(1) Allies Seize German Loot and Criminals - "With Germany's complete capitulation, her various leaders present diverse pictures as they are forced from their habitats, into surrender. Hermann Goering, Number Two Nazi, seems dazed as all the dangling medals are removed from his broad chest and he is subjected to a blistering press conference with British and U.S. correspondents. Discovery of his vast collection of stolen art treasures at Berchtesgaden, only adds to his discomfiture. Field Marshall von Runstedt and his son are studies in unflinching Prussian militarism, before they are whisked away for internment. Field Marshal Kesselring, defence expert from the Italian campaign, seems deliriously amused at hte prospect which awaits him. While Adolf Hitler, the arch criminal, has not been taken into custody yet, a painstaking search of his many haunts is being made. A visit to Ladsberg Prison, in which he wrote Mein Kampf in 1923-4, merely reveals that his cell had been made into a Nazi shrine. And Berchtesgaden, Hitler's beautiful Alpine retreat, lies in virtual ruin, a place where proud ex-Nazi guardsmen are busily engaged as yard men, sweeping up the rubble which was left by R.A.F. bombings." scenes of rise of Hitler, his mountain citadel, Hermann Goering Art Collection hidden in caves recovered, Rundstedt, Kesselring, Goering captured, press conference by Goering (2) Victory Pipeline - "Operation P.L.U.T.O. - The Pipe Line Under The Ocean was an engineering miracle by which the British pumped gasoline from the Isle of Wight to Cherbourg, France, a brief two months after D-Day. Huge drums floated and laid the specially prepared pipe line. Camouflaged pump stations at both ends of the line handled millions of gallons of oil each day, enabling the Allied mechanized armies to overrun Europe." scenes of PLUTO, the secret of English Channel pipeline can now be revealed, 3 inches in diameter, heavily insulated, laid by cable ships after D-day from huge drums, altogether 20 lines laid to France (3) Mid-Ocean Victory Garden - "Ascension Island: On this lava ash island in the South Atlantic, fresh vegetables are raised in soil-less gardens composed of water and chemicals. The cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce compare favorably with any which are raised in the orthodox manner." (sounds cuts out at end) (partial newsreel)
Reviewer:Christine Hennig
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
September 27, 2005 Subject:
In Which the Germans Have to Give It All Back and Apologize
Interesting newsreel from late WWII on German loot, especially artworks, stolen from conquered nations being discovered Allied troops after Germanys surrender. Hermann Goerings vast collection of stolen art is especially featured, and we get to see pieces from that collection. Also shown are various Nazi bigwigs who decided not to kill themselves being taken into custody for war crimes. Also included are stories about a British undersea gasoline pipeline and a victory garden at sea (this story is missing its soundtrack). Plus theres a cool Buy Bonds ending, making this one of my favorite of the WWII-era newsreels.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: **. Weirdness: ***. Historical Interest: *****. Overall Rating: ****.