Watch Entering Germany 1945: The Trolley Mission - A sightseeing tour at the end of World War II

Entering Germany 1945: The Trolley Mission is a unique documentary film that provides viewers with an in-depth look into the final days of World War II. This film focusses on a group of American soldiers who were tasked with a rather unusual mission - create a photographic survey of Germany's railway system before the end of the war. This survey was essential in helping with the reconstruction of the country's infrastructure, but it also allowed the soldiers to witness first-hand the devastation wrought by the war.

The film makes use of black and white footage that was shot by the soldiers themselves during the mission. This archival footage is intercut with present-day interviews with the soldiers, who are now in their nineties, as well as with historians and experts on World War II. The resulting film provides viewers with a unique perspective on what it was like to be in Germany in the final days of the war.

The Trolley Mission was undertaken by the 135th Photographic Squadron of the US Army Air Forces, and it involved the deployment of three specially equipped and camouflaged trolley cars. These trolleys were used as mobile darkrooms and were fitted with specially designed cameras that could capture panoramic views of the German countryside.

The soldiers who were on the Trolley Mission faced enormous risks. They had to navigate the treacherous German countryside, avoiding enemy fire and being careful not to be mistaken for enemy combatants. They relied on their ingenuity and their wits to make sure that they completed their mission.

As the soldiers travelled through Germany, they witnessed firsthand the destruction that the war had wrought. They saw bombed-out cities and towns, they encountered civilians who had been displaced by the fighting, and they witnessed the aftermath of some of the most heinous war crimes of the 20th century.

The archival footage that makes up much of the film is a stunning visual record of Germany in the final days of the war. It provides viewers with a sense of what it was like to travel through a country that had been completely devastated by war. The footage is accompanied by a haunting soundtrack that helps to bring the images to life.

The soldiers who participated in the Trolley Mission were not trained photographers, but they rose to the challenge of documenting the German rail system with a sense of purpose and dedication that is truly remarkable. Their photography captured not only the railway infrastructure but also the lives of the people they encountered along the way. The resulting snapshots of German life in the final days of the war are unique and provide viewers with valuable insights into this historic period.

Overall, Entering Germany 1945: The Trolley Mission - A sightseeing tour at the end of World War II is a fascinating documentary film that provides viewers with a unique perspective on the end of World War II. By focussing on the Trolley Mission, the film is able to provide a detailed look at Germany in the final days of the war, while also highlighting the contributions of a group of soldiers who were tasked with an unusual but important mission. The archival footage is both beautiful and haunting, and the present-day interviews give viewers a sense of the profound impact that the war had on the soldiers who fought in it. For anyone interested in World War II history, this film is not to be missed.

Entering Germany 1945: The Trolley Mission - A sightseeing tour at the end of World War II is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 15 minutes.