Massed formations and flags on the Zeppelin Field, 1937
From the grandstand, dozens of blocks of men fill the field to a tall platform, flag bearers march in, and banners crown the stone towers.
Seen from high in the stands, the formations fill the whole field in long, perfectly aligned blocks, a central lane running down to a tall square platform at the far end. Columns wheel into position, a column of flag bearers marches in through the saluting crowd, and a knot of men gathers at the foot of the grandstand wall below flags on a stone dais. Outside, swastika banners stream from the limestone towers of the stands under a heavy sky.
The field and its stands on the Dutzendteich were built from 1934 to Albert Speer's plans. The massed blocks were meant to be seen from above, by the leaders on the grandstand and by the cameras, as the people turned into a single body.
Film The whole field filled with men in formation, 1937
Film Formations before the side stands, 1937
Film Columns wheel before the platform in the field, 1937
Film Flag bearers march in through the saluting crowd, 1937
Film Massed blocks from the grandstand, 1937
Film A crowd at the foot of the grandstand, flags above, 1937
Film The Labour Service drawn up in its blocks, 1937
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