die DEUTSCHE WOCHENSCHAU NR

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: GWY 167-7).

Synopsis

I. Consequences of breakdown in Anglo-French relations for military situation in North Africa. Captured British film of Army exercises in Egypt, showing artillery practice, camel troops and Indian soldiers ("mercenaries from all over the world") and French film of troops in North Africa at marchpast near mosque before French commander General Nogus, passage of Renault tanks and Arab cavalry charge are overlaid by commentary outlining pre-Compigne plan to attack Libya from east and west. Alliance typified by recent film of Lord Gort decorating French troops has now broken down; French troops have been forbidden to wear British decorations and Britannia Memorial in Boulogne commemorating arrival of British Army in 1914 is now blown up. Frantic last minute attempts by the London plutocrats to defend their country are illustrated by captured film of new recruits drilling with small sticks in place of weapons, a scene further ridiculed by cutting in a sequence of a dog barking and being chased away.

II. Captured French and British matriel. Transport, weapons and equipment abandoned by fleeing British and French Armies and now methodically arranged by Germans in Occupied France include wagons and trucks in long lines, huge piles of French Army helmets, gun barrels of all calibres, heavy calibre shells and large specified quantities of antimony, mercury, zinc and copper.

III. German troops return home. Banner welcoming soldiers returning home by train reads a Hearty Welcome to you Brave Soldiers. Women, children and old men wave joyfully, and soldiers descending from railway trucks hug girls, who offer flowers, to sound of song including line Herrlich ist die Heimat. Tank crews lift children onto their flower-garlanded machines to play. Garrison town welcomes back its tank regiment comprising Pzkpfw III Ausf Ds and Pzkpfw Is and IIs. Pimpfe wave white handkerchiefs and young members of the Bund deutscher Mdel throw flowers at the tanks passing by.

IV. Waffen SS unit at rest camp. Comedian Bruno Fritz entertains audience of SS soldiers with live impersonation of ice-hockey match commentator.

 

Titles

  • die DEUTSCHE WOCHENSCHAU NR 1940/ - part (Alternative)
  • die DEUTSCHE WOCHENSCHAU NR
 

Technical Data

Year:
1940
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Sound
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
Germany
Production company
UFA