Combat Bulletins & Newsreels

Film: "Combat Bulletin" No. 48, sound and narration

In World War Two, “Combat Bulletins" informed American soldiers about the latest developments. The narration was relatively factual, the musical score typical of the time is omitted while the sound effects are elaborate and realistic. This film was probably released in early April 1945. It shows Allied preparations before the Rhine crossing, the attack by American troops between Wesel and Dinslaken, as well as images of operation Varsity on March 24th, 1945. This is followed by scenes from the Remagen area, and finally, the advance of the 3rd US Army in the Oppenheim and Worms area.

(330-DVIC-20311 from the U.S. National Archives/NARA, Washington, D.C.)

Film: "Combat Bulletin" No. 49, with sound and narration

This "Combat Bulletin" shows airraids in the Wesel and Bocholt area. This is followed by images of operation „Varsity“, with U.S. 17th Airborne Division and British 6th Airborne Division going into action near Wesel and Hamminkeln.

(330-DVIC-20312 from the U.S. National Archives/NARA, Washington, D.C.)

Film: "Canadian Army Newsreel" No. 67, with sound and narration

This newsreel was produced by the Canadian Army for its soldiers serving abroad. It focuses on the Rhine crossing near Rees and the actions of Canadian paratroopers on drop zone "A" near Bergerfurth and Mehrhoog. The narration clearly has a propaganda ring. 

(ISN 33253 / Library and Archives Canada)

Unedited material: American gliders landing near Hamminkeln, silent

This footage is without sound and unedited, some scenes were later used in newsreels . The head slate at the beginning reads: 17th Airborne Division, invasion of Germany, date: March 24, location: west of Brünen. The footage was actually shot in the Mühlenrott and Heiderott areas near Hamminkeln. At minute 1:45, a map marked  with the letter "N" os shown. US landing zone „N“ was located in the Heiderott area. 

(111 ADC 3641 / US-Nationalarchiv/NARA, Washington, D.C.)