1941 The Minsk-Bialystok Pocket

July 9, 1941. Deutsche Wochenschau No. 566. Forward march eastwards from Bialystok. Here German troops have achieved a decisive victory through a world-historical advance.At total breakthrough has been achieved over the Soviet armies, which were prepared to conduct an attack upon Germany. The several pockets of surrounded Soviets are offering resistance, which in a short time has been broken by German troops. Snipers and isolated Soviet troops have infiltrated this farmstead. Here, they have been rooted out. On the road to Minsk.The Soviets have set up strong tank formations in order to halt the German troops. Artillery and Panzers fight to clear the road.The tank hidden in the woods is dealt with. In the thousands the prisoners come forth.The advance guard keeps moving forwards. Everywhere burnt up Soviet tanks.In the time from June 22 to July 1 more than 5000 Soviet armoured vehicles have been destroyed or captured.Against must the advance guard halt. New Soviet tank formations attack. An Anti-tank gun goes into position. These ones are quickly dealt with. Blow after blow it continues. Ever new prisoners come forth. Artillery gets into position.A further formation of Soviet tanks is reported. Direct hit! The victorious German advance has not been halted. The German troops stand before Minsk. Left and right of the road burn Soviet tanks.The destructive work is accomplished. The number of prisoners stands in the hundreds of thousands. Over 60000 men, surrounded west of Minsk, have laid down their weapons after shooting their commissars. This is the Bolshevik humanity which the leaders of the world revolution wanted to drag through Europe. In this front sector several squadrons of the Luftwaffe prepare to head out to hit the enemy in their rearward communications. Fighter-Destroyer Type Me bf 110. Attack upon an enemy air field. The aircraft are destroyed on the ground. This film was shot with an on-board camera. There! A Soviet bomber! He can no longer evade the German fighter. The bomber drops burning from the sky. So far up to July 1st almost 4800 Soviet aircraft have been destroyed.