This film is one of a series of silent newsreels that were sold to the German public, before and during WWII, for home viewing. This particular film shows the February 27, 1943 Heldengedenktag, or “Day of Commemoration of Heroes”. This was a national day of observance that was modified by the National Socialists after they came to power in 1934. The Nazis changed the character of the holiday from one where the military dead were simply remember and mourned, to one where they were elevated to heroic status. The film takes place in Berlin and begins with a shot of the flag at full height, and this is because Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels issued guidelines which instructed that flags no longer be flown at half-mast. At :26, Adolf Hitler and Hermann Goering arrive on scene; they sit together at :39. At 3:45, members of the Hitler Youth are visible in the crowds of people attending the event. The buildings visible at 1:39 are the Neue Wache (English: New Guard) and the Zeughaus, the oldest structure at Unter den Linden. The Neue Wache played a vital role as the site of the annual Heroes’ Memorial Day celebrations during WWII, and was heavily damaged by bombing and by artillery fire during the Battle of Berlin. Today it serves as a memorial to victims of war and tyrrany. The last Heldengedenktag was celebrated in 1945, just months before Hitler’s suicide and the end of the war.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com