The Final Days of World War II in Color (UNCENSORED)

When US troops conquer Nazi Germany from the West in March 1945, they are followed by camera teams that document the defeated and occupied country. The special feature: they shoot in 16mm colour. The result is unique film footage of the destroyed cities and their inhabitants, but also depressing pictures of the victims of terror and the policy of annihilation.

George Stevens follows the troops on their way from the Rhine to the Elbe, shoots "Elbe-Day" in Torgau and the liberation of the Dora-Mittelbau concentration camp, where so-called "wonder weapons" were built. Afterwards his way leads him south.

Major Kirke B. Lawton also has a film camera and colour films in his luggage. General Eisenhower's man for photo reporting in World War II is always close to the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe. Thus he is allowed to film the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht in Reims on May 6, 1945 and accompany the U.S. delegation to the Potsdam Conference.

Author: Michael Kloft

0:00:00 Inside the Reich
0:45:59 Americans at the Elbe
1:31:03 Visions of Hell
2:14:30 Unconditional Surrender
2:57:32 Victors and the Defeated