Postwar destruction of German city; US soldiers celebrate
Creator(s)
- Sydney L. Burr (Camera Operator)
- Ms. Jamie B. Russell
Biographical History
Major Sydney L. Burr of New York City, NY was stationed northeast of London in Suffolk, England at Knettishall Air Force Base from 1943 to 1945. He served with the 388th Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force. His formal function was to debrief bombing missions over Germany. It is unclear how he made his way to Germany to film the liberation of Dachau, but since he was very close to those soldiers and celebrated their returns from successful missions, it is likely they slipped him on board one of their flights after VE-Day. In May 1945, the 388th flew into Austria and flew French POWs back to France (otherwise they would have had to walk). They also flew ground support troops of the 388th around Europe for an aerial tour; Major Burr was a passenger on one of these flights. See http://www.388bg.info/servlet/Controller?pageType=detail&id=388-I-BUR18-01&dataType=Person.
Scope and Content
Pan of desolate grounds and destruction of buildings at an airfield in Stuttgart(?). A small aircraft flies in the sky. Remnants of demolished German airplanes and their skeletons on the ground. Street scenes, a civilian with a briefcase walks towards the camera. Pan of bomb destruction. Camera focuses on "The Churchill Machine Tool CO LTD Manchester England" engraving. Piles of debris on the ground. Extensive damage, ruins. 01:18:52 CU of U.S. Army jeep. An officer with a mustache talks to someone off camera while standing next to the vehicle holding the steering wheel. He and another officer lean and sit on the jeep while they converse and laugh with each other and adjust their uniforms. VAR shots of the officers. One pours wine into glasses for the both of them which they drink. An airplane flies in the sky. Soldiers working on a plane at airfield.
Note(s)
Original title on film can: "Dachau, Stuttgart - VE Day #4" Transferred at 18 FPS
Subjects
- DESTRUCTION
- SOLDIERS/MILITARY (AMERICAN)
- RUINS
- GERMANY
- AIRPLANES
Places
- Stuttgart, Germany
Genre
- Amateur.
- Film