Watch The Big Picture - North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Experience the American Journey through our country's visual heritage in this historical recording provided by the National Archives of the United States. From the U.S. Army's "The Big Picture" television series, 1950-1975. Since its founding in April, 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has well proved its power for peace. It is a calm, studious approach to peace. Never before in history have Europe's rival nations formed such a working alliance. NATO-land is composed of 14 different nations with a combined Army seven million strong. Although NATO's buildup is almost done, this achievement required vast effort during 1954--a succession of training exercises conducted throughout Europe. This is a pictorial report on the NATO maneuvers of 1954. Beginning in March with Exercise Medflex Able which was held in the Mediterranean Sea near Gibraltar, these maneuvers were scheduled periodically throughout the year. Exercise Keystone in September was the year's largest maneuver and NATO cameramen followed the action which began near the Achilles Line in Northern Greece. Viewers will also follow the gigantic land maneuver, Exercise Indian Summer, held in the U.S. zone of Germany. Participating here are the 1st French Armored Division, the U.S. 1st and 4th Infantry Divisions and the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. In this exercise, both sides have the American-built 280 millimeter atomic cannon.

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