Allied military operation in Brest France during World War 2. Capture of Brest, France: Animated map shows Allied troops entering into Brest. Aerial view of harbor in Brest. U.S. Army soldiers place and adjust heavy artillery. Artillery and P-47 aircraft bombard Brest. Smoke rises due to bombarding and firing. View of railroad yards partially destroyed by German sabotage, and partially from allied bombing. U.S. Army M18 Hellcat tank destroyer in action, firing in streets of city.
U.S. Army 106th Engineers in the Port de Commerce (commercial harbour) of Brest, France during World War 1. This site is adjacent to L'arsenal de Brest (Arsenal of Brest) military and naval installations on the river Penfeld. U.S. Army 106th Engineers are constructing a warehouse in the area of Basin 5. View of Engineers raising a completed section of trusswork for the warehouse, by means of cables. Engineer using power drill on sections of new trusswork being assembled on the ground. German prisoners of war using two-man saw and hammers as they cut and install wooden joists in the construction. The working prisoners are monitored by U.S Army officer. German prisoners excavating at entrance of the building. Wider view of construction site, showing rail cars nearby and construction material everywhere. A barge plying waters of River Penfeld in background, and a variety of vessels tied up in the harbor. A bridge in the backgound. Engineers tending a large steam-driven machine sheltered in a shed.
U.S. Army 501st and 529th Engineers in Brest, France during World War 1. First segment: Excavation for a reservoir underway. The name of the reservoir is Kerguillo (sometimes written Kerguillau). It is located in the commune of BOHARS, near Brest. Houses beside the excavation site. Second segment: In downtown Brest, African American soldiers of African American U.S. Army 501st Engineers dig with pick axes on the Rampe du port de commerce (road access to the commercial harbour). A staircase in the background that provides walking access to the commercial harbour. People standing above them on the Cours Dajot and watching. Third segment: A few men of U.S. Army 529th Engineers doing electrical work in a street. One of them at the top of a ladder leaning against a pole in front of a building. Another soldier supporting the base of the ladder.
U.S. soldiers in Brest, France during World War 1. A crowd, including U.S. Army soldiers, watch a band concert at Place Wilson (33 Rue Emile Zola, 29200 Brest, France) in downtown Brest. The band master stands in front and directs the band. Band members play instruments. Several people stand around and watch the concert.
A U.S. Navy brass band plays a dirge as they march slowly into Kerfautras cemetery, on q path from the main entrance on rue Massillon, in Brest, France, during World War 1. They are followed by a contingent of sailors with shouldered arms, carrying an American flag and marching slowly. They are followed by a funeral coach pulled by two horses and escorted by U.S. Naval officers. Bringing up the rear is another contingent of U.S. sailors, marching slowly and not bearing arms. U.S. Army Brigadier General George Herbert Harries speaks during the funeral. Several high-ranking French and American officers seated behind the podium, including:. U.S. Army Major General William Crozier and U.S. Navy Admiral Henry Braid Wilson. A large number of American military and French military and civilian spectators are present. French and American flags fly side-by-side in the center of the gathering. French troops stand in front of a backdrop of black parsasols held by women behind them. Several children stand with the front line of French soldiers. One little girl holds an American flag. The French troops salute for the camera. The next scene shows a virtual sea of parasols and hats, including French women wearing fashionable bonnets and many men wearing straw boaters. High-ranking French and American military officers all stand and salute. Major General Crozier walks among graves of newly interred American fallen. He is accompanied by a Brigadier General wearing a black armband. Several field grade officers follow the Generals. At the end, a large memorial gathering is seen at a courtyard in the U.S. Naval Base at Brest. Sailors are drawn up in formation and many spectators are assembled. An American flag drapes a coffin flanked by several others leaning upright against a building wall. There is very little movement, so presumably words are being spoken.
French aircraft carrier Clemenceau ready to be launched in Brest, France. French Navy aircraft carrier Clemenceau (R98) near completion at Brest shipyard before the launch. Men at the dock instruct the ship building work.