Title:WELT IM FILM UNEDITED MATERIAL : 'Berlin rail strike riots' story [Allocated Title]
Film Number:WIF 469
Other titles:
Summary: Unedited material relating to the Berlin rail strike of May 1949.
Description: Western Sector employees of the East-based management struck in protest at being paid only in E-Marks. The management attempted to send Eastern workers into the Western sectors, protected by Railway police, and violent clashes took place. Western police restored order, and the Easterners withdrew. (Reel 1) Contains good close-ups of strike organisers' poster explaining action. Firemen put out small fire in train. Strike meetings outside stations, arrival (on foot, and by train) of strike breakers; scuffling, stone throwing; Western Police arrive. (Stations shown are Charlottenburg, Westkreuz, Halensee). (Reel 2) Continuation of Charlottenburg material: opposing forces gather, Western Police move Easterners on. Communist newspapers burning. Hermanstrasse confrontation; running scuffles on platform/truck. Police separate crowds. (Reel 3) Railway police running, throwing stones back at Westerners. Schöneberg fight: 2 men injured. Meeting at Westend, one arrest. Lorry running ersatz service; men clearing tracks subjected to stone throwing; closed stations. Eastern Police withdraw. Men and women pushing a smoking train.
