Summary: A film on the Me 321 Gigant glider, being loaded and taking off.
Description: (Reel 1) A line of Luftwaffe field troops (about 75 men) with motorcycles, bicycles and 3.7 cm anti-tank guns stand to attention in front of an Me 321. The troops board by two ladders to the rear, finding their places on benches on the top deck, and the hardware is loaded up the ramp at the nose. The doors are closed and the defensive armament manned. Some rocket take-off units are selected and winched up to a platform on top of a lorry, which is driven up to the glider so that the units can be attached (two to each wing). The tow ropes from three Bf 110's are attached, the take-off run started and the rockets fired. The rocket units are then parachute dropped as the "train" flies over. A second take-off is shown, the glider running past a line of other Me 321s. Two more take-offs are shown, with a single Ju 90 as the tug. The take-off dolly is jettisoned as the glider lifts off.
(Reel 2) Two PzKpfw 38(t)'s are backed up the loading ramp into the hold of the Me 321. A PzKpfw 1V(E) is then backed into a second Me 321. As a final demonstration, an 8.8 cm Flak 18 gun is driven up, detached from the towing truck and manhandled into the hold. Boxes of ammunition are installed around it and the truck then backed in as well. The crew are installed and the doors shut. An Me 321 is towed slowly past by a tractor. The camera then tracks down a long line of Me 321's (and a single Bf 110).
Personalities, Units and Organisations: German Army (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, German - combat: Junkers Ju 90 (object name)
aircraft, German - combat: Messerschmitt Bf 110 (object name)
aircraft, German - glider: Messerschmitt Me 321 Gigant (object name)
armour, German - tank: PzKpfw 1V(E) (object name)
armour, German - tank: Pzkpfw 38(t) (object name)
operations, German air - preparation (object name)
transport, German air - 2/3-wheel (object name)
weapons, German - gun: 8.8 cm Flak 18 (object name)
Germany (geography)
