Die Räumung einer Stadt im bedrohten Gebiet

Summary

1. Intertitle: The inhabitants were warned in time and were thus able to save their belongings calmly. Image: A bed box, including frame and mattress, is let down from a window and received by two men, one standing on a ladder leaning against the wall of the building; the bed is loaded onto a horsedrawn cart.

2. Intertitle: Due to the narrow stairs, larger objects must be let down through the windows. Image: Rolled-up bedding is let down from a window and received by a man standing on a ladder; a fully packed horsedrawn cart.

3. Intertitle: The refugees wait in front of the town commander's office to be evacuated. Image: Waiting refugees with laden horsedrawn carts in front of the town commander's office; horsedrawn baggage is seen to pass the waiting refugees.

4. Intertitle: At the railway station. The refugees are considerately assisted by field greys and railway personnel in loading their belongings. Image: Loading the belongings into railway wagons at the railway station; soldiers help refugees to get on.

5. Intertitle: Nobody wanted to remain behind, not even the oldest mother. Image: An old woman with a bent back on the way to a railway wagon.

6. Intertitle: Young men leave the theatre of operations and leisurely go their way. Image: Young Frenchmen pass along the country road.

7. Intertitle: Refugees on the country road. Image: Fleeing families on the country road.

8. Intertitle: A short time later. The bombarded city. Image: Ruins of houses in the city that has since been destroyed by artillery fire.

9. Intertitle: Clean-up operations by our field greys. Image: Soldiers at clean-up work.

Source: Bundesarchiv