MEN OF THE LIGHTSHIP [Main Title]

The sinking by the Germans of the East Dudgeon lightship on 29/1/40 is reconstructed to illustrate the evils of Nazi warfare.

A foreword explains tacit 'international' standing of lightships hitherto, contrasting this story with Louis XIV's attitude "at war with England, not with Humanity." A long introduction establishes sympathy for the crew members and a picture of life on the lightship (attack comes on day relief is due); the only apparent threat comes from a drifting mine which is disposed of with help from a passing Naval vessel. Then German planes arrive: the lightship is strafed and bombed (its skipper wounded), the attack continuing as the crew takes to the boat. They row all night, but on reaching the coast, 7 out of 8 are too exhausted to survive capsizing in the surf. As a new lightship is towed to the station, the commentary reminds that this is "only one episode in a war of unparalleled horror. The Nazis must be stopped. We must, we can, we will stop them."

35mm