UFA NR 597

This film is held by the Imperial War Museum (ID: GWY 156).

Synopsis

I. Diplomatic Corps greet Franco in New Year reception. Diplomats in ceremonial dress arrive with their wives inside palace where they greet Spanish leader (dressed in admiral's uniform) and his wife Carmen, who smilingly shakes hands with presented guests. Diplomats apparently include ambassadors from Morocco, a Latin country, Japan, another Latin and the German Ambassador von Moltke.

II. Subhas Chandra Bose calls in Berlin for a free India. Meeting organised by Free India movement to celebrate Indian day of Independence, and attended by members of the Indian communities in Berlin and the other countries of Europe, hears leader of independence movement deliver an address in German. Bose declares present represents for India a battle for her existence and that only victor for Germany and her allies will ensure a free India. Banner in hall reads "Azad San". Audience includes many Asian faces as well as a Hindu woman, uniformed German and Grand Mufti of Jerusalem (?).

III. Germany and Japan sign economic agreement. Von Ribbentrop and Ambassador Oshima climb stairs (Foreign Office) before sitting to sign agreement and then shaking hands, on same day that similar agreement is reportedly signed between Italy and Japan.

IV. French workers for Germany receive prior training.

Youths in black overalls march into building marked VDO to receive industrial training in their chosen speciality. Youths try out tools in machine shop, then eat and afterwards receive diplomas in presence of German official. Youth gives Fascist salute as he receives diploma of Secrtriat Gnrale Jeunesse inscribed with statements by Ptain (Life is not neutral. It consists of firmly taking sides) and Laval (It is in order to allow France to take her place in the new Europe that you will never answer my call - ie Relve) made out to Marc Andr and dated Puteaux, 13 January 1943.

V. Norwegians set off to ski. Inhabitants of Oslo queue outside station before climbing into trams marked Smestad and Ra carrying skis and toboggans following first fall of snow this winter.

VI. French compete for slalom ski prize. Men and women ski in the Savoy Alps for the Prix de Megve, won by Jean-Jacques Tellire and Jean Passy.

VII. Boxing match in Breslau. German and Swedish amateur boxers compete in thirtieth international competition since start of the war. German wins by twelve matches to four. Rudi Pfeffer defeats Arvid Classen in medium heavyweight, while German Herbert (?) pummels Swedish heavyweight opponent before giving Nazi salute in victory.

VIII. U-boat replenishes in South Atlantic. Type IX U-boat, operating in South Atlantic for past two years, signals to a Type XIV supply U-boat. Crew in lifejackets leap into sea in order to manhandle torpedo lifted by crane on Type XIV. Type IX submerges bow section to allow torpedo over superstructure. View of black cat 3X emblem on conning tower. Torpedo marked with heart is stowed aboard. Parting of U-boats. U-boat patrol continues, with bare-torsoed sailor on lookout and bearded sailor on bunk reading bunk reading book until alert sounds. Bare-torsoed commander at periscope spots Swedish cargo vessel with name Scania and nationality boldly marked on side, which he allows to proceed. U-boat later surfaces to shell three-masted sailing boat from United States, said to be used for reporting U-boat movements. Crew abandon ship beforehand. Another vessel explodes after shelling (studio). (End of Reel 1)

IX. Germans capture Americans during tank battle in Tunisia. Animated map of North Africa. Kbelwagen sets off past paratrooper guard and ruins of Carthaginian aqueduct towards the front in southern Tunisia. Vehicle passes Arab shepherd with his flock then halts before sign warning against (German) mines. Paratroopers guard the forward position, where sign in French and Arabic warns "On tire sur vous si vous avancez". Luftwaffe holder of Knights Cross passes with soldier. Arabs help carry and stack munitions, as well as offering mutton and oranges to the Germans and cutting hair. Germans use windmill for observation post and wait in well camouflaged dug-outs as Americans launch attack under cover of smokescreen. Encircled American prisoners stand in field near cacti and destroyed tanks suggest German victory. German poses with cutlass, weapon hitherto only provided to negroes but now used by Americans according to commentary.

X. Germans fire railway gun in Leningrad sector. Animated map of Leningrad area. In defensive operations captured French 24cm Kanone [E] 557 is loaded and fired in snowless area.

XI. Germans come under attack from Russian planes and tanks in central sector. Animated map of central sector between Lake Ilmen and Kursk. Russians open attack with air raid by Stormoviks, which pass overhead, one clearly releasing four bombs and causing explosions in the snow. Paratroopers in snowsuits respond to alarm of Russian tank attack by firing anti-tank gun, MG34 and 8.8cm Flak against enemy ground forces. Grenadiers counterattack across snow and through wooded area, reportedly forcing Soviets back to start line. Abandoned Russian artillery and tanks litter snow. Montage of artillery concludes reel.

 

Titles

  • UFA AUSLANDSTONWOCHE NR 597 (Alternative)
  • UFA NR 597
 

Technical Data

Year:
1943
Running Time:
16 minutes
Film Gauge (Format):
35mm
Colour:
B&W
Sound:
Sound
Footage:
1473 ft
 

Production Credits

Production Countries:
Germany
Production company
UFA