Divide and Conquer (newsreel)
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''Divide and Conquer'' (1943) is the third film of
Frank Capra Frank Russell Capra (born Francesco Rosario Capra; May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was an Italian-born American film director, producer and writer who became the creative force behind some of the major award-winning films of the 1930s ...
's '' Why We Fight'' propaganda film series and deals with the Nazi conquest of Western Europe in 1940.


Synopsis

The film begins immediately after the invasion of Poland. Of the two major Western Allies on 1940, the United Kingdom is first to be mentioned. The role of the Royal Navy in
blockading A blockade is the act of actively preventing a country or region from receiving or sending out food, supplies, weapons, or communications, and sometimes people, by military force. A blockade differs from an embargo or sanction, which are l ...
Germany is highlighted as Germany being forced to overcome British resistance to clear the way for its world conquest. Hitler's treachery towards the small neutral countries of Europe is exposed to Denmark ("We have concluded a non-aggression pact with Denmark"), Norway ("Germany never had any quarrel with the Northern States and has none today"), the Netherlands ("The new Reich has always endeavored to maintain the traditional friendship with Holland") and Belgium: ("The Reich has put forth no claim which may in any way be regarded as a threat to Belgium). Those quotes are repeated after the conquest of each of those countries is shown. The first German targets in 1940 are Denmark and Norway. Interest in Norway is described in terms of Germany's desire to use Norway's fjords as U-boats bases, and airfields in Norway for a bomber attack on the British naval base at
Scapa Flow Scapa Flow viewed from its eastern end in June 2009 Scapa Flow (; ) is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray,S. C. George, ''Jutland to Junkyard'', 1973. South Ronaldsay and ...
. After Hitler's surprise
invasion of Denmark The German invasion of Denmark (german: Operation Weserübung – Süd), was the German attack on Denmark on 9 April 1940, during the Second World War. The attack was a prelude to the invasion of Norway (german: Weserübung Nord, 9 April – 10 ...
is briefly mentioned, the film accuses the Nazis of using Trojan horse ships, which are designed to look like merchant ships but conceal troops, tanks, and artillery guns, to seize control of all of Norway's ports. The role of Norwegian traitors such as Vidkun Quisling in aiding the conquest of Norway is also emphasized. At the end of the section on Norway, Hitler is likened to the gangster John Dillinger, and occupied Norway is portrayed as the northern claw of a giant pincer movement aimed against Britain. The conquest of France would provide the southern claw. The film's story of France begins in 1914 at the Battle of the Marne. The offensive-minded spirit of French General Ferdinand Foch is emphasized: "My right is driven in, my center is giving way, the situation is excellent, I attack!" (the original in
French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
is displayed onscreen). The film then goes on to describe the defensive orientation of 1930's France, exemplified by the
Maginot Line The Maginot Line (french: Ligne Maginot, ), named after the French Minister of War André Maginot, is a line of concrete fortifications, obstacles and weapon installations built by France in the 1930s to deter invasion by Germany and force the ...
, which is explained as being the primary cause of the six million casualties suffered by France during World War I along with factors including Nazi
fifth column A fifth column is any group of people who undermine a larger group or nation from within, usually in favor of an enemy group or another nation. According to Harris Mylonas and Scott Radnitz, "fifth columns" are “domestic actors who work to un ...
activities,
political corruption Political corruption is the use of powers by government officials or their network contacts for illegitimate private gain. Forms of corruption vary, but can include bribery, lobbying, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, parochialism, patronage, in ...
, and greedy vested interests. Possible routes for a German invasion of France are discussed: the 1870 attack through Alsace-Lorraine and the 1914 attack through Belgium. The French, believing the Maginot Line to be impregnable, expect the German attack to come through Belgium, as it did in 1914. The French order of battle in 1940 is described: 78 divisions along the border with Belgium, 15 in the Maginot Line, 10 divisions facing
Benito Mussolini Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (; 29 July 188328 April 1945) was an Italian politician and journalist who founded and led the National Fascist Party. He was Prime Minister of Italy from the March on Rome in 1922 until his deposition in 194 ...
's forces in Italy, and 3½ divisions as a safeguard against Spain. The British Expeditionary Force contribute an additional 10 divisions. The important role of paratroopers in the conquest of the Netherlands is covered, as is the Germans' easy defeat of the Belgian resistance at Fort Eben-Emael since they learned the best method of attack after extensive practice on an exact copy of the fortress built in
occupied ' (Norwegian: ') is a Norwegian political thriller TV series that premiered on TV2 on 5 October 2015. Based on an original idea by Jo Nesbø, the series is co-created with Karianne Lund and Erik Skjoldbjærg. Season 2 premiered on 10 October 2 ...
Czechoslovakia. Special attention is also paid to Nazi atrocities, such as the Rotterdam Blitz after the surrender of the city, and Nazi attacks on villages and small towns, which are designed to choke roads with refugees to impede Allied troop movements. The Nazi attack on Belgium and the Netherlands is then mentioned to be a feint that distracts from the main attack through the
Ardennes The Ardennes (french: Ardenne ; nl, Ardennen ; german: Ardennen; wa, Årdene ; lb, Ardennen ), also known as the Ardennes Forest or Forest of Ardennes, is a region of extensive forests, rough terrain, rolling hills and ridges primarily in Be ...
, where the Allies least expect it. A US military officer shows an animation to demonstrate the German
blitzkrieg Blitzkrieg ( , ; from 'lightning' + 'war') is a word used to describe a surprise attack using a rapid, overwhelming force concentration that may consist of armored and motorized or mechanized infantry formations, together with close air su ...
technique: tanks form the front spearhead while infantry spill off from the sides to form solid walls, which protects the center of the column so that trucks can pass to supply all forces involved.


See also

* List of films in the public domain in the United States * Propaganda in the United States


References


External links

* * {{Authority control 1943 films American black-and-white films Films directed by Frank Capra Films directed by Anatole Litvak Why We Fight Articles containing video clips American documentary films 1943 documentary films Warner Bros. films 1940s American films