DIE DEUTSCHE WOCHENSCHAU NR [Main Title]

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  • Title: DIE DEUTSCHE WOCHENSCHAU NR [Main Title]
  • Film Number: GWY 167-1
  • Other titles: DIE DEUTSCHE WOCHENSCHAU NR 1940/ - part [Alternative Title]
  • Summary:
  • Description: I. German supplies and relief work during and after campaign in France. World stands amazed by German campaign in West, won in 39 days by brave troops brilliantly led and backed up by superb organisation. Animated map traces advance from Sedan to Abbéville. Rapid advance by German armour (Pzkpfw III Ausf Ds and II Ausf Fs, Sdkfz 223 armoured cars), which French newspapers predicted would be halted by fuel shortage, was made possible by detailed General Staff work; petrol drums are loaded onto trucks in long line, unloaded from Junkers Ju 52/3ms and transported by Deutsche Reichsbahn trucks with trailers over bridge, past Wehrmacht signposts to Kraut, Mecheln, Krankensammelstelle (casualty centre) and Brussels. Convoy passes Belgian traffic policeman in town and continues along country road. Lack of fuel did however foil the attempted flight by "Jewish warmongers and Parisian plutocrats, with cases full of gold ingots and jewels", whose cars, some camouflaged against aerial attack, now line the roadside; "this is how these deserters and friends of England, traitors to their people, sought to escape on foot from their responsibility". By contrast the French people, recklessly evacuated and swept along by the flight of the French Army, can now return; peasants sit on carts with their possessions, including one family towing a car. Germans have their Führer to thank for being spared such scenes as these: refugees with prams, bicycles and farm vehicles, passing through town, sitting dishevelled beneath trees, mother nursing baby, children smiling in cart and hens in boxes. Stall near port of Nationalsozialistische Volkswohlfahrt (with French translation), staffed by German women who have reportedly rapidly won respect and trust in the enemy land, distributes food to women and child refugees ("these betrayed people"). NSV Sister comfortingly holds slum child. II. German prisoners of war in French custody. Captured French film shows German soldiers behind barbed wire having PG (prisonnier de guerre) marked on their uniforms. Article 19 of armistice Agreement now assures their release. III. Germans occupy Domrémy and free civilian internees. In accordance with Armistice Agreement German soldiers march into birthplace of Joan of Arc, commemorated by plaque (1429-1929) and statue. The aim of occupying territory north of demarcation line is to assure Germany necessary security in war forcibly prolonged by England. Sidecar motorcyclists and horse-drawn supply columns travel on. Happy surprise (staged for camera) is discovery of camp for German civilians, interned by French, who will return home soon. Civilians give Nazi salute and shake hands with their liberators. IV. French and French Colonial troops enter captivity. Over long line of prisoners passing through town and in captivity commentary notes "always the same picture - white, brown, black, all races of the world". Discordant music accompanies shots of North and West African troops being served soup by Frenchman and using fingers to eat out of bowl, and dancing to native rhythms. Commentary ironically recalls Chamberlain's reported claim that the conflict was between the trustees of civilisation and medieval barbarism over contrasting film of dancing negroes and disciplined Germans marching. (End of Reel 1)
  • Alternative Title: DIE DEUTSCHE WOCHENSCHAU NR 1940/ - part [Alternative Title]
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: GWY 167-1
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM-GERMAN Attribution: IWM – GWY 167-1
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1940-07
  • Production Country: Germany
  • Production Details: UFA (Production company)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords:
  • 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: 1
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    GWY 167-1

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