This WWII newsreel was made by Degeto and sold for home viewing in department stores. This particular newsreel shows the Blitzkrieg attack on the Low Countries that constituted the Battle of Belgium or Belgian Campaign, often referred to as the 18 Days’ Campaign in Belgium (the Belgian Army surrendered after 18 days of battle). The film begins with images of the port of Antwerp (:15) being bombed by the air, and with fuel tanks ablaze. Fort Lillo is seen from the air at :35, part of the Antwerp Defense Line. At 1:00, German troops assisted by a howitzer and a panzer tank advance across Belgium. At 1:06 a German trooper on a motorcycle speeds past camera. At 1:26, German troops cross the harbor under protection of artillery. At 1:30, Texaco gasoline storage tanks burn; at 1:40 a Belgian or British armored car is on fire as well. At 1:45, lifeless Belgian troops are shown. A sign for Leuven, Belgium (1:49) which formed part of the British Expeditionary Force’s front line and was defended by units of the 3rd Division and Belgian troops. From 14 to 16 May 1940, the German Army Group B assaulted the city with heavy air and artillery support, and occupied it on the 17th of May. At 2:02, more bodies are shown as the advance continues. At 2:11, the lion symbol of Belgium’s king is shown lying in the street and at 2:18 the German flag is unveiled. At 2:26 towed artillery moves into position while at 2:33 a halftrack crosses a river. At 2:48 Maubeuge is shown. Maubeuge suffered heavily in the German attack with 90% of the town center destroyed by bombardments in May 1940. At 2:58 a sign points the way to Chimay. German artillery continues ceaselessly, including at night (3:29). The film ends with a montage of many panzers on the move.
On 10 May 1940, Germany invaded Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium under the operational plan Fall Gelb (Case Yellow). The Allied armies attempted to halt the German Army in Belgium. After the French had fully committed the best of the Allied armies to Belgium between 10 and 12 May, the Germans enacted the second phase of their operation, a break-through, or sickle cut, through the Ardennes, and advanced toward the English Channel. The German Army (Heer) reached the Channel after five days, encircling the Allied armies. The Germans gradually reduced the pocket of Allied forces, forcing them back to the sea. The Belgian Army surrendered on 28 May 1940, ending the battle.
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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
