The World at War Reel 4 - Poland’s Fall and Germany’s Blitzkrieg

The Devastation of Poland and Germany’s Lightning Warfare


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Reel 4 of The World at War (1942) portrays the harrowing destruction of Poland during the early days of World War II. Refugees flee relentless bombing as Warsaw is bombed, burned, and starved into surrender. The film illustrates the horrors faced by Polish civilians, forced into servitude as Hitler’s slave laborers. Following the fall of Poland, Adolf Hitler reviews his triumphant troops, and the focus shifts to naval warfare in the Atlantic during the winter of 1939 and 1940.
The reel then highlights Germany’s Blitzkrieg strategy in full force. In April 1940, Germany invades Denmark and Norway, followed by the Low Countries—Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg—in May. Dramatic footage showcases the power of the German Army, including mechanized artillery, tanks, and motorized equipment. German parachute troops leap from Luftwaffe planes over Holland, while dive bombers and big guns wreak havoc on Dutch towns and villages. The destruction culminates in the bombing of Rotterdam, leaving a trail of flames and fleeing refugees. Reel 4 captures the unrelenting pace of Germany’s early conquests and the human cost of its military campaigns.

Part of this Complete Film

The World at War (1942) - U.S. Government WWII Propaganda Film

License: Royalty-Free