UFA TONWOCHE NR 472 [Main Title]

I. Surrender of Gdynia. Mayor of port in Polish Corridor surrenders to commander of German forces without a fight, despite government call to population to resist. Poles emerge from cellars dressed in civilian clothes, reportedly in disguise. German forces pass defences and an armoured car marked Saar moves forward.

II. Minesweepers clear Danzig Bight. Six Raümboote sweep sea (exercise ?) of Polish mines.

III. Women and young people take over on the home front Fighting troops are supported on home front by united effort of youth organisations and female labour. Members of the Hitler Youth and Bund deutscher Mädel turn hay on sunny slopes, women ticket collectors replace men on the trams, women volunteers for the Red Cross learn how to make arm splints and others help during the arrival of the first train to bring wounded back from Poland. Wounded soldiers in Berlin enjoy a roller skate show by three girls organised by Kraft durch Freude. Women help in the production of shell cases, taken from the factory by train. Field bakery prepares loaves of bread kneaded, baked and removed from the oven.

IV. Messerschmitt Bf 109E firing practice. Fighter practises firing at ground target.

V. Destroyed Polish airbase at Bromberg. Polish hangars and aircraft stand shattered at Bromberg (Bydgoszcz) following capture by German forces. Poles reportedly intended to attack Berlin from here.

VI. German military burial of shot-down airman. Funeral with full military honours takes place in Saarbrücken for crew of shot-down French plane. Grave of Capitaine Jacques Rosignol of 2/Reconnaissance Squadron 551, died 11/9/39. German chaplain is visible.

VII. Germans honour Pilsudski in captured Cracow. After arrival in Cracow German forces place guard of honour beside grave of Marshal Pilsudski, "who wished to establish friendly relations between the two countries".

VIII. Polish prisoners of war. Polish soldiers walk along road into captivity in camp. Close-ups of prisoners.

IX. Captured RAF airman makes statement. Flight Lieutenant captured when he was forced to crash-land near Überstedt (?) records statement to microphone, with German subtitles: "I only wish to say of my own free will that since being taken prisoner here in Germany my brother officers and myself have been treated with every courtesy and consideration. We have good quarters, adequate food and no complaints".

X. Volksdeutsche identify their Polish persecutors. Polish prisoners in Bromberg (Bydgoszcz) prison are identified by freed Volksdeutsche wearing mask as former tormentors of his compatriots. "Here one recognises ones brothers murderer."

XI. Volksdeutsche refugees return home. Volksdeutsche cross Vistula by boat en route to home. Most reportedly bear traces of inhuman treatment by Poles, including one man with an eye gouged out and a woman with a battered face. Most reportedly find their houses destroyed. camera pans from wreckage to synagogue, "the only building in the village not destroyed".

XII. Polish Jews in ghetto and in German captivity. Jews in the ghettos of the eastern towns are reportedly in good spirits, contrary to the claims of Jewish atrocity propaganda abroad. Film shows crowds of Jews and close-ups. Men of all ages, described as recalcitrant Jews, stand in captivity after being rounded up. Others reportedly are being forced to work for the first time in their lives; film shows men half-heartedly shovelling earth and picking up bricks two at a time.

XIII. Advance across Poland continues. Pzkpfw 38(t) tanks pass through ruined town and other armour and trucks negotiate muddy road and bridge. Horse-drawn column plus a pig pass by.

XIV. German entry into Lodz. Tanks enter town where Volksdeutsche line route.

XV. Hitler with his troops in Poland. Führer's HQ moves ever eastward, as Hitler takes off in Junkers Ju 52. View from inside plane as Hitler waves before taking off, then aerial shots of towns and fortifications, including Pilsudski (?) memorial. Ju 52 (D+AMYY) land and Hitler steps out and with Keitel is greeted by Reichenau and other generals. Hitler eats at field kitchen and later meets nurses, who heil. Führer sits with soldiers on bankside. Von Brauchitsch and Goering walking together, then Goering is seen inside a railway carriage with Hitler, seated together. Later Hitler drives into a town where he is mobbed by soldiers as tracking shot records triumphant reception.

XVI. Hitler visits captured Lodz. Hitler's motorcade passes through undamaged city of Lodz (captured four days earlier), while reportedly British are claiming that Poles have reconquered city.

XVII. Hitler watches soldiers cross River San. Hitler stands with Keitel as large numbers of German soldiers cross River San. "Hitler and his soldiers are bound by oath as partners in life and death", states the commentary. Hitler then stands surrounded by soldiers for whom he signs autographs.

16mm