Newsreels 1945 pt. 2

The quotes in these descriptions are from the Universal release sheets that were sent to theaters twice weekly. This May 8, 1945, sheet is a xerox copy in the National Archives.

1945/03/29 - Reds Roll On In Germany (1) "Armies gain momentum in their terrific offensives as giant guns, rocket batteries and Stalin tanks mow down the Nazis. The enemy death toll is enormous, they surrender in droves, and their cities are methodically destroyed by shell and by torch. "And Russian might thunders on to a rendezvous with Gen. Eisenhower's Armies from the West." scenes of Russian drive For Berlin, rockets, tanks, prisoners, dead bodies; (2) Fire Bombs For Japan - "M 69 Jellied Bombs - First revealing pictures of America's incendiary bombs which are turning sections of Jap homeland cities into flaming and gutted square miles of destruction. "Tests at an East Coast Proving Grounds show them to be 500 lb. clusters of 38 individual containers of jellied gasoline which burns at 1000 degree temperature. Actual battle use of these "clinging fire" incendiaries against the Japs in Pacific outpost island warfare is shown." (3) Peace Code For Labor And Industry - "Washington, DC: Eric Johnson, Pres. of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, William Green, Pres. of the A.F. of L., and Philip Murray, Pres. of the C.I.O. sign a code committing management and labor to joint national interests in the post-war period. Mr. Johnson explains the action in a statement." (4) Bombs Wreck Munitions Ship - "When a U.S. ammunition ship in convoy is struck by enemy dive bombers it explodes in one terrific blast which fills the entire screen, sending one gigantic smoke ring whirling skyward." (5) On stage Everybody - talent audition for Universal picture version of the radio show (6) It's A Navy Slugfest - "Fights on Pier 88 - When some sluggers from Pier 92 Receiving Station meet U.S. Navy Salvage School Leather pushers in the squared circle on Pier 88, you see better fights than on the Garden stages. And there's a laugh in every punch." scenes of boxing. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-385 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/04/02 - Death Knell For Germany (1) "When the Yanks enter Godesberg they survey the Hotel Dresden, site of the famous Chamberlain-Hitler conference of '38 which was meant to avert war. To prevent the Huns from engaging in any more fighting, the Yanks disarm the citizens of all their weapons, including lances. U.S. Rocket Tanks - In the Rhine offensive, giant U.S. tanks mounting 60 rocket tubes lay down terrific rocket barrages either in salvo, or in rapid fire. Zweibrucken Captured - Gen. 'Iron Mike' O'Daniel's U.S. 3rd Infantry virtually razes this Nazi industrial and mining center before they enter it and round up all the civilians and bitter young Nazi troupers. Capture of Saarbrucken - The U.S. 7th Army rolls through the ruins and wreckage of this once proud city - site of the 1935 plebiscite. Now A.M.G. takes over." scenes of civilians of captured Godesberg rounded up and questioned, same hotel where Hitler and Chamberlain met 1938, gaze at Rhine river, new rocket-firing tank unveiled. (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-386 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/04/05 - Air Army Invades Germany (1) "When the entire Rhine front explodes into action the First Allied Airborne Army takes flight for the Westphalian plains. From an observation post Gen. Eisenhower and Prime Minister Churchill watch the sky trains roar by overhead. The drop area reached, thousands of chutes float to the ground from twin side-door C-46 carriers, while giant C-47 tow planes release their gliders. Despite damaging resistance the gliders land with their jeeps and other materiel. Shortly, Nazi troops are marched in as captives, and this airborne invasion becomes one of the most successful in the history of warfare. Flail Tanks - The Canadian First Army uses huge tanks with heavy rotating chain beaters in front of them which explode any and all buried Nazi road mines." scenes of 1500 planes and gliders join in major invasion across Rhine in north, Churchill and Ike observe, parachutes from C-46 filling the sky with billowing parachutes, gliders land, plane crashes, artillery, 4000 prisoners taken. (2) Coblenz Key to Saar Captured - "With tanks leading the way, units of Gen. Patton's U.S. 3rd Army advance on Coblenz, the thousand-year-old transportation center. Repeated air bombings and heavy artillery fire have reduced the city to ruins, from which the Nazis offer scattered resistance. Tom Priestley, Universal cameraman, covers the entire action. Soldier dead litter the ground. A loud speaker is used to demand and direct surrender and several thousand Nazi prisoners are collared. White flags flutter from the few remaining ancient homes. Ancient Ehrenbrightstein Castle, used by the Germans as a fortress, is a battered pile of ruins. American tanks rumble through the narrow streets, and head eastward, deeper into Germany." scenes of Universal's Tom Priestley operating camera to make films, soldiers fighting street by street in the town, Germans surrender to Patton's 3rd Army (3) New French Sky Giant - "Secretly built during Nazi occupation, a gigantic 6 motor French flying boat is now unveiled. It takes off and flies as gracefully as anything in the air." (4) Airborne Division Decorated - "In a stirring speech, Gen. Eisenhower awards the Presidential Citation to the famous 101st Airborne Division for its heroic defense of Bastogne. Steel-helmeted Marlene Dietrich joins the entire reviewing party in saluting the 101st." scenes of Eisenhower honors Screaming Eagles, Ike speaks on 1st time decoration given to an entire division, Marlene Dietrich salutes. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-387 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/04/09 - Landings On Okinawa (1) "Conferences at Guam ended, Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral Nimitz sends an armada of 1,400 vessels to Okinawa in the Ryukus. En route, the men of the new U.S. 10th Army stage their own deck entertainment, and secure their issue of invasion money. Land sighted, the big guns of the fleet bark into action, and tons of rockets are sped shoreward. Landing craft race in, and unopposed landings are made. Inland, Jap dugouts and pill boxes are destroyed with grenades. Past broken forts, natives climb down from the hills, the Stars and Stripes are run up, and the Yanks prepare for their campaign on Okinawa, 360 miles from Japan itself." scenes of Adms. Nimitz, Mitscher, Ernie Pyle watches accordion and dance, 1400 ships prepare attack, naval guns open up, rocket barrages, civilians gave up. (2) Mandalay Recaptured, - "British and Indian combat troops capture Mandalay ending three years of Jap occupation. Burmese campaign continues to gain momentum as the mechanized might of the British splits the Jap hold of Burma into two segments." scenes of the campaign cutting the Burma peninsula in two, isolating Japanese forces in the south, city of pagodas under siege for 12 days (3) Allied Net Tightens on Germany - ""Advancing with the U.S. 3rd Army - From hill positions, the Yanks are confronted with blistering fire from the Nazis in the valley below. When Yankee tanks, tank destroyers, and machine guns silence the enemy, the U.S. 3rd continues its victory advance, rolling by miles of burning and wrecked Nazi equipment. And a flood of Nazi prisoners streams to a collecting yard. Battle Rockets - U.S. uses mobile rocket projectors to hurl banks of rockets into German towns. They are fired by remote control so that the crews may escape the terrific discharge fires." scenes of 3rd Army overrunning the Reich, prisoners taken, first time rocket attacks filmed by Signal Corps cameras (4) Final Plans for Security Conference - "Washington, DC: Sec. Stettinius meets with the Ambassadors from Britain, Russia and China in first meeting of the four powers prior to the San Francisco parley. Asst. Sec. of State Archibald MacLeish explains the urgency of the Dumbarton Oaks principles being accepted by the United Nations and citizens of the U.S.A." scenes of Stettinius confers in San Francisco, Archibald MacLeish speaks (5) Golfers Entertain Wounded - "Atlanta, GA, Golf stars put on exhibition for wounded veterans at naval Air Station. After a Byron Nelson lesson, one vet flubs his shots almost as badly as Joe Kirkwood, the fancy shot maker." scenes of trick shot specialist Joe Kirkwood. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-388 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/04/19 - Truman Faces New Job With Confidence (1) [starts with no sound, silent pictures of Truman, staff, then sound when Truman gives speech] "Early in the A.M. President Harry S. Truman leaves Blair House, his new temporary home, and briskly walks to the White House. Mathew J. Connelly, his confidential secretary, and Leonard Reinsch, his press and radio relations man, are busy at their tasks. The President nominates John W. Snyder, St. Louis banker, to become Federal Loan Administrator. Mr. Truman confers with the U.S. delegates to the forthcoming Golden Gate conference, then later, in the presence of Congressional leaders, he signs a bill extending Lend Lease. 348 members of the press, a record number, crowd into his office to attend his first press conference. In the evening, the President goes on the air, to talk to U.S. service men all over the world. He explains he is an ex-serviceman, and that he is carrying on, as the entire country expects them to do." (2) Archbishop Spellman opens drive for Catholic Charities. (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-391National Archives, College Park MD

1945/04/23 - Molotov Here For Security Conference (1) "At the invitation of Pres. Truman, the Soviet Foreign Commisar arrives in Washington to confer with the President, Sec. Stettinius, and Anthony Eden before the West Coast United Nations meetings convene." scenes of Molotov arrives at Blair House in DC, on way to San Francisco conference (2) Aviation in the News - "Jumbo Aeroplane Tire - Wright Field, Ohio, An aeroplane tire measuring 110 inches and weighing three quarters of a ton, is regidly tested on a machine which is equally unique. Final Seattle B-17 - When Boeing's Seattle, Wash. plant turns out its last Super Fortress the 30,000 employees make a gay occasion of the event." scenes of last B-17 rolled out at Boeing plant in Seattle that will make B-29s (3) In the Wake of War in Germany - "The Allies continue to pile up crushing defeats on the Nazis as they rush eastward from the Rhine. At Coblenz, the huge bridge lies broken in the Rhine, and doughboys maintain the 'Watch on the Rhine' while General Bradley and General Patton attend flag raising ceremonies at Ehrenbreitstein Castle, Heidelberg University is entered. Only shells of the ancient buildings are standing, while a modernistic building built by U.S. funds, reveals the generosity of American financiers. Duisburg, Limbourg, Osnabruck, and Munster are entered. The streets are filled with hills of broken buildings and wreckage. Mayors try to rally their citizens. The pathetic Volksturm, the home guard, surrenders, to join the thousands of combat troups previously captured. Frantic, hungry civilians break into ruined stores and stalled trains to steal food and clothing. German Atrocities - Allied armies free thousands of slave laborers, both men and women, from the infamous concentration camps. The victims hands had been mutilated, and numbers tattooed on their arms. One tremendous graveyard contains 30,000 dead! The occupant of each grave had been sent there by Nazi torture and barbarism." scenes of dead bodies and horses, crowds loot stores and railroad cars, girls show tatooed numbers from slave labor camps, in France families await return of loved ones, Heidelberg liberated, flag raised, Gen. Omar Bradley and Gen. Patton. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-392 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/04/26 - Nazi Murder Mills (1) "First actual newsreel pictures of atrocities in Nazi murder camps. Helpless prisoners tortured to death by a bestial enemy...Here Is The Truth" (Real-life horror pictures revealing the unbelievable atrocities committed by the Nazis in their murder camps) Grasleben: Wounded and emaciated Yanks, captured in von Runstedt's bulge attack of last winter, are fed and given medical care by the Yank armies of liberation. Hadamar: Protected by gas masks, grave diggers open reeking graves at this converted insane asylum. They discover that 35,000 political prisoners had been slain here, largely by poisoning. Camp Ohrdruf : General Eisenhower, General Patton and General Bradley can hardly believe their eyes when they view torture-gallows, heaps of charred human bodies and lime pits filled with corpses. Although they recoil, Nazi officials are forced to enter barns containing rows of decomposing, lime-sprinkled bodies. Buchenwald: 21,000 prisoners living in utter filth, stumble around with their broken skulls. Agonized corpses lie everywhere with large tattoed numbers on their sunken stomachs. Two roast ovens were used as crematoria. "Nordhausen: Starved corpses strew the ground. Creeping, jabbering, breathing skeletons are loaded into ambulances for possible treatment. Plump German civilians are forced to handle corpses with their bare hands and carry them to huge mass graves for a semi-civilized burial." scenes of prisoners liberated from camps, given broth and medical attention; graves uncovered, interrogations to uncover truth; Ohrdruf camp viewed by Ike, Bradley, Patton; (2) Nations Meet To Map World Security Plan - "The San Francisco Conference of 46 United Nations, summoned to draft a charter for a post-war organization to secure peace, is officially opened by Secretary of State Edward Stettinius. In a speech from the White House, President Truman states 'if we do not want to fdie together in war, we must learn to live together in peace.'" scenes of delegates arrive; first session opens with gavel held by Stettinius, Truman speech. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-393 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/04/30 - World Parley Gets Down To Business (1) [starts with no sound, then sound for Stettinius, Molotov, other speakers, but then silent] "San Francisco, Calif., In plenary session the leaders of the various delegations address the United Nations conclave. U.S. Secretary of State Stettinius speaks for the U.S. He is followed by Foreign Commissar Molotov of Russia and T. V. Soong, Foreign Minister of China. The leaders of the Big Four, elected to the presidium, then preside in rotation. The premature announcement of Peace electrifies the entire convention, and throws the populace of San Francisco into ecstasies." scenes of 'Nazis Quit' headlines as crowds cheer in streets (2) Gen. Hardigg orders more fat storage [sound for Hardigg only] (3) Mussolini Executed - "Il Duce Obit 1945 - Benito Mussolini orates before his Black Shirt Legions and confers with his arch conspirator, Hitler. Reverses strike and Hitler rescues him from the Allies. Currently, he returns to Milan only to be tried and killed in the same inglorious way that he had meted out punishment to his political foes." (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-394 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/05/03 - Argentine Admitted To World Parley (1) "The question of Argentina's entry into the United Nation's Security Conference causes the most dramatic floor discussions which have occurred there thus far. Ezequiel Padilla, Mexico's able Secretary for Foreign Affairs, speaking in behalf of the Latin American Nations, pleas for Argentina's entry. Russia's Foreign Commissar Molotov, through an interpreter, speaks against the plan, adding that Russia will ask nothing else of the conference. Secretary of State Stettinius pleads with the conference to admit Argentina and get on with the other matters on the agenda. When Chairman Anthony Eden calls for a vote, Argentina is invited to the parley by a vote of 31 to 4." scenes of discussion of Argentina admission to United Nations at San Francisco conference, vote taken, delegate arrives; (2) Russian Drive On Berlin - "As Marshals Zhukov and Rosokofskey direct wide flanking attacks on Warsaw, Red tanks and cavalry wheel into line to carry out the orders. Heavy artillery opens its murderous fire. The infantry advances using machine guns and heavy grenades. Die hard Nazi snipers are wiped out. Ruined Warsaw is entered, Chopin's conservatory is ruined, in fact all buildings are mere shells. Warsaw had been Germanized, even the street cars had been reserved for Nazis. The same story is repeated at Poznan, but here there is human ruin, a horror camp. Disfigured people walk about. The courtyard is filled with corpses and wailing women relatives. A chamber is loaded with torture implements including a guillotine. A parade of Nazi prisoners is attacked by frenzied Poles who punch right and left indiscriminately, just so they land on Nazis. Warsaw and Poznan are freed, and the drive for Berlin is on." scenes of street fighting, Nazi atrocities and torture instruments, men hit column of prisoners, scenes in ruined city of Warsaw; (3) Navy Smashes Jap Air Raids Off Okinawa - "Jap planes, desperately trying to defend their homeland, rise from their air fields to attack the U.S. fleet off Okinawa. Some of the most vivid and spectacular action of the war takes place. U.S. guns completely fill the sky with their fire; low flying Jap planes are picked off by highly accurate fire into which they fly." (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-395 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/05/08 - Germany Gives Up (1) Truman Announces Germany's surrender - "President Truman officially proclaims V-E Day, as Germany submits her unconditional surrender to Gen. Eisenhower's headquarters in Reims." (2) [silent with some sporadic sound] Rise and Fall of the Nazis - "Militant Germany is shown on the march against Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland. The rush of the Panzer divisions through the Lowlands causing the downfall of France, the humiliating British retreat from the beaches of Dunkirk, the terrible air blitzes on London, the advance on Moscow, all these slashing moves portray the power-crazed Hitler and his Nazi cohorts in the full prime of their conquests and glory. Pearl Harbor precipitates America into the global conflicts. Lend-Lease aid bolsters the Allies until D-Day! From that time on German power spirals downward. Her factories are laid waste, her railways are destroyed, her Luftwaffe is driven from the skies, and her troops are captured by the hundreds of thousands. The Nazi banner is struck to earth, nevermore to fly again in a world of peace loving nations." scenes of Hitler and Nazis 1933-1945. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-396 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/05/10 - Funeral Pyres of Nazidom (1) "Air views of Leipzig reveal it to be a city of skeleton buildings and rubble. Industrial Magdeburg has been gutted by dive bombers of the U.S. Tactical Air Forces. The huge Krupp tank factory is destroyed as are hundreds of partially finished tanks on the assembly line. The rail center, Nuremberg, once the seat of Nazi culture, is now a dead city. The huge rallying stadium serves as a parade ground for Yank troops who blast a surmounting stone swastika to bits - then replace it with the Stars and Stripes." scenes of ruins of Krupp factory, tanks, cities, "none reflects greater destruction than Nuremberg" where U.S. flag hides swastika in stadium, then blown up, military review; (2) Eisenhower Calls GI's Real Heroes - "General Eisenhower credits Allied generals with genius, but states that the real hero of the war is G.I. Joe and his buddies in the other armed services of the Allies." scenes of Ike speaking (3) Jap Suicide Pilot Dives On Hospital Ship - "Off Okinawa, the U.S.S. Comfort, a hospital ship, was attacked by a Jap suicide flyer, wounding 31 Yanks and killing 29. Burial services are held at a military cemetery on a Pacific island." (4) Iwo Flag To Be Symbol Of 7th Loan - "Washington, DC: Sec. of Treasury Morgenthau speaks, telling the urgency of buying war bonds. Three of the heroes who raised the Stars and Stripes at Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima, hoist the same tattered flag over the U.S. capitol." (5) Nation Hails V-E Day - "Seattle, Wash.: Spirited Boeing employees celebrates news of victory over Germany by wheeling out a giant B-29 bomber carrying 'On To Tokyo' sign. Washington Aglow - When full outdoor illumination is restored to Washington, D.C. the shining dome of the nation's capitol commands the most attention. B'Way is 'White Way' Again - When all the lights are turned on again in Times Square, the dazzle and brilliance convinces all Broadwayites that V.E. has been achieved." scenes of Boeing rolling out an extra B-29 in Seattle, Capitol dome in DC, New York Times Square lit up, the 'Great White Way' at night, Statue of Liberty once more lighted at night. (6) Mayor LaGuardia speaks, asks all to take part in "I Am An American Day." (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-397 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/05/14 - Beaten Nazis Sign Historic Surrender (1) "Supreme headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces, Reims: Nazi General Jodl, representing Admiral Doenitz, strides into the 'war room' where Allied Generals await him and his party. After the surrender terms are understood, Jodl fills a third of a page with his scrawly signature, this his associates sign. U.S. General W. B. Smith the Allied Chief of Staff signs as do the remainder of the Allied Generals. In an adjoining room, General Eisenhower, wreathed in smiles, forms the signature pens into a V for Victory sign. Unconditional surrender is an accomplished fact." scenes of peace signed at red schoolhouse in Reims, France, by Gen Jodl and Gen. Smith (2) Last Nazi Prisoners Arrive Here - "NYC: 3,000 assorted Nazi prisoners arrive in America. They range from the haughty officers down to awe stricken youngsters, and are the last who will be sent to this country." (3) Death of a Tyrant - "Musso Mussed Up - Milan, An indignant mob aims well-placed kicks at the bodies of Mussolini and his mistress lying in a public square. Later, their corpses dangle head downward, high above the leering crowds." scenes of Mussolini's body in Milan, hangs from rafters of a gas station with mistress; (4) Seventh War Loan Drive Is Opened - "Times Square: Iowa Jima statue is unveiled by 3 of the heroes who took part in the original flag raising, on which the statue is patterned." (5) President Has a Real Mother's Day - "Washington, DC: Mrs. Truman, 92, arrives from Missouri by plane to spend Mother's Day in the White House with her famous son." scenes of President Truman with his mother; (6) Point System Frees First GI Joe - "Fort McPherson, GA: Sgt. Rondall Stroud of Clayton, Ga. with 132 service points (47 over the required 85 discharge points) empties his diffle bag for the quartermaster, gets a huge check from the paymaster and bids adieu to the U.S. Army, one of the first to be mustered out under the new plan." scenes of Sgt. Stroud who is first to get 85 points required for discharge, drew a $1400 check; (7) Heroism Rewarded - "Denver, Colorado: The Congressional Medal of Honor is presented to Corporal Robert Maxwell in person, and the parents of Private Elmer Fryar receive his posthumous Congressional Medal award." (8) They're Off! (Exclusive) - "30,000 fans crowd into Narragansett Park, Rhode Island, as horse racing resumes in the U.S.A." (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-398 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/05/17 - U-Boat Menace Ended (1) "With the downfall of Germany, members of her underseas fleet rise to the surface and on radio instructions from Berlin, procede to surrender to Allied naval authorities. The U-358 rides into Cape May, N.J., in the custody of a destroyer escort 'prize' crew. At Portsmouth, N.H., destroyer escorts convoy the U-805 into harbor. The Nazi crew is brought ashore still surly and impudent, only to be whisked off to Portsmouth Naval Prison. Back in ruined Bremen, British tommies discover pre-fabricated sections of submarines, parts of an assembly plan which was calculated to add hundreds of new subs to the German navy." scenes of ruins of Bremen sub shipyard, U-boat prisoners arrive in US., in Portsmouth, arrogant captain unrepentant. (2) Germans Surrender Among Ruins - "Berlin: Air Marshal Tedder, General Spaatz, Marshal Zhukoff and others receive the surrender of General Keitel, Admiral Friedberg and General Stumpf, which commits Nazi Germany to Allied control, ceases hostilities and ratifies the previous capitulations to General Eisenhower and General Montgomery. The Wreckage of Germany - R.A.F. saturation bombings of Hamburg have destroyed the huge ship yards and left all buildings absolutely gutted. Hamburg is ruined. And the question 'What of Berlin?' is now answered. All Nazi government buildings are totally ruined, as are the famous hotels and other buildings which lined her famous boulevards." scenes of Keitl surrenders to Zhukov in Berlin, Russians tour the gutted capital, pictures of destroyed Hamburg; (3) German Loot Discovered - "Reichsbank Cache - Yanks entering the world's largest salt mines at Merkers, Germany are startled to find one hundred tons of gold bullion, jewels, silver currency and priceless paintings by the masters, the cached loot of the Nazis." (4) In The Wake Of Victory - "Eminent people, long held in Nazi prison camps are found at a Villa in the Alps. They include Baroness Schussning, Fritz Thyssen, industrialist, Prince Leopold of Prussia, Anti-Nazi Pastor Niemacher, Lt. John Winant and Lord Lascelles, nephew of King George VI. In contrast at Magebarg, General Dietmars, Nazi broadcaster becomes a prisoner of the Yanks." (5) All Out Air War On Japan - "Aircraft factories near Nagasaki are bombed by B-29s from Guam. From Saipan, a fleet of B-29s pierce clouds of flak over Tokyo to plant tons of bombs on the Jap capital city. Homeward, many of the Superforts are forced down at Iwo Jima, where flak damage is seen to be severe." scenes of map and aerial footage of airstrikes on Japan, damaged SuperFortress lands on Iwo Jima. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-399 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/05/28 - Air Forces Come Home Via Bomber (1) "Bradley Field, Conn.: 65 U.S. bombers return over 1,000 U.S. Air Force personnel for furlough and specialized training, prior to duty in the Pacific." (2) New Cabinet Members - "Washington, DC: Thomas Clark of Dallas, Tex., becomes Attorney General, Clinton Anderson becomes Sec. of Agriculture and Lewis Schwellenbach takes oath as Sec. of Labor as President Truman makes further changes in his official family." (3) Stettinius' Plea For All Human Rights - "San Francisco, Calif., Sec. of State Stettinius states that the U.S. adheres to the Four Freedoms and will defend them." (4) Personalities in the News - "New Press Secretary - Washington, DC: Charles Ross, St. Louis newspaperman, is sworn in as the new White House Press Secretary in President Truman's presence. Hoover at White House - Washington, D.C., Ex-President Herbert Hoover confers in White House with President Truman as international food crisis arises." scenes of Charles Ross is new press secretary, Steve Early looks on, Herbert Hoover arrives to provide consul, Gen. Courtney Hodges in Atlanta parade; (5) Baseball's Miracle Man - "Yankee Stadium: Pete Gray, one-armed left fielder of the St. Louis Browns, fields with ease and gets his share of hits in his Big Town debut." (6) Battle To Death On Okinawa - "Admiral Chester Nimitz flies to Okinawa to view the costly progress which the U.S. 10th Army is making. Wounded Yanks limp past the graves of their dead comrades. Tremendous artillery bombardments answer the barrages which the Japs are laying down in an unsuccessful effort to stop the Yanks. G.I.'s creep forward under cover of bazooka fire and flame-throwing tanks. High explosive grenades destroy Jap defense caves. Jap corpses and dummy tanks are passed. The advance continues over ridges and across valleys, until finally, Naha the ruined capital of Okinawa is entered." scenes of bodies on "grim battlefield" of Okinawa as battle continues, combat footage of fierce enemy artillery barrage by a "suicidal enemy being forced back into the hills." (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-402 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/05/31 - U.S. War Dead Honored On Memorial Day (1) "As America shifts her armed might to finish off the last remaining Axis power, she pauses to honor her heroes who were slain in this and in previous wars. In Arlington National Cemetery, Colonel Lowry, representing President Truman, places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The National Cemetery in Brooklyn, N.Y. is visited by thousands who pay their respects to the fallen heroes who lie there. Riverside Drive, N.Y.C., is the scene of the annual service parade, in which thousands of marchers and onlookers give honour to The Flag and to the men who have died while defending it. Anzio Battlefield, Italy is revisited by U.S. Rangers, who after fighting there had been imprisoned by the Nazis until freed by the Russians. Prior to shipping home, the Rangers honor their comrades who lie buried there." scenes of Tomb of Unknown Soldier wreath laid by Col. Lowery, National Cemetery in Brooklyn, 25,000 parade in New York, first time no Civil War veteran able to participate, soldiers visit Italy cemetery; (2) Destroyer Survives 8 Attacks - "Seattle, Wash.: Although 8 Jap suicide planes crashed into her off Okinawa, the U.S.S. Laffey, a destroyer, limps home for repairs. Ship workers get first hand proof that we are still engaged in a very tough war." scenes of USS Laffey on display in Seattle, with Japanese suicide boat, more shipyard workers needed (3) Mrs. Truman Christens War Bond Plane - National Airport, Washington, DC: In her first official appearance as first lady of the land, Mrs. Truman christens two giant air ambulances, which were purchased by the Congressional Club, one for the Army, the other for the Navy." but champagne bottle does not break. (4) Air Rescue Training - "Alberta, Canada: Parachuting R.C.A.F. rescue men air for tree tops in their 'timber jumps,' then slide down extension ropes to render aid to victims stricken in the forests." (5) Iraq Regent at Capital - "The White House: Arriving from Casablanca at President Truman's invitation, Prince Abdul Ilah, Prince Regent of Iraq, enters official discussions with America's chief magistrate." (6) Gen. Clark Gets Ovation In Chicago - Mark Clark with Mayor Kelly parade down Michigan Blvd. (7) Food Chief Appeals For Farm Help - War Food Administrator Jones speaks with pictures of farmers. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-403 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/06/04 - Newsreel logo without sound (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) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-404 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/06/07 - Pres. Truman Warns Japs To Give Up (1) "In a speech to Congress, President states that Japan faces the same complete destruction that was visited upon Germany. To that end, millions of troops, and their implements of war, are being transferred more than half way around the earth. The President adds that though many key industries have already been leveled by U.S. air attack, all of Japan's industries will be completely destroyed unless Japan surrenders." (partial newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-405 National Archives, College Park MD

1945/06/11 - Victorious Generals Welcomed (1) "Los Angeles: An estimated 2,000,000 Southern Californians wildly cheer General George S. Patton, Jr., and Lt. General Jimmy Doolittle as they pass in triumphant parade. General Doolittle makes an impassioned speech in which he asks the 'home team to continue supplying the goods to the field team' to assure an early victory over Japan." scenes of Patton, Doolittle greeted by 2 million in parade (2) Air Blows Hit Japs On All Fronts - "Strategic bombing comes to the Orient. Huge Yankee bombers dump 300 lb. bombs on Malaybalay on Mindanao, creating huge fires in a concentration of Jap barracks...Medium bombers of the U.S. 10th Air Force drop 500 lb. RDX bombs on Toungoo, ruining this rail junction on the Mandalay-Rangoon line...And Yuncheng, Jap supply base in China, is plastered with 500 lb. incendiary clusters, destroying warehouses and rolling stock." scenes of Rangoon bridge, central Burma, in China (3) RFC Chief Outlines Its Aims - "Washington, DC: Federal Loan Administrator, John W. Snyder, proposes RFC absorption of various subsidiaries, and adds that the disposal of war surpluses is being approached very realistically." scenes of head of Reconstruction Finance Corp. speaks on disposal of government surplus and credit to shift to peacetime production (4) '46 Cars on Way, from Detroit - "Detroit, Mich., Two hand-made '46 model Ford cars roll on their test, exhibition runs. John Q. Citizen will not be able to purchase one for many months due to production clamps and priorities." (5) Reds Mark May Day - "Joseph Stalin reviews gigantic May Day military parade in Red Square, with American and Japanese military observers giving added interest to the proceedings." scenes of parade includes American jeeps, huge new artillery (6) "The Kentucky Derby - Louisville, KY: Excited thousands watch Hoop Junior splash through the mud to cop record purse and give Eddie Arcaro his 3rd Derby win." scenes of Derby Day at Churchill Downs in Kentucky for horse race. (complete newsreel) SOURCE: 200 Universal 18-406 National Archives, College Park MD

This DVD56 includes 2 hours of Universal Newsreels reproduced from reference cassettes at the National Archives, College Park MD, and is available from the University of San Diego Bookstore.

revised 1/24/05 by Steven Schoenherr | Universal Newsreels on DVD | download Quicktime plugin