Summary: British compilation of German newsreel items, with English titles added to highlight the propaganda skills of the enemy, made in order to encourage the British armed services to give greater cooperation to filmmakers, and intended exclusively for private showing to officers in the Ministry of Information and other British government departments.
Description: (Reel 1) German newsreel items have been arranged in thematic sections, with English captions interpolated between. Film opens by stating that "the Nazis have four fighting services - Land, Air, Sea and PROPAGANDA. Propaganda has paved the way for many German victories. Much of this propaganda was conducted by FILM. The following excerpts from German newsreels show what was made possible by their "wide" and "purposely organised" facilities. Note: for purposes of economy most of this film is shown Silent".
"Part One. PEACETIME. The building of a Legend. CEREMONIAL. Note: extensive coverage and careful placing of many cameras." Hitler with Raeder, Goering, von Brauchitsch and Hess attend wreath-laying at the Zeughaus on Unter den Linden, Berlin on Heldengedenktag (10 March 1940). Marchpast by Berlin Wachregiment and standard-bearing units of the Army, Navy and Luftwaffe (GWY 319). "Fighting Services. Remarkable cooperative facilities given by Air and Navy." Excerpt from Spanish subtitled version of German Naval Air Arm dramatised documentary FLIEGER ZUR SEE (AVIADORES DE MARINA) shows air alarm sequence as Heinkel He 60 is launched from Nürnberg and smokescreen is laid at sea (GWY 908). "Part Two. WARTIME. The 'selling' of German Might." "1 - The Camera with the NAVY. Showing that cameras are carried on many fighting ships." Foredeck of Admiral Hipper. Oil-covered sailors are picked out of the sea. "Further 'planting' of German humanitarianism." Ship sinks, and oil-covered crew members are helped along deck of German vessel (GWY 314). "Another 'U-Boat Victory'." U-boat alarm and attack sequence, firing deck-gun at ship, ending with song "Wir fahren gegen Engelland" (Portuguese UFA commentary). "2 - The Camera with the LUFTWAFFE. Note: The most striking example of this was, of course, 'The Baptism of Fire'." "Dive-bombing." Stukas in flight over land and sea and diving. "The end of a dogfight. Note: Only the posting of many cameras could have secured this 'lucky' shot." Plane crashes vertically into summer countryside and bursts into flames. Close-up of burning wreckage. "3 - The Camera and WAR INDUSTRIES." "U-Boat Factory. Note: These scenes betray no secrets but they give confidence to the German public." U-boat sections are welded and a U-boat launched broadside (GWY 314). "Ace Messerschmidt [sic] Factory." Wings of Messerschmitt Bf 109Es are pressed and assembled fighters shown in factory (GWY 316). "Ruhr Factory Defences" Guard keeps watch on top of flak-defended factory roof overlooking industrial area (GWY 317).
(Reel 2) "4 - The Camera in the FRONT LINE. Invasion of Holland, Belgium and France." German paratroops drop over Rotterdam and pick up supply canisters. Scenes of city ablaze before its surrender. Dutch officers arrive to arrange capitulation. French armour makes desperate counterattack. Battle for Sédan (GWY 310). "The capture of Rouen." Smoke pall rises from oil storage tanks by Seine, soldiers advance across field, blazing houses collapse; camera tilts up from firemen fighting blaze to intact cathedral.
(Reel 3) "5 - The visual recording of HISTORY. The March into Paris." German victory parade down Champs Elysées past sullen French crowd and two smiling girls. Tilt up Les Invalides and Eiffel Tower, with swastika flag raised on top. "The Signing of the Armistice at Compiègne. Note: this is no mere routine newsreel coverage - all was previously planned with official assistance." Hitler and Goering stand screened behind trees, guard of honour takes up position on approach road to railway carriage along which Hitler and his service chiefs pass, before pausing to stare at French 1914-1918 memorial then entering carriage to await arrival of French plenipotentiaries (General Huntziger, Air Marshal Bergeret, Vice-Admiral Le Luc, Ambassador Noel). Germans stand to greet their vanquished foe, then leaders depart leaving French to sign armistice terms, filmed through window. "The Armistice Commission at Wiesbaden." General Huntziger arrives with his three French colleagues for the first session of talks, formally declared open in live announcement by General von Stülpnagel (Portuguese UFA commentary. GWY 323). "Conquering Hero Returns." Triumphant arrival by train in Berlin of Hitler and rapturous reception by population from outside Anhalter Bahnhof to Wilhelmsplatz and Reichs Chancellery (Portuguese UFA commentary, GWY ?). Compilation concludes by stating "By Press, Radio and Film the legend of dictatorship was established. Press, Radio AND FILM can help our armed forces to kill that legend and reassert the message of democracy".
