VICTORY 1945: THE LAST BATTLE
FOR GERMANY
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SUMMARY:
This is the epic story of the last three months of the
war in Europe. Follow U.S. soldiers and airmen who took part in these final
battles as they fought their way across Germany with exclusive and never
before seen color footage shot in original Kodachrome, by Oscar nominated
cinematographer, Lt. Col. William H. Clothier both on the ground and in
the air.
PRODUCED BY: Cross Communications
DOCUMENTARY / MILITARY: WARS, 2
x 60 Minutes, 2010
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES :
• 3 Hours of BONUS material
DETAILED SYNOPSIS:
The final battle for Germany began as the largest
single military event of the 20th Century and ended as it's greatest
human tragedy. Over 500,000 people lost their lives during these last
three months of war, from soldiers on both sides, civilians, prisoners,
and foreign workers. During this time, 35 U.S. Army Air Force film teams,
many who would later go on to work in the Hollywood film industry, were
there on the front lines with the troops recording their lives, tragedies,
and carnage amid the chaos brought about by the collapse of the Nazi
regime. These are the films, shot in original Kodachrome and carefully
restored to bring you the unbelievable, true human moments of the final
days of the bloodiest conflict in human history, AS IT HAPPENED.
Through careful research and analysis, this series will present the four definitive
phases of this titanic clash, pitting Eisenhower's four million soldiers
and airmen against seventy-six German divisions fighting on their own
land. Many were fanatical Nazis from the SS, Hitler Youth and reinforced
by millions of German civilians who pledged to fight to the death to
defend their Fatherland from invasion.
Part I: Breaching the Rhine. In 2,000 years of history, only two armies had ever crossed the Rhine River,
Germany's natural defense line; the Romans under Julius Caesar, and the
French under Napoleon. Now, the Americans under Eisenhower would try.
Footage of P-47 's, P-38's and B-26's shows American troops attacking
German armor, trains and cities. And now, for the third time in history,
the Western Wall is Broken.
Part II: The Destruction
of the Luftwaffe. Once the most powerful air force in the World, by 1945 many of its planes were
starved of fuel to fly. Nevertheless, what it lacked in numbers it tried
to make up in advanced jet aircraft and thousands of radar controlled
anti-aircraft guns. These final months would be the most costly period
of the war for the U.S. airmen. We watch the raid of 48 P-47's attack
the Luftwaffe base at Eggebek, firing 78,000 rounds of ammunition and
destroying 93 German planes in less than one hour.
Part III: Storm of Steel
- The Final Battle. From the destruction of German cities by bombers, to slashing attacks of Allied
fighter bombers, the devastation wrecked on every part of Germany's
civilization are recorded in chilling detail. Among this devastation
there are the mass surrenders of German troops and the liberation of
Allied POW's.
Part IV: Victory - Triumph
and Tragedy. We begin with celebrations in the streets of London and Paris, followed by footage
of the devastation in German cities and towns. We trail millions of
soldiers and refugees on the road home. We also witness Germans civilians
forced to inspect concentration camps amid the discovery of the horrors
of the Holocaust.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Much of the footage was shot by Lt. Col. William H. Clothier
who went on to film more than 50 Hollywood movies including 22 starring
John Wayne, one directed by John Ford and "The Alamo". He was nominated
for 2 Oscars.
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