It's June 21st, 1940. We're in Compiennes in northeast France. In a forest clearing

stands a railway carriage. It's ornate, an old dining car. It's had quite a life. Once it formed

parts of the famous Orient Express. During the First World War it was commandeered by the French Army.

In fact, on November the 11th, 1918, the peace terms were signed here,

bringing an end to the bloodiest conflict known to man.

Since then the Compienn wagon, as it's known, has sat here in the glade of the armistice, a museum piece, an historic monument.

But today, in 1940, this old railway car is about to take center stage once again.

50 yards away is a group of journalists, corralled by German soldiers.

One of the reporters is Bill Shirer, an American,

correspondent for CBS Radio News.

As their man in Berlin, Shirer is in a unique position.

He's able to describe daily life in the Third Reich, the listeners across the English-speaking world.

In the midsummer sunshine, the English-speaking world.

In the midsummer sunshine, amid the oak, cypress and pine trees, he and the others wait.

At 18 minutes past three, as Shire records it, Adolf Hitler's personal standard is run up the flagpole.

And then here he comes, the Fura, walking slowly and deliberately down the path.

He's accompanied by his entourage, Goring, Ribantro, Pess, Admiral Rider, generals, Kital and Brausich.

Hitler pauses for a moment before a granite block and reads its inscription.

It commemorates the spot where the Great War ended and to Nazi minds where the humiliation of the Fatherland began.

Shireus studies Hitler through his binoculars.

I see him as though he were directly in front of me, he reports.

He glances slowly around the clearing, and now, as his eyes meet hours, you

...