. U.S. soldiers captured as prisoner of war are marched on a town road. Frozen dead bodies of U.S. soldiers, victims of the Malmedy massacre, some with hands and feet tied, being placed army truck. Dead bodies of Belgian civilians being placed in large common grave. View of German officer ordering a firing squad to shoot. German troops smoke American cigarettes taken from dead U.S. troops. American troops in retreat and burning and destroying war materiel that could not be brought with them. American defenders firing artillery, including antiaircraft guns fired level, as antitank weapons. Skies streaked with contrails and dogfights between American and German airplanes. American aircraft bombing German positions after weather clears. American troops patrol in snow covered wooded areas. General Eisenhower talks with soldiers. German soldiers advancing. Newspaper headline reads: "Russians Smash Last Nazi Line." Another newspaper headline reads: "40 Jap Ships Sunk." Another reads: "3rd Army Deep in Germany." Narrator cautions against complacency, reminding of 78 thousand American soldiers lost during the Christmas holiday, in 1944. Views of dead U.S. Army soldiers following battles with Germans. Narrator offers closing public service war propaganda message: "If you have a War Job, Stick to it" and " If you Haven't, Get one!"
Film opens with map of western coast and towns in France. Camouflaged trucks filled with German infantry drive along rural French road in World War 2. Closeup of smiling soldiers in one truck. A makeshift sign reads (in German) "One-way street to the front." A soldier passes out newspapers to other soldiers riding bicycles. Closeup of a soldier reading the newspaper. Closeup of the paper has headline reading (in German) "Eisenhower has not surprised us." Troops on bicycles ride through a village. Large wooden sign warns (in German) that the enemy understands things you might say about military activities. Camouflaged vehicles drive along a road, passing overturned civilian vehicles at the sides of the road. View from rear of German soldier on motorcycle, with foliage on his helmet, looking skyward for aircraft. Formations of Allied aircraft are seen overhead, and German troops seek protection in ditches at side of the road. Scene shifts to German troops firing anti-aircraft guns at the planes. Black flak clouds are seen near the Allied airplanes. A lone B-17 bomber is seen overhead. Next, burning wreckage of an aircraft is seen strewn across a field. No markings are visible on the wreckage. A sign identifies the town of Avranches in Southern France. German infantry enter the war-torn town on civilian cars and other vehicles of opportunity and motorcycles. A German half track personnel carrier tows an artillery field piece.
U.S. Coast guard supply operations near invasion beachead, France, during World War II. Various landing ships and patrol boats moving about. Army officers board a ship from a small craft. Large crane on supply ship transfers supplies to smaller boats. Landing craft with armored vehicle loaded on board. "US 59" painted on back of vehicle.
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