Newsreel: Belga actualités nr 78

Pro-German newsreel combines items of Belgian national and local interest with Deutsche Wochenschau war reports from the Eastern Front. I. Two Belgian basket ball teams compete in a Brussels street for the Paul Debout Challenge Cup; Royal Quatre defeats Amicale Sportive 44-26. II. Football match in Berlin (on country pitch) between French workers and Serb workers in Germany typifies entertainment enjoyed by foreign workers in Germany every Sunday; French defeat Serbs 4-3. III. Eighth anniversary of Spain's "National Revolution" (July 1936) is commemorated by reception at La Granja given to Diplomatic Corps by General Franco (accompanied by hs wife Carmen); guests include two Japanese ladies wearing kimonos. In Madrid the Caudillo's car is escorted by Moroccan mounted outriders; girls in Falange uniform cheer, and Franco presents diplomas to deserving workers and industrial leaders before a parade of 300,000 marches past the tribune, bearing flags and giving the fascist salute. IV. At a mass meeting in Berlin comprising many Flemish workers, members of the Flemish-German cultural and political organisation DeVlag (Duits-Vlaamse Arbeidsgemeenschap) and uniformed volunteers serving with the SS Sturmbrigade Langemarck (Waffen SS), hear the leader of DeVlag, Dr Jef Van de Wiele (and Obersturmbannf?hrer des Germnaansche SS) speak against a backdrop of swastikas enfolding the Flemish Lion, calling on all Flemings to unite with the other Germanic peoples in the struggle for the liberty of Europe and the survival of her thousand-year old culture. Switching from Flemish to accented German, Van de Wiele rousingly speaks (live) of people united by the same courage, love and blood marching towards the shining horizons of the future, ending "Heil Hitler". Audience of mixed civilian and military members includes SS soldier with bandaged head, men of all ages and some women. V. German scientific research maintains its high reputation even in the hardest phase of the war, as students from Germany and abroad (male and female) are seen in a research laboratory for cellulose, making the new substance and testing the fibres for strength. VI. Trawlermen (presumably German, although not identified by nationality) let out and haul in nets filled with fish at the start of the fishing season in the Baltic Sea. VII. Men and women cut and bring in this year's outstanding cereal harvest in Croatia. VIII. Centre of Namur, severely damaged by Anglo-American bombing (on 18 August 1944) "after several other towns in Belgium" (ie Li?ge, Huy, Ghent) and with several hundred civilian dead, is cleared of rubble by civilians and priests. Statue of King L?opold II lies toppled, and homeless family departs with cart of salvaged belongings. IX. German one-man torpedo hero demonstrates his weapon. Gefreiter Gerhold, who sank Royal Navy +Aurora- Class heavy cruiser, demonstrates control of Marder midget submarine, which is lowered into sea. Glass dome is fitted over Gerhold who starts navigating through calm sea. Gerhold has previously been awarded decoration by Konteradmiral Hellmuth Heye at ceremony outside barracks, where five of his comrades receive German Cross in Gold. Gerhold stands beside commander of Navy's Midget Weapons Unit during marchpast by men and is afterwards borne shoulder-high in triumph by his comrades. X. Animated map of Eastern Front from Narva to Warsaw. Focke Wulf Fw 190s loaded with single bombs take off from rough airfield to attack Soviet supplies and tanks. General Seidemann discusses attack plan with Major Rudel, commanding Junkers Ju 87 which take off and fly in formation before diving against Russian tanks on open road. Elsewhere German grenadiers bring in a walking-wounded comrade (with spectacles) to receive an injection (tetanus?) and leg bandage in front-line dressing station. German counterattack through dense smoke by armour (Pzkpfw V Panther and Sdkfz Flakvierling) and infantry eliminates a Soviet bridgehead in an area said to be bitterly defended by Soviet forces, as flames light up the night. (Item concludes with distinctive Belga Actualit?s gong sound.)