GIs in Paris, Brussels, and Düren

(b/w) American soldiers in Paris, sightseeing, street scenes, local civilians, opera house, Avenue des Champs Elysses, Arc de Triomphe, the Unknown soldiers' tomb. 01:04:59 Title card: “Maastricht, Holland.” Street scenes, soldiers in field. 01:05:26 Sightseeing in Brussels, street cars. Title card: “The King’s Memorial to his wife” 01:07:59 Title card: “US Army Pro. Station in rear” Well-dressed women, ornate buildings in city. 01:08:36 Sign for American soldiers, “Warning Curfew in Brussels”. Building destruction. Title card: “Bomb crater”. 01:10:54 Title card: “Duren, 40,000-complete ruins!” Bombed out city of Düren, Germany, taken by the 8th Infantry on February 25, 1945. Ruins, GIs. Title card: “Four engine bombers”. (color) Snow covered, destroyed buildings, civilians. CUs of Red Cross medics and other American soldiers holding and showing-off hand pistols. 01:14:32 (b/w) Title card: “Infantry advancing!” Active war zone, soldiers in field. Title card: “Mortars in combat.” Dr. Abraham T. Banen (1909-2014) served with the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II, likely with the 551st Engineer Heavy Ponton Battalion. Banen grew up in Minnesota, majored in German at the University of Wisconsin, and studied dentistry at the University of Minnesota. Banen enlisted in the Army and landed in Normandy with his infantry battalion in July 1944. In March 1945, the 551st Battalion completed the construction of the 1900-foot pontoon bridge across the swift-moving Rhine River, making it possible for the Allied Armies to cross and initiate the big push to end the war. Banen used a personal 16mm movie camera to document his wartime experiences. He was often relied upon for translations in German and French. He was shot in the back of his knee and awarded a Purple Heart. In January 1946, at 37 years old, Banen started a dental practice in International Falls, Minnesota, married Blanche Bachinski in Guatemala City in 1949, and had three children. From 1972-1974, he served as mayor of International Falls. He lived to the age of 104.