I. Reichsarbeitsdienst military training camp in Upper Bavaria. RAD soldier stands in snow with unit's emblem of spade at camp where men are roused from barracks by bugle call at start of another day's training. After physical training and somersaults in snow, men who are now in military uniform and bearing rifles take part in cross-country obstacle race across hilly landscape covered in deep snow.

II. United States prisoners of war are marched through Rome. Over film of prisoners walking through Rome commentary remarks that Roosevelt's prophecy that Americans would be in city by Christmas has been realised, but as captives rather than victors.

III. Germans transfer Monte Cassino treasures to Vatican for safe-keeping. In order to protect treasures of Monte Cassino Abbey from clutches of Anglo-American art looters, works of art and ancient documents have been transferred by Wehrmacht vehicles to Engelsburg in Vatican City. Ceremonial handover by officer of Luftwaffe Hermann Goering Division to Vatican priest takes place in presence of German Foreign Office representative. Trucks back into Engelsburg and cases containing old scrolls as well as one of the oldest globes in the world are taken into the security of the castle.

IV. German supplies reach Italian front. Train bearing supplies travels south; soldiers on flatcar prepare food before train arrives at destination where goods are unloaded before transportation on by truck. Severe weather has caused floods in valleys and deep snow in mountains; Sdkfz 222 armoured car tows Kbelwagen, which gets stuck in river and has to be dug free; Gebirgsjger make their way up snow-covered mountainside with transport mules to new positions, where they then dig in. Soldiers have skis, which they bring into hut, while outside observation post is manned by soldiers in white camouflage smocks. Paratroops keep watch in snow. At lower altitude armour travels along road. Knights Cross holder Oberstleutnant von Usedom briefs men. Paratroops keep watch over coast and detect two enemy landing craft, then open fire before setting off by motorbike to take prisoner any survivors (not seen).

V. Flak and fighters shoot down US aircraft in Italy. 8.8cm Flak opens fire against USAAF four-engined bombers; one receives direct hit and explodes in mid-air. 2cm Flakvierling fires against low-flying enemy fighter. In air battle on 28 December German fighters reportedly shot down twenty out of USAAF unit of twenty-six four-engined bombers, leaving two others to be brought down by Flak; Messerschmitt Bf 109 flies past at low altitude and pilot wearing Knights Cross who has just returned from triumphant sortie gesticulates to describe one of his victories. Wreckage of USAAF plane lies on foreshore of rocky coastline.

VI. Movement of Allied prisoners of war in Italy. Artillery has been much used by both sides since start of campaign in Italy; German gunner now cleans shells before firing of heavy artillery. Commentary approvingly reports British statement that Germans fight with determination to very last man, are possessed by National Socialism and do not know the meaning of the word capitulation. British prisoners of war get out of truck and column of United States and British prisoners walk along road (one British soldier shields his face from cameraman); over close-up views of Indian Army prisoners including turbanned Sikh commentary states that Indians have to shed their blood for England at the same time as Britain is waging a starvation policy against the inhabitants of the sub-continent.

VII. Heinkel He 111s bomb Russian bridgehead in Crimea. Animated map from Vitebsk to Dnepropetrovsk. Aerial views show He 111s in flight and releasing bombs over Russian landing positions north of Kerch, reportedly causing enemy heavy losses. Cockpit views and explosions below.

VIII. Germans defend Nikopol bridgehead against attack. Soldiers dig defensive trenches in Nikopol area; during pause in fighting soldier shaves and geese waddle past. 8.8cm Flak fires in ground role against attacking Soviet tanks. (End of Reel 1) Wrecked Soviet armour litters perimeter, where German soldiers look at shattered and detached T-34 tank hulls and turrets. Repeated Russian air attacks are fought off by 2cm Flakvierling and 8.8cm Flak; Bolshevik biplane on fire after hit crashes and explodes in middle distance.

IX. Germans regain territory in Zhitomir sector. During bitter defensive battles against Soviet winter offensive column of Sdkfz 251/10 Ausf Cs and line of Pzkpfw Vs, with grenadiers crouched alongside in ditch, move forward reportedly to inflict heavy losses on enemy. StuG IIIs with Zimmerit-covered armoured skirting wheel round and grenadiers advance. Heavy artillery blasts enemy, then armour advances. Snow-covered territory regained by German attack is littered with Russian dead and arms, including 7.62 Maksim Sokolov. After the battle German soldiers warm hands over fire in recaptured village.

X. Ceremonial naming of Regiment List on Eastern Front. Grenadier-Regiment 199, to which Hitler belonged in the First World War, has now been honoured by the Fhrer for outstanding service with the honorific title Infanterie Regiment List. Soldiers, several of whom wear decorations, are drawn up on parade for inspection by an elderly officer who then presents new cuffband.

XI. Rommel and von Rundstedt inspect Atlantic Wall. Generalfeldmarschall Rommel stands by window in conversation with Generalfeldmarschall von Rundstedt in mirrored room inside latter's headquarters as Commander-in-Chief West. Rommel then visits with experienced officers fortifications on Atlantic Coast at special request of Fhrer. Anti-tank obstacle metal bars are placed in position and others stand permanently fixed along coast. Close-up of Rommel's face; Rommel then walks between gun emplacements. Von Rundstedt also visits fortifications. Practice alarm procedure is demonstrated; anti-tank gun is wheeled out and 2cm Flakvierling raised. Rommel steps into gun emplacement and is accompanied by naval officer (presumably commanding coastal batteries). Von Rundstedt is briefed in front of map near bunker. Inspection tour continues with Rommel gesticulating as he walks along coast. Readiness of defences is demonstrated by ca. 20.3cm K (E) railway gun rolling out of vast camouflaged shed; another railway gun on turntable is inspected by Rommel, who is briefed by local naval commander.

XII. German destroyers sortie in Atlantic. German light naval force, comprising Z-32 Class destroyers (of 8th Destroyer Flotilla ?), cruises in Atlantic through heavy seas. Arado Ar 196 reconnaissance plane passes overhead and spots enemy units. Alarm sequence is sounded onboard, gunners exchange caps for helmets, pennants struck and engines revved as destroyers change to zig-zag course. Engine room scene. Commander gives orders and shells are loaded and fired from single rear gun and 2cm Flakvierling at enemy plane (19 Group Coastal Command?). Firing appears to last into darkness. In daylight torpedoes are prepared and fired (exercise film) and commentary states that German destroyers, torpedo boats and submarines successfully attacked and destroyed six British destroyers and set fire to a British cruiser. Smoke covers sun.

Notes

Technical: print is very dupey; Reel 1 is especially poor