Summary: Documentary illustrates the wide range of sports which complement German military training.
Description: Recognition of the value of gymnastics and competitive sports in strengthening troops both physically and morally caused the services to establish their own Sports Academies, at Wünsdorf, Flensburg and Spandau. Soldiers at Wünsdorf undergo basic physical training before following a systematic course of sport which develops their strength and will-power. Early training covers running, ball games, elementary gymnastics, boxing and swimming. Soldiers subsequently compete at these various sports after special intensive training and demonstrate their ability in public displays which are a valuable link between the armed forces and the nation. Services favour particular sports, thus the Navy (Reel 7) concentrates on gymnastics, rowing and sailing, while mountain troops (Reels 8-10) become expert skiers and rock climbers. Sailors are seen signalling, playing on deck, coaling, scrubbing the deck and practising a man-overboard emergency, between views of the fleet. Mountain troops on ski-patrol cut off the enemy during an exercise. Final montage of military activity intercut with sporting shots reasserts film's claim that sport not only makes German soldiers strong, healthy and tenacious but also prepares them mentally for combat.
Alternative Title:SPORT AND SOLDIERS [Translation]
Production Details: Reichs-Kriegs-Ministerium durch die Heeressportschüle Wünsdorf (Production sponsor)
Filmpeter Berlin W50 (Production company)
Wilhelm, Hans F (Production individual)
Westerhaus, Hermann (Production individual)
Winnig, Walter (Production individual)
Winnig, Walter (Production individual)
Gscheidl, Peter (Production individual)
Vogt, Carl de (Production individual)
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: 10
Footage: 5964 ft; Running time: 64 mins
