Description
Object description
II. German reinforcements defend Eastern Front. Animated map of Eastern Front from Moscow to Sebastopol. Trucks of NSKK Brigade Speer filled with infantry reinforcements travel over poor roads to site in open country where passengers are unloaded before marching off fully equipped. Lines of soldiers cross in opposite direction as one division is relieved by newcomers, who prepare new positions by digging zigzag trench system. Soldiers then enjoy slices of water melon and food prepared in field kitchen, and relax watching two small kittens playing aggressively; nearby position is appropriately named Villa Waldkater. Russian shells falling in devastated wood are answered by heavy German artillery. StuG IIIs move forward against attacking Russians, while 8.8cm Flak opens fire against planes; Luftwaffe crew minus shirts man Kommandogerät 40 Flak predictor and another soldier fires skywards with tripod-mounted captured Russian 7.62mm DP machine gun. Last film taken by cameraman Sengewitz records Bolshevik infantry attack fought off by German grenadiers firing rifles and MG 34 from trench before rushing forward with grenades (foreshortened by telephoto lens). Battle continues with Stukas overhead and aerial view showing camera fixed to top of port wing to record dive-bombing attacks against Russian positions. 15cm Nebelwerfer 41 opens fire, operated by soldier using remote control device; armour manoeuvres into position and artillery opens fire. In southern sector every bit of land tactically surrendered by Germans causes Bolsheviks heavy losses, as Russian dead and wrecked T-34/76A with shell-pierced hull testify. Russian survivors bring in wounded (German ?) to field dressing station Hauptverbandplatz 51. Lying in hospital Feldwebel Bredemeyer receives Knights Cross from Generalleutnant Graf von Schwerin (Panzergrenadier Regiment 16). First tank driver to receive Knights Cross, SS-Unterscharführer Thaler, stands in turret wearing his award.
Object description
I. Crew of German auxiliary cruiser Thor visit Japan. Merchant raider enters harbour (Yokohama) after successful cruise. Japanese naval officers come aboard and toast success of Kapitän zur See Gumprich, seen standing next to Naval Attaché Vizeadmiral Wenneker, and later awarded the Knights Cross.
Object description
III. Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring inspects Southern defences. Animated map of Mediterranean from Marseille to Athens. Commander-in-chief of Southern Front stands with staff at airfield, jovially taps a soldier on his helmet then departs in open-topped car. Gun crews along coast are ready for action, in the meantime resting and cleaning their weapons, and eating grapes.
Object description
IV. German reinforcements arrive in Italy. Schwimmwagen heads column of motorcycle combinations driving along road to Italy; impressed Vickers-Armstrong Utility tractor, towing trailer, follows. Column passes sign indicating Brenner ahead and Stubaital to right and crosses bridge. Railway flatcars transporting StuG IIIs, Pzkpfw III Ausf Js and Pzkpfw Ausf Gs pass. Sdkfz 222 armoured car, with anti-grenade netting, and 8.8cm Flak in travelling position pass by, followed by Sdkfz 7/1 2cm Flakvierling. Convoy crosses German (Austrian) border and continues through Northern Italy where Germans are joyfully received by local women (in Tyrolean costume) who offer fruit and drinks. As column of Vickers-Armstrong Utility, Marder IIIs and StuG IIIs (marked SS over barrel) continues southwards through Italy commentary states that Germany's armed forces in Southern Europe, freed now from restraint, are fighting for the freedom of Europe.
Full description
I. Crew of German auxiliary cruiser Thor visit Japan. Merchant raider enters harbour (Yokohama) after successful cruise. Japanese naval officers come aboard and toast success of Kapitän zur See Gumprich, seen standing next to Naval Attaché Vizeadmiral Wenneker, and later awarded the Knights Cross.
Full description
II. German reinforcements defend Eastern Front. Animated map of Eastern Front from Moscow to Sebastopol. Trucks of NSKK Brigade Speer filled with infantry reinforcements travel over poor roads to site in open country where passengers are unloaded before marching off fully equipped. Lines of soldiers cross in opposite direction as one division is relieved by newcomers, who prepare new positions by digging zigzag trench system. Soldiers then enjoy slices of water melon and food prepared in field kitchen, and relax watching two small kittens playing aggressively; nearby position is appropriately named Villa Waldkater. Russian shells falling in devastated wood are answered by heavy German artillery. StuG IIIs move forward against attacking Russians, while 8.8cm Flak opens fire against planes; Luftwaffe crew minus shirts man Kommandogerät 40 Flak predictor and another soldier fires skywards with tripod-mounted captured Russian 7.62mm DP machine gun. Last film taken by cameraman Sengewitz records Bolshevik infantry attack fought off by German grenadiers firing rifles and MG 34 from trench before rushing forward with grenades (foreshortened by telephoto lens). Battle continues with Stukas overhead and aerial view showing camera fixed to top of port wing to record dive-bombing attacks against Russian positions. 15cm Nebelwerfer 41 opens fire, operated by soldier using remote control device; armour manoeuvres into position and artillery opens fire. In southern sector every bit of land tactically surrendered by Germans causes Bolsheviks heavy losses, as Russian dead and wrecked T-34/76A with shell-pierced hull testify. Russian survivors bring in wounded (German ?) to field dressing station Hauptverbandplatz 51. Lying in hospital Feldwebel Bredemeyer receives Knights Cross from Generalleutnant Graf von Schwerin (Panzergrenadier Regiment 16). First tank driver to receive Knights Cross, SS-Unterscharführer Thaler, stands in turret wearing his award.
Full description
III. Generalfeldmarschall Kesselring inspects Southern defences. Animated map of Mediterranean from Marseille to Athens. Commander-in-chief of Southern Front stands with staff at airfield, jovially taps a soldier on his helmet then departs in open-topped car. Gun crews along coast are ready for action, in the meantime resting and cleaning their weapons, and eating grapes.
Full description
IV. German reinforcements arrive in Italy. Schwimmwagen heads column of motorcycle combinations driving along road to Italy; impressed Vickers-Armstrong Utility tractor, towing trailer, follows. Column passes sign indicating Brenner ahead and Stubaital to right and crosses bridge. Railway flatcars transporting StuG IIIs, Pzkpfw III Ausf Js and Pzkpfw Ausf Gs pass. Sdkfz 222 armoured car, with anti-grenade netting, and 8.8cm Flak in travelling position pass by, followed by Sdkfz 7/1 2cm Flakvierling. Convoy crosses German (Austrian) border and continues through Northern Italy where Germans are joyfully received by local women (in Tyrolean costume) who offer fruit and drinks. As column of Vickers-Armstrong Utility, Marder IIIs and StuG IIIs (marked SS over barrel) continues southwards through Italy commentary states that Germany's armed forces in Southern Europe, freed now from restraint, are fighting for the freedom of Europe.
Physical description
35mm