British Pathe

Full title reads: "1945 - YOU WERE THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED - Introducing Professor G. M. Trevelyan O.M., C.B.E. at Cambridge University".

One of the greatest Britain's historian, Professor Trevelyan takes a book from the shelve, walks to his desk, sits down and starts to read. Professor Trevelyan...

Full title reads: "1945 - YOU WERE THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED - Introducing Professor G. M. Trevelyan O.M., C.B.E. at Cambridge University".

One of the greatest Britain's historian, Professor Trevelyan takes a book from the shelve, walks to his desk, sits down and starts to read. Professor Trevelyan will present the year 1945 to audience.

Various shots of the German break through in the Ardennes - troops advancing along the road passing burning vehicles and equipment.

Several shots of the delegates seated at the table during Yalta Conference. Famous shots of Britain's Prime Minster Winston Churchill, American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Soviet leader Joseph Visarionovich Stalin, sitting in the garden, posing for the pressmen.

Several shots of the parachuters jumping out of planes over Germany. Several shots of the troops crossing the Rhine - various amphibious vehicles are seen. Churchill with Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery crossing Rhine.

Various shots of the street battles in German cities as the troops advance towards the capital Berlin.

Pile of corpses lying at one of the concentration camps. Several shots of the living skeletons after liberation of concentration camp - unclear which. Several shots of the corpses lying around - just bones remained.

Several shots of the German officers defending North West Germany signing surrender documents at Luneberg Heath. Field Marshal Montgomery signs for the British.

Various shots of the Russian Red Army occupying Berlin.

Various shots of the masses of people in London celebrating V. E. Day. Several shots of the King George VI, Queen Elizabeth (later the Queen Mother), Princess Elizabeth (later the Queen Elizabeth II) and princess Margaret, waving to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Churchill showing V sign from the Whitehall balcony.

Several shots of the new Labour Government after election. Pan along the Labour cabinet members with new Prime Minister Clement Attlee in the centre.

Shot of an atom bomb falling down and exploding. Cut to Japanese delegates signing surrender documents. Lord Mauntbatten signing. Close up shot of the document. Various shots of the massed crowd in central London celebrating V. J. Day. Royal family waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Close up shot of Professor Trevelyan's hand writing into a book. Voiceover introduces the rogue's gallery. Follows a selection of shots of the enemy, most of them dead - Adolf Hitler, Josef Goebels, Hitler's Propaganda Minister, Heinrich Himmler, head of the SS (his dead body), Italian dictator Benito Mussolini (also dead body in a gutter), Toji, Vidkun Quisling, Marshal Petain, Pierre Laval, Joseph Kramer (the beast of Belsen), Irma Grese (number 9, Kramer's partner), William Joyce, John Amery and a box with surviving Nazis at Nuremberg trial (Goering and Hess seen clearly) is seen at the end.

Close up shot of Professor Trevelyan's face as the voiceover announces the great men. Follows a selection of shots of the military and political leaders of the Allied forces - General Dwight Eisenhower, Marshal Zhukov, Soviet leader Joseph Visarionovich Stalin, President Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Field Marshal Montgomery (Monty), President Harry Truman shaking hands with King George VI, Mr Attlee and anonymous young man representing ordinary servicemen 'without him 1845 could never have been victory year.

Professor Trevelyan writing - voiceover announces the new weapons - the weapons of victory. Succession of shots showing the new weapons - Mulberry (floating harbour - used for the invasion of Normandy), radar, defence by fire (burning sea - defence against the invasion), operation Fido (keeping airfields free of fog), Pluto (giant pipeline carrying oil from Isle of Wight across the Channel to France), human torpedo, frogmen and finally - atomic bomb.

Climax builds to children walking amongst the ruins and emerging into the future symbolised in countryside scenes. Close up shot of the children's faces.

(Mute & Track Negs.)