This silent film was released by Castle Films in 1940 for the home market. It shows the outbreak of “War in Europe” with the German invasion of Poland, which triggered a declaration of war by France and Great Britain. The film begins with Hitler demanding the city-state of Danzig (:12). Oppressed minorities flee Germany as refugees (:30). Polish Army mobilizes (:48). Poland closes German border (1:00). Great Britain and France pledge to assist Poland and summon reserves (1:20). In London, civilians answer the call for war service by volunteering (1:36), including women war workers and members of the Red Cross. News placard reads: “Britons Told to Leave Germany” (2:02). Shot of Big Ben in London (2:04). Air Raid Warning police notice (2:07). British show off gas masks and other chemical warfare gear (2:15). Barrage balloons (2:23). Americans flee Europe (2:30). Placard: “Americans Told to Leave Britain”. Americans shown at the docks in Cherbourg about to depart for New York by ship. Von Ribbentrop flies to Moscow to conclude Soviet-German anti-aggression pact (2:58). British Prime Minister Chamberlain and French Prime Minister Édouard Daladier strive for peace (3:20). Big Ben (3:29) and arrival of Chamberlain at 10 Downing Street. In London and Paris, children are evacuated to safety by train. They test out gas masks (4:10). Mothers wave goodbye to their kids. September 1, 1939 —

Germany invades Poland and commences aerial bombing of Warsaw. Great Britain declares war on Germany (6:10); Prime Minister Chamberlain is briefly seen making remarks. News headline: “Warsaw Bombed”. France declares war on Germany (6:35). Frenchmen are seen saying goodbye to their families and tanks are shown on parade. On September 3, the Canadian ship SS Athenia is sunk by German U-boat U-30 in the Atlantic (7:12), killing 117 (7:30). German troops open border crossing (7:50). Motorcycles, artillery, tanks and troops follow in rapid succession. Polish Army bravely resists German invasion (8:48). German Air Force / Luftwaffe is seen in action (9:04). Aerial bombing of Warsaw, smashed bridges and railroad trestles (9:59). German battleship Schleswig-Holstein bombards Danzig’s fort for six days (11:39). Polish forces dynamited Warsaw bridges to slow the German advance.

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. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com