This propaganda film is the first of two reels and is nr. 4 out of 7 episodes in a series titled “Why We Fight” by Frank Capra. This episode titled “The Battle of Britain” covers Adolf Hitler’s attempt to invade and conquer England during World War II in pursuit of German world domination. It portrays the combat between Germany and Britain from August to December 1940. The film is produced by The War Department, Special Service Division (S.O.S.), and Frank Capra with the cooperation of The Signal Corps.

Title banner: “Why We Fight” (00:14). Title banner: “The Battle of Britain” (00:23). A map of England in June 1940 (00:45). Adolf Hitler and German soldier by the Eiffel Tower in Paris (00:56). German troops marching through Paris (01:08). Hitler looking across the English Channel (01:50). An illustrated map portraying the countries Hitler has conquered (02:25). In Berlin Hitler and his Generals are drafting plans for the invasion of England (03:09). A map illustrating the three phases of the strategy to conquer England (03:35). Hundreds of German troops are marching whilst singing The Hitler Salute: “Nazis at Erfurt” (05:11). Convoys are transporting supplies to Germany in preparation for the British invasion (05:36). The British Army at sea in Dunkirk (05:55). Abandoned British weapons and motorized equipment in France (06:22). British soldiers boarding ships out of France (06:38). The British Navy scattered across the world (06:59). The small number remaining in the British Air Force (07:19). Civilians in England while expecting an attack from Germany (07:28). The formation and training of a British civilian army to increase Britain’s defense (07:58). Women participating in the army by raising Barrage Balloons, cleaning trains, carrying dispatches, driving ambulances, and providing food (08:35). Men and women working in factories to build weapons and machinery (09:19). Soldiers are patrolling the moors and roadblocks (10:09). Winston Churchill is waving at a crowd to greet them (10:38). Civilians across Britain are listening to Churchill’s speech on the radio (10:47). Big Ben in London (11:06). The British army is patrolling, waiting, and preparing for the coming attack from Germany (11:16). On August 8th, 1940, the military alerts the public of an ongoing attack using sirens (11:30), and members of the army rush into their defense position (11:50). The war-fare branch “Luftwaffe” flying in hundreds over the English Channel (12:06). Bombers, such as Heinkel He 111, Dornier Do 17, and Junkers Ju 88, dropping bombs on the British PQ 17 Convoys in the Channel (12:50). British Air Force pilots rush to defend against the attack (13:13). Hal fighters of the RAF attack the German Air Force (15:19). A map illustrating Germany’s attack on England (15:26). A bus with civilians is attacked by a German bomber aircraft (15:52). Supply cargo ships arrive from North America to England (16:38). German bombers attack airfields inland (17:06). British planes scattered across lands, to protects against attack on their airfields (17:12). British pilots parachuting from planes to avoid death (17:48). German soldiers stalling their warfare after persistent counterattacks (18:52). The German long-range V-3 cannon firing in the English Channel (19:01). Adolf Hitler giving a public speech to the Germans (19:01). Hermann Göring arrives and orders stronger offence against the British Air Force (19:33). British soldiers preparing weapons and war-strategies (20:16). An airborne battle over the Dover-area, known as Hell’s Corner (20:50). Germany penetrates the British coastal defense, and bombs airbases and factories inland (21:17). Göring and Hitler during a meeting (23:44). Forces in London are setting up anti-aircraft weapons, children are transported out of town, and civilians move into bomb shelters (24:15). German airplanes fly over London (26:07).

The propaganda film is narrated by Walter Huston and edited by William Hornbeck with cinematography by Robert Flaherty and music by Howard Jackson. It is directed by Frank Capra and Anthony Veiller and is written by Julius Epstein and Philip Epstein and was released in November 1944. The production company is the Office of War Information, and it was distributed by Warner Bros. and the War Activities Committee of the Motion Pictures Industry.

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, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com