Description
Object description
II. German minelayer fights off Russian air attack in Arctic Ocean. Sailors on board Kaiser push mines overboard into Arctic Ocean until interrupted by approach of Bolshevik torpedo bomber. Men rush to man 2cm Flakvierling, while four Heinkel He 115s pass overhead, then open fire at single Russian plane and reload their gun. (End of Reel 1) Firing continues until plane is shot down in distance, causing crew to cheer and allowing them to continue laying minefield, with mines bobbing in line astern.
Object description
I. German seaplanes escort convoy off Northern Norway. Blohm und Voss Bv 138B seaplane of sea reconnaissance Staffel stands ready for 2000th flight, as indicated by commemorative plaque bearing motto "Das Auge klar, der Blick versonnen, Feuer". Plane is catapulted from pier and flies over sea before passing over German convoy in far north. Observer and cockpit views. Item then cuts to aerial coverage from Heinkel He 115 of convoy off partially snow-covered rocky coast. Ships create smokescreen as Soviet shore batteries open fire, their shells falling close to German vessels.
Object description
III. Germans wage defensive war on Eastern Front. Despite their numerical superiority, Russians have reportedly never managed to break German front. Exhausted German soldier lies asleep in wood; heavy artillery opens fire across plain; wreck of one of thousands of Soviet tanks destroyed smoulders. Heavily armed soldiers emerge from log-framed bunker and others, wearing soft caps, fire kurzer 8cm Granatwerfer 42, ensuring that withdrawal is always carried out according to plan and in complete order. German infantry move through flowering field, with burning tank in distance, and a farm blazes by night as part of policy to destroy all important military installations. Nebelwerfer barrage fires by day and night. Action continues by day as artillery spotter in improvised observation post on top of barn relays information via wireless operator wearing headphones to gunner who load and fire their weapon. Prisoners brought in by Waffen SS show paltry quantity of supply rations enjoyed by Russian units; their captors make good this deficiency by providing bread to hungry Russians leaning out of German railway cattle truck marked Kassel. At briefing before operation to destroy Soviet breakthrough holder of Oak Leaves SS-Brigadeführer Fegelein stands over map; a Fieseler Storch takes off from road, and another lands, reportedly with wounded (not seen). Preparations for attack are made as shells are loaded onto tank and three Pzkpfw Vs pass; tracking shot from armoured vehicle records enemy shells falling nearby, as Pzkpfw Vs reportedly close ring around enemy. Pzkpfw IV with paint-camouflaged armour skirts passes through wooded outskirts of village and a T-34 lies abandoned in distance. Artillery fires against centre of Russian breakthrough. Meanwhile in the air Junkers Ju 87s fly towards Soviet troop and tank concentrations, releasing bombs and peeling away to attack.
Object description
IV. Germans take control of Northern Italy after Badoglio armistice. Animated map of northern edge of Mediterranean. German reinforcements on the move south include truck armed with 2cm Flakvierling and fitted with protective anti-grenade shields against partisan attack travelling along mountain road, long column of mounted soldiers, horse-drawn artillery and marching infantry. Generalfeldmarschall Rommel stands with junior officers; Wehrmacht's rapid intervention and occupation of Italian towns has reportedly foiled intentions of Badoglio government. Officers of 1st SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler wearing Knights Cross and leading troops enter Reggio and continue (tracking shot) through Pavia. 15cm schwere Infanteriegeschütz 33 auf Pzkpfw 38t Ausf H passes. Tracking shot shows German soldiers waving to Italian soldiers by the roadside. Waffen SS unit enters Milan with 3.7cm Flak 36 auf Fahrgestell Zugkraftwagen 5t Sdkfz 6/2. Troops on their way to Rome lie by the roadside and their parked trucks for a short rest. (End of Reel 2) Pause continues, while a comrade eats grapes. Paratroop forces engage in short battle, crawling across road, fighting in suburbs and returning with wounded on stretcher before Rome is taken. Germans enter Rome passing wrecked gun. Outside gate of German Embassy paratrooper removes kitten from his battle jacket, and other Germans drive past Colosseum.
Object description
V. Aerial reconnaissance of Salerno beachhead. Junkers Ju 88 flies over sea before returning to land after photographing Salerno invasion area. Negatives are dried on wheel against backdrop of Italian town and once printed reveal pictures of British vessels and landing craft at sea. Forces in hills overlooking Salerno Bay prepare to fire artillery and smallarms against enemy on coast below, who reportedly suffered heavy losses. 2cm Flakvierling opens fire in ground role.
Object description
VI. Germans free Mussolini from imprisonment on the Gran Sasso. Men of Waffen SS Friedenthal special formation motor through Abruzzi Mountains and are then briefed before airborne operation to free Duce from traitors holding him in the Albergo Rifugio. Mussolini, in dark civilian overcoat, walks with operation commander SS-Hauptsturmführer Skorzeny and other officers. Meanwhile reinforcements arrive by cable railway. Skorzeny then leads Mussolini towards Fieseler Storch, which takes off after men have posed for camera. Soon afterwards plane lands at airfield south of Rome (Pratica di Mare) and Mussolini transfers to Heinkel He 111 after saying farewell to his liberator. He 111 lands and taxies to halt at Rastenburg where Duce is warmly greeted by Hitler and his own son Vittorio. Party step into Mercedes for journey to Wolfsschanze, where Mussolini receives Ribbentrop's congratulations upon his liberation and shakes hands with Goering. After reportedly making wireless appeal to the Italian people to carry on beside their German allies until final victory, Mussolini says farewell at airfield to his host and steps into his plane as Hitler waves goodbye.
Full description
I. German seaplanes escort convoy off Northern Norway. Blohm und Voss Bv 138B seaplane of sea reconnaissance Staffel stands ready for 2000th flight, as indicated by commemorative plaque bearing motto "Das Auge klar, der Blick versonnen, Feuer". Plane is catapulted from pier and flies over sea before passing over German convoy in far north. Observer and cockpit views. Item then cuts to aerial coverage from Heinkel He 115 of convoy off partially snow-covered rocky coast. Ships create smokescreen as Soviet shore batteries open fire, their shells falling close to German vessels.
Full description
II. German minelayer fights off Russian air attack in Arctic Ocean. Sailors on board Kaiser push mines overboard into Arctic Ocean until interrupted by approach of Bolshevik torpedo bomber. Men rush to man 2cm Flakvierling, while four Heinkel He 115s pass overhead, then open fire at single Russian plane and reload their gun. (End of Reel 1) Firing continues until plane is shot down in distance, causing crew to cheer and allowing them to continue laying minefield, with mines bobbing in line astern.
Full description
III. Germans wage defensive war on Eastern Front. Despite their numerical superiority, Russians have reportedly never managed to break German front. Exhausted German soldier lies asleep in wood; heavy artillery opens fire across plain; wreck of one of thousands of Soviet tanks destroyed smoulders. Heavily armed soldiers emerge from log-framed bunker and others, wearing soft caps, fire kurzer 8cm Granatwerfer 42, ensuring that withdrawal is always carried out according to plan and in complete order. German infantry move through flowering field, with burning tank in distance, and a farm blazes by night as part of policy to destroy all important military installations. Nebelwerfer barrage fires by day and night. Action continues by day as artillery spotter in improvised observation post on top of barn relays information via wireless operator wearing headphones to gunner who load and fire their weapon. Prisoners brought in by Waffen SS show paltry quantity of supply rations enjoyed by Russian units; their captors make good this deficiency by providing bread to hungry Russians leaning out of German railway cattle truck marked Kassel. At briefing before operation to destroy Soviet breakthrough holder of Oak Leaves SS-Brigadeführer Fegelein stands over map; a Fieseler Storch takes off from road, and another lands, reportedly with wounded (not seen). Preparations for attack are made as shells are loaded onto tank and three Pzkpfw Vs pass; tracking shot from armoured vehicle records enemy shells falling nearby, as Pzkpfw Vs reportedly close ring around enemy. Pzkpfw IV with paint-camouflaged armour skirts passes through wooded outskirts of village and a T-34 lies abandoned in distance. Artillery fires against centre of Russian breakthrough. Meanwhile in the air Junkers Ju 87s fly towards Soviet troop and tank concentrations, releasing bombs and peeling away to attack.
Full description
IV. Germans take control of Northern Italy after Badoglio armistice. Animated map of northern edge of Mediterranean. German reinforcements on the move south include truck armed with 2cm Flakvierling and fitted with protective anti-grenade shields against partisan attack travelling along mountain road, long column of mounted soldiers, horse-drawn artillery and marching infantry. Generalfeldmarschall Rommel stands with junior officers; Wehrmacht's rapid intervention and occupation of Italian towns has reportedly foiled intentions of Badoglio government. Officers of 1st SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler wearing Knights Cross and leading troops enter Reggio and continue (tracking shot) through Pavia. 15cm schwere Infanteriegeschütz 33 auf Pzkpfw 38t Ausf H passes. Tracking shot shows German soldiers waving to Italian soldiers by the roadside. Waffen SS unit enters Milan with 3.7cm Flak 36 auf Fahrgestell Zugkraftwagen 5t Sdkfz 6/2. Troops on their way to Rome lie by the roadside and their parked trucks for a short rest. (End of Reel 2) Pause continues, while a comrade eats grapes. Paratroop forces engage in short battle, crawling across road, fighting in suburbs and returning with wounded on stretcher before Rome is taken. Germans enter Rome passing wrecked gun. Outside gate of German Embassy paratrooper removes kitten from his battle jacket, and other Germans drive past Colosseum.
Full description
V. Aerial reconnaissance of Salerno beachhead. Junkers Ju 88 flies over sea before returning to land after photographing Salerno invasion area. Negatives are dried on wheel against backdrop of Italian town and once printed reveal pictures of British vessels and landing craft at sea. Forces in hills overlooking Salerno Bay prepare to fire artillery and smallarms against enemy on coast below, who reportedly suffered heavy losses. 2cm Flakvierling opens fire in ground role.
Full description
VI. Germans free Mussolini from imprisonment on the Gran Sasso. Men of Waffen SS Friedenthal special formation motor through Abruzzi Mountains and are then briefed before airborne operation to free Duce from traitors holding him in the Albergo Rifugio. Mussolini, in dark civilian overcoat, walks with operation commander SS-Hauptsturmführer Skorzeny and other officers. Meanwhile reinforcements arrive by cable railway. Skorzeny then leads Mussolini towards Fieseler Storch, which takes off after men have posed for camera. Soon afterwards plane lands at airfield south of Rome (Pratica di Mare) and Mussolini transfers to Heinkel He 111 after saying farewell to his liberator. He 111 lands and taxies to halt at Rastenburg where Duce is warmly greeted by Hitler and his own son Vittorio. Party step into Mercedes for journey to Wolfsschanze, where Mussolini receives Ribbentrop's congratulations upon his liberation and shakes hands with Goering. After reportedly making wireless appeal to the Italian people to carry on beside their German allies until final victory, Mussolini says farewell at airfield to his host and steps into his plane as Hitler waves goodbye.
Physical description
35mm