“Storm of Fire” was produced by Cadre Films by Dr. R.C. Raack, faculty member of the History Department at California State University Hayward (0:17-0:26). Cadre was founded in part as an effort to reshape educational films and media, by telling marginalized stories, or stories that ran counter to accepted narratives. This particular documentary tells the story of the bombing of Dresden, which at the time it was conducted was justified as part of wartime Allied strategy, but which post-war observers came to believe was unjustified and at best immoral, and at worst a war crime. the film’s narrative, in part, examines the brutal crimes against humanity that were committed by the German Fascists, and shows how those crimes helped create the environment that led to the firebombing of Dresden. The fact that civilians supported the Fascists and then were victims of the bombing campaign, is also part of the narrative. The attack itself was a joint British and American operation which consisted of four raids between 13 and 15 February 1945. The targets were major rail transport and communications centers, and factories supporting the German war effort. Over 1200 heavy bombers dropped more than 3,900 tons of high-explosive bombs and incendiary devices on the city. According to official post-war estimates that were confirmed by the city of Dresden itself in 2010, 22,700-25,000 people were killed in the resulting firestorms. (It’s important to note that the German government published false figures during the war, claiming a death toll up to 20x higher than the actual confirmed numbers. This film also provides false numbers, estimating that 35,000-135,000 human beings perished, figures which are up to 5x the actual confirmed statistics.)
City of Dresden, Germany with scenes of Elbe River (0:37). Trolleys and horse drawn carriages rush by (0:49). Airplanes flying in Swastika formation (0:57). Third Reich / Fascist architecture intact and in ruins (0:58-1:02). Marching band drumming in procession of Nazi flag with far-right political party “Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP” (1:13). Nazi soldiers marching in formation (1:22). Men using welding machinery (1:43). Soldiers riding on horse showered with flowers and celebratory welcome (1:53). Procession welcoming Hitler and the Nazi party (2:01). Hitler standing in car saluting greeted by German civilians waving and crying (2:06). Soldiers stacking bombs (2:23). German aircraft lined up and ready for takeoff (2:29). Newspaper advertising exclusive talk with Marshal Edward Rydz-Smigly of Poland (2:37). Map of Berlin and surrounding territories including Polish Corridor, Danzig, and Warsaw (2:47). Women and men digging trenches (2:55). 554 Engineering Battalion leaving for Berlin (4:15). Refugees fleeing from the war (5:24). Paper showing “Kurt Zweig” an Army volunteer (6:12). Allied airstrikes bomb German military targets and civilian population (7:43). Soldiers watch figure skating performance (8:17). Images of a sniper, and dead bodies in houses and roads in Germany (9:14). Men lower coffins into the ground (10:40). Children / Nazi Youth marching and setting up barbed wire around Germany. People gathered watching the Circus Sarrasani on February 13th, 1945, as allied planes approach Dresden (11:54-12:22). Dresden Frauenkirche (13:09). Title: “Dresden Blasted” (14:31). Allied forces coordinate with Marshall Raymond Stallings army (14:45). Bombs raining down on Dresden (14:48-15:54). Images of city of Dresden in ruins (17:28).
We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example like: “01:00:12:00 — President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.”
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
