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Wwii Newsreel (1945)

1945 · Short film · 23 min

  • War
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Synopsis

Created by the Army Pictorial Service, this WWII newsreel shows the fight against German V-1 flying bombs in 1943-44. Extensive Allied bombings destroyed many of the sites in Occupied France. Some of these destroyed sites are seen, revealing catapults for launching and camouflage bunkers, as well as steel rail systems used to transport V-1s. Bombs were calibrated to attack London and abandoned war heads and missile launchers are shown scattered about the countryside. At the 2:46 mark, an observation platform is seen for V-1 launches. Wrecked V-1s are seen at the 3:13 mark, including the pulse-jet engine. At the 3:48 make, the focus shifts to the Mediterranean and the Capture of Toulon and Marseilles. Watch French artillery bomb Toulon to prevent it from falling into German hands. The Nazi resistance lost most of its fleet to the battles. Marseilles was not as heavily fortified, much harder to defend, but French troops prevail. Soon after Germans surrender Port St. Nicholas taken back by Algerians and we see a victory parade for the troops and their General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny. At the 5:55 mark, U.S. Airmen are freed in Romania. Flying fortresses of the 15th Air Force are retrieving airmen from a Bucherrest airport recently released by the Romanian government. Russian and American soldiers exchange goodbyes. The men soon arrive at an Italian airbase where they celebrate their freedom. 7:33 Operations in France and Belgium by the Canadian 1st Army Forces. Canadian…

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Details

Running time
23 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

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