A post on X claims to show authentic video from World War II of French rail workers sabotaging a German train and derailing it ahead of D-Day landings.

Crazy Footage from World War II🚨: Deadly Train derailment ahead of D-Day landings. French freedom fighters sabotage a German train network near Normandy which was transporting German tanks and armoury to the beach defences ahead of D-Day. pic.twitter.com/5I9GysTT63

— WarRoom Files (@Combat_Files) December 5, 2024

Verdict: False

Footage is from a French movie called “La bataille du rail”

Fact Check:

World War II was one of the most destructive wars in human history, as it claimed the lives of up to 85 million people and demolished cities throughout the planet. One of the most famous events from the war theatre was D-Day, the 1944 invasion of Normandy where over 130,000 troops from the U.S., U.K. and others arrived by sea as part of Operation Overlord. It is thought of as one of the bloodiest events in history, and has been dramatized into movies and pop culture since.

A post on X claims to show footage from just before D-Day where a train carrying supplies derailed on it’s way to Normandy. “French freedom fighters sabotage a German train network near Normandy which was transporting German tanks and armoury to the beach defences ahead of D-Day,” the post caption reads in part.

This footage is not genuine, however. It is from a movie titled “La bataille du rail,” a 1946 French movie that translates to “The Battle of the Rails.” (RELATED: Video Of Elon Musk and Giorgia Meloni Kissing Is AI-Generated)

The movie tells the story of French Resistance railroad workers who were trying to sabotage German trains that were carrying ammunition and supplies to the beaches of Normandy. Many of the actors in the film were real railroad workers, and the movie seems to be based on a true story.

Railway sabotage was a real problem for both sides all throughout World War II. However, no known footage exists of this particular event that can be considered real.