German planes
Creator(s)
- George C. Stevens (Director)
- Special Coverage Unit (SPECOU) (Producer)
- Library of Congress - Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division (MBRS)
Biographical History
George Stevens (December 18, 1904 – March 8, 1975) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter and cinematographer. During World War II, Stevens joined the U.S. Army Signal Corps and headed a film unit from 1943 to 1946 under General Eisenhower. His unit shot footage documenting D-Day — including the only Allied European Front color film of the war — the liberation of Paris and the meeting of American and Soviet forces at the Elbe River, as well as horrific scenes from the Duben labor camp and the Dachau concentration camp. Stevens also helped prepare the Duben and Dachau footage and other material for presentation during the Nuremberg Trials. In 2008, his footage was entered into the U.S. National Film Registry by the Librarian of Congress as an "essential visual record" of World War II.
The Special Coverage Unit (SPECOU) was placed under the control of the Supreme Headquarters' Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF). The SPECOU consists of 45 people: writers like Ivan Moffat, William Saroyan and Irwin Shaw; cameramen like Dick Hoar, Ken Marthey, William Mellor, Jack Muth; sound operators as Bill Hamilton, who comes from Columbia, assistant directors, as Holly Morse, who has worked with Hal Roach.
Scope and Content
Cameraman on wing of German plane setting up shot. Stevens sitting on edge of plane. Traffic in BG. Camouflage hanging on planes. These shots are at an abandoned German airfield. Single engine German plane, also small reconnaissance plane, twin-engine plane as well. Still photographer on ground taking pictures. Stevens pointing to symbols on tail of German plane indicating that pilot had shot down eight British planes and one Russian. VS of planes, including detail. Bill Hamilton, Stevens and Moffat standing in front of plane talking, lighting cigarettes, inspecting damage of riddled German plane.
People
- Stevens, George, 1904-1975.
Corporate Bodies
- United States. Army. Signal Corps. Special Coverage Unit
Subjects
- STEVENS, GEORGE
- AIRPLANES
- GERMANY
- MILITARY VEHICLES
- SOLDIERS/MILITARY (AMERICAN)
- SWASTIKAS
- CAMERAS
- CAMERA OPERATORS
Places
- Elbe River, Germany
- Duben, Germany
Genre
- Unedited.
- Film