Series: Orientation Films, 1942 - 1949 Record Group 111: Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985

Production Date: 1943 Other Title(s): Orientation Film, No. 2 Production Series: Title: Why We Fight General Note(s):"Orientation Films" is the series description within Record Group 111.

Scope & Content: This motion picture film covers the growth of German aggression, 1934-1940. Contains many animated maps explaining German tactics and many views of Adolf Hitler making speeches and in conferences. Reel 1 shows a large Nazi rally and Axis-inspired riots in Belgium and France. Also shows a Nazi rally in Madison Square Garden. Included is footage of Joachim von Ribbentrop and Fritz Kuhn. Reel 2 shows the mobilization of industry and manpower, including paratroop training. Footage shows the Rhineland invaded and the Siegfried Line constructed and manned. In Reel 3, Germany captures Austria and Czechoslovakia, and footage shows Neville Chamberlain and Edouard Daladier at the Munich Conference; Chamberlain reports on the talks. Footage also shows President Eduard Benes. In Reel 4, the Polish campaign begins. Shown are scenes of Luftwaffe activities and of comparative German and Polish military strength. The reel includes views of the Moscow Conference. In Reel 5, Warsaw is besieged and captured, and masses of Polish soldiers are captured. Footage shows the suffering of Polish citizens, Russia capturing East Poland, and British planes bombing German ships in the Kiel Canal.

Contact(s): National Archives at College Park - Motion Pictures (RD-DC-M), National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road College Park, MD 20740-6001 Phone: 301-837-3540, Fax: 301-837-3620, Email: mopix@nara.gov

National Archives Identifier: 36068 Local Identifier: 111-OF-2