The Beginning of the Crusade Against Bolshevism

1. Germany.

 

The Reich Chancellery.

 

– Early morning, 22 June 1941: deserted streets; a milkman and a postman are walking along.

 

– The Radio Building.

 

– Preparations are underway for a broadcast of the Führer’s address. 5.30 am.

 

– The Reich Ministry of Propaganda.

 

– Reichsminister Dr. Joseph Goebbels reads out the Führer’s statement regarding the conspiracy between the USSR and Britain and Germany’s decision to commence military operations against Russia.

 

– Everyone is listening to the radio.

 

– Joachim von Ribbentrop’s speech at a press conference, reading out Germany’s note to the Soviet Union.

 

– Map of military operations by Germany and its allies against the USSR.

 

2. Invasion of the USSR by the European armies. Early morning, 22 June.

 

German artillery begins shelling Soviet positions.

 

– Fires, explosions.

 

– A German gun fires.

 

– East Prussia, Eidtkau (on the border with Lithuania).

 

– Destruction of Soviet border markers.

 

– German artillerymen roll out camouflaged guns.

 

– German soldiers in the streets of a Soviet settlement.

 

Lithuania.

 

– The first skirmishes on the Lithuanian-German border.

 

– German military vehicles in the street of a Lithuanian village; an exchange of fire.

 

– Burning buildings.

 

– The first Soviet prisoners; a German leads a wounded Soviet prisoner.

 

– A group of prisoners, many half-dressed, in their underwear.

 

– Germans crossing a river via footbridges.

 

– German infantry on the attack.

 

– A German gun on a railway platform firing.

 

– A montage of fighting at various sections of the Soviet border.

 

– German infantrymen and vehicles.

 

– Germans crossing a bridge.

 

– German troops advancing towards Kaunas.

 

The Germans cross the San River; the bridge is being cleared of mines.

 

– Lorries are driving along, and German soldiers are marching.

 

– German tanks on the offensive.

 

– Germans in a village, a firefight with Soviet troops.

 

– Soviet soldiers surrender.

 

– Large-calibre bombs are being loaded onto aircraft.

 

– German aircraft in the air.

 

– The first air raids on Soviet towns and villages.

 

– A pilot in the cockpit; bombs are being dropped.

 

– Explosions and fires on the ground.

 

– Burning buildings on Soviet territory.

 

– A squadron in flight.

 

– German soldiers are marching past.