The German Auxiliary Cruiser "Thor" (Schiff 10) seeking Allied shipping targets of opportunity in the Pacific during World War 2. German Navy sailors relax on her deck. Some paint her motor launch. Several sailors in white trousers, dark jackets, and white side caps, hurry into formation where they are inspected by supervisor wearing a checkered necktie. Officers in Khaki look through binoculars as the Thors' Arado 196 float plane lands and taxis in, guided by sailor with signal flags. The pilot (possibly Flying Officer Meyer-Ahrens) is standing up in the cockpit. He reports to the bridge and exchanges salutes with Thor Captain, Kapitan-sur-Zee Günther Gumprich. Pilot discusses his flight observations with other officers. Smoke from a steaming ship seen on the horizon. An officer on the deck lights a cigar. Smoke and sound of Thor firing her 15cm deck guns. Silhouette of ocean liner SS Nankin, very low in the water. Next, life boats of the SS Nankin row toward Thor carrying passengers who climb aboard (this was on May 10, 1942). Next, the ship is seen moving in rough high seas. Smoke is seen from Thor's guns firing again, and another ship is stopped in the water. Based on profile of ship, it appears to be the Norwegian oil tanker Madrono (D/T Madrono), intercepted on July 4, 1942. Boarding party from Thor lowers away in motor launch tenders and boards the stopped ship. Sign on her says "No Smoking" in English (The Madrono was built in the UK). Armed German sailor from the Thor guards the merchant seamen on board. Glimpse of one of Thor's 15cm deck guns. Thor's sailors in German Kriegsmarine dress uniforms wave from deck, likely as ship is arriving at Japanese harbor. Japanese Naval officers board for a visit. Captain Günther Gumprich and executive officer socialize with Japanese officers. German and Japanese flags fly side-by-side. Officers and crew of German Cruiser Thor tour local sites in Japan. Two Thor sailors view Mt. Fuji.
Chinese protest Manchurian Activists in Chicago, Illinois. People on street march with banners reading 'Japan Violates Washington Arms Treaty'. Women march with American flags in hand. Children with slogans in Chinese. Chinese leader gives a brief speech to protesters. Girls hold banner that reads 'Fight against Japanese Invasion of Manchuria'.
Policemen and lawyers viewing papers. Marshall Henri Petain arrives in the court. The court is completely packed with people. Marshall Henri Petain sits on a chair. The judge arises and gives his verdict. Hideki Tojo, Pearl Harbor Premier arrives at a place in Japan. He sits with others. Dead body of Heinrich Himmler, Head of Hitler's secret police lay on ground in Germany. Packed court room during the famous Nuremberg trials where 21 Nazis face their accusers. Hearing of the court proceeds. A lawyer stands and speaks. Court officials writing to keep record. Vidkun Quisling is hanged in Norway.
Segment of U.S. Information Agency film describing its libraries and Cultural Centers that provide public information abroad. View of a USIA library displaying its name in English. Another USIA cultural center and library in Burma. Buddhist monks attend a lecture by the USIA. An Asian boy writing on desk. People assembled for lectures and discussions in such centers in various countries. Patrons surround a USIA traveling library in Burma. Visitors viewing displays in a USIA center. Chart showing USIA information centers closed by Communist Governments in Bulgaria, Romania, Czechoslovakia, USSR, China, Hungary, Poland. Map showing Hakodate, Japan, where 40,000 residents signed a petition to keep a USIA library open.
Opening scene shows a U.S. Information Agency (USIA) secretary provides a couple in Germany with information about American schools. Views of students in Saigon, South Vietnam, attending USIA English language classes. View of London, England, showing the Art Deco BBC Broadcasting House at Portland Place (Portland Pl, London W1A 1AA, UK) and All Souls Church, Langham Place (All Souls C of E Church, 2 All Souls' Pl, London W1B 3DA, UK). A man is seen delivering a can, containing the USIA monthly film documentary, to the BBC. View of Broadcasting House of BBC in Marylebone, England. In Iran, a Douglas DC-4 passenger plane takes off, carrying newspaper reporters and Iranian officials to look over an American technical assistance project which is seen from the air. In Tokyo, Japan, a man working in a private publishing company begins translating an American book. The book is open on his desk and contains an illustration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. A page of the book, written in Japanese, is shown being reproduced on a type of mimeograph machine.
Faces of smiling audience watching performers bow at the conclusion of a performance of Porgy and Bess sponsored by the USIS. View of performance by the "Symphony of the Air, " formerly known as the NBC Toscanini Orchestra, in Tokyo. Author William Faulkner is seen visiting with an audience in Japan. Olympic athlete Jesse Owens shows his running block technique to a crowd gathered in Malaya. Jesse Owens signs autographs for a crowd gathered around him. A test preview of a USIS "People's Capitalism" exhibit is shown at Union Station in Washington, D.C. Two Asian women place a pot on a stove as part of the exhibit. A 1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible is displayed at an international trade fair in Salonika, Greece. A man demonstrates and electric razor at the Greek trade show sponsored by USIS. King Paul and Queen Frederika of Greece visit the U.S. trade fair and watch children play on a jungle gym, with toy tractors and with a toy teepee. A crowd gathered at the trade show stand in line to see themselves on a television monitor. View of crowd seen on television. A large spiral display sponsored by USIS demonstrates the "Open Skies Proposal" A model of a B-52 bomber is also at the display.
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