Title:DER WEST WALL : ein dokumentarischer Film als Gemeinschaftsarbeit der deutschen Wochenschauen [Main Title]
Film Number:GWY 703
Other titles:THE SIEGFRIED LINE : a documentary jointly produced by the German newsreel companies [Translation]
Summary: Documentary on the construction of the Siegfried Line.
Description: Introduction states that Germany's western frontier is again threatened as it was in 1914, so in 1938 Hitler orders a defensive barrier to be built under the supervision of Dr. Todt. Border area is surveyed and plans are made while the vast network of party, administrative and commercial bodies organises the provision of material, labour and transport. Timber, girders and barbed wire are accumulated in giant piles and workers from all corners of the Reich are draughted to the area, welcomed on arrival by bands then accommodated in camps and private houses. Men march to work singing and after hard physical exertion (tunnelling and concreting) relax happily with food and drink. Hitler makes several visits to the area near the border, now protected by anti-tank obstacles, subterranean gun emplacements, observation towers and a well garrisoned tunnel system where piles of weapons are stacked. Aerial views and diagrams stress the scale and impregnability of the new land defences which are complemented in the air by barrage balloon, fighter and bomber units. Completed fortifications stand as a monument to the dignity of physical labour as well as protecting the Reich against attack.
Alternative Title:THE SIEGFRIED LINE : a documentary jointly produced by the German newsreel companies [Translation]
Production Details: Hippler, Fritz (Production individual)
Kuehne (Hauptmann) (Production individual)
Henne, Oberbaurat (Production individual)
Allgeier, Sepp (Production individual)
Endrejat, Max (Production individual)
Fuchs, Walter (Production individual)
Gossmann, Wolfgang (Production individual)
Heere, Friedrich Carl (Production individual)
Hrich, Walter (Production individual)
Jaworsky, Heinz (Production individual)
Khuth, Heinz (Production individual)
Mahla, Wilhelm (Production individual)
Wilke, Herbert (Production individual)
Schiller, Hans Dieter (Production individual)
Buder, Ernst Erich (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords: Germany & <Siegfried Line> (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: German
Title language: German
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 4
Footage: 3976 ft; Running time: 44 mins
